The Old(er)
I have an embarrassing number of unread books sitting on the shelves in my personal library. Carole of Carole's Random Life in Books has given me the perfect excuse to spotlight and discuss those neglected books in her Books from the Backlog feature. After all, even those older books need a bit of love! Not to mention it is reminding me what great books I have waiting for me under my own roof still to read!
Malaya, 1951. Yun Ling Teoh, the scarred lone survivor of a brutal Japanese wartime camp, seeks solace among the jungle-fringed tea plantations of Cameron Highlands. There she discovers Yugiri, the only Japanese garden in Malaya, and its owner and creator, the enigmatic Aritomo, exiled former gardener of the emperor of Japan. Despite her hatred of the Japanese, Yun Ling seeks to engage Aritomo to create a garden in memory of her sister, who died in the camp. Aritomo refuses but agrees to accept Yun Ling as his apprentice “until the monsoon comes.” Then she can design a garden for herself.
As the months pass, Yun Ling finds herself intimately drawn to the gardener and his art, while all around them a communist guerilla war rages. But the Garden of Evening Mists remains a place of mystery. Who is Aritomo and how did he come to leave Japan? And is the real story of how Yun Ling managed to survive the war perhaps the darkest secret of all? [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: This book landed on my TBR shelves a few years ago after I read a review by fellow blogger Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit. I have read a number of World War II related books over the years, and while I find myself growing more picky about which ones I pick up, this one still appeals to me given its themes and how different it is from other World War fiction I have read.
Have you read The Garden of Evening Mists? If so what did you think? Does this sound like something you would enjoy reading?
The New
Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by the marvelous Tressa at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss upcoming release we are excited about that we have yet to read.
Release Date: March 3, 2020 by Mira
Lakshmi Shastri has spent years carving out a life for herself as a henna artist after fleeing her abusive husband and backward rural village for the Rajasthan capital. Well-versed in apothecary and the miraculous properties of herbs, her services (the effects of which are far more than just aesthetic) are highly sought after by upper-caste women, and Lakshmi’s success brings her within inches from her, and her country’s, ultimate goal: total independence. That is, until the past she has so desperately tried to run from comes knocking at her door... [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: Overcoming one's past can be quite the struggle, and sometimes it follows us no matter how hard we try to escape it. I am already rooting for Lakshmi and want her to have the future she deserves.
Release Date: March 10, 2020 by Berkley
Veronica Speedwell and her natural historian colleague Stoker are asked by Lady Wellingtonia Beauclerk to help with a potential scandal so explosive it threatens to rock the monarchy. Prince Albert Victor is a regular visitor to the most exclusive private club in London, known as the Club de l'Etoile, and the proprietess, Madame Aurore, has received an expensive gift that can be traced back to the prince. Lady Wellie would like Veronica and Stoker to retrieve the jewel from the club before scandal can break.
Worse yet, London is gripped by hysteria in the autumn of 1888, terrorized by what would become the most notorious and elusive serial killer in history, Jack the Ripper--and Lady Wellie suspects the prince may be responsible.
Veronica and Stoker reluctantly agree to go undercover at Madame Aurore's high class brothel, where another body soon turns up. Many secrets are swirling around Veronica and the royal family--and it's up to Veronica and Stoker to find the truth, before it's too late for all of them. [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: I have yet to read any of the books in this series, but this is a good reminder that I need to. I cannot believe book five is coming out already. I have some catching up to do. From the time period to the great things I have heard about this historical mystery series, I just know I will love it.
Release Date: March 3, 2020 by Berkley
Mothers never forget. Daughters never forgive.
In her compulsive, sharply-drawn debut, Stephanie Wrobel peels back the layers of the most complicated of mother-daughter relationships.
For the first eighteen years of her life, Rose Gold Watts believed she was seriously ill. She was allergic to everything, used a wheelchair and practically lived at the hospital. Neighbors did all they could, holding fundraisers and offering shoulders to cry on, but no matter how many doctors, tests, or surgeries, no one could figure out what was wrong with Rose Gold.
Turns out her mom, Patty Watts, was just a really good liar.
After serving five years in prison, Patty gets out with nowhere to go and begs her daughter to take her in. The entire community is shocked when Rose Gold says yes.
Patty insists all she wants is to reconcile their differences. She says she's forgiven Rose Gold for turning her in and testifying against her. But Rose Gold knows her mother. Patty Watts always settles a score.
Unfortunately for Patty, Rose Gold is no longer her weak little darling...
And she's waited such a long time for her mother to come home. [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: Not too long ago there was a news story about a woman who suffered from Munchhausen Syndrome by Proxy, subjecting her daughter to medical tests and surgeries and the like, convincing everyone her daughter was seriously ill. When I read the description of this novel, I immediately thought of that story. I can't resist a straight from the headlines thriller.
Do any of these books interest you? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to reading?
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Darling Rose Gold sounds right up my alley!
ReplyDeleteI've read The Garden of Evening Mists and I enjoyed it. Perhaps it's because Malaysia and Singapore are so close but the setting felt very realistic to me.
Eustacia - I am glad you enjoyed The Garden of Evening Mists. That makes me want to read it even more.
DeleteI've been curious about Darling Rose Gold after seeing it on several blogs. I'll look forward to your thoughts when you do read it, Wendy.
ReplyDeleteMelody - I am looking forward to reading Darling Rose Gold. The premise is one that really fascinates me.
DeleteThey all look good to me but I think the one that appeals to me the most is The Garden of Evening Mists.
ReplyDeleteKathy - It does sound good, doesn't it?
DeleteWhat sounds like some really great books. I love the cover of A Murderous Relation but it is The Henna Artist that really appeals to me as I find myself drawn to books featuring herbalists/the use of herbs at the moment.
ReplyDeleteFelicity - I really like the covers for Raybourn's books. I am eager to try The Henna Artist. If you do read it, I hope you enjoy it.
DeleteThe Garden of Evening Mists is the one I'd choose first. The Henna Artist also interests me.
ReplyDeleteJenclair - I am glad both sound good to you as well! If you give either a try, I hope you enjoy them.
DeleteI just read A Murderous Relation over the weekend and it was really good. I'm debating on a 4/5 or a 5/5 but I still loved it either way. When I investigate abuse and neglect cases, I remember one I had involving Munchhausen by Proxy. The woman was so sick she ended up creating physical evidence that her child was sexually abuse. Tough case. I want to read Darling Rose Gold but it sounds like it could be tough.
ReplyDeleteBarb - I am glad to hear you enjoyed A Murderous Relation. I really need to give that series a try. Now might be a good time. A coworker of mine investigated a Munchhausen by Proxy case. They are such hard cases to prove generally. Her reports were thicker than War and Peace by the time she was done. Your cause sounds terrible too. Those poor kids.
DeleteThat synopsis for Darling Rose Gold is pretty intense. I hope you enjoy all these reads!
ReplyDeleteMy Can't-Wait Wednesday post
Alicia - Thank you! I hope I will too.
DeleteToday the Veronica Speedwell book appeals to me the most. Like you, I haven't started the series yet, but it's high time I did. Hope you enjoy your reads! My WoW
ReplyDeleteLaura - I keep hearing great things about Raybourn's Speedwell series. I enjoyed another of her books quite a lot, and imagine I will love these as well.
DeleteI hope you like them when you read them.
ReplyDeleteMary - Thank you!
DeleteThese all sound good!! I especially like the sounds of The Henna Artist.
ReplyDeleteMy CWW
Jenea - Me too!
DeleteI almost don't dare look at any of these books too closely because then I'll be adding to my TBR pile. ;D
ReplyDeleteLark - Haha! I know that feeling all too well.
DeleteI hope you enjoy them! Rose Gold is one I’ve considered adding to my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
AJ - If you do read Darling Rose Gold, I hope you enjoy it!
DeleteI own Garden of Evening Mists but haven't read it either.
ReplyDeleteMarg - I hope we both love it when we read it.
Deletelooks like a good variety. i haven't read any of them. hope you enjoy them all
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Sherry - Thank you!
DeleteI believe I have a copy of The Garden of Evening Mists and even tried reading it once but just couldn't get into it. I wonder how I'd fare now. It will be interesting to try.
ReplyDeleteAthira - If you do try again, I hope you like it better this time.
DeleteThe Garden of Evening Mists sounds good and I like the cover. Darling Rose Gold sounds good too, I got hooked on watching The Act when it came out on Hulu.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your books!
Naida - I haven't heard of The Act, but you have me curious. I'll have to look for it.
DeleteI really want to read the Veronica Speedwell series. I just have to pick up the first book, but haven't yet. One of these days!
ReplyDeleteKelly - You and me both! Hopefully we will one of these days.
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