It is Monday again and time for Mailbox Mondays – a weekly event hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page. To share your book acquisitions this week, visit Marcia’s post for today.
The Secret Keeper by Paul Harris arrived direct from the author. Harris is currently the US Correspondent of the British weekly newspaper The Observer. Prior to this position, he worked as a journalist reporting from Africa for the Daily Telegraph, the Associated Press and Reuters. He has covered conflicts and trouble spots all around the world, including Iraq, Sudan, Burundi, Somalia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Pakistan. In 2003 he was embedded with British forces during the invasion of Iraq. Harris brings his experience as a journalist to the pages of his novel which is set in Sierra Leone. The book flap reads: ‘A vivid and haunting debut novel of one man’s serach for the truth in war-torn Sierra Leone, a nation where the rules of civilized society don’t apply.‘ To read more about this book and the author, visit the author’s website. This novel will be released April 2nd through Dutton Adult. TLC Book Tours is also touring the book in May. To see a schedule of that tour, visit their site.
When Skateboards Will Be Free by Said Sayrafiezadeh arrived through a Shelf Awareness offer from A Dial Press (an imprint of Random House). Released earlier this month, this memoir is described as the ‘funny, unsentimental, and heartbreaking‘ story of the author’s life growing up in the Socialist Worker’s Party. The cover flaps reads: ‘Said’s Iranian-born father and American Jewish mother had one thing in common: their unshakable conviction that the workers’ revolution was coming.‘ Visit the author’s website to learn more.
The Silver Swan by Benjamin Black was a Library Thing Early Reviewer snag. I bought Christine Falls (the prequel to The Silver Swan) some time ago and plan to read that first and then this one as most reviewers have recommended reading these in order. The Silver Swan takes place two years after Christine Falls and continues with the story of a Dublin pathologist Quirke. The back flap reads: ‘With its vivid, intense evocation of 1950s Dublin, and a gripping, irresistible myster, The Silver Swan is even more engrossing than last year’s Christine Falls.‘ Benjamin Black as a fantastic website. You might be more familiar with books he has written under his real name, John Banville.
The Blue Notebook by James A. Levine MD arrived from Spiegel & Grau through a Shelf Awareness offer. This novel is set in rural India and tells the story of Batuk – a precocious fifteen year old girl sold into sexual slavery. The back of the book reads: ‘A haunting yet astonishingly hopeful story of a young Indian prostitute who uses writing and imagination to transcend her reality.‘ Due for release in July, all United States proceeds from the novel will be donated to the International and National Centers for Missing and Exploited Children. This is a cause near and dear to my heart – and one I am happy to support by giving you more information about the book.
What arrived at YOUR house this week?
= Excellent
= Good/Very Good
= Okay read
= Not recommended
= Ugh! Don't waste your time.
The blue notebook sounds very interesting.
Happy reading
I put in for The Blue Notebook too so I’m hoping it will eventually make its way to my mailbox too.
What a great haul!I haven’t read anything by Benjamin Black. I’m adding your haul to my TBR list. Happy reading!
Oooh, luck! You got The Blue Notebook. That one loos really good to me.
I received Skateboards too.
Sounds like an interesting book.
Here’s my Mailbox! ~ Wendi
Blodeuedd: I thought so too!
Kristen: I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.
Vasilly: *laughs* that’s the problem with this weekly event – it keeps adding to our TBR piles!
Nicole: *nods* I thought it looked great.
Wendi: I wondered who else might have gotten that one!
Great week. I’m hoping to get The Blue Notebook.
Hi Wendi, Thanks for the “TLC” mention!
I got The Blue Notebook on Thursday and read it over the weekend- it was disturbing but really really good.
Enjoy your books!
My mailbox is also up
Interesting group of books. I’ve got the Blue Notebook on my list.
Loved all the books you received!! I immediately put Blue Notebook in my must-read list on Goodreads.
The Blue Notebook is one that I requested from Shelf Awareness also. I hope I see it in my mailbox soon!
I enjoyed both Christine Falls and The Black Swan, they’re both gripping mysteries that successfully evoke 1950′s Ireland. I hope there are more coming!
I received The Blue Notebook, too. It sounds really good. Enjoy your new books! I’m looking forward to your TLC tour.
Kathy and Alyce: I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you that you get it!
Lisa: No problem
Glad to hear the Blue Notebook is good!
Kathrin: Thanks!
Melanie: See Lisa’s comment above
Staci: I think that is going to be a popular book from the comments I’m getting here.
Sarah: So glad to hear you liked both Black books…I’m looking forward to reading them.
Anna: Thanks!
I’ve seen the blue notebook making the rounds…sounds like a good read…I have the secret keeper as well.
Serena: I will look forward to reading your thoughts on The Secret Keeper.
Thank you for stopping by the mailbox this week. After spotting ‘The Secret Keeper’ here and somewhere else I added to my wish list. I’m crossing my fingers a copy of ‘The Blue Notebook’ shows up in my mailbox some time soon.
Marcia: That one is getting a lot of blog time! I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you get the Blue Notebook too