Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Waiting to Read Wednesday (#12)



The Old(er) 
I have an embarrassing number of unread books sitting on the shelves in my personal library. Carole of Carole's Random Life in Books has given me the perfect excuse to spotlight and discuss those neglected books in her Books from the Backlog feature. After all, even those older books need a bit of love! Not to mention it is reminding me what great books I have waiting for me under my own roof still to read!


The Map of Time (Trilogía Victoriana #1) by Félix J. Palma, Nick Caistor (Translator) 
(Atria, 2011)
Characters real and imaginary come vividly to life in this whimsical triple play of intertwined plots, in which a skeptical H. G. Wells is called upon to investigate purported incidents of time travel and to save lives and literary classics, including Dracula and The Time Machine, from being wiped from existence. 
What happens if we change history?  
Felix J. Palma explores this provocative question, weaving a historical fantasy as imaginative as it is exciting - a story full of love and adventure that transports readers from a haunting setting in Victorian London to a magical reality where centuries collide and a writer's mind seems to pull at all the strings.[Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read it: I am in love with the cover of this one, which I am sure is what first caught my eye when I came across this one. Then the description definitely sold me on it. Time travel and the saving of books (and lives)? A Victorian London setting? I am there!


The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows 
(Dial Press, 2008)
Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding connection in the most surprising ways.

“I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers.”

January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she’s never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb….

As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends—and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society—born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island—boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.

Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever.

Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding connection in the most surprising ways. [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read it: Those who know me will no doubt know why this one landed on my TBR shelf. What may be surprising is that I have yet to read it. The coming out of the movie on Netflix may be what makes me pull this one off my shelf sooner or later to read. Books, letters, and World War II fiction . . . This one has my name on it. 

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The New
Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by the marvelous Tressa at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss upcoming release we are excited about that we have yet to read.


Miss Kopp Just Won't Quit (Kopp Sisters #4) by Amy Stewart
Release Date: September 11, 2018 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Trailblazing Constance's hard-won job as deputy sheriff is on the line in Miss Kopp Just Won't Quit, the fourth installment of Amy Stewart's Kopp Sisters series.

After a year on the job, New Jersey's first female deputy sheriff has collared criminals, demanded justice for wronged women, and gained notoriety nationwide for her exploits. But on one stormy night, everything falls apart.

While transporting a woman to an insane asylum, Deputy Kopp discovers something deeply troubling about her story. Before she can investigate, another inmate bound for the asylum breaks free and tries to escape.

In both cases, Constance runs instinctively toward justice. But the fall of 1916 is a high-stakes election year, and any move she makes could jeopardize Sheriff Heath's future--and her own. Although Constance is not on the ballot, her controversial career makes her the target of political attacks. 
With wit and verve, book-club favorite Amy Stewart brilliantly conjures the life and times of the real Constance Kopp to give us this "unforgettable, not-to-be messed-with heroine" (Marie Claire) under fire in Miss Kopp Just Won't Quit. [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read it: Somehow I missed book three in this series (which I plan to remedy). I am so excited to see there is a book four. I really enjoy this series, loosely based on one of the first female sheriff deputies in the United States.


Hitting the Books (Library Lover's Mystery #9) by Jenn McKinlay
Release Date: September 11, 2018 by Berkley Books

When a stack of library materials is found at the scene of a hit and run, library director Lindsey Norris finds herself dragged into the investigation as the police try to link the driver of the stolen car to the person who borrowed the books. Before Lindsey can delve into the library's records, the victim of the hit and run, Theresa Houston, suffers another "accident" and the investigation shifts from driver negligence to attempted homicide.

A clue surfaces in the confiscated library materials that could crack open the case and it is up to Lindsey to piece it all together. But things are not as they seem in the sleepy town of Briar Creek and when the driver of the stolen car turns up dead, Lindsey, her staff and her library friends have to hit the books before the murderer gets the last word... [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read it: I may not have yet read the first book in the series, but the previous book I did read I ended up loving. I can't wait to dive into this series again. Lindsey is a great character and what book lover can resist a series set in a library?


The Lost Carousel of Provence by Juliet Blackwell
Release Date: September 18, 2018 by Berkley

An artist lost to history, a family abandoned to its secrets, and the woman whose search for meaning unearths it all in a sweeping and expressive story from the New York Times bestselling author of Letters from Paris. 
Present day, San Francisco. During her free time, professional photographer Cady Drake shoots local carousels, a hobby inspired by a gift that transformed her childhood: a wooden rabbit supposedly created by master French carver Gustave Bayol a century ago. And when she's offered a freelance assignment for a book on the antique merry-go-rounds of Paris, Cady can't refuse the opportunity to visit the famous carousels for the first time.... 
1900s, France. In a small town outside of Avignon, a husband and young wife struggle to keep up their ancestral chateau--and start the family they so desperately desire. For the children they hope to have, the Clements hire the famous Bayol to build a carousel, but as the carver and his apprentice work on the beautiful and whimsical creation, fate will entwine them all in unseen ways--for generations to come... 
Present day, Provence. As Cady's research leads her to the dilapidated Chateau Clement and its fabled carousel that was lost to the ravages of World War II, she will uncover a shocking truth in a set of one-hundred-year-old photographs that could guide her in reuniting a family torn apart by petty jealousies over several generations. [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read it: My daughter and I are quite fond of carousels, and I am always interested in hearing the history of the ones we have had the chance to visit and ride. If that aspect alone did not draw me to the novel, the dual time line and the tie to World War II, certainly would have. 


Do any of these books appeal to you? Have you read them?


© 2018, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

47 comments:

  1. These all look great! And SAME on Map of Time, that one has been on my shelf so long and I've always wanted to read it!

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    1. Becky - I am glad I am not the only one who has Map of Time on her TBR shelf. I hope we both get a chance to read it soon--or relatively soon. :-) Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. I haven't read any of those but I've to say the last two books have a gorgeous cover.

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    1. Melody - I love both of those covers too! Thanks for visiting, Melody.

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  3. The Map of time looks amazing. HG Wells as the protagonist is certainly interesting, and I agree- time travel plus literary classics in jeopardy- that's a fun mix. :)

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    1. Greg - I think so too! I can't believe I haven't gotten to it yet. Thanks for visiting!

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  4. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is one of my all-time favorites!

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    1. Jenclair - I don't know why I haven't read it yet! Thanks for stopping by, Jenclair.

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  5. Oh, you must read Guernsey! The Lost Carousel of Provence looks good too.

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    1. Kathy - I want to! I really should get to it sooner than later. Thanks for visiting!

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  6. I too have been dying to read The Map of Time and haven't -- I'd actually forgotten about it so I'm grateful to have seen this post -- adding it to my TBR. I'm back and forth about The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society -- it's not my thing but the movie previews, actually, have me reconsidering!

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    1. Audra - I reminded myself about it when I was looking over my bookshelf for an idea of what to include in this post. I am glad I reminded you too! Thanks for stopping by!

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  7. I finished Hitting the Books over the weekend and LOVED it! It's one of my favorite cozy series.

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    1. Barb - I am so glad to hear it! I can't wait to read Hitting the Books. :-) Thanks for visiting!

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  8. I do love the cover of that first book!!! I really enjoyed The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. The audio was great!

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    1. Grace - I have the print copy, but I am tempted by the audio . . . I will have to see if the library has it in that format. Thanks for visiting!

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  9. I totally want to read A Map of Time! I have it on my wishlist! Great pick this week!

    Mary my CWW!

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    1. Mary - I hope we both like it when we get to it! Thanks for stopping by!

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  10. The Map of Time has been on my TBR forever. It sounds amazing and I have no idea why I haven't read it yet.

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    1. Ashley - I am not sure why I haven't either. It sounds so good! Thanks for stopping by, Ashley!

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  11. I love The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society; it's one of my favorite epistolary novels. And The Map of Time has been on my TBR pile forever, too. :)

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    1. Lark - I am so glad to hear you loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I am looking forward to reading it. :-) Thanks for visiting, Lark.

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  12. I love that you are featuring backlist books! The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society is one that I have wanted to read for some time, too. I hope that you enjoy all of these titles. :)

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    1. Candid Cover - I figure my older books need some love too. :-) Thanks for stopping by!

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  13. The Map of Time has been on my TBR for ages! I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society this month and it was okay but I had higher expectations. I also didn't realize it would be told through letters, which might have made the difference. I hope you'll enjoy these books!

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    1. Lynn - Maybe I should make sure my expectations of that one remain in check. It's gotten so much love. Thanks for visiting!

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  14. The Map of Time cover is so great! I love the sound of the setting as well. Hope you enjoy!

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  15. I love the cover of The Map of Time! I really feel like I should read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I really need to start reading the Jenn McKinlay series as well. I will never catch up :)

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    1. Carole - We both should read it to see what all the fuss is about. :-) No, I don't imagine we will ever catch up with all the books we want to read. We can sure have fun trying though, right? Thanks for stopping by, Carole!

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  16. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is on my TBR list too! But I haven't been able to get around to it :p

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    1. Eustacia - We are in the same club then. :-) Thanks for visiting!

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  17. I NEED The Lost Carousel of Provence. I love carousels too and then throw in everything else and it sounds like a book for me. I'm about to start Hitting the Books and Guernsey was one of my favorites. The audio is fantastic if you want to go that route. I really need to try the Amy Stewart series. I've had it on my TBR since the first book!

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    1. Katherine - Doesn't The Lost Carousel of Provence sound irresistible? I can't wait to read it. I hope you love Hitting the Books! The Amy Stewart books are fun. I love the Kopp sisters. Thanks for stopping by!

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  18. Oh, Wendy, what a literary FEAST you've presented here!! I want them ALL!! Lol. The only ones I've heard of before are "The Map of Time" and "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society". The others look and sound SO GREAT, too!! You sure know how to pick 'em!! Thanks for sharing all of these immediate additions to my Goodreads shelves!! WOWZA!!

    Thanks as well for commenting on my CWW post!! HUGS TO YOU AND MOUSE!! <3 <3 <3 :) :) :)

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    1. Maria - There are too many books I am excited about reading, including some that have been on my shelves too long. I hope you like any and all of these if you do read them, Maria. Hopefully we both well! Thanks for stopping by!

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  19. I've actually not heard of The Map of Time before, but it definitely sounds like one I would enjoy.

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    1. Suzanne - Doesn't it sound good? I hope it will be. Thanks for visiting!

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  20. I LOVE the look of The Map of Time and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society is one of those books I'd love to read - I've visited Guernsey several times and love the island. So yes... these are great picks Wendy!

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    1. Sarah - How neat that you've visited Guernsey! I really need to get to both of those books. Thanks for stopping by!

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  21. OH yes, The Map of Time cover is very eye-catching and I would have picked it up also. It sounds like it would be an interesting read. I haven't read The Guernsey Literary, but I would like to see the movie.

    I hope you enjoy the books you have listed, if you do read them.

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    1. Jovita - I hope it will be. I remember hearing great things about it around the time it came out, but not much since. Thank you for visiting!

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  22. Big fan of Guernsey. And really liked Blackwell's Letters from Paris.

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    1. I am looking forward to reading both one of these days! Ia m glad you liked them. :-) Thanks for stopping by!

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  23. Wendy, I am SO all over the title and cover of THE MAP IN TIM--blows me away!

    I hope you're well. I'm wondering about your family and how your mother is doing! I've been exceptionally sidetracked with stuff here and am sort of picking at things I've been missing. The truncated version: was working on submissions due in by Sept. 2nd when, on July 26th (with my granddaughter in my arms) fell and busted my left (thank God) wrist. Had poor care from the beginning then my Dad ended up in the hospital. Craziness for weeks (still) then finally found a great surgeon and had wrist surgery last week (6 weeks after I broke it!) Dad's still in rehab but it's not working out well, then last night I contracted bacterial conjunctivitis. At least I was able to push to get most of my submissions in by Aug. 31st (but the one I need both hands to construct and the editor said to send whenever), and 2 blog posts I waited 4 years to post! (if you're interested: Q&A w/ Peter Reynolds https://writersideup.com/2018/09/10/up-qa-with-peter-h-reynolds/ and Q&A w/ Paul Reynolds https://writersideup.com/2018/09/02/up-qa-with-paul-a-reynolds/ ) So there's good--well, mostly bad-- reasons I felloff the face of the earth!

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    1. Donna Marie - I don't know why I haven't gotten to that one yet. I remember how excited I was about it when it first came out.

      I am sorry for everything you are having to deal with. I know it can't be easy meeting deadlines, recovering from surgery and conjunctivitis, and with your dad and all he's been dealing with. That's too much for anyone! I hope things start calming down for you. It is good to hear from you again! Take care of yourself first and foremost.

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