I’m beginning to think I have to keep track of these books better, if I can figure out a way to do it easily. I already looked into putting some kind of tag to indicate sources on the books in The StoryGraph, but I can’t figure out how to do it. I found myself not even readily able to remember where I heard about the latest addition to my list.
Anyway, here it is, the third installment of this feature, which I stole from Liz at Adventures in reading, running, and working from home. These are the books I added to my list in October, with sources if I can remember them:
May We Feed the King by Rebecca Perry
I found out lately that I have to read this one for my Booker Shortlist Prize project anyway, but I think it was already on my list from a New York Times post. And lately, I saw a review of it by Bookish Beck and before that another by Cathy of 746 Books. A curator and king—interesting.
The Country Schoolmaster by Kate Grenville
I’m usually going to read Grenville, but I am indebted to Helen of She Reads Novels for the knowledge that this book was available. I’m not always up on Australian publications. It’s interesting to see that a main character of May We Feed the King is a curator and of The Country Schoolmaster is an archivist. I think I see a trend here.
Madonna in a Fur Coat by Sabahattin Ali
I checked most of the usual suspects, but I was unable to spot anyone’s review of this book that rang a bell. I probably paid attention to it because it is written by a Turkish writer and I keep trying to read more books from different countries. I see that a couple of Classics Club members have reviewed it, but I’m pretty sure that’s not where I read about it. Hmmm. It’s about a young Turk who goes to Berlin in the 1920s.
With Our Blessing by Jo Spain
I’m fairly sure it isn’t the review of With Our Blessing that made me put this book on my list, but FictionFan‘s enthusiastic review of the second in the series, Beneath the Surface. When it’s a series, I usually try to go back to the first book. I believe that she said that the second book was even better than the first, which she regarded highly, so something to look forward to. It’s a crime novel set in 1970s Ireland.
The Far Cry by Emma Smith
I at least know where I read about The Far Cry, from Simon at StuckinaBook for the 1949 Club. It’s about a girl whose father takes her away to India to get her away from her mother. Anyway, it’s Persephone Press, so I would eventually have read it.
Music Against the Night by Yiyun Li
I am fairly sure I read about this novel in a review by the New York Times. It’s about two music students in 18th century Dublin. I am noticing that most of these books seem to be historical fiction. Not surprising, I guess.
Luna, Phoenix, Queen by Julie Orringer
Although I don’t use Amazon’s book recommendations because they are always pretty far off for me, I think this book popped up when I was buying something else. It’s by Julie Orringer, and I have loved everything I’ve read of hers so far. I didn’t even look to see what it was about.
Hawthorn by Elaine Thomson
I have no idea where I read about this one, but the words “Victorian Ghost Story” got me right away, I’m sure. If you think I read about it on your blog, let me know.
Shadows of the Burning Moor by Kenny Boyle
This book is so new, it doesn’t even have a proper cover yet. I have been following Kenny Boyle on Instagram. He’s a delightful Scot from the Isle of Lewis who talks about Scottish mythology and pronunciation and other Scottish subjects, but mostly folklore. He is also a playwright who won the 2021 New Playwright’s Award. I’m not sure this is going to prove to be my genre, but I am planning to buy this book when it comes out.
Opal Country by Chris Hammer
I again have FictionFan to thank for cluttering up my To Read list with a bunch of books, including this one. Crime novel, set in an Australian mining town. What’s not to like?
