Tuesday, October 09, 2018

Waiting to Read Wednesday (#18)



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!


U is for Undertow (Kinsey Millhone #21) by Sue Grafton (Putnam, 2009)
It's April 1988, a month before Kinsey Millhone's thirty-eighth birthday, and she's alone in her office catching up on paperwork when a young man arrives unannounced. He has a preppy air about him and looks as if he'd be carded if he tried to buy a beer, but Michael Sutton is twenty-seven, an unemployed college dropout. More than two decades ago, a four-year-old girl disappeared, and a recent newspaper story about her kidnapping has triggered a flood of memories. Sutton now believes he stumbled on her lonely burial and could identify the killers if he saw them again. He wants Kinsey's help in locating the grave and finding the men. It's way more than a long shot, but he's persistent and willing to pay cash up front. Reluctantly, Kinsey agrees to give him one day of her time.

But it isn't long before she discovers Sutton has an uneasy relationship with the truth. In essence, he's the boy who cried wolf. Is his story true, or simply one more in a long line of fabrications?

Moving between the 1980s and the 1960s, and changing points of view as Kinsey pursues witnesses whose accounts often clash, Grafton builds multiple subplots and memorable characters. Gradually we see how everything connects in this thriller. And as always, at the heart of her fiction is Kinsey Millhone, a sharp-tongued, observant loner who never forgets that under the thin veneer of civility is a roiling dark side to the soul. [
Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read it: Sue Grafton's series is one of my favorite all-time mystery series, but I have not yet managed to read all the books in the series. Yet. This is next up. I just need to make time for 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.

Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy
Date of Release: October 23, 2018 by William Morrow
A bold, heartfelt tale of life at Green Gables . . . before Anne: A marvelously entertaining and moving historical novel, set in rural Prince Edward Island in the nineteenth century, that imagines the young life of spinster Marilla Cuthbert, and the choices that will open her life to the possibility of heartbreak—and unimaginable greatness

Plucky and ambitious, Marilla Cuthbert is thirteen years old when her world is turned upside down. Her beloved mother has dies in childbirth, and Marilla suddenly must bear the responsibilities of a farm wife: cooking, sewing, keeping house, and overseeing the day-to-day life of Green Gables with her brother, Matthew and father, Hugh.

In Avonlea—a small, tight-knit farming town on a remote island—life holds few options for farm girls. Her one connection to the wider world is Aunt Elizabeth “Izzy” Johnson, her mother’s sister, who managed to escape from Avonlea to the bustling city of St. Catharines. An opinionated spinster, Aunt Izzy’s talent as a seamstress has allowed her to build a thriving business and make her own way in the world.

Emboldened by her aunt, Marilla dares to venture beyond the safety of Green Gables and discovers new friends and new opportunities. Joining the Ladies Aid Society, she raises funds for an orphanage run by the Sisters of Charity in nearby Nova Scotia that secretly serves as a way station for runaway slaves from America. Her budding romance with John Blythe, the charming son of a neighbor, offers her a possibility of future happiness—Marilla is in no rush to trade one farm life for another. She soon finds herself caught up in the dangerous work of politics, and abolition—jeopardizing all she cherishes, including her bond with her dearest John Blythe. Now Marilla must face a reckoning between her dreams of making a difference in the wider world and the small-town reality of life at Green Gables.
[Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read it: Mostly because Sarah McCoy's name is on this one. I have yet to read a book by her I have not liked. Although I haven't yet read Anne of Green Gables, this novel sounds good on its own.


Well-Read Black Girls edited by Glory Edim
Release Date: October 30, 2018 by Ballantine Books
An inspiring collection of essays by black women writers, curated by the founder of the popular book club Well-Read Black Girl, on the importance of recognizing ourselves in literature.  
Remember that moment when you first encountered a character who seemed to be written just for you? That feeling of belonging can stick with readers the rest of their lives--but it doesn't come around as frequently for all of us. In this timely anthology, "well-read black girl" Glory Edim brings together original essays by some of our best black female writers and creative voices to shine a light on how we search for ourselves in literature, and how important it is that everyone--no matter their gender, race, religion, or abilities--can find themselves there. Whether it's learning about the complexities of femalehood from Their Eyes Were Watching God, seeing a new type of love in The Color Purple, or using mythology to craft an alternative black future, each essay reminds us why we turn to books in times of both struggle and relaxation. As she has done with her incredible book-club-turned-online-community Well-Read Black Girl, in this book, Edim has created a space where black women's writing and knowledge and life experiences are lifted up, to be shared with all readers who value the power of a story to help us understand the world, and ourselves.

Contributors include: Jesmyn Ward (
Sing Unburied Sing), Lynn Nottage (Sweat), Jacqueline Woodson (Another Brooklyn), Gabourey Sidibe (This Is Just My Face), Morgan Jerkins (This Will Be My Undoing), Zinzi Clemmons (What We Lose), N. K. Jemisin (The Fifth Season), Tayari Jones (An American Marriage), Nicole Dennis-Benn (Here Comes the Sun), Rebecca Walker (Black, White and Jewish), and more.  [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read it: One of my favorite quotes about reading is about how a reader can find pieces of themselves scattered in the books we read. I can't remember who said it. It is probably from some random meme on Facebook or Pinterest. Regardless, it is true. And unfortunately, not everyone is able to see themselves as clearly in books as others of us. Whether it be the color of our skin, gender or sexual identity, religion or abilities, among other things. I am so excited about this book, and I am looking forward to reading each of these amazing women's essays.


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


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39 comments:

  1. U Is For Undertow sounds like a good mystery! And so does Marilla of Green Gables- I think exploring Prince Edward Island and the escaped slaves subplot sound great! The Anne of Green Gables books are so beloved it does make me curious to read about that setting.

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    1. Greg - I hope to get to it sooner than later. I have enjoyed all of Grafton's novels. I thought Marilla sounded good as well. I have enjoyed McCoy's other books and so am hopeful this one will be. Thank you for visiting, Greg.

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  2. Although all of these books sound amazing, they're not my cup of tea to read. Thank you for introducing me to them though! Maybe I'll remember about these books in the future when I'm craving for something different to read :)

    Elle Inked @ Keep on Reading

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  3. Oh man, Sue Grafton's series is one I desperately wanted to get into, but I tried "Y" I think it was and I couldn't engage with it :(

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    1. Verushka - I'm sorry you didn't enjoy Y. I haven't gotten there yet in the series, so couldn't say. This is one series I am glad I've read in order. Thank you for visiting!

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  4. Honestly, all these books kinda appeal to me. I love the sound of all three of them. But I think Marilla of Green Gables will be especially amazing.

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    1. Stephanie - I hope it will be! I have really enjoyed McCoy's other books. Thanks for stopping by!

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  5. I was going to buy The Well-Read Black Girl the other day. I should have purchased it. Great books this week.

    Mary my CWW!

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    1. Mary - It sounds like it will be good! It's been awhile since I last read a book of essays. I hope we both enjoy it when we read it. Thank you for visiting!

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  6. I, too, have fallen behind in the Grafton series. I think I'm up to T. On the positive side, the wait for your new picks is almost over!

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    1. Catherine - One of these days we will catch up! It doesn't sound like we're that far a part from each other in catching up. Thank you for stopping by!

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  7. Oooh, I enjoyed the Anne of Green Gables series, so Marilla of Green Gables sounds good!

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    1. Eustacia - I hope it will be! I am looking forward to it.

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  8. All 3 of those look good to me. I have a few of the Grafton books I need to go back and read.

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    1. Kathy - I love the Grafton books. :-) Thank you for visiting!

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  9. I haven't read Anne of Green Gables yet either. I want to though. I've heard they are good to read in the fall. I have the first four, I think. I do want to read them, but I don't know if I want to pick them up right now. I like the idea of exploring a story for Marilla. I think it's really creative. I just am not sold on the abolitionist side of the story. Not that it wasn't important. I read books to escape and wouldn't enjoy that subplot.

    I'm glad to find another meme. I've been wanting to do a meme that talks about older books, so I'll have to keep the Books from the Backlog in mind.

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    1. Amy - I just have to decide if I want to read Anne first or jump right into Marilla.

      I hope you will join in on the Backlog meme! Carole is a wonderful host. The meme actually runs on Thursdays, but I post it on Wednesday because it works best for me--I like the idea of featuring old and new together. :-)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  10. I LOVE your new choices!! "Marilla of Green Gables" sounds WONDERFUL!! I really like the abolitionist angle, too, which ties right in with your next choice, "Well-Read Black Girls". This one is just the type of thing to help me take my mind off the current White House occupant and his racist policies!

    Thanks for sharing these!! Adding both to my Goodreads shelves!! HUGS TO YOU AND MOUSE!! <3 <3 :) :)

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    1. Maria - Anything to keep our minds off what is going on in Washington D.C. Even if for a little while. :-( On the plus side, I received my absentee ballot in the mail today so I will be voting soon. I hope you enjoy Marilla and Well-Read Black Girls if you read them! Thanks for visiting, Maria.

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  11. Some great picks here. Hope you enjoy them when you get to them.

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  12. It's funny...I tend to have a very protective, skeptical view of stories written that take total creative license of someone else's "classic" work, so as much as I love the character of Marilla, it bothers me that an author has created back story that is likely completely different than her real back story :-/ To me these things always feel like a "professionally published" version of fanfic :-/

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    1. Donna Marie - Fortunately, that isn't a problem I have. I used to feel that way about all the Austen spin-offs. Books like this can be hit and miss for me, but if the story or characters interest me enough, I am open to giving them a try. I've loved McCoy's other books and trust she will honor the material. Thanks for stopping by!

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    2. I hope she does :) ...and that you enjoy it!

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  13. I still need to read U is for Undertow. I got behind on Grafton's books, but I intend to read the last 4 books in her series next year. :)

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    1. Lark - Maybe I should make that goal too. I really should get to the rest. Thank you for visiting!

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  14. Wait, what? You haven't read Anne? You must read Anne first. I was just at the Anne & Gilbert musical last week, for the second time and resale Anne the Musical for the umpteenth time this summer. You really need to read Anne. Maybe try a read a loud with Mouse

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    1. Elizabeth - No, I haven't. It seems a crime, doesn't it? I didn't really know about the books when I was growing up. There's a musical? Now I have to read the series! LOL I would love to read it to Mouse. She has to be interested in it though, which she's not yet. Maybe when she's a little older. Thanks for visiting!

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  15. I'm definitely interested in reading Well Read Black Girl. So many amazing authors are in that collection.

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    1. Suzanne - It's an impressive list of authors. I can't wait to read it. Thanks for stopping by!

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  16. I haven't read any of the Sue Grafton series yet. I have the first 9 or 10 books sitting on my bookshelf so I have no idea why. I hope you enjoy all of these!

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    1. Carole - Both my husband and I really enjoy Grafton's series. I think he's one book ahead of me. Or maybe we're even now. I'm not sure. LOL Thanks for visiting!

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  17. You are almost there with the Grafton series! I just read a short blurb of the Edim book and that's definitely going on my list.

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    1. Iliana - I am! So close to the end. I am not sure I want it to end. :-( Thank you for stopping by!

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  18. I didn't know there was a book about Marilla. I'll have to look that one up. Great reasons for grabbing Well-Read Black Girl. Rooting you on to finish your Sue Grafton series.

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  19. I haven't read any of the Sue Grafton books. I'm curious about them, and always wonder if I want to start another series. Have a lovely week.

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    1. Jovita - Not everyone takes to Grafton novels, but I have enjoyed them from the start. :-)

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