Have managed to get through quite a few books in the last ten days and get them up on Random but I do feel I am fighting to keep up most of the time and have to choose what I read and prioritise. Sometimes when it all gets too much I just think Oh let it hang and I pick up any old book, one I may have read before, and just chill out. Trouble is I have a conscience about reviewing books I have requested and feel guilty when I don't get round to them as soon as I should. Still, don't think I am doing too badly at the moment and before I get stuck into the next onslaught thought I would flag up some recent arrivals and goodies that I have in store.
Catherine the Great by Robert Massie. Many moons ago I read this author's wonderful book Nicholas and Alexandra which started off my fascination with Russian history and the fate of the Romanov family in particular. This biography by the same author should be interesting as I have not read a biography of Catherine since the 1960s when Joan Haslip wrote a biography which I remember devouring and loving. I still have this copy on my shelves so looking forward to reading this one. Think it will be a one chapter a day book as it is pretty hefty.
Eliza's Kitchen by Marc Fitten. Seems to be the story of Eliza who has her own little restaurant in the Hungarian city of Delibab. She is in love with her sous-chef but getting nowhere with him and is also a bit bored with the same customers. She decides to woo The Critic one of the most powerful cooking columnists in Europe. I read Valeria's Last Stand by this author a couple of years ago, an amusing and well written book which I remember thinking tailed off alarmingly at the end, but still loved it enough to look forward to tackling this one. Will let you know how I get on.
The Venetian Contract - Marina Fiorato. Historical novel set in Venice, obviously - title is a bit of a giveway so not sure why I am telling you this 'sigh'. A young and beautiful stowaway steals into Venice. Her name is Feyra and she has brought a vital message for the Doge. I have read two others by this author and thoroughly enjoyed them so looking forward to this one.
Shadow of Night - Deborah Harkness. Keep looking at this one and working up to taking it off the shelf and diving into it but have ambivalent feelings about it as this is the follow up to A Discovery of Witches and I had very mixed thoughts on this title which I reviewed here. A great bunch of comments underneath that post as well. However, it intrigues me enough to know that I will read this - just not sure when........
Rock Creek Park by Simon Conway. A thriller set in Washington DC. I know absolutely nothing about this author and nothing about this book, but as you all know I loved a good 'teccy so will report back later.
Another Time Another Life - Leif Persson. Yes folks another Scandinavian writer. I gather the author is the 'Grand Master of Scandinavian crime fiction' and also Sweden's leading pyschologicval profiler. Oo-er missus is all I can say to that and yes, you have guessed it, will report back later.
And finally, a lovely new edition of The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald published by Alma Classics. My very old copy of this novel had a picture on the front of Mia Farrow and Robert Redford who starred in the film so that shows how old it is. We have a new film coming out soon which promises to be interesting as it is directed by Baz Luhrman and feel it is time for a re-read. Will be interesting to see how I feel about it now after such a long time.
Loads more on my shelves but must not waste time writing about them, better start reading them.
