Tuesday, June 08, 2021

Waiting to Read Wednesday: In the Mirror, a Peacock Danced / The Perfect Ruin / Questions of Travel


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.

In the Mirror, a Peacock Danced
Justine Bothwick
Release Date: June 22, 2021 by Agora Books
Set against the lush backdrop of early 20th-century India, In the Mirror, a Peacock Danced – the debut novel from Justine Bothwick – is the moving story of one woman’s journey back to herself.

Agra, 1938: Eighteen-year-old Florence Hunt has grown up riding horses past the Taj Mahal and chasing peacocks through her backyard under the critical gaze of her father. Increasingly enamoured with his work on the booming railway, Florence yearns to know more, but finds herself brushed away, encouraged only to perform the more ladylike hobbies of singing and entertaining guests. So when a dazzling young engineer walks into her life, she finds herself not only gripped by secret lessons in physics but swept entirely off her feet.

Portsmouth, 1953: Fifteen years later, Florence finds herself pregnant and alone in post-war England – a far cry from her sun-drenched existence in India. Struggling to cope with the bleakness of everyday life in a male-dominated world, Florence is desperate to find the woman she used to be. But when someone from her past reaches out, Florence might just have a chance to start over.

Soaring from the shimmering heights of the big top to the depths of heartbreak, can Florence find the happiness, independence, and passion she once had in order to start living again?
[Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: The above synopsis raises so many questions for me--I am definitely intrigued and want to know more about Florence and her life. How did she get to where she is and will she become the woman she longs to be? 


The Perfect Ruin
by Shanora Williams

Release Date: August 3, 2021 by Dafina
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shanora Williams comes a tale of revenge served ice cold—and a warning to be careful what you scheme for . . .

A brutal tragedy ended Ivy Hill’s happy family and childhood. Now in her twenties and severely troubled, she barely has a life—or much to live for. Until the day she discovers the name of the woman who destroyed her world: Lola Maxwell—the mega-wealthy socialite with a heart, Miami’s beloved “first lady” of charity. Accomplished, gorgeous, and oh-so-caring, Lola has the best of everything—and doesn’t deserve any of it. So it’s only right that Ivy take it all away . . .

Little by little, Ivy infiltrates Lola’s elite circle, becomes her new best friend—and plays Lola’s envious acquaintances and hangers-on against her. But seducing Lola’s handsome, devoted surgeon husband turns into a passionate dream Ivy suddenly can’t control. And soon, an insidious someone will twist Ivy’s revenge into a nightmare of deception, secrets, and betrayal that Ivy may not wake up from . . . 
[Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: Be careful what you wish for . . . This sounds like a twisty page turner of a thriller. 


Does either of these books interest you? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to reading?

★                          ★                          ★

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!


Questions of Travel
by Michelle de Kretser
(Little, Brown and Company, 2013)
A mesmerising literary novel, Questions of Travel charts two very different lives. Laura travels the world before returning to Sydney, where she works for a publisher of travel guides. Ravi dreams of being a tourist until he is driven from Sri Lanka by devastating events.

Around these two superbly drawn characters, a double narrative assembles an enthralling array of people, places and stories - from Theo, whose life plays out in the long shadow of the past, to Hana, an Ethiopian woman determined to reinvent herself in Australia.

Award-winning author Michelle de Kretser illuminates travel, work and modern dreams in this brilliant evocation of the way we live now. Wonderfully written,
Questions of Travel is an extraordinary work of imagination - a transformative, very funny and intensely moving novel. [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: I added Questions of Travel to my TBR shelf in 2013, likely drawn to dual narrative story and setting. I had actually forgotten about this one until I was going through my Kindle. It still sounds like something I would enjoy.


Have you read Questions of Travel?  Does this book sound like something you would like to read? 

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39 comments:

  1. The perfect ruin sounds like a great thriller. Here is my CWW: https://moretoodiscover.blogspot.com/2021/06/cant-wait-wednesday-chase.html

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    1. Sarita - I think so too! I can't wait to read it. Thank you for visiting!

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  2. The Perfect Ruin sounds really interesting! I've getting Liv Constantine vibes from the synopsis!

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    1. Eustacia - Liv Constantine is another author I really want to try. Thank you for stopping by!

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  3. In the Mirror, a Peacock Danced sounds like my kinda read! 😍

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    1. Stephanie - Doesn't it sound good? I cannot wait to read it! And that cover . . . So pretty. Thank you for visiting!

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  4. They both sound like books I'd enjoy - especially In the Mirror, a Peacock Danced. I take it the'big top' is the circus - I'd like to know more about that and the contrast between pre-war India and post-war Britain.

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    1. Margaret - That's what I'm thinking too--that "big top" is the circus. The synopsis gives so little away and yet just enough to get me interested. And yes, the contrast between the two settings really interests me as well. I hope it will be good! Thank you for stopping by!

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  5. I haven't heard of Questions of Travel but it sounds good. my Kindle is out of control. Over 2000 books, I need to organize that hot mess soon.

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    1. Diane - I am not sure how many books I have on my Kinde. Then there's my Nook app . . . I need to organize mine too, but it will take time--and finding that time will be a challenge in and of itself! Thank you for visiting!

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  6. Definitely interested in the "The Perfect Ruin"! Sounds like an exciting read.

    I also love the idea of creating a book backlog. I agree that backlogged books need some love as well.

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    1. E.M. - I think so too--on both counts. :-) Thank you for stopping by!

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  7. Beautiful cover! And I really need to join the books from the backlog feature, as I have a ton of those too! Hope you get to them soon.
    Lisa Loves Literature

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    1. Lisa - I really like the cover too. Thank you for visiting!

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  8. I haven't read any of these but I think we read different kinds of books. I hope they are good.

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    1. Mary - I hope they will be too! Have a great weekend!

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  9. I love historical fiction set in India. In the Mirror sounds fascinating.

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    1. Laura - I think so too! I look forward to reading it. Thank you for stopping by!

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  10. Oh, I've fallen bigtime for In the Mirror, a Peacock Danced... Apart from anything else - what a fabulous title! I hope you get a chance to enjoy this one.

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    1. Sarah - Isn't that a great title? I think so too! I hope it will be as good as it sounds and looks. Thank you for visiting!

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  11. in the Mirror sounds pretty good and I like the sound of the others also, I hope you love them when you get to read them!

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    1. Michelle - I hope I will too! Thank you for stopping by!

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  12. The first book sounds so good! I'm also curious about so many things. It seems like it will be a very epic story😁

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    1. Tammy - Yes, it does. I look forward to it! Thank you for visiting!

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  13. In the Mirror, a Peacock Danced sounds so good! Like you, I'm very curious about how Florence got to where she is and if she'll get to be where she wants to be. Thanks for sharing! :)

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    1. Ashley - I really want to know more about Florence and her life. I look forward to reading In the Mirror, a Peacock Danced. Thank you for stopping by!

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  14. What sounds like an interesting collection, enjoy.

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  15. De Kretser is originally from Sri Lanka and I am always interested to read books written by Sri Lankan authors. This I must track down. Thanks for the update.

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    1. Mystica - I imagine that might be one reason it ended up on my TBR. I thought of you when I found it with it's link to Sri Lanka. Hopefully it will be a good book! Thank you for visiting!

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  16. From the title, cover and premise, In the Mirror, a Peacock Danced got my attention rightaway! And you're right, what happened to Florence?and who is her chance at starting over?

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    1. Verushka - I love that title and cover. I can't wait to read it. Thank you for stopping by!

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  17. The Perfect Ruin sounds so good! I do love a good, twisty thriller.

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  18. I haven't heard of these, but I hope you enjoy. They definitely sound like they'll whisk you away.

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  19. The Perfect Ruin sounds right up my alley! I'll have to check this out. :)

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    1. Melody - I hope you like it if you do read it! Thank you for visiting!

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  20. I'm intrigued the most by In the Mirror, a Peacock Danced. I love stories with characters who reflect on their past selves and want to grow so its sounds perfect for me. I already want to see her happy and having a fulfilled life.

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