It’s Friday – and you know what that means? Another edition of Friday Finds, brought to you by Jenn (note that this is now at Jenn’s NEW blog).
I’ve discovered several new to me books through the lit-bloggers. They include:
- The Speed Queen, by Stuart O’Nan featured at Hieroglyphic Streets. I recently read O’Nan’s latest novel Songs for the Missing (read my review) which I LOVED. So I’ve been on the look-out for other highly recommended O’Nan books. The Speed Queen is about an Oklahoma girl gone bad who shares her story on the eve of her execution. There are a variety of links at Hieroglyphic Streets for readers to learn more about the book.
- A Summer Affair AND Barefoot, by Elin Hiilderbrand featured at Books On the Brain (along with a give-away – which of course I entered!). What is it about summer that makes books like these look so good? I must confess that I have never read a Hilderbrand novel, but the covers of her books draw me to them. And for that alone, I will need to read at least one of these.
- Madapple, by Christina Medrum featured on MawBooks. Here’s another one that begs to be read for the cover alone. I love discovering interesting authors whose books I’ve never read. This is Medrum’s first novel which is about a 15 year old living in isolation with her overbearing mother. Okay – it might be a bit strange, but it also is oddly appealing. Onto my wish list it goes!
- The Condition, by Jennifer Haigh featured on Booking Mama. This novel is about a woman with Turner’s Disease and how her condition impacts her life and those around her. Like Booking Mama, I also enjoyed Haigh’s book Mrs. Kimble and so I’d like to read another novel by this author. This one sounds like something I’d like.
- The Memory of Water, by Karen White featured on The Friendly Book Nook. Here’s another book with a great cover (What is it about cover art that pulls me in? Do any of you also pick books purely for their covers?) The novel is set in South Carolina and centers around two sisters and a family secret. Enough said – this one is almost guaranteed to appeal to me.
- Garden Spells AND Sugar Queen, by Sarah Addison Allen featured on Just Another Blogger (Kristy). Two more books which sound like great summer reads – easy, light, well-written (and once again…gorgeous covers). I’ve been seeing these two books on a lot of the lit-bloggers lately, and most of the time they are getting good reviews.
So there you go – my recent finds tempting me to grow my overly large TBR stack. They’ll go on my bulging Amazon wish list for now! To see more Friday Finds, visit Jenn’s post today and scroll through the comments with links to other participants’ lists.
= Excellent
= Good/Very Good
= Okay read
= Not recommended
= Ugh! Don't waste your time.
Oooh ooh ooh, I hope you enjoy Garden Spells as much as I did. I have The Sugar Queen out from the library as we type.
Thanks for your enthusiasm about the “Friday Finds”, Wendy! And, for playing along!
MizB
Have you read Jennifer Haigh’s second novel, Baker Towers? My book club read it a couple of years ago, and I actually liked it even more than Mrs. Kimble. I’ll have to keep my eye out for this new book of hers. Thanks for sharing your finds!
Andi: Everyone seems to love these novels – I’m definitely planning to read them eventually!
Jenn: You’re quite welcome – it is fun!
Florinda: I haven’t read Baker Towers…although I’ve almost picked up a copy a couple of times. Maybe it’s time I do! Thanks for the recommendation.
I’ve heard good things about Madapple. And, like you said, the Sarah Addison Allen books have been mentioned a lot lately. I’m trying not to buy any new books over the summer but they do sound like good summer reads, don’t they?
Tanabata: They sound like great summer reads – not to say I don’t have enough reads piled up for the summer *laughs* I am trying not to buy books these days either…although sometimes I-can’t-help-myself!
I read Garden Spells a few weeks ago and LOVED it! (My review is on my blog). I ordered The Sugar Queen and it should be in my mailbox any day now! I’ve heard a lot of good things about The Speed Queen and I’d love to read it. Great Books in your finds! Happy Reading!
Lisa: The consensus on these books seems to be “READ THEM!” I guess I’ll have to
Happy Reading to you too!!
Yup, I add my voice to the read Sarah Addison Allend!
Sugar Queen, though, takes place mostly in winter, so you could save it til then. Garden Spells is definitely summery!
Madapple does look quite good, doesn’t it? I just ordered it for my library and while at first the title made me say “Huh?” the more I read about it, the better it sounds. Plus, as you say, neat cover.
Tiny Librarian: So, I will have to squeeze Garden Spells into my summer reading…and then read Sugar Queen sometime after the first snowfall!! *laughs* Glad I was able to add something to your TBR mountain!!