Hi everyone! I am back from a two week or so hiatus from IMWAYR. Stuff just got away from me, I suppose. Luckily, my reading hunger has been increased and I am reading with fervor again. This past week I had one good book I read and one unfortunately disappointing. The first book review I posted last week was the surrealist novel by Norman Lock that was published a couple of years back. When I went to the Brooklyn Book Fair last now, after talking to the publishing house, the representative recommended this book to me. Now, I like to expand my reading tastes. I often stick to the same thing so I am open to try new books. I tried reading a book called Unclean Jobs for Women and Girls, a collection of somewhat disturbing stories. Unclean jobs indeed! I put it aside for a later day. And Shadowplay by Lock  was barely finished, too. At a short 138 pages, I struggled to connect. At least Unclean had some really good quotes that I connected to. Not really the stories itself. And, Unclean Jobs for Women and Girls was purchased at the same festival, the booth right next to him. THe cover was just so eye catching

Unclean Jobs for Women and Girls

But, alas, I am veering off topic. Back to Shadowplay, a surrealistic approach to the world of puppeteers and the connection they have with the “shadow” world as Lock describes it. You constantly know the end of the novel, from the beginning to the polite reminders, to what actually happened in the moment, and back to the end. No surprises there. Gunter can bring back the dead! Oh, yes he can. yOu can read my full review here.

https://indiewritergirl0329.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/shadows-at-the-shadowplay-theater-shadowplay-book-review/ You can see the pretty and misleading cover . Shadowplay Pretty but misleading. It does nothing to foretell what the book is about. Even the back of the book’s description is vague. Warning: if the back of the book lacks details, put it away! Buy another book. I have learned my lesson, I hope.

My brain’s choices were redeemed when I decided to read Prisoners in The Palace: How Princess Victoria became Queen with the help of her maid, a reporter, and a scoundrel. Now, that was a fun, quick, engrossing read. Double the length of Shadowplay and it took me around two days to read it. Maybe because it is more in my comfort zone, but not quite certain. All I know is the book was the perfect combination of YA, which I still love, and historical fiction set in England in the 1830’s. The book just worked for me. IT was engrossing because the lead character, Elizabeth (Liza) Hastings was actually a little fascinating because I got to see how it was for a chambermaid who was used to nice things before her parents died in a carriage accident. You changed and adapted with her. Then, there was Princess Victoria and the drama with her becoming Queen–her silent struggle to become one. You can read my full review here.

https://indiewritergirl0329.wordpress.com/2013/07/28/not-your-average-princess-rescueprisoners-in-the-palace-how-princess-victoria-became-queen-with-the-help-of-her-maid-a-reporter-and-a-scoundrel-book-review/

 

The other books I read were more hits and misses, with a black sheep or so.  In order from the last read to the first, the books are

The Lace Makers of Glenmara Heather Barbieri with the review here:

https://indiewritergirl0329.wordpress.com/2013/07/15/an-irish-ladys-lace-the-lace-makers-of-glenmara-book-review/

Havisham; A Novel Ronald Frame with the review here.

https://indiewritergirl0329.wordpress.com/2013/07/14/a-new-havisham-havisham-a-novel-book-review/

And, lastly, Sapphire Blue (Ruby Red Trilogy #2) by Kerstin Gier here:

https://indiewritergirl0329.wordpress.com/2013/07/12/sapphire-blue-ruby-red-trilogy-2-book-review/

 

Happy Reading this week! I will be posting a couple more books. I am currently almost done with my advanced copy of The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider that is becoming a quick read; funny, enjoyable, and full of great indie band references, maybe too many.

-indie