Mailbox Monday

Thanks for joining me for Mailbox Monday! MM was created by Marcia at A girl and her books (fka The Printed Page), who graciously hosted it for a long, long time, before turning it into a touring meme (details here).

Metroreader hosting in February. Please stop by her fun blog to see what she is reading on her commute!

I got one book last week and it didn't come in my mailbox, it came magically to my iPhone because I downloaded the free Kindle app that lets me read e-books on my phone.  I don't really like reading a book on a screen, but it is handy to have when I get stuck somewhere without a book with me.

I got this one because it is by a Portland author, it sounds good, the cover is terrific, and it only cost $.99!

The Hapless Valet by Lenhardt Stevens

In Stevens’ debut novel, a celebrity with a history of eco-terrorism, a 1950s film noir star’s mysterious past and a jazz club owner looking to make fast money collide in rainy Portland with professional valet Draper Burns (that’s the jack-of-all-trades servant kind, not the kind that parks cars).

 From the Kirkus Indie review.

2012 Challenge: I Love Italy Reading Challenge

FINISHED

Laura at the Library of Clean Reads is hosting an I Love Italy Reading Challenge.  Because of the irresistible overlap with my own European Reading Challenge and the Venice in February challenge, I signed up.

I went for the introductory, "Ciao Italia" level, to read 1 - 3 books.

BOOKS & REVIEWS

Serenissima by Erica Jong (the book I read for the Venice in February Challenge; reviewed here);

A Bell for Adano by John Hersey (award winner -- Pulitzer; reviewed here)

The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain (reviewed here)

Dressed for Death by Donna Leon (an extra; not reviewed)

POSSIBILITIES FOR NEXT YEAR

A Thousand Days in Venice by Marlena de Blasi (a Memorable Memoirs Challenge pick);

Maybe something else off my list of Venice books; or

At least one more of Donna Leon's Commissario Guido Brunetti mysteries.

NOTES

Last updated on July 4, 2012.