#WWWWednesday – 23rd June 2021

WWWWednesdays

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

The Penguin Book of Spanish Short StoriesThe Penguin Book of Spanish Short Stories edited by Margaret Jull Costa (proof copy, courtesy of Penguin UK)

This exciting new collection celebrates the richness and variety of the Spanish short story, from the nineteenth century to the present day. Featuring over fifty stories selected by revered translator Margaret Jull Costa, it blends old favourites and hidden gems – many of which have never before been translated into English – and introduces readers to surprising new voices as well as giants of Spanish literary culture, from Emilia Pardo Bazán and Leopoldo Alas, through Mercè Rodoreda and Manuel Rivas, to Ana Maria Matute and Javier Marías.

Brimming with romance, horror, history, farce, strangeness and beauty, and showcasing alluring hairdressers, war defectors, vampiric mothers, and talismanic mandrake roots, the daring and entertaining assortment of tales in The Penguin Book of Spanish Short Stories will be a treasure trove for readers.

Secret Keeper CoverThe Secret Keeper of Jaipur (The Henna Artist #2) by Alka Joshi (eARC, courtesy of Mira Books and Random Things Tours)

It’s the spring of 1969, and Lakshmi, now married to Dr. Jay Kumar, directs the Healing Garden in Shimla. Malik has finished his private school education. At twenty, he has just met a young woman named Nimmi when he leaves to apprentice at the Facilities Office of the Jaipur Royal Palace. Their latest project: a state-of-the-art cinema.

Malik soon finds that not much has changed as he navigates the Pink City of his childhood. Power and money still move seamlessly among the wealthy class, and favors flow from Jaipur’s Royal Palace, but only if certain secrets remain buried. When the cinema’s balcony tragically collapses on opening night, blame is placed where it is convenient. But Malik suspects something far darker and sets out to uncover the truth. As a former street child, he always knew to keep his own counsel; it’s a lesson that will serve him as he untangles a web of lies.


Recently finished

Links from the titles will take you to my review.

The Readers’ Room by Antoine Laurain 

Yours Cheerfully by A. J. Pearce 

One Last Time by Helga Flatland 


What Cathy (will) Read Next

Three Little TruthsThree Little Truths by Eithne Shortall (review copy, courtesy of Corvus and Readers First)

One happy street. Three pretty houses. So many lies.

Martha used to be a force of nature: calm, collected, and in charge. But since moving her husband and two daughters to Dublin under sudden and mysterious circumstances, she can’t seem to find her footing.

Robin was the “it” girl in school, destined for success. Now she’s back at her parents’ with her four-year-old son, vowing that her ne’er-do-well ex is out of the picture for good.

Edie has everything she could want, apart from a baby, and the acceptance of her new neighbors. She longs to be one of the girls, and to figure out why her perfect husband seems to be avoiding their perfect future.

Three women looking for a fresh start on idyllic Pine Road. Their friendship will change their lives, and reveal secrets they never imagined. 

My Week in Books – 20th June 2021

MyWeekinBooks

On What Cathy Read Next last week

Blog posts

Monday – I published my review of The Fort by Adrian Goldsworthy as part of the blog tour.

Tuesday This week’s Top Ten Tuesday topic was Books On My Summer 2021 TBR. I also joined in with two more blog tours with my review of Scandalous Alchemy by Katy Moran and an extract from Castle Shade by Laurie R. King.

WednesdayWWW Wednesday is the opportunity to share what I’ve just read, what I’m currently reading and what I plan to read next… and to have a good nose around what others are reading. I also republished my review of The High-Rise Diver by Julia von Lucadou as part of the blog tour.

Thursday – I shared my publication day review of Love and Fury: A Novel of Mary Wollstonecraft by Samantha Silva.

Friday – I published my review of Everything Happens for a Reason by Katie Allen as part of the blog tour.

Saturday – I shared an update on my progress with the 20 Books of Summer Reading Challenge 2021

As always, thanks to everyone who has liked, commented on or shared my blog posts on social media.


New arrivals

The Hidden ChildThe Hidden Child by Louise Fein (limited edition proof, courtesy of Head of Zeus) 

London, 1929. Eleanor Hamilton is a dutiful mother, a caring sister and an adoring wife to a celebrated war hero. Her husband, Edward, is a pioneer in the Eugenics movement. The Hamiltons are on the social rise, and it looks as though their future is bright.

When Mabel, their young daughter, begins to develop debilitating seizures, they have to face the uncomfortable truth – Mabel has epilepsy: one of the ‘undesirable’ conditions that Edward campaigns against.

Forced to hide the truth so as not to jeopardise Edward’s life’s work, the couple must confront the truth of their past – and the secrets that have been buried.

Will Eleanor and Edward be able to fight for their family? Or will the truth destroy them?

SongbirdsSongbirds by Christy Lefteri (review copy courtesy of Zaffre and Readers First)

Nisha has crossed oceans to give her child a future. By day she cares for Petra’s daughter; at night she mothers her own little girl by the light of a phone.

Nisha’s lover, Yiannis, is a poacher, hunting the tiny songbirds on their way to Africa each winter. His dreams of a new life, and of marrying Nisha, are shattered when she vanishes.

No one cares about the disappearance of a domestic worker, except Petra and Yiannis. As they set out to search for her, they realise how little they know about Nisha. What they uncover will change them all.


On What Cathy Read Next this week

Currently reading

Planned posts

  • Book Review: The Readers’ Room by Antoine Laurain
  • Top Ten Tuesday
  • WWW Wednesday
  • Blog Tour/Book Review: One Last Time by Helga Flatland
  • Book Review: Yours Cheerfully by AJ Pearce