Chapter 3 - And Still More Books...

As I said last week there are so many books to be put on the TBR list for January. While right now I am trying to read all the books of authors I want to see at the Savannah Book Festival this year, I have made a list of books that I am keeping an eye on. Before you start to feel sorry for Dave because I buy so many books, let me tell you about my book buying funds. When we got married I told Dave I allowed myself a book budget. I have always budgeted for books and continue to do so. When we lived in Baltimore the library I frequented was the highest circulation library in the US at the time. Moving to South Carolina was a little deflating when it came to books. The library was about the size of our high school library and had very few adult books. North Myrtle Beach built a new library, a beautiful facility but still, the shelves are often bare. In addition, because we have a large retirement population, waiting lists for new books remain crazy long. To my great excitement I found a used book store, Bookends, where I became a frequent customer and, as you know, ended up buying and then selling eight years later. It is still my primary go to for books - new and used. I also buy some books at Sam's Club although they have reduced the amount of books they carry. Finally I put myself on review lists and receive books to evaluate and review from publishers. I always pay books forward. If I have read a good book I definitely want to share it. Many used book stores have good trade-in policies which make them perfect in reducing the overall cost.

Anyway all that to say these are the books I am interested in next.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix - Girls who are "in trouble' meaning unmarried and pregnant are sent to a Wellwood House in St. Augustine, Florida where they will have their babies and secret and give them up for adoption. Every moment of the girls' day is controlled by adults so when the librarian gives one of the girls, Fern, a book of the occult, the power changes hands. Hendrix is good for horror mixed with humor. This was published January 14.

Babylonia by Constanza Casati - If you are a fan of myths, Constanza Casati is a writer for you. I read her first book Clytemnestra and loved it. In her latest novel she tells the story of Semiramis, an orphan who became Queen of Assyria. An orphan Semiramis is introduced into the king's court and among treachery she rises in status and power. The story of the only female ruler in ancient Assyria is an intriguing one. This was also published January 14.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney - Alice Feeney writes psychological thrillers and while many authors have tried to write good "lost" people stories, I'll bet she has captured it. In this novel, Grady calls his wife to share some great news while she is on her way home from work. He hears her slam on the brakes, get out of the car and then nothing. A year later Grady, in an effort to get his life back together, goes to a remote Scottish isle where he sees a woman who looks remarkably like his wife. The tag line for this book is Wives think their husbands will change but they don’t.

Husbands think their wives won’t change but they do.

Going Home by Tom Lamont - Teo Erskine has it all together - a good job, a nice apartment in London and, when he visits his friends in the suburbs, the ability to pick up the tab. He still has a crush on Lia, one of their friends, who is now a single mom and who Teo babysits for peridically. When a tragedy strikes Teo finds himself guardian to Lia's young son and joins forces with two other men to figure out what is best for the child. Wise and funny are how critics describe the novel. This also published on January 14.

Let's Call Her Barbie by Renee Rosen - Renee Rosen is a favorite author. She writes novelized accounts of real lives. In her latest novel, Rosen recounts the development of Barbie, the personalities involved, the complexity of the toy industry, and Ruth Handler's and Mattel's roles in all that. I was a big Barbie fan as a child (still love all her original clothes) and I was captivated from the first chapter. This will be released on January 21.

Doesn't this sound like a good list? Let me know what you think!