Episode 319
I suddenly finished a couple of lengthy reads and, along with my usual shorter ones, that meant a big slide in the TBR since I last reported – down 5 to 178! Good excuse for one of my favourite gifs!
Here are a few more I’ll be diving into soon…
Winner of the People’s Choice
The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton
The winner went into an early lead this month and, despite valiant attempts by both Angelou and Simenon, neither was able to catch up. It was close in the end, though – The Custom of the Country won by just two votes! An excellent choice, People! I so nearly put this one on my new Classics Club list but just didn’t have room for it, so I’m glad of the push to read it anyway. It will be a May read.
The Blurb says: Considered by many to be her masterpiece, Edith Wharton’s epic work is a scathing yet personal examination of the exploits and follies of the modern upper class. As she unfolds the story of Undine Spragg, from New York to Europe, Wharton affords us a detailed glimpse of what might be called the interior décor of this America and its nouveau riche fringes. Through a heroine who is as vain, spoiled, and selfish as she is irresistibly fascinating, and through a most intricate and satisfying plot that follows Undine’s marriages and affairs, she conveys a vision of social behavior that is both supremely informed and supremely disenchanted.
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American Classic
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
A few weeks ago Mallika at Literary Potpourri posted about some upcoming literary anniversaries, one of which is the centenary of Jack Kerouac’s birth, which will fall on 12th March. So since this one is on my new Classics Club list I thought I’d try to co-ordinate my review for his big day. IF I manage to finish the book in time, that is, and IF I like it – it would be rather mean to celebrate the day with a ranting one-star… 😉
The Blurb says: On The Road swings to the rhythms of 1950s underground America, jazz, sex, generosity, chill dawns and drugs, with Sal Paradise and his hero Dean Moriarty, traveller and mystic, the living epitome of Beat. Now recognized as a modern classic, Kerouac’s American Dream is nearer that of Walt Whitman than F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, and the narrative goes racing towards the sunset with unforgettable exuberance, poignancy and passion.
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Thriller
The Cult by Abby Davies
Courtesy of HarperCollins. An unsolicited one that I probably wouldn’t have chosen for myself. However I surprised myself by thoroughly enjoying Davies’ last book, Mother Loves Me, also sent on spec, so I’m keen to see if she can surprise me again!
The Blurb says: A hidden community…
Thirty years ago, in the English countryside, a commune was set up. Led by Uncle Saviour, it was supposed to be a place of love, peace and harmony. But what started out as paradise turned into hell.
A shocking abduction…
Now, two young children have vanished from their home in the middle of the night. Their parents are frantic, the police are at a loss.
A twisting case…
DI Ottoline is leading the search – her only clue a mask found in the woods. Could the key lie in events that took place decades ago, when a dream of a new way of life became something far more sinister?
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Christie on Audio
Miss Marple’s Final Cases narrated by Joan Hickson
I’m still enjoying Wolf Hall but sometimes I’m not in the mood to listen to something that requires that much concentration, so I’m alternating it with this one. Ms Hickson and Ms Christie are a more delicious combination than even coffee and chocolate cake…
The Blurb says: First, the mystery man in the church with a bullet-wound. Then, the riddle of a dead man’s buried treasure…the curious conduct of a caretaker after a fatal riding accident…the corpse and a tape-measure…the girl framed for theft…and the suspect accused of stabbing his wife with a dagger.
Here are six gripping cases with one thing in common: the astonishing deductive powers of Miss Marple.
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NB All blurbs and covers taken from Goodreads or Amazon UK.
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FictionFan's Book Reviews 
Down 5?!
I need a drink.
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Hahaha, it’s not my fault, though! Is it just me or is NetGalley behind with approvals? I have several requests in that will no doubt all arrive at the same time… 😀
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Fingers crossed for that joyful moment to happen. I shall drink then too 😏
I don’t actually know if they’re slow though. I have one request pending, since September, so I assume I’m just not getting it. 😄
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Haha, still nothing! 😉 I hate when one just sits there for months. I wish they’d just reject them. And then suddenly it turns up months after you’ve lost all interest in it… 😦
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178? Something strange is going on here!
I’m looking forward to your reviews of The Custom of the Country. I love Edith Wharton’s writing and am madly hoping you say wonderful things about her book when review time comes 🙂
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Haha, it’s NetGalley’s fault, mainly. I have several requests in that they haven’t approved yet… 😀
I’ve only read one of Wharton’s novels. which I enjoyed, but I’ve loved some of her short stories and a novella or two. I totally agree about her writing, and this one sounds like fun!
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Down 5? Down 5???? I need to lie down…
I nearly voted for the Wharton so I’ll be really interested to know how you find it. I’m not a massive fan of On The Road but I did read it over 20 years ago so I’ll look forward to hearing if I should give it another chance!
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Haha, I know, but it’s a false dawn – for some reason NetGalley don’t seem to be approving requests at the moment, so they’ll doubtless all come through as a splurge at some point…
I’m looking forward to the Wharton. I haven’t read much of her – one novel, and some short stories – but I’ve loved her writing and this one sounds like fun! Haha, I have a sneaking suspicion I’ll hate On the Road, but maybe it will surprise me – books often do! 😀
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Look forward, with interest, to your Kerouac review! I read it as a teenage feminist.
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Hahahaha, that comment made me laugh! I have a sneaking suspicion my inner feminist might have some views on it too… 😉
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Any opportunity to meet up,with the fabulous Joan Hickson would get my vote
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I’m so glad she left us with these wonderful recordings!
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What a week you’ve had! And some delicious titles there to anticipate. I think you deserve them, and the coffee & chocolate cake, after the depths of Baldwin.
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Hahaha, I have a sneaking feeling On the Road might be my next one-star rant, but we’ll see! 😉
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I did wonder 😉
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I’m tempted by The Cult…it might find its way onto my TBR 😉
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I’m looking forward to it – her last one was pretty good! 😀
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Down? wow. I don’t think mine ever goes down. I’ll look out for your thoughts on Kerouac; much as I want to, I doubt I’m going to get to him in time for the anniversary.
I used to have a cassette tape of the Joan Hickson narration of Miss Marple’s final cases which came with a small book. We did still have a player back then but I don’t remember having listened, though I did read the book
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Haha, mine goes down but then it shoots back up again! My willpower only lasts in short bursts… 😉 Yes, I’m a bit behind so I don’t know if I’ll manage to finish On the Road in time, but I’ll try.
I suspect these audiobooks have been taken from old recordings. Sometimes the quality is a bit dodgy, but it’s still a joy to listen to her narrating the Miss Marple stories. 😀
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Congratulations on that steep drop in the TBR, FictionFan! That calls for a chocolate! As always, you’ve got some interesting reads there. I very much wonder what you’ll think of the Kerouac. It was such an influential read back in the day, and it is unusual. But of course, my eye was immediately drawn to the Christie. Joan Hickson was Miss Marple to me, so any project where she’s doing the narration is worth it!
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Haha, I have been helped by the fact that NetGalley seems to be slow on approvals at the moment – there’s going to be a steep rise again when they get up to date! 😉 I suspect I’ll either love or hate On the Road, so I’m hoping I’ll manage to love it! No problem with loving Joan Hickson and Miss Marple though… 😀
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Well done! My TBR only seems to creep upward. My immediate thought upon seeing On the Road here was, Oh, Fiction Fan won’t like that! Though perhaps I’m biased because I never finished it.
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Haha, mine will leap up when NetGalley approves all the request that are waiting! 😉 Yes, I suspect I’ll hate On the Road, but who knows? I’ve come to the conclusion I’m rotten at judging books from their blurbs. But you usually have much more patience than me, so if you couldn’t finish it… 😱😂
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On the Road and all those male American writers from that era strike me as appealing to younger readers (mostly male) but the older you get the less patience you have for such things. But perhaps you will prove me wrong and it will surprise us!
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There are a lot more male authors in the US writing books that appeal primarily to men, I think. Over here, most men seem to write books that appeal to everyone, except perhaps hardcore action thrillers. But I can’t think of many UK male writers who muse about masculinity the way so many US writers do. I wonder why.
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My gut is that American culture rewards that kind of make sentimentality more than any other country. The Canadian male authors I can think of and that are popular don’t write about being men like that either.
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Yes, I’m not sure if the American male obsession with masculinity means they’re more testosterone-filled or less secure in their own masculinity. It can be interesting when well done, but too often it isn’t. I’d say our female writers over here are equally obsessed with writing books about the state of being female, and I freely admit they bore me just as much on the whole.
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Mostly books that are more about being something and less about plot or actual character tend to bore me!
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Me too!
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You are amazing! Woo! Congrats on that drop! Well deserving of that gif.
I’m always tempted by Miss Marple! And Joan Hickson also is my favorite Miss Marple.
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Haha, thank you, but it won’t last! 😉 Such a pleasure listening to Joan Hickson reading the Miss Marple books – mood enhancing! 😀
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I read On the Road so many years ago, I only recall being irritated and fascinated by the stream of consciousness approach. There was an energy to the book that I now recognize as voice. Will be interested to hear what you have to say about it. Also want to hear what you have to say about Custom of the Country, a book I’ve never read. I am disappointed that the Angelou book didn’t make the cut. Ah well, there is always more than one has time for.
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I suspect I’ll enjoy Wharton considerably more than Kerouac, but who knows? I’ve decided I’m rubbish at judging whether a book will work for me from the blurb! I do dislike stream of consciousness usually, though. The Angelou is still sitting safely on my TBR so I will get to it… one day!
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I could watch that Corgi go down that slide a million times! He looks positively delighted! And I’m delighted for you, dropping five this week. You’re on a roll. The Christie sounds awesome. It’s one I haven’t read, so I’ll be on the lookout for it.
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Haha, I love that little dog – so much fun! 😀 I’m getting a bit worried I might run out of books completely soon. 😉 I must say these Christie audiobooks have become my comfort food – both Hickson and Fraser are such great narrators.
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Great job on the drop. I’m not tempted this week but I will look forward to your thoughts on On the Road since I’ve never read it.
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Haha, I don’t suppose the drop will last, but we’ll see! I’m intrigued by On the Road – it’s one of those ones that I might love or might hate. Only one way to find out!
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I’m not tempted enough to read any of these myself, but I look forward to all of your reviews! I love that gif, too. ☺️
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The little dog is having so much fun! 😀 I’ll need to try harder to add things to your TBR…
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I’m glad it’s the Wharton, I really hope it’s good (especially after the Baldwin!) but I’m feeling tentative about your review of On The road! I read it a couple of years ago and watched the film too which I thought captured it very well (in my humble opinion). Anyway, the tbr is way down, woo hoo!!
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Haha, I feel On the Road could easily be one I hate, but who knows? I thought I’d love the Baldwin! 😂 If I like the book, I might try to watch the film too – I didn’t actually know there was a film of it, so thanks!
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A+ gif choice! Also, I’m really pleased it’s the Wharton – looking forward to hearing what you think of it!
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Haha, I love that little dog! I’m looking forward to the Wharton – I seem to be enjoying classics more than anything else at the moment, 😀
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The Custom of the Country is so good! I am really slow reading at the moment, I’ve got so much work I have little time at all just to sit and read. I’m delayed with my Larry McMurtry and everything!
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My reading has come to a dead stop this week, for no obvious reason. My brain’s gone on strike! Glad to get your endorsement for The Custom of the Country – I’m looking forward to it!
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I haven’t read any Wharton yet, so very interested what you’ll say about this. I’ll also keep an eye on your reviews for On the Road (unread on the shelf for way too long) and The Cult.
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I’m looking forward to the Wharton. I’ve enjoyed her writing in the little I’ve previously read of it, and the story of this one sounds good! Haha, both on the Road and The Cult are gambles – I can imagine me hating them and imagine me loving them. We’ll see! 😉
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Let’s hope NetGallery catches up, that pile is getting dangerously low! Hope you find the Wharton enjoyable, I know Hickson reading Christie is always a treat.
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I think the schools in England were on holiday last week, so probably lots of adults were too. Maybe they’ll all turn up this week! I’m looking forward to the Wharton – I’m definitely in classical mood at the moment. And Joan Hickson deserves her own statue, dressed as Miss M, of course! 😀
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Goodness, with that speed, you’ll be below 150 by the end of the year (or even 100??). Love the gif, it’s such an elegant dive! Not overly tempted, but thinking I ought to try an Edith Wharton novel at some point.
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Haha, I know – I’m getting quite worried I’ll run out of books altogether! 😉 I’ve enjoyed the little Edith Wharton I’ve read so far, although I’ve liked her better in short stories and novellas than full novels. The Custom of the Country sounds very appealing… 😀
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I love when I’m surprised by a book I didn’t request, that was just randomly sent to me – that’s what dreams are made of! Excited to hear your thoughts on the Agatha Christie too of course 😉
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You’ll be sick to death of hearing my views on Agatha Christie when you read this week’s posts! 😉
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Never!!!
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