Showcase Sunday #27

Showcase Sunday is hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea.

Lots of exciting books this week, mostly because it was my birthday! I haven't had much time to read this week - a combination of birthday celebrations (including a weekend at the beach, where I celebrated with pizza on the beach and Icelandic beer), applying for jobs, preparing for my viva examination, and just generally saying yes to too many things...

But I am looking forward to an unspecified time at which I will be able to read freely again. (!)

From the library

Last Rituals - Yrsa Sigurðardóttir

Icelandic crime fiction, the first in Sigurðardóttir's series about the detective Thóra Gudmundsdóttir. This book counts towards my 2013 Translation Challenge goal.

The Body in the Library - Agatha Christie

Another classic, early Marple mystery. After thoroughly enjoying The Murder at the Vicarage, I am giving Miss Marple another chance!

Received as gifts

Be Awesome - Hadley Freeman

Hadley writes for the Guardian, and this book covers lots of topics, from beauty standards and sex to working in an office, being an unannoying vegetarian (!) and dealing with all those married friends. Have dipped into the first couple of chapters and enjoying it so far - reminiscent of Caitlin Moran's How To Be A Woman, in a way.

The Purity Myth - Jessica Valenti

I have been looking for a copy of this book for ages, and my housemate bought me it for my birthday! The subtitle (if it's unclear in the photo) is "How America's Obsession with Virginity is Hurting Young Women". I first heard about this when Jessica Valenti was still editor of Feministing.com, and I'm looking forward to starting it.

The Hive - Gill Hornby

I saw Gill Hornby being interviewed on the breakfast news a couple of weeks ago, and her book sounds really interesting - it centres of a group of women who know each other from the school gates, and how the hierarchies of their "friendship" develop.

All The Summer Girls - Meg Donohue

My brother sent me this as a gift - I've seen some good reviews, and again it looks at female friendship, focusing on three women who return to the beach they used to visit as children.

Thanks for stopping by - hope everyone has a good weekend!