I’m still figuring out what kind of other content and formats I want to bring here, apart from reviews of course :D. But one of the things I like to read on other book blogs is new books they have bought or picked up at the library, so that you know what kind of reviews you can expect the coming weeks. And it’s always fun to have a look at someone’s shelves, isn’t it?
Here’s my first ‘new in’ post. The plan is to discuss new books I borrowed from the library, bought on kindle or as a physical copy, or ARC’s via Netgalley.
From the libary
I’m an avid fan of the library in the city where I work, but due to COVID-19 I couldn’t visit the library since July. Such a shame! My boyfriend and I finally went during our holidays and we both picked up some interesting books. For a Dutch library, they offer a lot of English fiction and as I didn’t prepare my visit I just strolled through the English shelves. These are the ones I took home with me:
The passion of Artemisia by Susan Vreeland: this is a book that wasn’t on my TBR, but I recognized the title immediately as Goodreads has been recommending this book to me for ages. It’s about the Italian paintress Artemisia (DUH) and that’s all I know about it for now.
The ashes of London by Andrew Taylor: a historical mystery set during the Great Fire of London. I’m exciting to start reading this one, as it has been a while since I read a mystery novel. It’s the first part in a series, so if this is good, I have some more books to discover.
The last hours by Minette Walters: a historical novel about The Black Death seemed somehow appropriate at the moment. Minette Walters is an author unknown to me so I’m not quite sure if I will like it. Let’s see!
New e-books:
For my 27th birthday my boyfriend bought me an Amazon gift voucher (he’s great, I know :)), so now I only need to decide which books to buy. My wishlist is still growing so that shouldn’t be a problem. I already picked up one book (I’ve been strong).
Milady by Laura L. Sullivan: This is retelling of ‘The three musketeers’ from Milady de Winter’s perspective. Milady is my favorite female character ever, so I really hope this will make for a great story. I don’t know the author by the way.
Netgalley
I’m totally new to this platform and I’m just looking around to see if it’s something for me or not. I picked up and reviewed the lost queen already. As a new reviewer, my options are limited to ‘read now’ books – as my feedback ratio is not yet above 80% I guess.
Before the crown by Flora Harding: I’m currently reading this book about Elizabeth II and the start of her relationship with Prince Philip. It’s the first time I read about the Windsors. Moreover, I still need to start watching the Netflix series ‘the crown’ (shame on me).
Have you read any of these? Which books are new on your shelves?
In Another Era 
The Artemsia book has been sitting on my shelf for too long! I need to get to it as it sounds very interesting and relative today. The Elizabeth/Phillip books sounds interesting as well. I didn’t know a lot about their early years (before I watched it in the Crown) but they have a fascinating relationship! Thanks for the heads up!
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I have finished it now and it’s a good book. I’m currently in the Artemisia book and her life is so fascinating, I had no idea.
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I am curious about the Artimisia book, as I know she was a painter but I hardly know anything about it. I can’t wait to read your review on that one!
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I have started it and her life is so fascinating, I had no idea.
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I think I will put that one on my TBR!
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I haven’t read it, but this one on the Black Death sounds good. Though this theme is in the French thriller I’m currently listening to! and on that topic (among others), I assume you read the classic nonfiction: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/568236.A_Distant_Mirror?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=35C1cnEw8B&rank=1 Really excellent if you love history
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I don’t read a lot of historical non-fiction and am lagging behind on that pile. But thanks for the suggestion.
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It’s so nice you finally got to return to the library! I still haven’t stepped foot back into a bookstore. I’m growing anxious. Ha! Netgalley does take awhile to build up that rating. My one piece of advice, don’t go on too big of a request spree. I did that in the beginning and ended with more than I could manageably read. 😉
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I haven’t go shopping neither 😃 in the meanwhile I have been approved for some interesting Netgalley arc’s! I indeed try to request only the book I really want to read.
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