Sample Saturday is when I wade through the eleventy billion samples I have downloaded on my Kindle. I’m slowly chipping away and deciding whether it’s buy or bye. This week, all three books are titles from my ‘I’m waiting for…’ list.
Neon in Daylight by Hermione Hoby
Summary: British Kate arrives in NYC to ‘apartment-sit’ while she tries to figure out her future. She has two unfortunate responsibilities during her time in America: to make regular Skype calls to her miserable boyfriend back home, and to cat-sit an indifferent feline. The city has other plans for her.
I’m thinking: Yes – I’m a sucker for a New York story.
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
Summary: Our narrator should be happy – she’s young, thin, pretty, a recent graduate, works an easy job at a hip art gallery, lives comfortably on her inheritance. But there is a dark cloud over her life that forces her into hibernation.
I’m thinking: Yes – instantly sucked in.
Rainbirds by Clarissa Goenawan
Summary: Ren receives news of his sister Keiko’s sudden and violent death. He travels to her town to conclude her affairs but soon finds himself picking up where Keiko left off, accepting both her teaching position and a bizarre arrangement for free lodging. As he comes to know the people of the town, he begins to piece together what happened the night of Keiko’s death.
I’m thinking: Maybe – writing style is a little odd (not in a bad way) but opening chapter is intriguing.
Hi Kate, I agree they all look like good reading. I have read Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh. It is different and a good read.
She certainly has a distinct style.
I’m also a sucker for a New York story but I think you know that already! The Moshfegh has been all over my Twitter timeline recently which always makes my hype antennae quiver but I trust your judgement.
Don’t know why but initially I was under the impression that it was another short story collection… Anyway, it has that same darkness as Eileen.
I’m still not sure how I feel about Moshfegh but she’s undoubtedly talented so I’ll be interested to see what you make of MYORAR.
The Hoby is very appealing!
I’m keen to get hold of the Hoby and Moshfegh. My library doesn’t own either, though. Boooooo!
I’ve read Neon in Daylight and enjoyed it. I’ve also just started the Moshfegh!
I still haven’t got around to reading Eileen but did like the sample version I downloaded so this falls into a ‘strong possibility’ category for me
I love a good NYC story! I’m adding the Hoby to my TBR.
I tried Rest amd DNFed it at 50%. I simply could not go on. Moshfegh has a unique style, but my sense from this book and Eileen is that being provocative is her driving force and Rest is definitely that. It was provocative, but not interesting to me. I will be very curious to see your thoughts if you read it because I wonder if it is a generational thing (I’m old).