Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga’s Reviews, which is all about sharing the books that you’ve acquired in the past week!
Here are the books I bought this week:
Dead Woman Walking by Sharon Bolton
I pre-ordered this book ages ago and had completely forgotten that it came out yesterday so it was a surprise to spot it on my Kindle on Thursday night! I’ve already read the first few chapters and it’s really good, I can’t wait to read more!
Synopsis:
Just before dawn in the hills near the Scottish border, a man murders a young woman. At the same time, a hot-air balloon crashes out of the sky. There’s just one survivor.
She’s seen the killer’s face – but he’s also seen hers. And he won’t rest until he’s eliminated the only witness to his crime.
Alone, scared, trusting no one, she’s running to where she feels safe – but it could be the most dangerous place of all . . .
Madonna in a Fur Coat by Sabahattin Ali
I spotted this in the kindle sale this week and thought it sounded like a really interesting novel. I really hope I can read this soon.
Synopsis:
A shy young man leaves his home in rural Turkey to learn a trade in 1920s Berlin. The city’s crowded streets, thriving arts scene, passionate politics and seedy cabarets provide the backdrop for a chance meeting with a woman, which will haunt him for the rest of his life. Emotionally powerful, intensely atmospheric and touchingly profound, Madonna in a Fur Coat is an unforgettable novel about new beginnings and the unfathomable nature of the human soul.
The Descent of Man by Grayson Perry
I’ve heard quite a bit about this book and it sounds intriguing so when I saw it in a daily deal for kindle this week I decided to buy it. I’m not sure when I’ll get to read it but hopefully before too long.
Synopsis:
Grayson Perry has been thinking about masculinity – what it is, how it operates, why little boys are thought to be made of slugs and snails – since he was a boy. Now, in this funny and necessary book, he turns round to look at men with a clear eye and ask, what sort of men would make the world a better place, for everyone?
What would happen if we rethought the old, macho, outdated version of manhood, and embraced a different idea of what makes a man? Apart from giving up the coronary-inducing stress of always being ‘right’ and the vast new wardrobe options, the real benefit might be that a newly fitted masculinity will allow men to have better relationships – and that’s happiness, right?
Grayson Perry admits he’s not immune from the stereotypes himself – as the psychoanalysts say, ‘if you spot it, you’ve got it’ – and his thoughts on everything from power to physical appearance, from emotions to a brand new Manifesto for Men, are shot through with honesty, tenderness and the belief that, for everyone to benefit, upgrading masculinity has to be something men decide to do themselves. They have nothing to lose but their hang-ups.
Lost for Words by Stephanie Butland
This is another book that I had on pre-order that arrived on Kindle this week. It just sounds like such a gorgeous novel and I’m very much looking forward to curling up with it.
Synopsis:
You can trust a book to keep your secret . . .
Loveday Cardew prefers books to people. If you look closely, you might glimpse the first lines of the novels she loves most tattooed on her skin. But there are things she’ll never show you.
Fifteen years ago Loveday lost all she knew and loved in one unspeakable night. Now, she finds refuge in the unique little York bookshop where she works.
Everything is about to change for Loveday. Someone knows about her past. Someone is trying to send her a message. And she can’t hide any longer.
Lost for Words is a compelling, irresistible and heart-rending novel, with the emotional intensity of The Shock of the Fall and all the charm of The Little Paris Bookshop and 84 Charing Cross Road.
I also received two review books:
Based on a True Story by Delphine de Vigan
I’ve heard so many good things about this book so I was really pleased to be approved for a review copy this week. This definitely won’t be on my TBR for very long at all!
Synopsis:
Today I know that L. is the sole reason for my powerlessness. And that the two years that we were friends almost made me stop writing for ever. Overwhelmed by the huge success of her latest novel, exhausted and unable to begin writing her next book, Delphine meets L. L. is the kind of impeccable, sophisticated woman who fascinates Delphine; a woman with smooth hair and perfectly filed nails, and a gift for saying the right thing. Delphine finds herself irresistibly drawn to her, their friendship growing as their meetings, notes and texts increase. But as L. begins to dress like Delphine, and, in the face of Delphine’s crippling inability to write, L. even offers to answer her emails, and their relationship rapidly intensifies. L. becomes more and more involved in Delphine’s life until she patiently takes control and turns it upside down: slowly, surely, insidiously. Based on a True Story is a chilling novel of suspense that will leave you questioning the truth and its significance long after you have turned the final page.
The Sinking Chef by Sylvia Ashby
I read The Treachery of Trains by Sylvia Ashby a while ago and very much enjoyed it (you can read my review for that here if you’d like) so I was thrilled when Sylvia sent me the sweetest email this week with a copy of her latest book. I’m really looking forward to reading this one.
Synopsis:
Ashley has a YouTube channel, The Sinking Chef. It’s filmed right in her kitchen, so she doesn’t go out much. When James calls with an offer to take her to lunch – the same James that got her fired from her dream job three years ago – she accepts. Against her better judgement, of course.
Now Ashley has all kinds of secrets and things are only going to get worse.
The Sinking Chef is a light, enjoyable and easy to read romantic comedy. With Sylvia Ashby’s gift of humour there is plenty to laugh and smile about, but the book does have its serious moments.
So, that’s all of my new books from the past week. Have you bought any new books recently? Tell me all in the comments below, or if you have a stacking the shelves post on your blog feel free to post the link below too.
My weekly wrap up post will be on my blog tomorrow so please look out for that.
RatherTooFondofBooks 
Madonna in a fur coat sounds lovely!!
I’m really looking forward to reading it 🙂
Hi Hayley,
You have some great books, but my personal favourite is definitely ‘Dead Woman Walking’. I have been following the various blogs which have featured and reviewed the book and it is already on my list. Can’t wait to read your own thoughts about it when you have finished!
Thanks for sharing and enjoy your weekend 🙂
Yvonne
Thank you 🙂 I’m still reading Dead Woman Walking and am really enjoying it. I’d definitely recommend it.
Enjoy Dead Woman Walking one of my favourite reads of the year. I also have my eye on the Stephanie Butland!
I’m really enjoying Dead Woman Walking, it’s brilliant. I think it might be one of my favourite reads of the year so far too 🙂
I like the look of Madonna in a Fur Coat 🙂
It sounds like a great read, doesn’t it? 🙂
I’ve downloaded it 🙂
I hope you enjoy it 🙂
Lost for Words sounds like it could be a really fantastic read! Can’t wait to see your thoughts on it 🙂
It sounds fab, doesn’t it? I’m looking forward to reading it. 🙂
Ooh, good haul. Descent of Man looks really interesting.
Thank you 🙂
I haven’t read any of these. I hope you enjoy them. Can’t wait to read your reviews of them. Have a great weekend. 😁
Thank you 🙂
You have, as always, such interesting books there! I’m especially drawn to the Bolton, as I’m a fan of her work. She’s such a talented writer, I think. You’ve got some good reading in store!
I love Sharon Bolton’s writing too – Dead Woman Walking is brilliant so far. Thank you, I’m looking forward to reading all my new books.
Dead Woman Walking and Lost For words are both fantastic (so very different too) I really hope you enjoy them!
I’m really enjoying Dead Woman Walking so far – it might even become my new favourite by Sharon Bolton! 🙂 I’m looking forward to Lost for Words too – it sounds like you loved it. 🙂
Awesome haul of books this week. I hope you love all of your new books.
Grace @ Books of Love
Thanks so much 🙂
I’ve been meaning to read Sharon Bolton’s books. I do love having the happy surprise of a download…I don’t pre-order as many as I once did, but I do have one coming on May 2 (Into the Water, by Paula Hawkins).
Enjoy your books, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
I’m really enjoying it so far. I’ve loved all Sharon Bolton’s books and so recommend all of them. I only pre-order books occasionally, and usually only if it’s one I’m eagerly anticipating. I have the new Paula Hawkins pre-ordered too – I can’t wait for that one! 🙂
As ever, a wide-ranging and fascinating selection – the Grayson Perry book intrigues me. I heard his Reith lectures and found what he had to say thought provoking and and original. I look forward to reading what you make of it:).
Thank you. I’m really looking forward to reading Grayson Perry’s book, he’s such a fascinating person. It must have been great to see him speak. 🙂
Yes, I was really impressed by what he had to say.
Nice stack! I love when a pre-order just shows up 🙂 Dead Woman Walking looks just like something I’d love! I’ll have to look for it.
I’m reading it at the moment and it’s really good – I recommend it. 🙂
Great haul! I really have to read one of Sharon Bolton books soon… I feel like I’m missing out on something good.
Thank you 🙂 Sharon Bolton’s books are very good – I recommend them all. I love her Lacey Flint series, and her standalones like Dead Women Walking are brilliant.
That’s great news! If I remember correctly I have a copy of the first Lacey Flint book on my kindle, so I will definitely try to get to it soon.
I hope you enjoy it when you read it. I love the series.
Good haul 🙂
Lost for Words looks really good. It’s always a nice surprise when books appear on the Kindle which we seem to forget about pre-ordering. Enjoy all you great looking books!
It felt like a real gift to myself as I’d completely forgotten about it. 🙂 I’m excited to read Lost for Words, it looks like a real comfort read.
Lost for words sounds like a good read! I’very never done A Stacking the Shelves, maybe I’ll get to it later today….
Thanks, I’m looking forward to reading it. I recommend joining in with Stacking the Shelves – it’s nice to showcase your books and a great way to find new blogs to follow.
Oh they all sound great! Especially Lost for Words! Hope you enjoy reading them!
Here’s my STS
Thank you, I’m looking forward to reading them all. I’m really behind on blog reading and commenting this week but I’ll go read your post now. 🙂
Descent of Man is brilliant – I read it from NetGalley a little while ago and loved it. I do love everything Grayson Perry does but hope I was still a reasonably critical reader! Enjoy your haul. Oh, what order do you read incoming books in? Any order?
I’m really looking forward to reading Descent of Man now, I hope I can get to it soon.
I read review books in the order they’re due to be published but the books I buy I read as and when I’m in the mood to pick them up.
I haven’t heard of any of these, but I hope you enjoy them all! Have a great week!
Check out my Sunday Post
Thank you, I’m looking forward to reading them all.
I’m reading it at the moment and it’s really good – I recommend it. 🙂 I’m excited to read Lost for Words, it looks like a real comfort read.
I’m reading it at the moment and it’s really good – I recommend it. 🙂 I’m excited to read Lost for Words, it looks like a real comfort read.
I’m reading it at the moment and it’s really good – I recommend it. I recommend joining in with Stacking the Shelves – it’s nice to showcase your books and a great way to find new blogs to follow.