Monday, January 14, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Whew! Participating in this meme, I feel pressured to get books finished up each week so I have something new to tell you. Last week I finished The Suitors and My Traitor's Heart, and decided to put The Secret History of MI6 aside. This week I have three new ones started.

In a Strange Room, by Damon Galgut, is about a man's adventures as he travels alone and with companions. I picked it up because I'm interested in reading more South African authors and because I need to start making tracks on the 2013 Europa Challenge. So far I'm really enjoying this moody, spare novel.

Ratlines, by Stuart Neville, is a new crime novel set in 1960s Ireland, about an ex-Nazi found murdered. I'm learning some about what went on in Ireland during World War 2. Officially Ireland was neutral but that doesn't mean they weren't involved. Fascinating, and a great book to boot.

Jacob's Folly, by Rebecca Miller, is an ARC I'm borrowing from work. Due out in March, it's about a Jewish peddler who lives and dies in 18th century France and is then reincarnated as a fly in the present day, where he influences the lives of several people. I love the blend of historical novel with present-day narratives. It's so creative and different!

I'm also picking my way though the graphic novel adaptation of Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner. It's OK. I'll probably like the real book better.  :-)

What are you reading today? Find more at BookJourney.wordpress.com.

12 comments:

Mystica said...

Am in the same boat. Three books going head to head! Nothing finished.

Anonymous said...

You've got some good starts here. Enjoy your reading this week!

BurtonReview said...

LOL at the pressure!! I understand! There have been a few times that I've been like well, same as last week... =) Which is why I combine the memes in one post!! Have a great week!
Here Is My Memes Post.

bermudaonion said...

Is In a Strange Room a memoir? It sounds really good!

Anonymous said...

You've not read The Kite Runner? Oh you must ... it is wonderful.

I have In a Strange Room on my to-read shelf and the other books you mentioned sound interesting so they are going on the list as well.

Have a great week!

Lisa (Southern Girl Reads) said...

Although I'm not familiar with these titles, they sound very interesting. Happy Reading!

The Relentless Reader said...

All three of those books sound like good ones :) I didn't know the Kite Runner was made into a graphic novel, interesting!

Have a great week of reading

Vasilly said...

I'm curious about In a Strange Room. Is the pressure you feel from this meme, good pressure or bad? Happy reading.

Harvee said...

Looking forward to Ratlines. Glad you liked it.

Zibilee said...

Ratlines and Jacob's Folly both look really interesting but very different. I would love a chance to read them both, for different reasons. I am listening to Dark Places and still reading Y: A Novel. It's really good, and gritty, but I am spending more time with audio now. I just finished Call the Midwife, and loved it, and am working on In the Woods with my husband. Have a great reading week, Marie!

bibliophiliac said...

That's an impressive list! Some interesting titles here...Ratlines sounds like the kind of historical fiction I usually like (that is, more history than romance). The Europa Challenge! That should be my New Year's resolution. You should see the titles I have on my shelf--I'm so ready.

Kathleen said...

You definitely need to read The Kite Runner book if you are reading the graphic novel. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.