Mailbox Monday: The all type, no talk edition

So, I still have no voice.  This has gone beyond mere annoyance, as it's been nearly three weeks now.  But it led to a very funny interlude this past week.  I commented to a co-worker that I'd spent the entire weekend in silence.  She looked at me very skeptically.  I said, "As much as I read, don't you realize that I spend most of my life outside this office in silence?"  Her response was, "I always picture you reading aloud.  And gesticulating."  I laughed until I cried.  Everyone who has heard this quote shrugs and says, "I could see that."

And on that note, let's start this week's list with the swarm of books I picked up in the Audible.com "Paperback" sale.  I've said it before, I can't resist the cheap audiobooks.  One of the things I love about them, is that while I have little time to reread books, sometimes I'll pick up an especially beloved book in this new format, and it feels a little less like revisiting the same territory.  It's also a way to fit in older books I've been wanting to read--books I don't owe reviews on.  Or new books I didn't receive review copies of.  It's a little easier to squeeze the audiobook in while I'm shopping, cooking, stitching, or otherwise multi-tasking.

Still Missing
by Chevy Stevens

This was a hot debut thriller last summer, and I considered reading it then.  Her latest thriller is now sitting in my house.  I already "read" this one while walking around New York.  Enjoyable.  The first half was very reminiscent of Emma Donaghue's Room.  I liked the second half a lot better. 

Alas, Babylon
by Pat Frank

I've always wanted to read this classic of apocalyptic fiction.

A Visit From the Goon Squad
by Jennifer Egan

I think everyone here knows I'm a big fan of Jennifer Egan and this year's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.  For five bucks, I couldn't resist adding the audiobook to my collection.

Fever Dream
by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

I'm a decades-long fan of Doug and Linc's, but I'm a rare fan who feels that a little Pendergast goes a long way.  A few years ago, I just got Pendergasted-out, and I stopped reading the books.  But, I started to feel a little nostalgic recently.  The latest Pendergast book is out in a couple of weeks, so I decided to re-enter the series with last year's offering, the first in a trilogy.  I've already listened to it, and I had an epiphany.  Pendergast's courtliness is 100% Doug Preston.  An example... Me: Doug, I've lost my voice.  Doug: What a shame, you have such a lovely voice.  He's like that all the time.

Then Came You
by Jennifer Weiner

Technically, I purchased this brand new title with my Audible.com credit.  This is another one I've already listened to.  Enjoyable and interesting, but not funny like her typical work.  I missed the humor.

Geek Love
by Katherine Dunn

It must be 20 years since I've read this cult classic, and yet I think of it so often.  It deserves a reread after all these years.  I loved this book, and hope that I still do.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle
by Shirley Jackson

I have heard too many raves about the book and audiobook to ignore.

Pillars of the Earth
by Ken Follett

In a perfect world, I would have every book I read in paper, Kindle, and audiobook formats, as I like to switch back and forth, and frequently listen and read at the same time, etc.  Now that I do have this monster in all three formats, I'm running out of excuses not to read it. 

The Thirteenth Tale
by Diane Setterfield

This is another popular title that's been sitting on my bookshelf that I've been meaning to get around to reading.

Kafka on the Shore
by Haruki Murakami

Simply put, Nicole would never forgive me if I passed up a Murakami.  I'm reading my first Murakami now, and while I don't understand it, I'm enjoying it immensely.

People of the Book
by Geraldine Brooks

One of these days I'll actually read a Brooks novel.

Shut Up and Dance: How to Stop Leading and Follow Your Man Into a Happier, Sexier Relationship
by Jamie Rose
Source: Paper galley from publisher

I don't think this is for me...

The Winters in Bloom
by Lisa Tucker
Source: Paper galley from publisher

I keep acquiring Tucker's novels and not reading them.  I need to break this cycle!  Has anyone else read Lisa Tucker?  Thoughts?  I shall try to get to this one.

The Search for Philip K. Dick
by Anne Dick
Source: Finished trade paperback from publisher

This is a new biography of the troubled writer, written by his wife.  Sounds interesting!

They're Watching
by Gregg Hurwitz
Source: Picked up at book club

I enjoy Hurwitz, and I missed this one last year.  Thanks, Maya!

The Finkler Question
by Howard Jacobson
Source: Picked up at book club

The Jewishest Booker Prize winner ever.  The only question is, why haven't I read it yet?  Thanks, Steve! 






Books finished this week:

Killing Kate by Julie Kramer
The Magician King by Lev Grossman
Machine Man by Max Barry

How painfully obvious is it that I will never catch up on my review writing?  I'm like 20 behind now.  *hangs head in shame*

Currently reading:

Dominance by Will Lavender
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
and snippets of too many other books to even mention


So, what books have you acquired lately?  What have you been reading?

Mailbox Monday: The on time for a change edition

So, this is hysterical.  You may have noticed that I post a different mailbox each Monday.  (I really liked last Monday's patinated copper mailboxes though.  If I ever decide to stick with one image, it's a contender.)  Anyway, as I look over the potential photos each week, I see examples of all kinds of crazy, clever boxes.  This week, I acquired a shark book, so I thought it would be fun to Google "shark mailbox."  Who knew there would be dozens for me to choose from?  I feel compelled to post several.  If I ever own a home, I'm definitely investing in a shark mailbox.

The good news this week is that I didn't purchase a single book.  Not a book sale.  Didn't use my Audible.com credit.  Not so much as a Kindle freebie.  These all came from outside sources.  And I'm not complaining, because some really excellent books showed up this week.  It really is kind of fun to check the mail at my home and office.

Demon Fish: Travels Through the Hidden World of Sharks
by Juliet Eilperin
Release date: 6/14/2011
Source: Paper galley from Amazon Vine program

I love sharks.  Once upon a time I worked in the laboratory of a world-renowned shark researcher.  I've studied them; dived with them.  I've been fascinated with these magnificent creatures my whole life.  And reading that squid book recently reminded me how much I truly love the subject of marine biology, which at one time I wanted to make my career.  I'm really delighted to have the opportunity to read and review this book.  And look, it's out just in time for beach reading season!

The Wise Man's Fear (Kingkiller Chronicles, Day 2)
by Patrick Rothfuss
Release date: 3/1/2011
Source: CD audiobook from Amazon Vine program

So, I don't know how I missed Rothfuss's much-lauded debut, The Name of the Wind, four years ago, but I did.  Fantasy isn't really my "thing."  Anyway, with the recent publication of this second book in the trilogy, I've heard too many emphatically good things about this author from too many respected people to ignore.  Only problem is that the first book, currently sitting unread on my Kindle is 600+ pages, and this one is over a 1,000!  For that reason, when Amazon offered me the opportunity to review the 43-hour audiobook, I thought, Why not?  Don't look for a review anytime soon.  But I'm good with that.  If it takes me four years to read the first 1,700 pages of the series, I'll be done just about on time for the publication of the conclusion.  You call it procrastination, I call it planning ahead.

The Map of Time
by Felix J. Palma
Release date: 6/28/2011
Source: Paper galley from publisher

Remember one second ago when I said that fantasy isn't really my "thing"?  Well, forget that.  Here's another 600+ page monster that I can't wait to dive into!  It's a time travel epic starring H.G. Wells as the protagonist, and it looks really, really cool!  It was translated, incidentally, from the author's native Spanish.  He's written lots of short stories, but I believe this is his first novel.  When the man decides to go long form, he really goes long form!

The Time Machine
by H.G. Wells
Release date: 1895
Source: Paper galley from publisher

So many galleys pass through my hands; I love it when a publisher does something clever like this: The novel above was packaged with a bonus copy of H.G. Wells' original which inspired it.  So that all the readers could bone up on the source material.  I haven't read this novel in decades, and it's so invitingly short, I will now surely do exactly that before embarking on the longer work.  Great marketing!

Noah Barleywater Runs Away
by John Boyne
Release date: 5/10/2011
Source: Paper galley from publisher

I noticed immediately that this middle reader novel was written by the same author who wrote The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.  This looks like a very different type of story, with several cute illustrations salted through the text.  But this book isn't for me.  I don't know if I've ever mentioned it here, but my friend and former boss Theopia works at Children's Hospital in Oakland.  At her suggestion, I'm gathering children's books for different ages that can be put out in the waiting rooms with labels inviting the kids to take home any book they start reading.

Never Knowing
by Chevy Stevens
Release date: 7/5/2011
Source: Paper galley from the publisher

For some reason two copies of this book arrived, both with the same mistakes in the address label.  Uh, thanks, St. Martins.  I'm not complaining.  I was interested in reading Stevens well-reviewed debut, Still Missing, last year, but never got around to it.  I'm pretty sure I've heard good things about this one, too.  I'm looking forward to reading it.  And guess what?  I smell a Humpday Giveaway!

A Time for Patriots
by Dale Brown
Release date: 5/10/2011
Source: Finished hardback from the publisher

I've never read Dale Brown.  I love thrillers, but his always seem a little macho for me.  Maybe I'll read a few chapters of this one and see what I think.  Any of you big Brown fans?

Graveminder
by Melissa Marr
Release date: 5/17/2011
Source: Paper galley from publisher

I was somewhat underwhelmed by Marr's YA phenom, Wicked Lovely.  Nonetheless, there's a reasonably good chance that I'll give this a read.  I'm not a big fan of these supernatural tales, but if this novel takes off, which it looks like it has the potential to do, I'll want to see what everyone else is reading. 

You're Next
by Gregg Hurwitz
Release date: 7/5/2011
Source: Paper galley from the publisher

I've been reading and a fan of Greg Hurwitz since very early in his career.  Among other things, I really like that he writes mostly stand alone novels.  The description of this one isn't the most exciting, but I have a lot of faith in his ability to entertain.

Books finished in the past week:

Love You More by Lisa Gardner

Bellwether by Connie Willis

The Skeleton Key by James Rollins (a novella)

Sweet Jiminy by Kristen Gore

Currently reading:

The Tragedy of Arthur by Arthur Phillips

One more note, I have to LOL.  My blog spiked huge this weekend when I wrote about Hugh Jackman.  Clearly A-list Hollywood stars are a bigger draw than books.  But, I'm back on track with the books, so I expect the new readers will be gone as quick as they came.  It was nice while it lasted!  Look out for new reviews this week.  :-)