#5Books BOOK RECS: WANT. THESE. NOW.

For the first time, I’m recommending the sweetest, warmest sounding memoir. I think that means it’s going to break my heart, but I’m willing to take that chance. Nods.

There’s a crime novel set in South Africa in the present, and the central mystery is somehow tied to the country’s past and its wars, and experiments performed then. It reminds me of school and learning about the Boer Wars and is nothing like all that at the same time.

I also found a YA book about a young girl who is going to lose her memory and she knows it. What can she do to conserve everything that is important to her? Or perhaps, more likely it’s about making sure we can understand what’s important in life.

A historical crime novel set in Calcutta is not something I ever thought I’d be recommending, but here we are.

And last, is a new YA novel from an Australian author, that I suspect will be nothing like the blurb promises, which as it is , is pretty mysterious. But, my curiousity has been piqued.

The Monster’s Daughter: This one I couldn’t go past: it’s set in South Africa, where I was born and adds a dash of mystery, sci-fi and historical fiction. Alet is a cop, now assigned to a sleepy town (naturally) when she discovers a body burned beyond recognition and that leads her into the past, to the Boer War a 100 somewhat years ago, and the experiments a doctor at a British concentration camp conducted on prisoners. Two children survive – and the question is, how does this tie into the present?

The Memory Book: Sammie knows what she wants in life — from graduation to her career. Except, a genetic disorder means she’s going to lose her memory and her health. So, she starts her Memory Book: a book of notes to her future self, of the moments she wants to remember — from dating her crush to regretting a fight with her best friend. It’s about focusing on the important things, I think.  I also think it sounds heartbreaking and wonderful.

A Rising Man: A historical crime novel set in Calcutta, written by a London-born, Glasgow grown Indian author. So, that’s an epic combination and the novel promises to be the same, I think. Sam, a former Scotland Yard detective, is now stationed in Calcutta. A British official is murdered, with a note telling the British to leave India. Even if the promise of politics and a murder mystery wasn’t enough to capture my interest, it’s Calcutta. I wanted to read more. Nods.

Dinner with Edward: there’s a bread ad airing here in Australia that reminds me of this book. And the best way to describe the ad and the book is: warm. This book is about friendship, about finding it in unexpected places, and yes it sounds like every YA book ever, but it’s not. It’s Isobel Vincent’s memoir, and starts when she agrees to help a friend of hers by checking in on her Dad Edward in New York. Isobel is ready to give up on love, and Edward is ready to give up  on everything. Granted, the blurb talks about what he teaches Isobel: about slowing down, about examining everything about her life no matter how messy it is. But, I wonder — what about Edward?  

Black: Is by Australian author Fleur Ferris. And it’s so mysterious! Black (Ebony) Marshall is in her final year of high school. And, three of her best friends have died in tragic accidents, which is why everyone thinks she’s cursed. But, when her date to her high school formal lands in intensive care, something changes and Black needs to figure out who her enemies are. And whether she should run or fight? SEE MYSTERIOUS. And it sounds GOOD.

Which one are you looking forward to?