My Recent Book Buys and the Bloggers to Blame

The BookDepository

I have hundreds of unread books in my house so do my best to avoid buying new ones, but sometimes other bloggers write reviews so compelling it is impossible to ignore them. I try to resist the temptation, but that positive review eats away at me until I have a copy in my hands. The power of the blogger means that this can sometimes be weeks, months, or even years after I first read the review, but once a trusted source has raved about something I always have its title in my mind.

Here are the books I’ve bought in the last few months, along with quotes from the bloggers who persuaded me to part with my cash:

 

Galore

 Galore by Michael Crummey

I loved this book for its tall tales, its surprising twists, and the characters which people its pages.  Caribousmom

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The Human Bobby

 The Human Bobby by Gabe Rotter

Literally we did not put the book down until we turned the last page two hours later. A Reader’s Respite

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 That Deadman Dance by Kim Scott

Thanks to numerous ravings from Australian bloggers on Twitter.

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Gods in Alabama

 Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson (Audio)

But somehow Jackson has differentiated herself from the masses by her unique and achingly human characters. You’ve Gotta Read This!

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The Death of Grass (Penguin Modern Classics)
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The Death of Grass by John Christopher

Will we do anything in the world to protect our friends, families and loved ones? Even if it means compromising on the ideals we’ve always believed in? Another Cookie Crumbles

Yes, I know she wrote the review nearly two years ago, but I only bought the book last month – I had hoped I’d find a copy in the library, but had to admit defeat and buy a copy as I really want to read it!

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Villain

 Villain by Shuichi Yoshida

This atmospheric, and intricately woven, novel carries us over the passes we have traveled in our lives, both real and imaginary. Dolce Bellezza

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The Piano Man's Daughter..

 The Piano Man’s Daughter by Timothy Findley

Bought thanks to ravings from Pink Sheep Cafe.
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I don’t think I’d have come across many of these books without bloggers. I’m grateful they have expanded my reading horizons and improved my overall enjoyment of the books I read.

Have you read any of these books?

Which do you think I should read first?


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42 Comments

  1. Steph says:

    I have a copy of Galore as well, which I’ve only heard great things about, namely from Zibilee over at Raging Bibliomania, who said all the right things that would make me want to read the book. Canadian Gabriel Garcia Marquez? Yes please! :D

    1. Jackie says:

      Steph, Galore has had very little (no?) exposure in the UK and I would never have found it without blogging. Let’s hope it lives up to our expectations.

  2. Sandy says:

    Oh The Human Bobby! HELLO! This is a one-sitting read that grabs you by the throat. Have convinced my book club to read it now, and have Mr. Rotter calling us to discuss!!!!

    1. Jackie says:

      Sandy, Your review of The Human Bobby would have sold me on it if I hadn’t already been persuaded. Part of me is saving it for a special occasion as I know it will be amazing.

      Congratulations on getting your book club to read it and for getting Gabe Rotter to come and talk – I’m sure I’ll be jealous as soon as I’ve read it!

  3. Maxine says:

    I read Death of Grass years ago. I think it was ok but not as good as John Wyndham. I read Villain last week and liked it tremendously.

    1. Jackie says:

      Maxine, Wyndham will be hard to beat, but I’m hoping Grass will be thought provoking. Glad to hear that you enjoyed Villain. Hope I do too.

  4. Andi says:

    Fun post! I love reading what others have written that sucked you in and enabled. :) Good stuff!

    1. Jackie says:

      Andi, glad you liked it. Hope one or two of the books appealed to you.

  5. Wendy says:

    LOL – I know what you mean, Jackie. There are books I have read about on the blogs that I would never, ever have picked up otherwise…and many are my favorite books! The Book Thief was a prime example.

    I hope you love Galore as much as I did (now I’m nervous!!!)

    1. Jackie says:

      Wendy, Don’t be nervous! I’m sure I’ll enjoy reading it, but I’d prefer to give something a try than ignore it just because I’m not sure. I’ll keep my fingers crossed!

  6. Jenners says:

    I added the Human Bobby to my list for the same reason. Still haven’t read it yet though.

    1. Jackie says:

      Jenners, Yes – buying and reading are two very different things, but at least we’re half way there!

  7. I Read Death of Grass as a school text and although it’s sort of a blur now bits of it have stuck with me. I have a feeling it will stand up well to posterity and is possibly more relevant now that ever. Will look out for your thoughts on it.

    1. Jackie says:

      Desperate Reader, If it has stayed with you all these years then that is a very good sign. I look forward to discovering why it is thought of so highly.

  8. Amy says:

    Oh dangerous, you just trying to add more to our piles! :)

    1. Jackie says:

      Amy, Congratulations on spotting my cunning plan ;-)

  9. Bellezza says:

    Glad to see that you bought Villain. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, and thanks for the heads up about the other finds!

    1. Jackie says:

      Bellezza, Villian sounds like the sort of book I’ll love. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.

  10. Kailana says:

    This was a good way to do this post! I don’t keep that great a record where I get my recommendations from, so I am impressed…

    1. Jackie says:

      Kailana, I don’t keep a record either. I really should as I often forget where I first heard of a book :-(

  11. Anna says:

    Bloggers really do broaden our reading horizons! I have purchased so many books on blogger recommendations over the last few years. Enjoy your new books!

    1. Jackie says:

      Anna, Blogging really does improve reading quality – I’m looking forward to seeing what bloggers rave about in the coming months. :-)

  12. Erin says:

    I haven’t read any of these! But crap, now I’m probably going to have to add some of them to my own list. Books I’ve seen bloggers rave about stick in my mind, too. I tend to do most of my book shopping used, so if I see a title I’ve heard raved about in a clearance bin or at a library book sale, I always snatch it up and add it to the collection. Not so good for my shelves, but I make myself feel better by buying used :-)

    1. Jackie says:

      Erin, I have a long list of books that I will pick up if I see them in the library/second-hand book shop – in fact almost every book I pick up will have been mentioned by a blogger at some point. I don’t think my shelves appreciate it either :-)

  13. Amused says:

    What a sweet post! I love that you so specifically remember who and what spurred on your book lust!

    1. Jackie says:

      Amused, I’m ashamed to admit that I also have a few books here and I have no idea who encouraged me to buy them. I really should do a better job of recording it all, but at least I remember some.

  14. It’s amazing the number of books I’ve read over the last two years because of book bloggers’ reviews (including yours!) that I likely would never have discovered. (Thank you for encouraging me to finally crack A Fine Balance – one of the best books of all time.)

    I loved Galore too http://www.exurbanis.com/archives/1441 but was already a Michael Crummey fan so that wasn’t new to me through the blogosphere.

    1. Jackie says:

      Debbie, I’m so pleased to hear that you enjoyed A Fine Balance. It really is one of (the?) the best books ever written.

      I hadn’t heard of Crummey before the Galore reviews this year. It is great to here he has written other wonderful books – I look forward to investigating his back catalogue.

  15. I can’t resist either when a blogger I respect raves about a great book. I also bough Galore and The Human Bobby but haven’t read them yet….enjoy them all Jackie

    1. Jackie says:

      Diane, It is interesting to see that we were moved to purchase the same books – I look forward to comparing notes with you.

  16. Joanna says:

    I must have read The Death of Grass at least 25 years ago and still can remember it clearly and Gods in Alabama is a great book, I loved it.

    1. Jackie says:

      Joanna, It is good to know you enjoyed both of theses books. I look forward to reading them soon.

  17. I haven’t read any of these (and am madly adding them to my wish list, based on the blogger quotes!). I did love the one Joshilyn Jackson I read, BACKSEAT SAINTS.

    1. Jackie says:

      Dawn, I often find blogger quotes (especially on twitter) more compelling than the full review. I’ve certainly bought a lot of books thanks to them – I hope you enjoy any you’ve added to your wishlist.

  18. joanna says:

    The only one I’ve read is Gods in Alabama and I liked it though didn’t love it. Some of the others sound very good!

    1. Jackie says:

      Joanna, I’ve heard that Gods of Alabama is OK in print, but fantastic on audio. I’m looking to immersing myself in its world.

  19. I’d only read the Human Bobby out of the ones you’ve listed, and I definitely recommend it! Took me by surprise (in a good way). Definitely wouldn’t have read it if it wasn’t for other bloggers!

    1. Jackie says:

      Christa, I am very intrigued by the Human Bobby. Next time I have several reading hours at once I’ll be sure to pick it up – it sounds as though it is a book that is hard to put down and so I’d hate to be forced into a position where I have to leave it half finished for a while :-)

  20. Mystica says:

    Thanks for the recommendations.

    1. Jackie says:

      Mystica, I hope you find something to enjoy :-)

  21. I hope you enjoy Death of Grass – fantastic dystopian novel.

    I’ve not read the others on the list, but I reckon a couple will make my list as well, including:

    Gods in Alabama
    Villain
    Galore

    Happy reading.

    1. Jackie says:

      anothercookiecrumble, I hope to read Death of Grass before the end of the year. It sounds as though it is an important book as well as an enjoyable one. Thanks for drawing it to my attention.

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