MizB at Should Be Reading asked what books are new in our lives …
“Brown” has been working extra hard this week! Here’s a quick run-down of what’s shown up on the porch and is making its way onto my schedule:
So Long at the Fair by Christina Schwarz was released earlier this month, on July 8. The story takes place over one day. (Product description): In the summer of 1963 a plot for revenge destroys a career, a friendship, and a family. The consequences of the scandalous event continue to reverberate, touching the next generation. Thirty years later, over the course of one day, Jon struggles to decide whether to end his affair or his marriage. His wife, Ginny, moving closer to discovering his adultery, begins working for an older man who is mysteriously connected to their families’ pasts. And Jon’s mistress is being courted by a suitor who may be more menacing than he initially seems. As relationships among the characters ebb and flow on that July day, Christina Schwarz illuminates the ties that bind people together—and the surprising risks they take in the name of love.
The Geography of Love: A Memoir by Glenda Burgess, to be published August 5, 2008. Personal memoir is one of my favorite genres, here’s a synopsis of the book: “…a tragic past, the [15 year] age difference, Ken’s emotionally scarred teenage daughter–all might be enough to send anyone running, but Glenda believed in her instincts, believed more than anything that this lovely, generous man would shape her life. And Ken, who with his heartbreaking losses had long said that he’d given up on love, came to share a sense of their romantic destiny. The two embark on the sort of love affair that many of us don’t believe exist anymore–a grand romance that buoys them through the birth of two kids and fifteen magical years of marriage until tragedy strikes again in the form of a shadowy spot on Ken’s lung. The journey that follows will test their resilience and strengthen their devotion.”
Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell will come out in January 2009. Here’s the publisher’s summary: Meet Peter Brown, a young Manhattan emergency room doctor with an unusual past that is just about to catch up with him. His morning begins with the quick disarming of a would-be mugger, followed by a steamy elevator encounter with a sexy young pharmaceutical rep, topped off by a visit with a new patient–and from there Peter’s day is going to get a whole lot worse and a whole lot weirder. Because that patient knows Peter from his other life, when he had a different name and a very different job. The only reason he’s a doctor now is thanks to the Witness Protection Program–and even they can’t protect him from the long reach of the New Jersey mob. Now he’s got to do whatever it takes to keep his patient alive so he can buy some time…and beat the reaper.
Have you read any of these three, or anything else by these authors? Where should I start?
I loved Christina Schwarz’s first book so maybe try that one:)
So Long At The Fair is one I want to read at some point.
I read So Long at the Fair last week, and there were parts I enjoyed and parts I didn’t. I’ll be really interested to read your review!
I received So Long at the Fair just yesterday. I really liked her book Drowning Ruth, so we’ll see if this one is also good.
bookroomreviews, Marie, jill and lisamm – well, it’s unanimous! *So Long At the Fair* will be my next novel. I did enjoy *Drowning Ruth*.
hey – i read “beat the reaper” about a month ago, and LOVED it. seriously – I couldn’t put it down and there’s a part at the end (don’t want to spoil it…) that will be with me for the rest of my life.
would love to hear what you think of it – has been a long time since i’ve felt so connected to a novel!
karen – Thanks for the recommendation! I’ll look forward to reading *Beat the Reaper* and will post my review. It will be interesting to compare our responses (I’m intrigued by your teaser about the ending!)