Hosted by Taking on a World of Words, this meme is all about the three Ws:
- What are you currently reading?
- What did you recently finish reading?
- What do you think you’ll read next?
Why not join in too? Leave a comment with your link at Taking on a World of Words and then go blog hopping!
Currently reading
Louis & Louise by Julie Cohen (e-book courtesy of NetGalley)
ONE LIFE. LIVED TWICE.
Louis Dee and Louise are the same person born in two different lives. They are separated only by the sex announced by the doctor and a final ‘e’.
They have the same best friends, the same red hair, the same dream of being a writer, the same excellent whistle. They both suffer one catastrophic night, with life-changing consequences.
Thirteen years later, they are both coming home.
A tender, insightful and timely novel about the things that bring us together – and those which separate us.
Recently finished (click on title for review)
The Phoenix of Florence by Philip Kazan (proof copy courtesy of Allison & Busby)
16th century Italy, deep in the Tuscan countryside, a long-held feud between two aristocratic families ends in tragedy, leaving only one young girl alive. Having barely escaped with her life, she vows to survive at all costs…
Years later, amidst the winding streets and majestic facades of Florence, two murders are not all they seem. As Onorio Celavini, commander of the Medici police force, investigates, he is horrified to find a personal connection to the crimes, and a conspiracy lurking beyond. The secrets of his past threaten to spill out and Celavini is forced to revisit the traumatic memories hidden deep within him to lay the ghosts of history to rest.
Poignant and compelling, The Phoenix of Florence is a richly told and cleverly crafted tale of a struggle for identity and a battle for justice in an Italy besieged by war.
Pre-order The Phoenix of Florence from Amazon UK (link provided for convenience not as part of an affiliate programme)
99 Nights in Logar by Jamil Jan Kochai (eARC courtesy of Vintage and NetGalley)
A coming-of-age story about one boy’s journey across contemporary Afghanistan to find and bring home the family dog, blending the grit and immediacy of voice-driven fiction like We Need New Names with the mythmaking of One Thousand and One Nights.
Twelve-year-old Marwand’s memories from his previous visit to Afghanistan six years ago center on his contentious relationship with Budabash, the terrifying but beloved dog who guards his extended family’s compound in Logar. Eager to find an ally in this place that’s meant to be “home,” Marwand approaches Budabash the way he would any dog on his American suburban block—and the results are disastrous: Marwand loses a finger and Budabash escapes.
The resulting search for the family dog is an expertly told adventure, a ninety-nine-night quest that sends Marwand and his cousins across the landscape of Logar. Moving between celebrations and tragedies, deeply humorous and surprisingly tender, 99 Nights in Logar is a vibrant exploration of the power of stories—the ones we tell each other, and the ones we find ourselves in.
What Cathy (will) Read Next
The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo (eARC, courtesy of Quercus and NetGalley)
They say a tiger that devours too many humans can take the form of a man and walk among us…
In 1930s colonial Malaya, a dissolute British doctor receives a surprise gift of an eleven-year-old Chinese houseboy. Sent as a bequest from an old friend, young Ren has a mission: to find his dead master’s severed finger and reunite it with his body. Ren has forty-nine days, or else his master’s soul will roam the earth forever.
Ji Lin, an apprentice dressmaker, moonlights as a dancehall girl to pay her mother’s debts. One night, Ji Lin’s dance partner leaves her with a gruesome souvenir that leads her on a crooked, dark trail.
As time runs out for Ren’s mission, a series of unexplained deaths occur amid rumours of tigers who turn into men. In their journey to keep a promise and discover the truth, Ren and Ji Lin’s paths will cross in ways they will never forget.
Blurb for Louis & Louise is really intriguing, how are you liking this read so far?
LikeLike
I’m only a few chapters in but it’s an interesting premise and I’m looking forward to seeing what, if any, the effect of biological chance (whether we’re born male or female) has on their lives.
LikeLike
Louis and Louise sound interesting. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it!
My WWW
LikeLiked by 1 person
The night tiger looks soooo good! I can’t wait to hear what you think!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It will be a while until I publish my review but I’m taking part in a readalong over the next few weeks organised by the publishers, starting on Monday. Everyone taking part will be sharing their thoughts on social media.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve only heard of The Night Tiger out of all the books you’ve mentioned and I’ve heard good things about it, hope you enjoy it! 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, I’m taking part in a read-along organised by the publishers starting next week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s great! Happy reading!
LikeLike
Loving your book picks! Louis & Louise has been on my radar – must bump it up the TBR! Plus I really like the sound of The Night Tiger.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As I used to live near Florence, I’m definitely add The Phoenix of Florence to my TBR. Plus, I enjoyed your review of it. Here is my WWW this week: https://greatmorrisonmigration.wordpress.com/2019/02/13/www-wednesdays-february-13-2019/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. I really enjoyed Half of a Yellow Sun when I read it a few years ago and have been meaning to try her other books for a while.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So far I highly recommend her nonfiction feminist work, including We Should All Be Feminists & Dear Ijeawele (which I just finished today and then immediately reread). I may not actually get to Half of a Yellow Sun this month unfortunately, but at least I’ll still have completely 2 fiction works by her. She is impressive.
LikeLike
So many lovely books! I really love the cover on The Night Tiger. Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog. Enjoy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great international titles! My post is here: https://wordsandpeace.com/2019/02/11/mailbox-monday-february-11/
LikeLike
I have Louis and Louise on my TBR pile and I can’t wait to read it, it sounds really intriguing and interesting. I hope you continue to enjoy it.
Here’s my week in books: https://rathertoofondofbooks.com/2019/02/13/this-week-in-books-13-feb-2019-what-are-you-reading-this-week/
LikeLike
And I’ve had Blood Orange on my radar for a while so glad to hear you’re enjoying it. I got some book tokens for Christmas I still haven’t used.
LikeLike
99 Nights in Logar is the winner this week! Your books are gorgeous. Have a great week!
LikeLiked by 1 person