Mailbox Monday and What I’m Reading: 23/3/20

A very different world this week. I haven’t done a lot of reading because I’ve been out stalking toilet paper for sale for older folk but I think that will change. Everything I have planned has been cancelled, bar one event (which I’m expecting that will be cancelled today). My five-month holiday has turned out very differently to what I had planned! I’m expecting some books in the mail later this week after I did some online shopping to cheer myself up. I’ve also picked up a few magazines to keep me occupied – I must be getting older as I chose The Economist, New Scientist and some puzzle magazines!

But publishers have been very gracious to me this week, and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. It’s good not to have to worry about reading material and have something to keep me away from social media (which is frankly terrifying). Here they are:

All of the below books will be/are available as eBooks or via your favourite retailer (many have phone, email or online shopping available in Australia).

Gulliver’s Wife by Lauren Chater (available April 1^st) arrived thanks to Simon & Schuster. Set in London in the 1700s, Mary Gulliver has rebuilt her life after her husband is lost at sea. But he returns home three years later, talking in riddles and upending Mary’s life once again. Her life becomes chaotic, as fear and suspicion grow about the truth of Gulliver’s travels…

Mum & Dad by Joanna Trollope (available March 31^st) came from Pan Macmillan. Gus and Monica left England years ago to start a new life in Spain, but due to a medical emergency their three children must step in to help with the business. All are busy in London – running a company, demanding careers and dealing with their own family issues. Only Jake thinks Spain could be a good idea. But as all of the children descend, each has set ideas and axes from the past to grind. Can they come together as a family again?

The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel (also available March 31^st) was also from Pan Macmillan. Vincent is a bartender at a hotel on Vancouver Island, Jonathan owns the hotel. When Jonathan gives Vincent his card, it’s the start of their life together. On the same day, a menacing note is left on the glass wall of the hotel which shocks Leon, a shipping executive. Then three years later, Vincent mysteriously disappears on one of the company’s ships. How does it all link together, the guilt, fantasy and ghosts of the past?

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell (out now) was a prize from Harper Collins. Vanessa was 15 when she fell in love with her English teacher. Now 32, her teacher Jacob Strane has been accused of sexual abuse by another student. Vanessa has always thought that her relationship with Jacob wasn’t abuse, but love. But maybe she one of many of Mr Strane’s victims.

The Long Road Home by Fiona McCallum (available today!) came from Harlequin. Alice has a new life in Ballarat, and she’s looking forward to her legal studies. But back in Hope Springs, her former husband Rick is in need of Alice’s help. He’s never really wanted to be a farmer and now he’s come to terms with why – and he needs Alice’s friendship to work through the lies.

Please See Us by Caitlin Mullen (available from April 1^st) also came from Simon & Schuster. It’s a quiet summer in Atlantic City and two women have gone missing. Clara, a boardwalk psychic, starts experiencing visions and thinks they could be related. When she meets Lily, Clara thinks she could help but they need to work together quickly to save another lost girl…

Pretending by Holly Bourne (available March 31^st) was from Hachette. April can’t find a date – it always ends in heartbreak in anger. Everyone wants someone like Gretel (if she existed). So April starts to lie a bit on her dating profile to be more like Gretel and finds the unsuspecting Joshua. It’s fun to have the upper hand, but how long can she keep pretending?

Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell (also available on March 31^st) also came from Hachette. In 1596, a girl develops a fever (no, not that sort). Her twin brother searches for help, but their mother is over a mile away and their father in London. Over the next week, one child will not survive. Over the coming months, a famous play will be written and a marriage will be pushed to the brink.

To see other books received/bought this week across the world, drop by the Mailbox Monday blog for links to everyone’s mailbox goodies.

It’s Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Book Date. Click on the pictures to read more about the books.

What I read last week:

What I’m reading at the moment:

What I’ll be reading next:

Something light and very engaging.