WWW Wednesday- May 8, 2019

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words.

The three W’s are:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

 

 

Currently Reading:

 

I’m currently reading an ARC of one of my most anticipated books of the year: The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins. I’m not very far in, but I’m excited to see where this vivid historical fiction novel goes. Frannie Langton is a former slave from Jamaica who has recently been working as a servant in Georgian London. As the book begins, she has been accused of the murders of her employers and is awaiting sentencing. Unfortunately for her defense, Frannie claims to have no memory of the events of that infamous day, although she is adamant that she didn’t kill her mistress. I’m definitely picking up on the strong Alias Grace vibes and hope this will be an engrossing, twisty read.

I’m also slowly reading Middlemarch by George Eliot as part of the Middlemarch in 2019 Readathon. The idea is to read the classic tome in eight parts— ie. one “Book” a month from April to November. This not only helps to make Middlemarch less intimidating, it also mimics the serialized reading experience that Eliot’s contemporaries would’ve had. I’m a tiny bit behind in April’s reading, but hope to catch up soon. So far, I’m enjoying Eliot’s prose, but have yet to really connect with her characters (fingers crossed that will change).

A Perilous Undertaking (Victoria Speedwell #2) by Deanna Raybourn is my latest bedtime read. I’m only halfway through, and although I’m certainly enjoying it, I’m not loving it quite as much as I did the first book in the series. Still, any time spent in the company of Veronica and and Stoker is time well spent.

 

Recently Finished:

 I recently devoured Spring by Ali Smith and was blown away yet again by the timeliness, brilliance, and beauty of her seasonal quartet. I cannot wait for Summer!

I didn’t love The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker as much as I had hoped. As I suspected, it suffered a bit in comparison to Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles. I also couldn’t get over one particular narrative choice. There were stil plenty of moments and passages I adored, and I’m very happy to have read it.

Golden Hill by Francis Spufford was a delightful five-star read. It was fun, mysterious, gripping, surprising, atmospheric, and evocative; everything I could ask for in a historical fiction novel.

 

Reading Next:

 

I’m so excited to read The King’s General by Daphne du Maurier as part of Ali’s Daphne du Maurier Reading Week. I have yet to be disappointed by du Maurier and I doubt this will be any exception.

It’s also time for me to pick up my Classics Club Spin #20 Pick: Right Ho, Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse. I’m sure it will be a relaxing and hilarious read.

Since Bout of Books 25 kicks off next week, I’m sure I’ll be picking up as many additional books as I possibly can.

What have you been reading lately?

16 thoughts on “WWW Wednesday- May 8, 2019”

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    1. I’m really enjoying Frannie Langton so far, and hope you will too! Don’t get me wrong, there was a lot I loved about Silence of the Girls, but I did have a few issues with it. My expectations were probably too high going into it too.

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  6. It took me a while to get into Middlemarch too but once I did, it was fantastic. Enjoy Wodehouse and du Maurier, I haven’t read either of those but they sound like a treat!

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  7. I’m currently reading one of my 2019 Classic Challenge’s books, Guy de Maupassant’s “Like Death.” I had read a few of his short stories; this is my first novel. After a slow start, I’m loving it.
    I just finished Tom Drury’s “The Driftless Area” (a 2019 TBR Challenge), which I reviewed on my blog. Short but powerful; wonderful dialogue, interesting characters and a story that crosses genres and lingers in the mind. Drury is now on my radar; when I have time I’ll go back and read more of his novels.
    What’s next? I’m not quite sure; something fun; I’m thinking it’s time to get away from the Challenges for a bit! I love mysteries and you’ve made Frannie Langton sound really intriguing — I’ll have to check the publication date. The “7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle” has been on my list for awhile and I just read a great review of Alafair Blake’s “The Better Sister.”
    Regarding Middlemarch: it’s one of my absolute favorite novels but the first time I read it, it only started working for me about halfway through (I picked it to read because it was boring and helped me get to sleep). Then I got hooked! I’m determined to read Rebecca Mead’s “My Llife in Middlemarch”, about her lifelong relationship with the novel this summer but then ………….. I’ve been determined to do so for at least four years now!

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    1. The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Haardcastle is really clever and a ton of fun. I’d definitely recommend it. I’ll have to look into The Driftless Area, as it sounds excellent. I think Frannie Langton comes out here in the US on May 21st. I’m really enjoying it so far, and hope you will too if you pick it up!

      I’m glad to hear that Middlemarch is one of your favorites. I won’t be surprised if I have a similar first reading experience as you did. I haven’t fallen in love with it yet, but I feel like it’s just a matter of time.

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    1. Glad to hear you’re a Middlemarch fan, Laila! I’ll be pretty shocked if I don’t end up loving it too. I’m really enjoying Confessions of Frannie Langton so far. It’s a refreshing twist on historical fiction tropes I’ve read in the past.

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