The Burning Library from Gilly Macmillan is set in what I’ve seen referred to as dark academia. Action begins in the hallowed halls of Oxford and moveThe Burning Library from Gilly Macmillan is set in what I’ve seen referred to as dark academia. Action begins in the hallowed halls of Oxford and moves toward a small, very secretive college and manuscript center in St Andrew, Scotland. It involves centuries old texts and weavings, secret groups of women with opposing views of woman’s place in the world, one sought after relic that may offer the group that finds it superiority for the future. And into this occasionally deadly stew graduates Dr. Anya Brown, a specialist in translation of old texts. At this point there has already been a death, likely a murder, so my mystery antennae were ready to go.
And on this story does go, eventually involving Scotland Yard’s Art and Antiques Squad as well. I did enjoy much of the development and chase aspects of this novel. It’s escapist fun. But as the plot continued to become more complex, at times almost outrageous in its use of coincidence, my enjoyment became tempered with…what?…disappointment? Yes. As I finished this book, I realized I had enjoyed a 4* ride to a lesser conclusion which brought the whole experience down for me. The holes in the construction became that much more obvious, the coincidences and outrageous events even less passable. Well, I did enjoy the suspense during the ride. I only wish the whole had held together better.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this book....more
I have decided to DNF this book at this time because, after completing the very detailed introduction, I realized that the author was presenting a booI have decided to DNF this book at this time because, after completing the very detailed introduction, I realized that the author was presenting a book by book analysis of four of Ward’s titles of which I have read only one. While I think this analysis would, and will, be interesting, I don’t want to have my experience of these earlier novels and memoir to be affected by reading such in depth analysis beforehand. My first experience of reading Ward was Sing, Unburied, Sing, followed by the Vanity Fair article she wrote after her husband’s death. Most recently I read Let Us Descend. My response to her writing is a mix of emotion and thought, with emotion sparking the enjoyment I feel especially with a first reading. I don’t want to lose that.
My plan is to return to this book in the future when I have read the other works. Additionally, for anyone considering this book, it is not written as a casual discussion of Ward’s work. Rather, it’s written more as a scholarly text outlining the place of this work in Southern literature and world events, and defining what black literature actually is. I will admit, that when I requested this from NetGalley, I did not expect the book before me. I had thought it would be somewhat more casual. But I am interested to eventually reading the author’s conclusions....more
I have read several of Carol Goodman’s books over the years but none in quite some time so I was happy to have this chance to read her latest. In manyI have read several of Carol Goodman’s books over the years but none in quite some time so I was happy to have this chance to read her latest. In many ways it reminds me of themes from her past novels, ones that I enjoyed. A relatively young woman, Maia Gold, is invited to a writers’ conference on the Greek island of Eris owned by Argos Alexander. But this is not her first time visiting Eris. She was there 15 years before at a conference that didn’t end as she had hoped. She has been summoned by written invitation, instructions provided. Ultimately, in spite of misgivings, she decides to go, to see the place and people from all those years ago and hopefully settle old problems.
Once Maia arrives at Eris, an island aptly named for the goddess of discord, tensions from the past and odd currents from the present takeover. As in my past reading experiences with Goodman, there is a strong classical mythology presence running through the novel, with Goodman providing details on the various gods, goddesses and legends. The suspense begins almost immediately and continues to the end.
This is not a high energy thriller but an entertaining suspense novel, a whodunnit, how and why, that works a complicated route to solution. After a somewhat slow beginning, I enjoyed being along for this ride and read quickly to the end. I recommend this for an enjoyable read.
Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for an early copy of this book....more
Jane Austen’s Bookshelf is that rare book whose author combines knowledge of English literature, especially of the 18th century, a particular love of Jane Austen’s Bookshelf is that rare book whose author combines knowledge of English literature, especially of the 18th century, a particular love of Jane Austen, experience in the world of book collection and book sales at a high level, and who, above all, wants to throw light on the women who influenced Jane Austen as a writer.
Then add to the mix a sense of humor too.
Romney writes in a very readable style of eight women acknowledged by Austen in novels, letters or conversations during her lifetime. Some are slightly remembered today, such as Ann Radcliffe or Frances Burney, but most have been lost except to some 18th century literature texts, if they happen to include women other than Austen.
The subtitle really says it all: A Rare Book Collector’s Quest to Find the Women Writers Who Shaped a Legend. You need not be a devoted Austen reader to enjoy and appreciate this book. I haven’t read all of her books yet, I will admit, but I have enjoyed those I have read. And I very much appreciate any effort to open up history and shine light on other women who were also entering the then new world of writing novels. It wasn’t only men making the leap into this genre.
Highly recommended and prepare to add to your reading list!
Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an eARC of this book....more
Janet Shore, aka Annapurna, the titled Book Fairy, is a quiet, unassuming person with a wonderful ability, wonderful if one is a lover of books. She hJanet Shore, aka Annapurna, the titled Book Fairy, is a quiet, unassuming person with a wonderful ability, wonderful if one is a lover of books. She has been blessed with the ability to travel to or send others into the world of their favorite books. And when she was young she did this with childhood friends in secret, often deciding for them (if they happened to choose a book that didn't seem quite good enough) on one that would be better. Then she grew up. Her life changed and she left this talent behind until, well, one day, it was awakened.
What a delightful tale this is, a long short story, short novella, full of bookish magic. To say much more would be to tell too much I fear. There is love of books and reading here. Love of the eccentric and humanity and a certain wistfulness.
I recommend this as a fun, magical read for book lovers.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Merged review:
Janet Shore, aka Annapurna, the titled Book Fairy, is a quiet, unassuming person with a wonderful ability, wonderful if one is a lover of books. She has been blessed with the ability to travel to or send others into the world of their favorite books. And when she was young she did this with childhood friends in secret, often deciding for them (if they happened to choose a book that didn't seem quite good enough) on one that would be better. Then she grew up. Her life changed and she left this talent behind until, well, one day, it was awakened.
What a delightful tale this is, a long short story, short novella, full of bookish magic. To say much more would be to tell too much I fear. There is love of books and reading here. Love of the eccentric and humanity and a certain wistfulness.
I recommend this as a fun, magical read for book lovers.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review....more
I’m not sure how to even think about reviewing this book. There are many excellent and informative reviews here at Goodreads. All I can offer is persoI’m not sure how to even think about reviewing this book. There are many excellent and informative reviews here at Goodreads. All I can offer is personal thoughts. As a lifelong reader, I immediately relate to the Reader, his joys, frustrations, dreams of finding the perfect book and author, and the perfect reading spouse. And then there are the frustrations of the ongoing search.
At times the prose amazed me even as it sometimes confounded me. Calvino’s work is experimental, of a type I’ve read rarely. Occasionally I confess I lost patience with certain sections later in this novel while earlier excerpts captivated me with the stories, style and prose. 3.5 rounded to 4....more
The Lost Book of Bonn by Brianna Labuskes is a work of historical fiction set before and during World War II primarily in Bonn and Berlin, Germany andThe Lost Book of Bonn by Brianna Labuskes is a work of historical fiction set before and during World War II primarily in Bonn and Berlin, Germany and in the immediate post-war period near Frankfurt, Germany as a young woman sent from the U.S. Library of Congress arrives for a temporary placement at the Offenbach Depot, a depository of books confiscated from the many Nazi caches discovered by the Monuments Men.
Emmy Clarke, a librarian and war widow, arrived in Germany in an Army uniform for the planned two months duration of her visit, but was a civilian, and above all a person who prized books. Her contact, Major Wesley Arnold, was one of those storied Monuments Men who had been working to find everything that the Nazi government had plundered from those people sent to the camps and the art stolen from museums and other cultural institutions.
The earlier stories involved teenage sisters Annelise and Christina, in 1938 and 1943. Annelise is the older sister, worried about what is happening in Germany, unwilling to follow the rules, friends with a group who enjoy nature and hiking in the mountains. She and her friends have become involved in prank type behavior toward the Reich as part of the Edelweiss Pirates. The question becomes what will they do as the tactics of government harden. Christina is more of a follower. She loves her sister but can’t follow that type of existence. She likes order and deals well with rules. She joined the Bund Deutscher Madel, the group intended for all girls. What will she do if these rules should endanger those she loves?
The author provides information on the historical background for some of the specific events cited in the novel. Once again, I learned more about the Holocaust and WWII from this novel. Another reason I’m always glad for good historical fiction.
Recommended for those who like good historical fiction and novels about WWII, Germany and the Holocaust.
Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for an eARC of this book. This review is my own....more
The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt is one of the more low key books I have read. It’s the life of Bob Comet, largely through Bob’s thoughts and words The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt is one of the more low key books I have read. It’s the life of Bob Comet, largely through Bob’s thoughts and words and covers the major events of his life. And that is both the strength and weakness of this book, for Bob is so intensely self-effacing, and shy ( or is that a behavioral quirk—I just can’t decide).
The prose is often very clever and well done but…and there is this but always arising. It’s the story of a sad man who appears to have loved his career at the local library, been very unlucky in love, and had one adventure. There is a flashback late in the book to a childhood episode where he ran away from home. I particularly liked this segment. Perhaps it revealed a potential other “Bob” that might have been. Perhaps it offsets later regrets.
I come away from this novel wishing for more but not sorry I read it. I will check deWitt’s writing again. My rating likely 3.5 rounded down to 3.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book....more
In this new anthology, we have more Golden Age stories edited by Martin Edwards, here with a common theme involving books or writers of some kind. I fIn this new anthology, we have more Golden Age stories edited by Martin Edwards, here with a common theme involving books or writers of some kind. I found this collection very even in quality and interest, with eight stories marked as 5 or 5+ (my own superlative category). Only one rating at 3.5 with all others at 4. And my comments on my kindle reflect this.
To be continued…
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review....more
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