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 have popped up in my Goodreads feed.
Apartment by Teddy Wayne
Summary: The wealthy unnamed narrator is attending Columbia university, and living in a rent-stabilized apartment. Feeling guilty about his good fortune, he offers his spare bedroom, rent free, to Billy, a charismatic classmate living a hand-to-mouth existence in Manhattan. Their living arrangement, and their radically different upbringings, breeds tensions neither could predict.
I’m thinking: No – style was rapid-fire and a little too slick for me.
The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
Summary: In 1901, the word ‘Bondmaid’ was discovered missing from the Oxford English Dictionary. This is the story of the girl who stole it.
I’m thinking: Yes (particularly because of Lisa’s glowing review).
The Discomfort of Evening by Marieke Lucas Rijneveld
Summary: Ten-year-old Jas has a unique way of experiencing her universe, feeling and seeing what others don’t. When a tragic accident ruptures the family, her curiosity unlocks a darkness that threatens to derail them all.
I’m thinking: Yes – instantly loved the style.
So very excited about the dictionary of lost words. Sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing!
x The Captain
Stay tuned for my review.
*smile* Mission accomplished!
I’ll buy it now (instead of waiting until the end of the year) and justify it as helping Readings out during lockdown.
I watched an interview with Pip Williams just before her book came out and it sounded totally fascinating. I’ve bought it, now I just need to find time to read it!
Do you recall who did the interview? Was it on the ABC?
Lisa convinced me on the Williams too – sounds great!
It will be in my very near reading future I think (as opposed to waiting until the end of the year to select which of my Sample Saturdays I buy).
That Dictionary of Lost Words also sounds interesting. Mind you, I’d be put off if there’s anything magical about the book.
Same. Magic and magic realism is not my thing at all.
The Dictionary of Lost Words would get my vote.
And before you know it, all the Australian bloggers will be telling you it’s their books of the year and you’ll have to wait and wait and wait for it to hit the UK…
I’ve heard varying reports on The Discomfort of Evening (bleak/explicit) — it will be interesting to get your take!
I don’t mind bleak but not mad on explicit… stay tuned!
The Dictionary of Lost Words sounds awesome! I’d like to read that one. 🙂
I don’t read much historical fiction – sometimes the style is awkward, but not so in the first chapter of this book.
The Pip Williams calls to me most – especially having read `lisa’s message that we should all go and read this
I’m not ordinarily a big fan of historical but I trust Lisa’s judgement 🙂
I’m keen to read The Discomfit of Evening too – look forward to hearing what you think!
Perhaps I should wait for your review…? 😀
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