One Book, Two Book, Three Book, Four...and Ten!

 We couldn't resist copying this from Stuck In A Book, so here are our "five" books (except that there are really ten - we're both terrible at math).

1. The book I'm currently reading:

 Frances

The Sandcastle by Iris Murdoch – I discovered Iris Murdoch in 2010, and this is my latest of her books. If it’s anything like the others I’ve read, it won’t disappoint!

Rose

 

The Hollow by Agatha Christie – I tried to read this once before but was distracted by a large assembly happening around me (I’m never good at reading in large public places). So, I’m going to give this Poirot another go. If I finish, it will be the first Poirot that I’ve ever read.

 

2. The last book I finished:

Frances

Saratoga Trunk by Edith Ferber - This was...disappointing. It won a Pulitzer Prize, so expected it to be better. I read afterwards that she had initially written it as a play, which explains a lot. At the time, it was praised for capturing dialects, but I felt they were contrived.

 Rose

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith - See our post about Dodie Smith's I Capture the Castle. I doubt it will be easy to follow up such a great read!

3. The next book I want to read:

 Frances

A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy - I adore Thomas Hardy, and this is a lesser-known novel that I found listed on Classic Bookshelf.

 Rose

 We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson - I have read this book before several years ago, but who could resist re-reading Shirley Jackson? I may change my mind tomorrow, but today I'm willing to say that We Have Always Lived in the Castle is Shirley Jackson at her best.

4. The last book I bought:

Frances

The Book and the Brotherhood by Iris Murdoch - I bought this at a library sale. It was my first Iris Murdoch and my favorite, so far.

Rose

  

 Sunlight on a Broken Column by Attia Hosain - I found this at the Book Nook and bought it for myself for my birthday. It sounded like an interesting take on the cultural/political revolution set in 1930's India.

5. The last book I was given:

 Frances

Losing Battles by Eudora Welty - I read this several years ago with a book club, but never had my own copy of the book. Rose gave it to me for Christmas.

Rose

Hundraåringen by Jonas Jonasson - I won this book in a giveaway on the Swedish blog Transparent Swedish. It was actually sent to me by the author himself, signed. Unfortunately, my Swedish isn't up to par, and it may take me a while before I can read further than the first chapter. It does, however, look great on my bookshelf! Tack så mycket, Herr Jonasson!