Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #318: Death by Shakespeare: Snakebites, Stabbings and Broken Hearts by Kathryn Harkup

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From Goodreads:

An in-depth look at the science behind the creative methods Shakespeare used to kill off his characters.

In Death By Shakespeare, Kathryn Harkup, best-selling author of A is for Arsenic and expert on the more gruesome side of science, turns her expertise to Shakespeare and the creative methods he used to kill off his characters. Is death by snakebite really as serene as Cleopatra made it seem? How did Juliet appear dead for 72 hours only to be revived in perfect health? Can you really kill someone by pouring poison in their ear? How long would it take before Lady Macbeth died from lack of sleep? Readers will find out exactly how all the iconic death scenes that have thrilled audiences for centuries would play out in real life.

In the Bard's day death was a part of everyday life. Plague, pestilence and public executions were a common occurrence, and the chances of seeing a dead or dying body on the way home from the theater was a fairly likely scenario. Death is one of the major themes that reoccur constantly throughout Shakespeare's canon, and he certainly didn't shy away from portraying the bloody reality of death on the stage. He didn't have to invent gruesome or novel ways to kill off his characters when everyday experience provided plenty of inspiration.

Shakespeare's era was also a time of huge scientific advance. The human body, its construction and how it was affected by disease came under scrutiny, overturning more than a thousand years of received Greek wisdom, and Shakespeare himself hinted at these new scientific discoveries and medical advances in his writing, such as circulation of the blood and treatments for syphilis.

Shakespeare found 74 different ways to kill off his characters, and audiences today still enjoy the same reactions--shock, sadness, fear--that they did over 400 years ago when these plays were first performed. But how realistic are these deaths, and did Shakespeare have the science to back them up?

Death by Shakespeare by Kathryn Harkup is expected to be released May 5th, 2020 by Bloomsbury SIGMA.

Why am I waiting on this one? I don't read a lot of nonfiction each year, but this one intrigues me. I'm thinking if you like mysteries and you like Shakespeare, then this could be a good pick. I'm curious about some of the deaths such as, could pouring poison in someone's ear really kill them. I haven't read anything else by this author yet, but it looks promising. I'm hoping it's written in an interesting and easy to read manner. Have you read this author's other book? Did you enjoy it?

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments.so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Review: For the Love of Books by Graham Tarrant

For the Love of Books: Stories of Literary Lives, Banned Books, Author Feuds, Extraordinary Characters and More by Graham Tarrant covers a variety of nonfiction bookish topics. He starts the book with a brief history of printing, books, and libraries. He then progresses to historical notes on the novel. From there many topics are covered from book banning and writers' feuds to the history of crime fiction to writers who ran afoul of the law to lawsuits and authors. And so much more, roughly 22 bookish topics are covered.

I pretty much enjoyed most of the book. My favorite segments were those about spies, science fiction and fantasy, and children's books. While this is a very good book, it does have one drawback. It's pretty much centered on authors and books from the United Kingdom. While there are some other authors mentioned, I felt like there could have been a more balanced approach.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. I would recommend this well-researched book to people who enjoy reading about books and authors. Even though this book mainly has a UK focus, there is still a lot to enjoy for any book lover.

For the Love of Books by Graham Tarrant was published June 4th, 2019 by Skyhorse.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. all opinions herein are my own and freely given.

Teaser Tuesday: For the Love of Books by Graham Tarrant

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"From the moment books came into being, people found reasons to ban them."

"Books were banned because they were deemed heretical, anti-clerical, licentious or obscene - which covered a lot of ground."

Both quotes are from 13% on my Kindle though they aren't right next to each other. They are from the chapter on Book Banning. I'm on the chapter about writers' feuds now.

For the Love of Books: Stories of Literary Lives, Banned Books, Author Feuds, Extraordinary Characters and More by Graham Tarrant is due to be released today June 4th, 2019 from Skyhorse Publishing.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #275: For the Love of Books by Graham Tarrant

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event which had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings. 

From Goodreads:

A light-hearted book about books and the people who write them for all lovers of literature.

Do you know: 
Which famous author died of caffeine poisoning? Why Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was banned in China? Who was the first British writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature? What superstitions Truman Capote kept whenever he wrote? Who the other Winston Churchill was? 

A treasure trove of compelling facts, riveting anecdotes, and extraordinary characters, For the Love of Books is a book about books—and the inside stories about the people who write them. Learn how books evolved, what lies behind some of the greatest tales ever told, and who’s really who in the world of fiction. 

From banned books to famous feuding authors, from literary felons to rejected masterpieces, from tips for aspiring writers to stand-out book lists for readers to catch up on, For the Love of Books is a celebration of the written word and an absolute page-turner for any book lover. Read all about it!

For the Love of Books by Graham Tarrant is expected to be published June 18th, 2019 from Skyhorse.

Why am I waiting on this one? I love all things books. This sounds like an interesting collection of facts and anecdotes. It sounds like a light, fun read.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #241: Professor at Large by John Cleese

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event which had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

Expected publication:
October 15th, 2018
by Cornell University Press

Synopsis from Goodreads:

And now for something completely different. Professor at Large features beloved English comedian and actor John Cleese in the role of ivy league professor at Cornell University. His almost twenty years as professor-at-large has led to many talks, essays, and lectures on campus. This collection of the very best moments from Cleese under his mortarboard provides a unique view of his endless pursuit of intellectual discovery across a range of topics. Since 1999, Cleese has provided Cornell students and local citizens with his ideas on everything from scriptwriting to psychology, religion to hotel management, and wine to medicine.

His incredibly popular events and classes--including talks, workshops, and an analysis of A Fish Called Wanda and The Life of Brian--draw hundreds of people. He has given a sermon at Sage Chapel, narrated Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf with the Cornell Chamber Orchestra, conducted a class on scriptwriting, and lectured on psychology and human development. Each time Cleese has visited the campus in Ithaca, NY, he held a public presentation, attended and or lectured in classes, and met privately with researchers. From the archives of these visits, Professor at Large includes an interview with screenwriter William Goldman, a lecture about creativity entitled, "Hare Brain, Tortoise Mind," talks about Professor at Large and The Life of Brian, a discussion of facial recognition, and Cleese's musings on group dynamics with business students and faculty.

Professor at Large provides a window into the workings of John Cleese's scholarly mind, showcasing the wit and intelligence that have driven his career as a comedian, while demonstrating his knack of pinpointing the essence of humans and human problems. His genius on the screen has long been lauded; now his academic chops get their moment in the spotlight, too.

Why am I waiting on this one? I enjoy reading nonfiction from time to time and this sounds like something a little different. I don't expect it would be all humor, but that it would certainly have interesting perspectives on things.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Review: The Truth About Animals by Lucy Cooke

The Truth About Animals: Stoned Sloths, Lovelorn Hippos, and Other Tales from the Wild Side of Wildlife by Lucy Cooke is an impressive selection of information on 13 different animals. Eels, beavers, sloths, hyenas, vultures, bats, frogs, storks, hippos, moose, pandas, penguins, and chimpanzees are covered.

Each chapter includes notes about what people thought about the animal in the past, what kinds of behaviors are in question, and what we know about the animal currently as compared to the past. There are plenty of facts both historical and scientific. Humor is sprinkled throughout.

Even though there is humor, I didn't find it quite as funny as I expected it to be when the blurb compared the book to Mary Roach and Bill Bryson. I enjoyed the facts and most of the chapters, but I was almost lost in the first chapter about eels and their sex lives and origins. Things picked up from there for me, thankfully. The chapters I enjoyed the most were the ones on sloths, hippos, pandas, and penguins.

Just a note, a lot of the book has to do with reproduction. And some of the historical facts involve less than humane treatment of the animals in the past.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.  Overall. it's well-written and has interesting facts.

The Truth About Animals by Lucy Cooke was released April 17th, 2018 from Basic Books part of the Hachette Book Group.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is freely given and all my own opinions.

Teaser Tuesday: The Truth About Animals by Lucy Cooke

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 

Now for something a little different than the past few weeks fare. From a nonfiction book about animal behavior:

Despite their high-pitched courtship yodeling, sloths manage to keep their actual sex life on the down-low, making it prone to much mythologizing. There is a persistent rumor on the internet that sloths are so slow that it takes twenty-four hours for them to have sex. This isn't true. As the first person to film wild sloths mating, I can report that sloth sex is a surprisingly fast and athletic affair. The male approaches the female and, after a short display of flamboyant posturing, the deed is done and dusted in a matter of seconds. It appears sex is the only thing sloths do quickly. (20% through on my Kindle)

The Truth About Animals: Stoned SLoths. Lovelorn Hippos, and Other Tales from the Wild Side of Wildlife by Lucy Cooke is due to be released today, April 17th, 2018  from Basic Books. 

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: It Looked Different on the Model by Laurie Notaro

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 

Now the last time I had my makeup done was the day I got married, and I walked out of that salon looking less like a girl who was about to snag a cute boy for the rest of her life and more like an undercover cop who was about to go stand out in front of a cheap motel and arrest ministers. All I needed was a fur vest and a chipped eyetooth. So, I wisely passed on the dolling-up and chose the hand massage instead, because I'd never had one. (95% through on my Kindle)

It Looked Different on the Model: Epic Tales of Impending Shame and Infamy by Laurie Notaro was published July 26, 2011 by Random House Publishing Group.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Review: I Hate Everyone, Except You by Clinton Kelly

I Hate Everyone, Except You by Clinton Kelly is a book of autobiographical essays. I didn't know much about him before reading the book. I enjoyed getting to know more about him through the essays.

One of the things we learn about Clinton through his writing is that he isn't afraid to use profanity. And it seems no topic is off limits. This is a book for adults.

The book opens with an essay about his strong desire to go to a water park at 13 and ends with one where he is giving the commencement address for a high school graduation.  So, he sort of seems to come full circle. The path to getting there is circuitous and includes essays from many different events and time periods in his life.

I love the confidence he shows in his writing and hope it truly carries over into his life. It was interesting reading how he got into fashion writing, and about how he got his job on What Not to Wear, and how he met his husband among other things. Besides being informative, most of the essays are humorous. There were several times I laughed out loud.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It's an entertaining batch of autobiographical essays definitely written for an adult audience. I Hate Everyone, Except You is due out January 10, 2017 from Gallery Books.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Teaser Tuesday: Think Happy by Karen Salmansohn

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books And A Beat.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

When you're stressed, your brain enters into "fight or flight" - and it gets stuck in its less smart "reptilian brain" setting. This is why people under great stress feel tongue-tied and choked up... When you do something to de-stress, you exit "fight or flight" and tap back into your smarter-thinking neocortex and limbic system.

Almost everything works better if you unplug for a few minutes - including you.  ~ Ann Lamott

- quotations from #3 from the section "5 Things to Say When You Feel Stressed Out"

Not sure I agree with everything in this book of mini pep talks, but I liked this one. The idea of stepping back for a minute or more so that you can reboot your thinking makes sense. 

Think Happy - Instant Peptalks to Boost Positivity by Karen Salmansohn was released August 9, 2016 from Ten Speed Press.

What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday #165: There's a Mystery There: the Primal Vision of Maurice Sendak by Jonathan Cott

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.  

Synopsis from Goodreads:

An extraordinary, path-breaking, and penetrating book on the life and work and creative inspirations of the great children's book genius Maurice Sendak, who since his death in 2012 has only grown in his stature and recognition as a major American artist, period. 
Polymath and master interviewer Jonathan Cott first interviewed Maurice Sendak in 1976 for Rolling Stone, just at the time when Outside Over There, the concluding and by far the strangest volume of a trilogy that began with Where The Wild Things Are and In the Night Kitchen, was gestating. Over the course of their wide-ranging and revelatory conversation about his life, work, and the fantasies and obsessions that drove his creative process, they focused on many of the themes and images that would appear in the new book five years later. Drawing on that interview, There's a Mystery There is a profound examination of the inner workings of a complicated genius's torments and inspirations that range over the entirety of his work and his formative life experiences, and uses Outside Over There, brilliantly and originally, as the key to understanding just what made this extravagantly talented man tick. To gain multiple perspectives on that intricate and multifaceted book, Cott also turns to four "companion guides": a Freudian analyst, a Jungian analyst, an art historian, and Sendak's great friend and admirer, the playwright Tony Kushner. The book is richly illustrated with examples from Sendak's work and other related images."


Why am I waiting on this one? I've long been a fan of Maurice Sendak. My all time favorite books by him are Where the Wild Things Are followed by the Nutshell Library boxed collection. I was lucky enough to see him speak when I was in college and even got to get his autograph. I am curious what this book has to say about him and his art and writing.

There's a Mystery There is due out May 16, 2017 from Doubleday Books.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday #152: Unf*ck Your Habitat by Rachel Hoffman

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. 

This week's choice is a nonfiction title about a popular topic - decluttering.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Finally, a housekeeping and organizational system developed for those of us who'd describe our current living situation as a “f*cking mess” that desperately needs fixing. Unf*ck Your Habitat is for anyone who has been left behind by traditional aspirational systems. The ones that ignore single people with full-time jobs; people without kids but living with roommates; and people with mental illnesses or physical limitations. Most organizational books are aimed at stay-at-home moms, DIYers, and people who seem to have unimaginable amounts of free time. They assume we all iron our sheets, have linen napkins to match our table runners, and can keep plants alive for longer than a week. Basically, they ignore most of us living here in the real world.

Interspersed with lists and challenges, this practical, no-nonsense advice relies on a 20/10 system (20 minutes of cleaning followed by a 10-minute break; no marathon cleaning allowed) to help you develop lifelong habits. It motivates you to embrace a new lifestyle in manageable sections so you can actually start applying the tactics as you progress. For everyone stuck between The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Adulting, this philosophy is decidedly more realistic than aspirational, but the goal is the same: not everyone will have a showcase of a home, but whatever your habitat, you deserve for it to bring you happiness, not stress.

Why am I waiting on this book? I like that it includes people with roommates and people with mental illness or physical limitations. And that it is not a marathon cleaning book really endears it to me, even sight unseen. And: "not everyone will have a showcase of a home, but whatever your habitat, you deserve for it to bring you happiness, not stress." Expected publication is January 3, 2017, from St. Martin's Press.

What book are you waiting on this week? Please share the title or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever-growing TBR list. Thanks for coming by! 

Review: Halloween by David J. Skal

Halloween: The History of America's Darkest Holiday by David J. Skal is an interesting nonfiction account of the history of Halloween. It is a re-release. It was out of print for about 10 years before being released in this edition.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Acclaimed cultural critic David J. Skal explores one of America's most perplexingly popular holidays in this original mix of personal anecdotes and social analysis. Skal traces Halloween's evolution from its dark Celtic history and quaint, small-scale celebrations to its emergence as a mammoth seasonal marketing event.
Skal takes readers on a cross-country survey that covers remarkably divergent perspectives, from the merchants who welcome a money-making opportunity that's second only to Christmas to fundamentalists who decry Halloween a form of blasphemy and practicing witches who embrace it as a holy day. He also profiles individuals who revel in this once-a-year occasion to participate in elaborate fantasies. Their narratives, combined with the author's cultural analysis, offer a revealing look at an intriguing aspect of our national psyche.

My thoughts on this book:"You can't kill the bogeyman. But does anyone really want to?" (Halloween: Homecoming film) By the end of the book, it seems that this is precisely what many people are seeking to do in the guise of political correctness or religion.

I found parts of the book to be very interesting. In other parts, it seemed to drag a little. I found myself skipping parts of some sections like in the one about the gay Halloween parades in New York City. And sadly, I found myself skimming a little even in the sections I really liked, for example: the one about haunted houses, and the one about movies. I was glad that the author pointed out more than once that Halloween had nothing to do with Satanism. And that he got the cultural origins of the holiday right.

Generally speaking, I really enjoy books about Halloween. This one, not so much. It was still a good book overall. It just wasn't a great one. I give it 3 stars out of 5.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Waiting on Wednesday #144: Hungry Heart by Jennifer Weiner

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. 

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Jennifer Weiner is many things: a #1 New York Times bestselling author, a Twitter phenomenon, and “an unlikely feminist enforcer” (The New Yorker). She’s also a mom, a daughter, and a sister; a former rower and current cyclist; a best friend and a reality TV junkie. In her first foray into nonfiction, she takes the raw stuff of her personal life and spins into a collection of essays on modern womanhood as uproariously funny and moving as the best of Tina Fey, Fran Lebowitz, and Nora Ephron.

Jennifer grew up as an outsider in her picturesque Connecticut hometown (“a Lane Bryant outtake in an Abercrombie & Fitch photo shoot”) and at her Ivy League college, but finally found her people in newsrooms in central Pennsylvania and Philadelphia, and her voice as a novelist, activist, and New York Times columnist.

No subject is off-limits in this intimate and honest essay collection: sex, weight, envy, money, her mom’s newfound lesbianism, and her estranged father’s death. From lonely adolescence to modern childbirth to hearing her six-year-old daughter’s use of the f-word—fat­­—for the first time, Jennifer Weiner goes there, with the wit and candor that have endeared her to readers all over the world.

By turns hilarious and deeply touching, this collection shows that the woman behind treasured novels like Good in Bed and Best Friends Forever is every bit as winning, smart, and honest in real life as she is in her fiction.

Why am I waiting on this book? It sounds like an interesting collection of essays. I like the subtitle: Adventures in Life, Love, and Writing. It promises to be humorous at least in part. And I can kind of relate to the line, "a Lane Bryant outtake in an Abercrombie and Fitch photo shoot." This book is due out October 11, 2016 from Atria Books.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out. Thanks for coming by!

Teaser Tuesday: Halloween by David J. Skal

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books And A Beat.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Published June 20th 2016
by Dover Publications

Call it Samhain, Summer's End, All Hallow's Eve, November Eve,  or Witch's Night - Halloween has its essential roots in the terrors of the primitive mind, which made no distinction between the waning of the sun and the potential extinction of the self. ~ 7% on my Kindle

In reality, contemporary Halloween is a patchwork holiday, a kind of cultural Frankenstein stitched together quite recently from a number of traditions, all fused beneath the cauldron-light of the American melting pot. ~ 9% on my Kindle

What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever-growing TBR list. Thanks for coming by!

Quickie Review: Grit for the Oyster: 250 Pearls of Wisdom for the Aspiring Writer

Grit for the Oyster by Suzanne Woods Fisher, Debora M. Coty, Faith Tibbetts McDonald and Joanna Bloss is now available as an ebook.

The book is very structured and is aimed at the Christian writer in general and the Christian writer who is focussed on the Christian market.The book is divided into 4 sections and has multiple entries by each of the authors in each section.

• Section 1 is entitled: Getting Started. Can I? 
• Section 2 is The Joyful Grind. 
• Section 3 is I give up! Too Many Rejections. 
• And section 4 is Getting "It" Right: The Proper Perspective. 

Each section has further structure. It starts with a quotation from scripture. The an anecdote from the author of the entry. Then a prayer and reflection and finally quotations to inspire you. The structure makes it almost ideal for use as a devotional.

Also included are additional sections: On Our Bookshelves- Favorite Must-Haves, a Bible quotations reference, Plan Your Next Escape! What's your reading pleasure? And finally, an index of the other quotations in the book is included.

The book could be a useful tool for someone in the right mind frame. From the synopsis: "More than a how-to, this confidence-building book is designed to draw readers to a closer relationship with God." I believe it can achieve that goal. The entries are mostly interesting. I do think it would work best digested slowly such as a devotional. I can also see it being useful choosing an entry by title for whatever situation arises. I gave this book 3 stars out of 5. Interesting, but definitely for a niche market.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Teaser Tuesday: Dispatches from Pluto by Richard Grant

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Miz B of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can participate, just do the following:

• Grab your current read and open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and the author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers.

The ravages of malaria continued into the 1940s and during bad outbreaks, a Delta planter might propose marriage to his belle by saying, "Miss Lucy, may I have the honor of buying your coffin?"

~ 3% through on my Kindle

I drove there from Martha's house on a hot June morning, passing bizarre natural sculpture gardens created by the invasive kudzu vine. It can grow up to 12 inches a day under optimal conditions, and not many places in the world can out-fecund the Mississippi Delta in early summer.

~ 6% through on my Kindle

Dispatches from Pluto by Richard Grant is due out October 13, 2015 from Simon and Schuster.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out. Happy Reading!

Disclaimer: Quotes are from an ARC and may appear differently in the final edition.