Newest TBR Additions
As usual, I'm adding a mixed bag of genres to my want-to-read list. Though I've been reading more than usual, I still seem to be adding books quicker than I can reduce the size of my TBR. Sigh. Here's some recent ones that have caught my attention:
The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai
Genre: General Fiction
Published 2020, 342 pages
Added because: heard about it on SSOP (Strong Sense of Place blog)
Synopsis: Debut novel that is an epic multi-generational saga set in Viet Nam during the war, gripping story evocative of place and culture. Right up my alley.
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
Genre: General Fiction
Published August 2021, 384 pages
Added because: it's about books! found on a BookBub list
Synopsis: Another debut, a widower and a young librarian make a connection over a reading list found in a book - a story about found family between two lonely people. Bonding over books is a great way to a friendship (just sayin') Review here
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
Genre: Thriller
Published Sept 2021, 324 pages
Added because: chosen from a BookBub new release list
Synopsis: A domestic thriller of a ten year marriage in trouble and when they win a trip to Scotland, they hope it will fix things. But alas, it's a thriller with an excellent twist.
The Lies of Locke Lamora; Red Seas Under Red Skies; The Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch - Trilogy
Genre: Fantasy
Published 2006, 2007, 2013
Added because: as I was looking for a Christmas gift for my fantasy-reading son that he hasn't ALREADY read, I came across this recommendation on the PeruseProject book v-log (a good one to follow!)
Synopsis: her recommendation as one of her top 10 fantasy series of all time certainly drew me in. An orphan is taught the skills of thievery and conning from a master and as his skills improve, he plans ever more daring heists; excellent world building and unusual magic system, lots of action, and fast paced. Goodreads reviews concur, so, it's added to my list (and became the series I'll gift my son).
Broken for You by Stephanie Kallos
Genre: General Fiction
Published 2004, 373 pages
Added because: set in Seattle
Synopsis: a debut novel, it's the story of two isolated and lonely women whose paths cross and their lives change - an elderly woman alone in a big house and a young woman with a broken heart searching for her boyfriend. It's a story of secrets, walls built and crumbling, and found family.
**ED: read 1/13/22 - 4 stars
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Published Jan 2021, 304 pages
Added because: recommended by CrimeReads, Anne at Modern Mrs. Darcy and Kari on Goodreads - all recs I value
Synopsis: Jane, a dog walker, arrives in Atlanta and meets a recent widow - wealthy, handsome, lonely. As they begin to fall for each other, she begins to wonder at the death of his first wife and each of their secrets begin to come out.
Great Circle by Maggic Shipstead
Genre: Historical Fiction
Published May 2021, 605 pages
Added because: a LitHub recommendation and a historical novel NOT set in WWII
Synopsis: based on true in two timeframes: female daredevil pilot who disappears over the arctic and modern day actress immersing herself in the role to portray her
A Girl is a Body of Water by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi
Genre: General Fiction
Published Sept 2020, 560 pages
Added because: found on a book blog and the topic is of great interest
Synopsis: A young girl in Uganda has grown up without her mother and as she comes of age, she begins asking questions of the village witch. This COA story about a girl trying to reconcile her rebellious tendencies, her desire to meet her mom, her desire to honor her family's expectations is full of Ugandan folklore and what it means to be a woman in a culture that wants them silenced.
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
Genre: Historical Fiction
Published March 2021, 320 pages
Added because: a book blog made it sound intriguing
Synopsis: two timelines - 1791 and present day London. A hidden, secret apothecary dispenses poisons to women wanting to kill men harming them but when a 12yo girl asks for help, it sets change in motion. In modern day, a young woman finds an old vial and as she investigates, she finds her life on a collision course with the past.
The Woman in the White Kimono by Ana Johns
Genre: Historical Fiction
Published May 2019, 352 pages
Added because: I love stories set in Japan, found on BookBub
Synopsis: In Japan 1957 a young woman is promised in an arranged marriage but is pregnant by an American. She's cast out in disgrace and has to make hard choices to survive. A second timeline is about a woman traveling to Japan to discover secrets from her past.
A Splendid Ruin by Megan Chance
Genre: General Fiction
Published January 2021, 347 pages
Added because: it comes highly recommended by my sister, Donna
Synopsis: After the death of her mother, a young woman is taken in by an aunt's family and raised in wealth but with secrets swirling everywhere. Betrayal, madness, and murder, she's about to lose everything - and then, the San Francisco earthquake hits and she has an opportunity to regain what is hers - does she take it?
Crooked Kingdom #2 by Leigh Bardugo
Genre: Fantasy
Published 2016, 561 pages
Added because: I read and enjoyed Six of Crows and this is next
Synopsis: the young heist crew has been cheated out of their score payment so are back to scratching for a living.....until they come with a new plan.
**ED: Read 2/5/22 - 4 stars
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
Genre: General Fiction
Published 1987, 296 pages
Added because: book v-log by "Jack in the Books" and a fave book of Harry Stiles made it sound .... intriguing
Synopsis: a story that captures young people well as the story of a college couple unfolds - about relationships, a first love, sexual encounters, all set against the backdrop of the 60s
The Thursday Murder Club #1 by Richard Osman
Genre: Mystery
Published Sept 2020, 382 pages
Added because: Jack (Jack in the Books v-log) recommended it
Synopsis: a debut novel, 4 septuagenarians and a female cop get caught up in a murder mystery and as bodies begin to pile up, can this unlikely combo of people solve the case? (Edgar nomination for best novel)
2 a.m. at the Cat's Pajamas by Marie-Helene Bertino
Genre: General Fiction
Published 2014, 272 pages
Added because: recommended by a blogger
Synopsis: a 9yo girl is mourning the recent loss of her mother and sneaks across town to the hot jazz club to try to perform; a woman avoiding her ex-husband ventures out to a dinner party; the owner of the Cat's Pajamas jazz club is fined which jeopardizes the club - these 3 storylines weave together, all on Christmas Eve.
What an eclectic collection of books I've come across recently! I can't wait to dive into them. Have you read any of these? If so, let me know your thoughts - steer me toward or away from them! Have you read something delightful recently - tell me about it in the comments; I'm always up for a good read!
