Saturday news

I guess I was a bit MIA these last two weeks. So what have I been up to? So busy at work that it left me too drained to switch my computer on at night, away during the weekend and helpless in front of the unread blog entries that pile up in my inbox. I think I have more than 150 unread posts and I’m not sure I’ll be able to catch up. My list of “upcoming billets” increases and my priority will be to tackle this pile. Sorry.

I was on a surprise trip to Barcelona, so thanks for the book recommendations I received after my request on Twitter. I discovered our destination at the registration desk in the airport so I couldn’t take my copy of Nada by Carmen Laforet with me. I’ll read it later. Stu recommended Marks of Identity by Juan Goytisolo. The Times of the Doves by Mercè Rodoreda (In French, La place du diamant) came highly recommended and is on now on the wish list. Guy suggested Calling Mr King by Ronald De Fao since part of it is set in Barcelona. I’ve been through the Paris and London parts of the book and now I’m in New York. So far, I find it excellent. It’s so funny and sad at the same time.

The dates for the next Quais du Polar festival have been released. It will be on March 31rd, April 1 &2, 2017. In case you’d like to plan a trip to Lyon during this amazing crime fiction love fest, you are now aware of the dates. Most of the conferences can be heard in English too. You can listen to the conferences of this year’s edition here.

I accidentally discovered that Book Around the Corner is listed in the Hidden Gem category at Sacha’s ANNUAL BLOGGERS BASH AWARDS. Someone must have sent my name for me to get this nomination. Thanks to the blogger/reader who suggested to include Book Around the Corner in this contest. Go have a look at Sacha’s post, it’s an opportunity to discover new blogs in various fields. While browsing through the categories and lists, I saw that a few blogging friends were among the nominees. Marina Sofia is also nominated Hidden Gem. Jacqui and Cleo are nominated in the Best Book Review while Tony is in the Best Overall Blog. Whoever wins this, I think it’s a nice initiative. It must take a lot of time to organize and follow up, so thanks to Sacha for devoting some of her time to these awards.

Last but not least, today was Christmas in May as the postman delivered a parcel of books to me.

I’m going to have so much fun with this Duane Swierczynski marathon. Aren’t the covers gorgeous? I’m looking forward to reading Stripper Lessons by John O’Brien as I loved Leaving Las Vegas so much. The Catherine Wheel by Elizabeth Harrower and Bad Attitudes by Agnes Owens are new to me but the blurbs sound very promising and they were on my wish list. Many thanks to the friend who sent them over here.

And last but not least, my daughter had to read Antigone by Jean Anouilh in school and she loved it. It’s a classic read for collège. (In France, school from 11 to 15 years old.). Oddly, I never read it, probably because my literature teacher of that time was more of a hardcore Corneille and Racine fan. *shudder* My daughter asked me if I wanted to read too and I’m never going to turn down an opportunity of mother-daughter bonding over literature. It beats conversations about makeup and clothes. So expect a billet about Antigone in the near future.

Well, that’s all, folks. I hope you’re all having a nice weekend. Normal service of book billets will resume soon.