Yes Sir, Yes Sir, Three Bags Full, and Other Bits and Bobs

A lot of bookish variety today, which pleases my book hoorish heart on this rainy, grey day.

I popped into the library briefly yesterday to make a few copies, and found my desk groaning under the weight of three parcels filled with review books. It's a very good thing.

Thank yous are due to Doubleday/Talese, Random House and Snowbooks for the fantastic lot of review books. Among the lovelies is the latest novel by Ha Jin, to be published here in November. How I did clutch that one to my bosom! You'll have to use your imagination on that.

From Random House:

A Free Life by Ha Jin

Afterwards by Rachel Seiffert

The Rope Walk by Carrie Brown

Fellow Travelers by Thomas Mallon

From Doubleday/Talese:

Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann

The Opposite House by Helen Oyeyemi

Harriet Tubman: Imagining a Life: a Biography by Beverly Lowry

And not only these from Snowbooks:

Adept by Robert Finn

Taking the Plunge by Stacie Lewis

The Romanian by Bruce Benderson

Longing by J.D. Landis

A Needle in the Blood by Sarah Bower

But these gorgeous beauties, as well!

The London Scene by Virginia Woolf

The Celestial Omnibus by E.M. Forster

I'm happy to see the names are adding up under my GIVEAWAY post! I have the next book queued up, an extra book given to me by an author's publicist for the express purpose of being a giveaway book here. She ran out of signed copies, but how does a pristine hardback book sound?

I thought so!

One last bit of news: The Chicago Tribune has started a Books Blog. Pop by and check it out. It's in its infancy right now, but I know it'll be a great resource once it's at full speed.

I think I know how I'll be spending my day, seeing as I have this wonderful new pile of books and all. I'd better get cracking, since I know there's no rest for the FedEx guy, and there are at least this number of books in transit to me as I type. It's the curse of the book reviewer, but don't weep for me!

(I know: BRAT!) 

Comments

[Bluestalking Reader]

Stacie, I've read the first few pages of your book and it's hilarious so far. So much fun. I'll tackle it properly soon.

I'll forgive you your love of the Tigers, since you were so polite about it and all.

[Stacie Lewis]

Hello from one of the future reads (or rather the author of...)

How you read so many books is beyond me! Good book to choose for the first giveaway ('Plotting for Beginners' as I saw in another of your posts). I've read it and enjoyed it thoroughly.

By the way, I'm a Detroit Tigers fan. Sorry.

Happy reading from one Midwesterner to another!

[Em]

Yes yes yes - Just email me any time at emma@snowbooks.com and of course I'll send one for review!

(Hee, I'm a sweetheart. Cool.)

[Bluestalking Reader]

Simon, Em at Snowbooks is a sweetheart. I'd be willing to bet she'd be very happy to send you the book, especially if you're going to review it on your blog. I'll say yes, give her a try!

[Bluestalking Reader]

Booklogged, no, no worries on that score! I have no fear even when faced with a stack of books rapidly approaching my own height. Witnesses can attest to what can only be described as my freakishly fast reading pace, plus keep in mind some of these books you're seeing won't even be published 'til much later in the year, so things like Ha Jin's book won't be out for months. Also, I have a network of friends who review, and in a pinch I can always pass stuff along to other people. Even things I have read I can pass along, actually, to more widely broadcast the reviews for these deserving authors. Maybe it's a bit crazy, but I don't really worry.

[Simon]

I've ogled that Virginia one many a time... do you think if I promised to review it, they'd send one my way?! They very kindly sent me the AA Milne 'Sunny Side', which I wanted to review for the student paper I worked on... and that week the books column was removed indefinitely. I ask you...
Hope you're coping with the sporting grievances. This is the benefit of not forming sporting attachments. Though I am angry that the soap opera 'Neighbours' is off for two weeks, owing to Wimbledon. Grr.

[booklogged]

Lisa, I don't see how you keep up. I love the looks of those pile of books, but if I knew I had a deadline I'd be filled with panic. You enjoy it, though, don't you? Look forward to your reviews. I hope they are all fabulous.