Shelf Share Thursday

Welcome to Shelf Share Thursday. This is the place to give the books that have been on your shelf awhile a little love. Every week I will post a letter and three books that correspond to it. Hopefully there will be a gem or two in there you've long forgotten about. There is only one way to find out. Share your shelf. Mr. Linky (and why do I always accidentally type that as Mr. Kinky??) will assist you at the bottom of the post :)

This week's letter is M.

is for.......

Mirabilis by Susan Cokal

From Amazon:

"In 1372 a French village is under siege by the British. The citizenry are starving to death, when a miraculous event occurs. A young woman, Bonne Tardieu, who has worked in the past as a nitpicker, laundress, whore, and wet nurse, is able to feed the whole town from her seemingly inexhaustible breast milk. This action was the first of the miracles that causes many villagers to believe her to be a saint, like her mother. The large cast of characters who surround Bonne are quite interesting. They include a journeyman stonemason who believes he is an unforgiven sinner and therefore regularly flagellates himself; a dwarf who has escaped from a royal household; Radegonde Putemonnoie, a wealthy, pregnant widow who hires Bonne as a wet nurse and with whom Bonne has a love affair; and some priests who believe that Radegonde and Bonne are witches."

I have had this one so long I don't even remember where I got it from but I remember getting it because I liked the cover. I am a bit of a Francophile and this one is set in 14th century France and it looks like it has a cast of interesting characters. I keep resolving to read my shelf oldest to newest but then I keep joining challenges where my older books don't fit so books like these just have to patiently wait their turn.

M is also for...

Master of Verona by David Blixt

From Amazon:

"The Master of Verona is a sweeping historical novel that takes place, primarily, in early 14th Century Verona. It is the story of Pietro Alaghieri - the eldest surving son of the poet Dante - who gets caught up in the sweep of history: the war between Padua and Verona; the rise of Verona's Captiano, Cangrande della Scala, Dante's increasing fame since the publication of The Inferno, an infernal plot against Cangrande's bastard son, and the rivalry of his two best friends over the affections of a girl, a rivalry that will severe a friendship, divide a city, and ultimately lead to the best-known tragic romance in history. Based on historical figures and the stories that formed the basis for some of Shakespeare's greatest plays, The Master of Verona is a compelling novel of politics, friendship, and conspiracy that recalls the best of Bernard Cornwell and Dorothy Dunnett."

Another one from the 14th century that sounds like this would be right up my alley since I am a huge fan of Bernard Cornwell and have recently read and enjoyed my first Dorothy Dunnett book. I have the urge to read Dante's Inferno before I read this though, not sure why. I think the cover on this one is pretty too. (I've got to stop getting books becuase of their covers-I'm sure I'll end up with some turds at some point if I keep doing that....)

and finally M is for....

The Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset Maugham

From Amazon:

"The Moon and Sixpence, is a fictionalized biography of the artist Paul Gauguin. The stand-in character for Gauguin is Charles Strickland, who deserts his wife and children to become a painter. In Paris, he is indifferent to the friendship offered by a fellow artist, Dirk Stroeve. Strickland devastates those around him by running away with Blanche, Stoeve's wife, who has fallen in love with him. In reality, he has no use for Blanche, except as the model for a painting, and upon the painting's completion, abandons her as well."

I got this at a used bookstore because I wanted to read the Painted Veil and they didn't have it so I got this instead. Still haven't read this or the Painted Veil. The guy in this story sounds like a total jerk. I like reading about jerks! Makes me get all nostalgic about the parade of jerks I dated in my late teens/early 20's... or NOT. I do like the occasional villain though and this story seems like it will provide me with one. Perhaps I'll choose this next time I go on a classics binge or am in the mood for a short read.

And that is all for this week. What's on your shelf?