The State We're In
Ann Beattie
Hardcover, 224
Published August 11th 2015 by Scribner
ISBN 150110781X (ISBN13: 9781501107818)
also available as audio and kindle editions
Some of the stories I enjoyed, like Silent Prayer. Others were good, but I wasn't so thrilled with open endings on some. I do like Ann Beatties's writing, but would rather read something longer of hers.
***I received this uncorrected proof copy from a Simon and Schuster giveaway.****
The Incarnations
Susan Barker
Hardcover, 384 pages
ISBN 1501106783 (ISBN13: 9781501106781)
I found the plot of this novel haunting as it follows the main character, Wang Yu, as he receives 5 letters that pertain to his past incarnations that span 1000 years. Susan Barker writes confidently, and the research of Chinese History shows in the telling of this story. There were times when, during the present, I thought it a little slow, but I was really interested in the past lives and the history. I would definitely read more of Susan Barker's work.
****this ARC was received from the publisher, Simon and Schuster, in exchange for a fair review.****
Can I say I love a good giveaway? I just won a copy of The Incarnations from the publisher and I am so excited.
I gave myself a challenge at the beginning of the year to read around the world. So far I have read books set in Iceland, Great Britain, Italy, Canada, France, India, Greece, Indonesia, Canada, and of course the US (since I live here these are the easiest to find). The Incarnations by Susan Barker is set in China, and it's historical fiction which I tend to really like. I can't wait to receive it.
Thank you Simon and Schuster and the Simon and Schuster Book Club! You made my day.
Below are some of the "clubs"/newsletters Simon and Schuster has if anyone is interested:
http://www.simonandschuster.com/
http://www.simonandschuster.com/bookclub
http://pages.simonandschuster.com/onebookonecommunity/ (all genres, all ages for community groups/reading programs)
http://www.pulseit.com/ (teen/ya ereads)
http://xoxoafterdark.com/about/ (romance/women's fiction ebooks-run by simon and Schuster, but not all books are simon and Schuster.)
| I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You is a fun read. What made this really interesting is that it is from the man's point of view. The main character, Richard, is having a midlife crisis and is trying to win his wife back. Occasionally, the writing seemed a little to feminine for a male character but did not seem to take away from the story line. ***This book was won in a giveaway provided by Simon and Schuster. **** |
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