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.
Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
Why I have it: Gilmore Guide’s review (we all ant a book that has you reading through the night).
Summary: Lillian is asked by an old friend to care for twins. The catch? The children spontaneously combust when they get agitated. Over the course of summer, Lillian and the twins learn to trust each other, and Lillian realises she needs these strange children as much as they need her.
I’m thinking: Yes, I’m intrigued.
Paperback Crush by Gabrielle Moss
Why I have it: Spotted at Grab the Lapels.
Summary: a deep dive into the ‘golden age’ of YA fiction (a time of girl-power and endless sessions of sustained silent reading).
I’m thinking: Yes! Of rereading the Sweet Valley High series, Moss says –
‘…I found a record of my adolescent expectations – of the ideas about romance and womanhood and rebellion that had shaped me. I found the attitudes I’d end up embracing, and resisting, my entire life.’
The Old King in his Exile by Arno Geiger
Why I have it: Lizzy’s powerful review.
Summary: Arno Geiger’s father was never an easy man to know and when he developed Alzheimer’s, Arno realised he was not going to ask for help. ‘As my father can no longer cross the bridge into my world, I have to go over to his.’ Arno sets out on a journey to get to know him at last.
I’m thinking: Yes, I immediately liked the author’ gentle style.
I loved Nothing to See Here. Bonkers premise but it works.
It’s so ludicrous that I think it would work (plus, I liked the opening chapter).
I’d forgotten about Nothing to See Here but I remember bloggers loving it. It sounds so odd!
All of my trusted reading buddies have loved it and it seems to get consistently good reviews… when it was first released I turned down an ARC because I thought it sounded mad – I regret that now!
The Old King sounds interesting. Good for families affected by Alzheimer’s?
Probably but might make you sad…
I’m thinking no, no, yes. YA fiction doesn’t ahold much appeal for me and Nothing to See Here sounds completely improbable. Do these twins have the power of reincarnation also – if not there’s not much of a p,or is there? They get angry, they self combust, end of twins…. or have I misunderstood something completely?
I think it’s completely improbable but I suspect you have to give yourself over to the ridiculous premise. The writing is terrific – in less skilled hands, it would all seem silly.