Sep 10, 2017

Sunday Salon: TV or a Book?

It's not as if I don't have any books to read. I have too many. But I went to have coffee in the bookstore and came out with two novels I couldn't resist.
The Leavers by Lisa Ko, May 2, 2017, Algonquin Books
Genre: literary fiction
I have started this and am fascinated by the young boy born in New York but raised till age six in China by his grandfather, whom he misses when he finally joins his mother in New York. His mother later leaves him suddenly and unexpectedly with friends in the city. How he grows up with the experiences of being left behind, and how he perhaps or perhaps not seeks out his mother again is the overriding question.
Lie To Me by J.T. Ellison, Septemer 5, 2017, Mira Books
Genre: psychological suspense
I couldn't resist another psychological thriller. There seems to be so many being published recently and is now a popular genre for many readers. This one involves someone who disappears from a testy relationship.

Other books that landed on my desk:

Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa, translated from the Japanese, November 14, 2017, courtesy of OneWorld Publication
Genre: novel in translation
I saw the movie based on this book on Netflix and really liked the story of a down-and-out older woman given a job making pancakes filled with bean paste. She helps the owner of the failing shop to attract buyers, with her delicious cooking. But she hides a secret that will be a huge problem as time goes by.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, Pulished September 12, 2017, courtesy of Penguin Press
Genre: literary fiction
I loved the author's first book, Everything I Never Told You , and am looking forward to this new one. She presents complex situations involving Chinese-Americans in American environments.

A Taste of Paris: A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food by David Downie, courtesy of St. Martin's Press
Genre: travel, food, nonfiction
Described as "a culinary history" of Paris, this book is one of several books on Paris and France by David Downie, an informative, entertaining, and well researched writer. 

The Girl at the Baggage Claim: Explaining the East-West Culture Gap by Gish Jen, courtesy of Knopf Publishers
Genre: nonfiction, social science
I'm looking forward to the author's ideas in this study of the differences between East and West in perceptions of the "self and society" and how these differences affect education, art, geopolitics, and business.  

I finished reading The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George after reading her The Little French Bistro and The Widows of Malabar Hill, a new historical mystery series set in India, by Sujata Massey. Reviews later in the month. 

I have been taking a break from watching Irma on TV and wishing the best for friends and family in Florida and Georgia. Luckily, the people I know live on the Florida east coast, where Irma seems to be having a slightly less of an impact, fingers crossed.

What are you reading or have you been glued to the TV?
Visit The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. Also visit It's Monday, What Are You Reading? hosted by Book Date Also visit Mailbox Monday.

28 comments:

  1. I have The Leavers in my TBR, too. And now it looks like I need to add A Taste of Paris. So the TBR grows....

    https://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2017/09/life-after-hurricane.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your bedside table must be crammed with cultural awareness books. I liked Ng's first novel, too, so I will look for her newest book.

      Delete
    2. Yes, cultural awareness is my thing, Anne. (Smile)

      Delete
  2. Ooh, lovely books! I also got Lie to Me, and want to read Little Fires Everywhere.

    Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

    ReplyDelete
  3. It is so hard to resist the temptation to by books.

    These all look good. My wife will be interested in a taste of Paris as she loves all things Paris as well as food related narratives.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have been reading a lot of books set in Paris!

      Delete
  4. Many of these books sound tempting to me, including Sweet Bean Paste, which is new to me as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a cute movie and I am looking forward to the book!

      Delete
  5. Awesome haul! I loved Little Fires Everywhere and really hope Lie to Me is good too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have been thinking of my friends in Florida all day today. I know my friends in Georgia are on pins and needles, waiting to see what ends up coming their way. It's all so frightening.

    I hope you enjoy your new books! I haven't read anything by Celeste Ng yet, but I do want to. Both of her books sound like ones I will enjoy. The Leavers and Lie to Me also sound really good.

    I hope you have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Luckily, the storm lessened though there is significant storm surge everywhere!

      Delete
  7. I'm the same when at a bookstore - can't leave without buying one. I can think of worse habits ;-) Have a good week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Does this mean we have to buy our coffee elsewhere? Sigh!

      Delete
  8. Hmm- I was working on my comment but it disappeared.
    Coffee is a nice reason to visit a bookstore and it is hard to leave without picking up something. I have see Lie To Me showing up a lot tonight.
    I hope your friends stay safe - Lots of Florida is impacted due to the large size of Irma. We expect some outer bands tomorrow here in the Panhandle west of Tallahassee.
    Enjoy your new books and Happy Reading!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I worry that we will have gloomy weather because Irma wants to come this way, even close to the other side of our state! My arthritis!

      Delete
  9. The dangers of walking into a bookstore! I can't wait to read Little Fires Everywhere.

    ReplyDelete
  10. A Taste of Paris and Lie to Me look good.

    Bookstore are such fun!!

    Have a great week.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Mailbox Monday

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. These two were courtesy of the publishers, Elizabeth, but I would have bought them in any case, I think!

      Delete
  11. We've been staring at the Hurricane Irma reports for most of the weekend but I am glad to get back to reading. A Taste of Paris looks fantastic. I was tempted to get it off of NetGalley but it seems like the kind of book I'd enjoy more in print so it's now on my Amazon list! Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you are a Francophile as I am. Hope you like it.

      Delete
  12. Lie to Me looks good. Enjoy all your books.
    I was not glued to the tv, but I still had a dream about being in a car swept away by flooding.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm not much of a TV watcher, as I always prefer reading with the little downtime that I have. Enjoy your new books!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Normally, I watch the news only. I read whenever I get a chance too!

      Delete

I appreciate your comments and thoughts...

Three Novels: Japanese Mystery; Family Drama; Ecuadorian

  Books in the mail The Night of Baba Yaga  by Akira Otani (translated from the Japanese). July 2, 2024, Soho Crime This is an unusual novel...