Mailbox Monday – March 16, 2009

Visit Marcia at The Printed Page to read today’s Mailbox Monday post and provide links to YOUR Mailbox Monday. I had a great week in book acquisitions…

Palace Circle by Rebecca Dean arrived as an Advance Reader’s Edition from Doubleday (via Shelf Awareness). This novel is the first in an anticipated trilogy. Publishers Weekly writes: ‘From London to Cairo, in the glittery world of high society before WWII, Dean taps into an exotic and distant world in her page turning debut.‘ Dean is being compared to Phillipa Gregory, Colleen McCullough, Sarah Dunant, and Penny Vincenzi. Good company to keep! This novel is due for release March 24th.

Netherland by Joseph O’Neill was a purchase for upcoming Book Club reads. Long listed for the Booker Prize in 2008, winner of the Pen/Faulkner in 2009, and a New York Times Most Notable in 2008…this book has gotten some notice. The novel takes place shortly after 911 and follows the life of a Dutch-born man named Hans. Siri Hustvedt wrote this about Netherland: ‘Always sensitive and intelligent, Netherland tells the fragmented story of a man in exile — from home, family and, most poignantly, from himself.‘

Affinity by Sarah Waters arrived as a gift from my good friend Terri after she noticed I was lusting after it. I’ve read both The Night Watch (read my review) and Fingersmith (read my review) by Waters…and expect to enjoy this one as well. Affinity is set in Victorian London and described as a spellbinding ghost story and intriguing historical mystery.  Thanks, Terri!

The Only True Genius in the Family by Jennie Nash arrived direct from the author through a Shelf Awareness offer. This is the author’s second novel (the first is The Last Beach Bungalow) and is a story about three generations of artists who are grappling with the burden of talent and the limits of love. The paperback version was released in February and getting an average of 4.5 stars on Amazon reviewers. To read more about the author and her work, visit Jennie Nash’s website (she also blogs at Meet Your Muse).

Edgewise by Jan Stites came to my attention when the author emailed me asking if I’d like a review copy. Set in a mental hospital in Oakland California the novel (as described by the author) is ‘a moving story of injury and feeling, despair and hope.‘ Wally Lamb has reviewed Edgewise and writes:  ‘Edgewise is a moving story of injury and feeling, despair and hope. Vivid and unflinching in the telling, Stites’ novel is courageous, heartfelt and unforgettable.‘ To read more about the author and her work, visit Jan Stites’ website.

That’s it for this week. I hope you found literary wealth in YOUR mailbox this week!