If last month was a nonfiction extravaganza, this was a month for catching up with new release reviews. I hope you will check out these fantastic offerings from some of my favorite publishers.
Ironically, all these “new” books were actually previously published, either recently in the UK, or many years ago and now getting a reissue. I notice that I don’t read much of-the-moment contemporary fiction at all … thus my discussion question for this month. Do you have any favorites in this genre to recommend? I’ve received some great suggestions already, but I am always up for more!
[divider]
Reviews
- The Winged Girl of Knossos is a Newbery honor book from 1934 that has finally (and deservedly) been brought back into print.
- My eye was caught by three British imports on the Candlewick list this season: Sophie Someone, Maid of the King’s Court, and Hell and High Water.
- The Essex Serpent is yet another British import, a highly acclaimed historical novel that should be of interest to all fans of Victorian-inspired fiction.
Other Books Read
The Hotel Under the Sand by Kage Baker- Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
- The Praise Singer by Mary Renault
- The Fledgling by Jane Langton – Review to come
- The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Perry
- Cut to the Quick by Kate Ross
- A Broken Vessel by Kate Ross
- Whom the Gods Love by Kate Ross
Other Features and Events
- I did two posts for Armchair BEA: Introductions and Best Practices and Dining with the Authors.
- I asked, Why do I not read contemporary fiction?
- After enjoying the book Seasons of the Soul by Hermann Hesse last month, I asked the publisher for permission to post one of the poems, and here it is: “Pruned Oak.”
Shared in the Sunday Post hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer, the Month in Review linkup at The Book Date, and the Monthly Wrap-up Round-up hosted by Feed Your Fiction Addiction
The Emerald City Book Review Archive 
Essex Serpent just keeps getting visibility. I havent read it myself but hear both good and not so good things about it
LikeLike
My feelings were mixed, but you might have a quite different reaction. The people who love it seem to REALLY love it.
LikeLike
Once again you haver had an impressive reading month. I was going along at a good clip myself, but I am now immersed in two very big books so I have slowed down.
LikeLike
That’s a good reason!
LikeLike
I see you liked the Kate Ross books, you read three of them! : ) I read them a few years ago and quite enjoyed them as well. I love sinking into a good mystery.
LikeLike
I stumbled upon them when I was in the mood for some Regency atmosphere and found them totally addictive. It’s terribly sad that Ross died so young and could not write more. 😦
LikeLike
A great month, though not quite over yet. 🙂 Happy July!
LikeLike
Thanks Freda!
LikeLike
Oh, you read Rebecca. I keep meaning to reread it because I loved it the first time, but I saw a not-so-brilliant play adaptation of it (performed using an inordinate amount of SEA SHANTIES) and it’s put me off a bit. I did read My Cousin Rachel this month though, and I absolutely loved it.
I keep seeing The Essex Serpent everywhere, but I don’t feel justified in buying it until I’ve read The Miniaturist and that’s been on my TBR forever.
LikeLike
Sea shanties? I suppose they were trying to get the Cornish atmosphere that way, but that does seem a bit odd.
Hope you can get through some of your TBR this month!
LikeLike
Wow, you had a really productive month! I keep meaning to read Rebecca but never seem to get around to it. I want to read it before watching the movie, which I taped awhile back. Need to move that up my TBR pile! Hope you have a great July!
LikeLike
I think it’s good to read it before watching the movie, because SPOILERS! Although I suppose it works both ways…
LikeLike
I’ve been thinking about “The Essex Serpent.” I’ll have to give that a try eventually!
LikeLike
I hope you do, John.
LikeLike
My mother and I really liked those four Kate Ross books and were sad she died so young. Once my mother was at a dinner where she was stuck next to a dull man who turned out to work at Kate Ross’ law firm. Glad she could come up with a topic, my mother told him she was a fan of his colleague’s books and he was utterly amazed, had no clue they were popular or charming (although knowing my librarian mother he probably heard all about them!).
I am a big Langton fan but realize I read Diamond in the Window,Swing in the Summer House, and Paper Chains repeatedly and not the others.
LikeLike
I really liked the Kate Ross books too — I went through a phase of reading tons of Regency-era fiction but became so annoyed with the authors who don’t portray the era convincingly that I hesitate to pick those books up any more. I can take a certain amount of anachronism, but the writer has to have the right flair for language and attention to detail. Ross stood out among those ranks for her writing style, plus her plots and characters were original and fun. A sad loss indeed.
LikeLike
I have good luck liking books published by Candlewick and i’ll have to check out their new list soon. I haven’t read the books you posted here but I know Essex Serpent is on my TBR.
LikeLike
Candlewick has so many interesting titles coming out, I’m sure you will find something for you.
LikeLike