13 Comments

I still haven’t read ACoTaR. But I’m nearly done with the nonfiction book I’ve been reading for months so will hopefully be starting that soon.

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Excellent! So no matter how you feel about the first one, read the second before deciding if you want to commit 😝😊

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May 4Liked by Melanie Leavey

Congratulations on your new book!! I have pre-ordered a copy and cannot wait 'til the release date!

Mel, I also want to say that I LOVE your book un-reviews and always find something to add to my own to-read list. The only book I have read in this group is War and Peace, which I loved. Tolstoy just understands people and motivation. I like his short stories just as much. However, my favorite genre is Gothic, and I do have a few authors and titles to suggest:

Simone St. James: An Inquiry Into Love and Death, Silence for the Dead, The Haunting of Maddy Clare, and The Other Side of Midnight. All of these were a suspenseful mix of mystery, romance, and supernatural elements in a highly atmospheric setting. St. James has since switched gears a bit, and I have not enjoyed her newer releases as much.

Laura Purcell: The Poison Thread, The Silent Companions, The House of Darkness

The Square of Sevens, by Laura Shepherd-Robinson

The Little Stranger, by Sarah Waters

The great Mary Stewart: I especially loved Touch Not the Cat, Rose Cottage, and Thornyhold

For classics, you can't go wrong with Daphne DuMaurier: Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, and My Cousin Rachel;

and Wilkie Collins: The Woman in White and The Moonstone

There are many more that I have read and loved, but I just can't think this morning.

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Oh gosh! So many good things in this comment!! Thank you so much for the pre-order ;) -- it's so very much appreciated. I'm excited for you to read it!

Yes - Tolstoy is a genius with his characters...he really understands human nature and manages to convey it soooo well. To the point that many of these characters are as infuriating as real people :).

And big thank yous for all of these lovely book recommendations!! Wowzers...I'm jotting them all down. Gothtober might leak into November and beyond...perhaps a whole winter season of Gothic literature!! I had NO idea you were such a fan of the genre! I've read The Silent Companions and Mary Stewart *swoon* - love her. I re-read Rebecca last year (love that!) but haven't read any other DuMaurier -- I will rectify that! And Wilkie Collins....I've had him on my radar for a while but then I forget, so thank you for the reminder.

Oh...so many lovely booksies!! xoxo

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Echoing Mary Stewart I love her books. I am currently debating rereading her Arthurian 4.

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May 4Liked by Melanie Leavey

It sounds like you've had a productive and enlightening reading month with much to offer -- and all are new to me (except War and Peace, which sits there, staring at me, waiting to take the plunge! I just posted my April reads, too, but only a few and mostly pretty lightweight! Enjoy May and three cheers on the book!

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It was definitely enlightening.....not necessarily in a positive way, but I just love nerding out on this stuff so no book is ever a waste of time in my opinion.

You won't regret the plunge...take it!! I'm really enjoying W&P...I think the key has been in reading it very slowly. xoxo

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Congratulations on your new book 👏🏼👏🏼 can’t wait to add it to my bookshelf!!

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Thank you,Michelle!! xoxo

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May 7Liked by Melanie Leavey

Hello M! Oh Cutting for Stone is gorgeous, I read it in Addis Ababa during my first great undoing of 2012. I think I shall read it again now. And big congrats on Hazel 🌻🙌🌞 xj

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Oh wow!! How cool is that?!? Although maybe not if you were undoing at the time? Unless it was a positive undoing....regardless, it's a beautiful, amazing book. xoxo ps. thank you!! xo

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I love good Gothic novels. Two recommendations: The Mysteries of Udolpho by Anne Radcliffe (classic) and Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (contemporary).

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Ooooh!! Thank you! I have a copy of The Mysteries of Udolpho and will definitely look into the other! xo

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