Bleak January...

So many books, so little time. So much work, so little play. So much soul numbing January dread, so little sleep. So much darkness, so little vitamin D. And so on.

Nope, this is not going to be one of those long, rambling reviews you’re probably used to from me by now. Instead, I’m going to try something new. Here is a list of some of the books and authors that are currently on my mind, night stand, or to read list. Enjoy!

READING

A Room Full of Bones by Elly GriffithsA Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths

A new novel featuring the lovely Ruth Galloway is always a reason to celebrate, and if you liked Griffiths three previous novels about cat loving, Bruce Springsteen blasting, slightly overweight archaeologist Ruth Galloway, I can almost guarantee that you will enjoy this one, too.

WILL SOON BE READING

Please Look After Mom by Kyung-Sook Shin

Okay, probably preaching to the choir here, but I do love how English Bookshop’s monthly book club choices always inspire me to read authors and genres I probably wouldn’t have discovered on my own. Please Look After Mom may well be the first Korean novel I’ve ever read, but hopefully far from my last. Since I’m a total cry baby, my eyes teared up just by reading the description on the back cover. Note to self: get Kleenex.

Faith by Jennifer Haigh

Have adored everything I’ve read by Haigh thus far, and her latest novel appears to be more of the stuff that made The Condition so immensely readable: a truly captivating story, beautiful language and a sort of literary readability that I, personally, always look for in a novel.

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M.

Valente I will be reading this highly acclaimed young adult fantasy novel for my book club (no relation to the UEB one), which is more or less 100% devoted to fantasy, SF, or horror - and 100% awesome. Looking forward to reading and discussing this!

Please Look After Mom by Kyung-Sook Shin Faith by Jennifer Haigh   The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M.

LOOKING FORWARD TO READING

Brand New Cherry Flavor by Todd Grimson

Elizabeth Hand recently called it one of the best horror novels she’s ever read. Works for me.

The Raising by Laura Kasischke

I know next to nothing about this novel, other than the fact that I like the sound of a thriller set in a small, mysterious college town. Also, several reviewers have hinted that there are several big twists in store. Methinks a good old page turner with a shocking ending might be just what this poor little vitamin D-deprived creature needs. I’ll let you know what I think, either here or on my other blog.

Soulless by Gail Carriger

“A novel of vampires, werewolves, and parasols” - need I say more?

Brand New Cherry Flavor by Todd Grimson Soulless by Gail Carriger The Raising by Laura Kasischke

MIGHT BE READING (OKAY, DEFINITELY WILL BE READING EVENTUALLY, AFTER HAVING FINISHED MOANING ABOUT JUST HOW MUCH BETTER THE SCARPETTA BOOKS WERE BACK IN THE 90’S)

Red Mist by PatriciaRed Mist by Patricia

Cornwell Admittedly, the Scarpetta series peaked in the mid-90’s, never truly recovered from the stinking atrocity that was Book of the Dead and probably deserves to end up on on a morgue slab (one of those austere stainless steel ones that so often frequent the Scarpetta books). I mean, I know this on an intellectual level. Still, a small part of me refuses to give up on Scarpetta and her (increasingly erratic) posse and will probably be with them until the bitter end. And the last couple of books have been somewhat of an improvement. So yes, I will read this, after having done a fair amount of moaning. It is part of the deal when it comes to reading Cornwell these days.