I’m loving Paris in July, but I haven’t forgotten that this is Orange July too.
This year’s longlist and shortlist didn’t excite me a t first, but the more I thought and the more I read the more interested I was. And now I have two longlisted books in progress:
- I have been slowly making my way through The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer for a while now. It’s a book that I needed to read slowly, but I think I will turn the final page this month.
- Though I didn’t care for her earlier books, I gave Jennifer Egan the benefit of the doubt and ordered A Visit From The Goon Squad from the library. Three chapters in, I have to say I’m impressed.
And I have more books on hand, some of my own and some on the library pile.
Here they are:
Are there any there that you would recommend?
And are you reading for Orange July?
Fleur in her World 
The only one that’s made it to my TBR is A Visit from the Goon Squad, heard lots of good things about it.
I was dubious about A Visit from the Goon Squad at first, but I’m really enjoying it now.
I haven’t read any of the books in your collage (though I do read several of the authors). The Orange Prize (which I’m not all that familiar with) is going to be a new guidepost for me.
I’ve been following the Orange Prize since it began, as there was a lot of controversy over the idea of a prize open to women only and because the first winner was a book I’d loved. Since then I’ve picked up on some great books and authors from the orange lists, so it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on them.
The only one on your list that I’ve read is “The Electric Michelangelo.” It’s one of my all-time-favs and I definitely recommend it!
I’m totally overbooked (pun definitely intended) with Paris in July, but I’m looking forward to Orange January!
I do like the look of The Electric Michelangelo, and I loved Haweswater, Sarah Hall’s first novel, so I really should find the time. Paris and Orange is a lovely mixture for me, as I’ve always liked to mix things up.
I loved Roma Tearne’s ‘The Swimmer’ but not as much as Brixton Beach, which was set in Sri Lanka and UK as opposed to The Swimmer which is set in East Anglia. Hearts and Minds was one of those novels that really makes you think and question assumptions. Small Island was enjoyable and much better than the tv version – really made me think about the experiences of West Indian immigrants in the 50s. Themes of immigration and outsiders pervade those 3 books. ‘The Still Point’ is on my tbr pile. I caught some of it on the radio and have read good things about it. I hope you finally get to the end of ‘The Invisible Bridge’ which I really enjoyed.
A few years ago I read a book by Jennifer Egan called “The Keep.” It was, hands down, one of the most fascinating and intriguing books I’ve EVER read. Jaw-dropping!
Cindy @ Cindy’s Book Club
I think I actually have 2 of these books!! Looking forward to your thoughts on the ones you choose to read 😀
I like the Roma Tearne one mainly because she is of Sri Lankan background! and we have so few of them out there.
A big yes to Hearts and Minds, The Still Point and Small Island – all excellent in their very different ways.
Couldn’t get on with Jamrach’s Menagerie, but it probably wasn’t the right time for it, and I enjoyed Mosquito by Roma Tearne although I haven’t read anything else by her yet.
Both Electric Michaelangelo and The Invisible Bridge are in my TBR pile although I am more likely to read the latter in the near future.
I’m glad you’re enjoying A Visit from the Goon Squad. It was a bit too experimental for me but definitely an impressive book. I’m also working my way very slowly through The Invisible Bridge. I’m enjoying it but feel as if I’ve been reading it forever!
I would wholly recommend Levy’s Small Island. I have read it twice now; the second time recently as part of my studies and I loved the discussion it provoked. I thought the Rosie Alison novel better than expected and like you I am slowly making my way through the Invisible Bridge. This post made me realise I have a number of the other books in my tbr – the Craig, Sackville, Huston, Goodman and Hill. My next will be Goodman’s Intuition as the subject matter sounds very interesting.