I remembered after posting what I read recently that I failed to include A Wild and Heavenly Place by Robin Oliveira. Which was strange because I thoroughly enjoyed it, as is the case with all of Oliveira’s books! Then I realized it was because Goodreads didn’t tag it as counting towards my reading challenge totals. I went in and fixed that and I’ll just make mention of it here before talking about what I’m currently reading.
This was originally available for me from Netgalley, and I don’t know why I think to add books to the Netgalley account because I’ve rarely been reading them that way lately, if at all. So as soon as I saw it was coming in to the library, I threw a hold on it and read the hardcover version. Elizabeth George’s blurb on the front cover says this is a story about “love, despair, jealousy, revenge, and hope in the lives of characters the reader won’t soon forget.” She’s very right about that – I was engrossed in this story from the very first pages to the very last of them.
With that out of the way, let’s move on to what I’m currently reading. One is a paper book, one is in audio:
Dune. A book so far outside of my normal reading, but a promise was made to my son to read it before the 2nd movie comes out (in about 2 weeks). This is not a typical genre of book I reach for, so it’s been slow going through most of it. It definitely meets the chunkster criteria however as it’s well over 600 pages long. Herbert is very detailed in everything he’s writing about and I’ll admit to my eyes glazing over a few times. But I’m persevering. I will read it, but I told my son I draw the line at reading any the Appendices (like the Ecology of Dune, the Religion of Dune, etc.). I’ve done my part kid. I don’t mind watching the sci-fi movies with you, I enjoyed the first movie (very well done) and I am looking forward to part 2, but reading sci-fi hits different for me. Now let’s go see if we can grab a sandworm popcorn bucket before they’re all sold out!
And I just want to talk about this cover before I move on to the audiobook I’m listening to. My son’s copy of the book is the smaller paperback and I just didn’t see myself reading a book with the pages and print being that small. I downloaded the ebook from the library but discovered this one was going to take some time to get through so we ran out to Indigo so I could just buy my own copy. There are many shelves devoted to the many editions of Dune. I found I truly did not mind this one with the movie cover at all, it’s just what is printed into the cover “Dune: Part Two” that I cannot abide by! WHEN will publishers ever get the hint that book lovers will never, ever get behind having their books sullied in this egregious manner??
Weyward. Look at that stunning cover. It’s gorgeous and it truly covers some of the elements you’ll find inside. I just love when the book designer is so in tune to the contents of the book and a beautiful effort is made such as the one done for this cover. I am listening to this one however. The 3 different narrators for Altha, Kate and Violet are exceptionally great and truly perfect for each of the time periods covered (1619, 2019 and 1942 respectively). Their voices are perfectly suited to their characters. I’m loving it in audio. I’m loving the story. This one just continues to reinforce the fragility of men and the horribly misogynistic methods employed to maintain that patriarchy! Men horribly treating women. On repeat, through centuries. But Altha, Kate and Violet’s stories are engrossing to listen to and I’m looking forward to seeing how their three storylines connect. I’m slowing going through this one too since I only listen to it when I’m walking. I did request it from the library as I’m getting anxious to read through it quicker – that’s always the case for me and audiobooks. I grow impatient and grab the paper copy to finish. But this in no way should diminish the recommendation to listen to this one if you can. It’s a great story and I love how it’s structured.
As I did with A Wild and Heavenly Place, I’m fitting in another book borrowed from the library to take small breaks from Dune. :-) When I saw The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding by Holly Ringland on display I just had to have it! Look at that cover! It probably doesn’t show it well but the lettering is silvery and shiny and it’s gorgeous. I read The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Ringland and like that book, Anansi International has again published a stunning book inside and out. In my 2018 Year in Review I talk about The Lost Flowers and show pictures of what the inside looks like. I adore when we are treated to books like this. Too many times lately I’m finding the books are printed on very cheap paper and their covers are like ones you receive when they are in ARC form. Yet, they are charging the full print price. Very frustrating and sad making. Anyway, The Seven Skins is one I keep touching, flipping through…like The Lost Flowers, it has illustrations at the start of each chapter, and for each of the “skins” of Esther. I’ve only just picked this one up, and it’s a chunker too, but already it’s going to be a good one for me, I can sense it! I think I just need to push through and read the final 250 pages I have left in Dune so I can fully immerse myself in this one.
What are you reading currently? I hope they are great reads!
