December 3rd, 2007 |
I’m so excited! I just snagged an ARC (advance reader’s copy) courtesy of LibraryThing and Random House. This was the first time I tried getting an early review book, and though I didn’t get any from the initial batch of choices for November, I did receive my choice from the ‘bonus batch’ of books by Random House.
I’m so happy with the book I received. It is Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell. Last year I read two of Ms. Russell’s books, The Sparrow and its sequel Children of God. These were the most thought-provoking books I read in 2006, and if you’ve ever looked at my ‘2006 Books’ tab, you’ll see I had made a note of that. Although this book will be very different from those two (which were science fiction), I already know I like Ms. Russell’s writing style; and, the setting is in Cairo, Egypt – - a place I have actually been and loved. I’m really looking forward to reading and reviewing this book.
December 3rd, 2007 |
I started off this morning just wanting to read 1-2 stories from this book by Maeve Binchy, and I ended up reading 8!! I really like all the stories in This Year It Will Be Different so far. They’re not warm and fuzzy, but yet they’re not horribly depressing either. They are about people with flawed characters and lives just trying to make the best of things.
“The First Step of Christmas”
Jenny is a step-parent to Alison, who Jenny believes is quite a nuisance. Yet, it’s Christmas-will that feeling change?
“The Ten Snaps of Christmas”
Orla is a teenage girl who gets a Polaroid camera for Christmas. When she starts taking ‘real’ photos instead of the ‘fake’ ones people usually do, how will the family react?
“Miss Martin’s Wish”
Elsa is a teacher who has been jilted 10 days before her wedding. She spends years spending so-so Christmases at other people’s homes. Will this year be any different?
“The Hard Core”
‘The Hard Core’ is a foursome of obstinate, fussy geriatric patients in a live-in care facility. They’re so objectionable even their families don’t want them for Christmas. But yet, maybe it’ll be a good Christmas after all. . . .
“Christmas Timing”
A ‘perfect’ couple never gets to spend Christmas together. They each think the other is perfect, until. . .
“The Civilized Christmas”
A shy wife dealing with a step-son and her husband’s beautiful ex-wife has much to deal with this Christmas.
“Pulling Together”
Two teachers and a student pull together for the season.
“A Hundred Milligrams”
A couple ‘get to’ spend time with the wife’s fussy mother over Christmas. Will it pull them apart, or bring them closer together?
I really enjoyed all these and can’t wait to read the rest of the stories in this book. Hopefully I’ll be able to post more about them next week!
