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Monday, October 12, 2009

In Progress and TBR


I'm back to reading God Is an Englishman by R.F. Delderfield (thanks to Sourcebooks, who sent me this ARC) and to my chagrin, I must apologize because it should have been reviewed in September, and I still haven't finished it. I can blame a lot of factors, but the fact remains -- it wasn't finished and reviewed in the agreed upon time. The sad part is that it an excellent book, and I had plenty of time to read it, but I waited and life interfered.


Sourcebooks also sent me a copy of To Serve Them All My Days, another Delderfield classic.





Although I don't remember any contact concerning this book, I received Marcel Proust's Search for Lost Time: A Reader's Guide to The Rembrance of Things Past by Patrick Alexander. Many of you have read at least one volume of Proust, but not I (slacker that I am); this may be just the thing for me, and I'm looking forward to it. This one is thanks to Random House.


From Pantheon, The Locust and the Bird by Hanan Al-Shayk, the story of her mother, a Lebanese woman who made some unorthodox decisions; the book is called both a tribute and a critique of a woman whose choices were controversial for the time and place. I like the sound of this one even if the cover doesn't appeal.


From Chandra Prasad, Breathe the Sky; Prasad is the author of On Borrowed Wings, which I reviewed some time ago. This novel is inspired by the life of Amelia Earhart, who has always been a bit of an icon in our family. Since my youngest daughter is named Amelia (she of the recent scare with meningitis, and who is now back to normal), we both have an interest in the exploits of Amelia Earhart.

These are on my TBR shelf along with several others. There are also a couple of reviews to finish up.

10 comments:

  1. That happens to me too - I read books, don't write about them soon enough and then as you say life interferes.

    I loved those Delderfield books when I read them years ago. I'd love to read them again - if only there was enough time.

    I've not read any of the others, but they look good.

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  2. You had important things to deal with. I'm sure nobody minds a bit of delay. I read God is an Englishman in . . . I think it was 2007? I liked it, but I loved To Serve Them All My Days. I haven't heard of the rest of the books. A novel inspired by Amelia Earhart's life sounds like a fine thing. I'll look forward to your review of that one, when you get to it!

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  3. So glad Amelia is back to normal. I haven't read any of these. Look forward to reading your reviews.

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  4. Booksplease - It is almost Murphy's Law, isn't it? Whenever you put something off, something else happens to put you further off your schedule. I am really enjoying getting back to Delderfield!

    Bookfool - Yes, I am really looking forward to To Serve Them All Their Days. The Earhart novel will have to wait awhile, though...

    Booklogged - Thanks! It is a great relief to have Amelia back on track. I'll be getting to the above books soon...I hope!

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  5. I have that problem, too! I get these books and think I have plenty of time, so I don't read them right away and then the time comes and something comes up and the book is not done at all!

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  6. I haven't read any Delderfield, but both my parents loved his work and I believe they made a TV series over here of at least one of the novels. I must also look out for the new Prasad. I thought the first book showed real promise.

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  7. What interesting books you have in the works! I have been stuck in the middle of Proust for um...a few years... and have been eyeing the Reader's Guide. You'll h ave to be sure to say if it looks any good even if you haven't read Proust!

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  8. Kailana - :) Maybe we need a book on time management!

    Ann - The Delderfield is a really good overview of commerce in England with flawless writing and some excellent minor characters!

    Stefanie - The Reader's Guide looks to be quite good. Lots of quotes, then some explanation, background, discussion. I suspect I will enjoy it whether or not I ever tackle the real thing!

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  9. I'm hoping that new movie about AE plays in South Korea soon.

    Yours is the second blog in as many days where I have seen Delderfield mentioned. I think I saw one of his books at What The Book...must give him a try.

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  10. Bybee - Hilary Swank looks a great choice for AE, and the little bits they've shown on television look very good! Does South Korea get new movies pretty quickly?

    Delderfield is a fine writer and reads smoothly, but his books are 600+ pages. What slows me down is the time spent on business and commercial concerns. Not that they aren't interesting, but they do slow my reading!

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