Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Wishing to Read Wednesday: Old & New (#6)

Books from the Backlog is a weekly meme, hosted by the wonderful Carole of Carole's Random Life in Books to spotlight and discuss the neglected books sitting on our shelves still waiting to be read.. Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by the marvelous Tressa at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released.

The Old

Drood by Dan Simmons (Little, Brown & Company, 2009)
Drood… is the name and nightmare that obsesses Charles Dickens for the last five years of his life.

On June 9, 1865, Dickens and his mistress are secretly returning to London, when their express train hurtles over a gap in a trestle. All of the first-class carriages except the one carrying Dickens are smashed to bits in the valley below. When Dickens descends into that valley to confront the dead and dying, his life will be changed forever. And at the core of that ensuing five-year nightmare is…

Drood… the name that Dickens whispers to his friend Wilkie Collins. A laudanum addict and lesser novelist, Collins flouts Victorian sensibilities by living with one mistress while having a child with another, but he may be the only man on Earth with whom Dickens can share the secret of…

Drood. Increasingly obsessed with crypts, cemeteries, and the precise length of time it would take for a corpse to dissolve in a lime pit, Dickens ceases writing for four years and wanders the worst slums and catacombs of London at night while staging public readings during the day, gruesome readings that leave his audiences horrified. Finally he begins writing what would have been the world’s first great mystery masterpiece, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, only to be interrupted forever by…

Drood. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read this: Doesn't this just sound dark and delicious? As my husband was dusting the shelves the other day, he mentioned how I had practically begged for an copy of Drood when it first came out (which I promptly received for Christmas that same year), and yet there it sits. On the shelf unread. The size may have something to do with my putting it off, but I am still just as interested in reading it as I was then.

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The Taken (Celestial Blues #1) by Vicki Pettersson (Harper Voyager, 2012)
Griffin Shaw was a PI when alive. Fifty years later, he’s a celestial Centurion assisting the recently and violently dead. But being an angel doesn’t mean he’s a saint. One small mistake altered fate, and dumped him back on the mortal mudflat to collect another soul – Katherine “Kit” Craig, a journalist whose latest investigation may get her clipped.

Bucking heavenly orders, Grif refuses to let this sable-haired siren with hairpin curves come to harm. He also wants the truth about his killer and revenge for his wife Evie's death. Amid an evil conspiracy, a ruthless killer stalks the new partners. Grif's attraction to Kit could cost their lives -- and his answer to who killed him.
[Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read this: I have not read too many books featuring angels, and The Taken caught my attention from the cover to the mystery.

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The New

Tiffany Blues by M.J. Rose
Release Date: August 7, 2018 by Atria Books
New York, 1924. Twenty‑four‑year‑old Jenny Bell is one of a dozen burgeoning artists invited to Louis Comfort Tiffany’s prestigious artists’ colony. Gifted and determined, Jenny vows to avoid distractions and romantic entanglements and take full advantage of the many wonders to be found at Laurelton Hall.

But Jenny’s past has followed her to Long Island. Images of her beloved mother, her hard-hearted stepfather, waterfalls, and murder, and the dank hallways of Canada’s notorious Andrew Mercer Reformatory for Women overwhelm Jenny’s thoughts, even as she is inextricably drawn to Oliver, Tiffany’s charismatic grandson.

As the summer shimmers on, and the competition between the artists grows fierce as they vie for a spot at Tiffany’s New York gallery, a series of suspicious and disturbing occurrences suggest someone knows enough about Jenny’s childhood trauma to expose her.

Supported by her closest friend Minx Deering, a seemingly carefree socialite yet dedicated sculptor, and Oliver, Jenny pushes her demons aside. Between stolen kisses and stolen jewels, the champagne flows and the jazz plays on until one moonless night when Jenny’s past and present are thrown together in a desperate moment, that will threaten her promising future, her love, her friendships, and her very life.
[Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read it: New York in the 1920's has an irresistible quality to it, don't you think? And I really enjoy M.J. Rose's work. If the author's name didn't pique my interest immediately in this one, the setting and subject matter would. Just what is in Jenny's past? And how is it coming to haunt her now?

*

As Wide As the Sky by Jessica Pack
Release Date: July 31, 2018 by Kensington Publishing
Five a.m.: Amanda Mallorie wakes to the knowledge that her son Robbie is gone. And a new chapter of her own life must begin. She has spent four years as her son's only support, desperately trying to understand the actions that landed him on death row and to change his fate. Now Amanda faces an even more difficult task--finding a way, and a reason, to move forward with her own life.

Before the tragedy that unfolded in a South Dakota mall, Robbie was just like other people's sons or daughters. Sometimes troubled, but sweet and full of goodness too. That's the little boy Amanda remembers as she packs up his childhood treasures and progress reports, and discovers a class ring she's never seen before. Who does it belong to and why did Robbie have it in his possession? So begins a journey that will remind her not only of who Robbie used to be, but of a time when she wasn't afraid--to talk to strangers, to help those in need, to reach out. Robbie's choices can never be unmade, but there may still be time for forgiveness and trust to grow again. For a future as wide as the sky.
[Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: Reading this synopsis, so many emotions come to mind. I cannot even imagine what Amanda must be going though. I need to read this book!


What do you think? Are these books you want to read?


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36 comments:

  1. I don't which ones sound better than the other! These are some great picks!

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  2. It's been years since I read Drood and I still remember it very well. I loved it!

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    1. Kathy - I am glad to hear you loved Drood. One of these days I will get to it. :-) Maybe it can be next years big read. LOL

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  3. I'd like to read both Drood and Tiffany Blues because both are involve historical characters that I find fascinating.

    My CWW: https://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2018/06/cant-wait-wednesday_27.html

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    1. Catherine - I feel the same way! I look forward to reading both.

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  4. I remember reading about Drood a long time ago and wanting to read it. Why didn't I? Putting it back on my list. And As Wide As The Sky sounds heartbreaking and sad, but somehow I'd like to try it too. Nice picks, Wendy. Go pull Drood out right now. LOL

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    1. Kay - It might have been the size that put you off. I know it's part of what has kept me for picking it up, sad to say. I don't mind the sad books at all--I find them somewhat cathartic--helping me release pent up emotions and sometimes even shedding light on difficult issues or situations.

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  5. I have some similar Christmas gifts - with different titles :) I have always wanted to read Drood. I should probably pick it up soon. I love the idea of a book set in the 20's. Darn, the wishlist grows ;)

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    1. Barb - I am terrible about getting to books I receive as gifts. Usually they are on my wish list too and so you would think I would be eager to read them . . . I am and then they sit there. Haha Go figure.

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  6. Tiffany Blues sounds good to me. And I thought Drood was very well-written, but it took a turn towards the end that I didn't love. But that was probably just me. :)

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    1. Lark - I really enjoy M.J. Rose's books. I can't wait to try Tiffany Blues. Now you have me curious about the turn at the end of Drood you didn't like . . .

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  7. I've read Drood - it will not be everybody's cup of tea. I didn't dislike it - but it is seriously creepy (not up to Stephen King, by any means.)

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    1. Mary - I do enjoy creepy from time to time. I admit though I am not a huge Stephen King fan. His books are hit and miss for me. So maybe Drood will be more my style.

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  8. These are all so very different and I think I'd enjoy each one in a different way.

    Tressa @ Wishful Endings

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    1. Tressa - Yes, these all appeal to me for different reasons. Hopefully they will live up to my expectations when I get to them.

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  9. I tried Drood, but eventually DNF. I wanted to like it because I loved The Terror by Dan Simmons.

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    1. Jenclair - I am sorry to hear that Drood didn't work for you. I haven't read The Terror, but I have a copy on my shelf. I have heard that one is among the author's best.

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  10. Tiffany Blues is on my list. Oh hey, I forgot about Drood. I wanted to read that one, too.

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    1. Sophie Rose - Maybe one of these days we will get to both of them. :-)

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  11. Tiffany Blue sounds like one I'd love and Drood is one that has been on my radar forever but I've been to scared to try because it's enormous!

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    1. Katherine - Drood scares me too because of the size. One of these days! I am eager to try Tiffany Blue. I have enjoyed M.J. Rose's other books--the ones I have read, at least.

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  12. This time around, I'm only interested in "Tiffany Blues". First of all, I LOVE that cover! Also, the story involves art and that will ALWAYS get my attention! I also LOVE that Tiffany is part of this novel, as I'm a HUGE fan of Tiffany lamps! And then, of course, there's the lure of NYC in the 1920s. I'm very much interested in this time period, as well. So this is an AWESOME choice, Wendy!! Thanks for the heads up! I'm adding this one to my GR shelves!! :) :)

    HUGS TO YOU AND MOUSE!!! FOR THE CATS, TOO!! <3 <3 ,3 :) :) :)

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    1. Maria - I thought it was interesting what you found about the Tiffany Blue cover. I grabbed the first cover for the book that popped up on Goodreads and hadn't even paid attention to the other one. I do like the sound of Tiffany Blues and have enjoyed other work by the author in the past. Hopefully it will be as good as it sounds (and looks!).

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  13. I am pretty sure that I have a copy of The Taken on my Kindle just waiting for some attention. I read a M.J. Rose book a couple of years ago and liked it so I am curious about this new book. I hope you enjoy all of these!

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    1. Carole - I was surprised I hadn't read The Taken yet. It's just the kind of book I've been really into as of late. Maybe soon. :-) I have read a few of M.J. Rose's books and enjoyed them. More of her earlier work, really. I need to read more of her later work!

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  14. I found Drood on audio at my library book sale and almost bought it but the box seemed too small (Drood's a BIG book!) and when I checked turns out it was abridged. It had to be about half of what the full book is!

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    1. Lisa - Ugh. That must have been disappointing. I don't care for abridged versions either.

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  15. Drood definitely sound deliciously Dark! I hope you enjoy it! As Wide As the Sky sounds indeed very emotional. All missing children stories are! A gripping read for sure!

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    1. Daniela - I think so too! I look forward to reading it. I am excited about all of these. :-)

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  16. Drood has been on my list forever but, I think it's a chunkster so I've put it off LOL - Have a great 4th of July Wendy

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    1. Diane - It's a pretty thick book, it's true. That's part of why I haven't managed to get to it yet. Maybe next year I will take it on. :-)

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  17. I remember reading Drood a few years ago! And while I liked it and I kinda want to read it again, I've never been able to actually re-read it. Must be the size...

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    1. Eustacia - I am glad to hear you enjoyed Drood enough to want to re-read it!

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  18. Ohh wow great CWW picks both books looks and sounds very emotional and intense books! I hope you enjoy them when you get the chance to read them.

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