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.
Heartbreaker by Claudia Dey
Why I have it: Suggested by Rory at Literary Mixtape.
Summary: When Billie Jean Fontaine, who has always been an outsider, disappears, a group of people come together to unravel her story.
I’m thinking: Yes, wooed by a mention of Air Supply on page two.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Why I have it: One of those books that I feel I ought to have read by now…
Summary: South Carolina, 1964: When Lily’s fierce-hearted ‘stand-in mother’ insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily decides to spring them both free. They escape to Tiburon and are taken in by an eccentric trio of beekeeping sisters.
I’m thinking: Yes.
The Overstory by Richard Powers
Why I have it: Because everyone but me has read it and raves.
Summary: Four interconnected stories about people united by trees.
I’m thinking: Yes.
I’m glad you said Yes to Kidd and Powers. Both are well worth it!
Now it’s a matter of finding the time to read them…
I found the The Overstory hard work, and loved The Secret Life of Bees. You have piqued my interest in Heartbreaker.
My general impression is that the Powers is hard work but worth the effort?? (I felt that way about Markus Zusak’s latest book, Bridge of Clay).
I reviewed Secret Life of Bees a couple of years ago. It’s ok but I think it glosses over racial problems.
Thanks Bill, I’ll keep that in mind and lower my expectations slightly.
I have the Powers on order at the library – looking forward to it, but there’s a long queue!
I usually look over all of the books I’ve said ‘yes’ to at the end of the year, choose my top 10-15 and then buy them/ borrow them. I reckon the Powers will be on my end of year list (unless I cave in earlier!).
That is extremely organised & restrained – I’m impressed! 😂
I take it from your comments on Heartbreaker that read he samples before deciding yes or no?
Yes. I pretty much always read a sample chapter before buying a book (saves a lot of reading time and $$).