This Week in Books is a feature hosted by Lipsy at Lipsyy Lost and Found that allows bloggers to share:
- What they’ve recently finished reading
- What they are currently reading
- What they are planning to read next
I’ve recently finished reading American War by Omar El Akkad, which I really enjoyed – my review will be up soon!
Sarat Chestnut, born in Louisiana, is only six when the Second American Civil War breaks out in 2074. But even she knows that oil is outlawed, that Louisiana is half underwater, that unmanned drones fill the sky. And when her father is killed and her family is forced into Camp Patience for displaced persons, she quickly begins to be shaped by her particular time and place until, finally, through the influence of a mysterious functionary, she is turned into a deadly instrument of war.
Telling her story is her nephew, Benjamin Chestnut, born during war – part of the Miraculous Generation – now an old man confronting the dark secret of his past, his family’s role in the conflict and, in particular, that of his aunt, a woman who saved his life while destroying untold others.
My current read is Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford. I’ve only just started it, but I’m enjoying it so far.
1909, Seattle. At the World’s Fair a half-Chinese boy called Ernest Young is raffled off as a prize. He ends up working in a brothel in Seattle’s famed Red Light District and falls in love with Maisie, the daughter of a flamboyant madam, and Fahn, a karayuki-san, a Japanese maid sold into servitude.
On the eve of the new World’s Fair in 1962, Ernest looks back on the past, the memories he made with his beloved wife while his daughter, a reporter, begins to unravel their tragic past.
My next read will be The Fourteenth Letter by Claire Evans. I absolutely love the synopsis, and I can’t wait to start this one!
A mysterious keepsake, a murdered bride, a legacy of secrets…
One balmy June evening in 1881, Phoebe Stanbury stands before the guests at her engagement party: this is her moment, when she will join the renowned Raycraft family and ascend to polite society.
As she takes her fiancé’s hand, a stranger holding a knife steps forward and ends the poor girl’s life. Amid the chaos, he turns to her aristocratic groom and mouths: ‘I promised I would save you.’
The following morning, just a few miles away, timid young legal clerk William Lamb meets a reclusive client. He finds the old man terrified and in desperate need of aid: William must keep safe a small casket of yellowing papers, and deliver an enigmatic message: The Finder knows.
And that’s my week in books! What are you reading this week? Please do let me know!
I’m happy to hear you really liked the book you’ve read and are reading now. I really like the sound of The Fourteenth Letter most though and how mysterious that sounds! Happy reading!
The Fourteenth Letter does sound intriguing, doesn’t it? I can’t wait to read it 🙂
American War by Omar El Akkad sounds excellent! Happy reading!
It is very good!
Love and other consolation prizes sounds great.Glad that you are enjoying it so far. Happy reading 🙂
It’s early days, but it’s made a promising start 🙂
I’m taking The Fourteenth Letter with me on holiday. I can’t wait!
Happy reading, Jo! xx
Ooooh – enjoy! Can’t wait to hear what you think!
I have been seeing American War everywhere! Beth was telling me about it and it sounds really good! Maybe we could organise a book swap?
Would you be really disappointed if I decline? I’m a hoarder, and not very good at giving books away, even with other books offered in return!
That is completely understood! I will manage 😅 I only have hundreds of books on my TBR!
Ha ha – I know the feeling!
Hi Jo, I’ve recently read American War too! My review is coming out tomorrow, can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
Oooh – I will look out for your review! I think that my review will be up on Friday 🙂
Excellent I’ll look out for yours too! 👍🏻
I hope you enjoy Love and Other Consolation Prizes. I thought it was a good read 😊
It’s started well 😊
I was so curious about American War…can’t wait for your review so I can decide 😛
No pressure! 😀
Well Jo you win the prize for the best selection this week – I love the look of Love and Other Consolation Prizes and I really, really want to read The Fourteenth Letter – off to check both of these books out now!
I’ve had a good run recently!