New Leaf Nominations for May * Guilty Pleasures, Between the Covers

[CRussel]

Well, some of the best cricket books aren't easily available in the US, for the simple reason that y'all don't actually know anything about cricket. But I think one of the PG Wodehouse books might be a good fit, so I'll nominate Mike and Psmith, an early Wodehouse. I've never read it, so have no knowledge of how good or bad it is, but even less successful Wodehouse books are usually quite funny, so it's worth a shot. It's Public Domain at Project Gutenberg, and available inexpensively from multiple retailers.

Originally Posted by Goodreads

An early Wodehouse novel, this is both a sporting story and a tale of friendship between two boys at boarding school. Mike (introduced in Mike at Wrykyn) is a seriously good cricketer who forms an unlikely alliance with old Etonian Psmith ('the P is silent') after they both find themselves fish out of water at a new school, Sedleigh. Full of entertainment, the plot reaches a satisfying conclusion as the pair eventually overcome the hostility of others and their own prejudices to become stars. Even readers uninterested in cricket are likely to be gripped by descriptions of matches, but the real meat of the book is to be found in the characters, especially the elegant Psmith, one of Wodehouse's immortal creations, who features in three of his later novels

Project Gutenberg -- FREE
AmazonUS: -- FREE
AmazonCA: -- $1.99 CAD
AmazonAU: -- $3.81 AUD
AmazonUK: -- £1.84 GBP (there are cheaper, but this one is WhisperSync.)

The book is available from Libraries through Overdrive, and there are Audible editions everywhere except the U.S.

[Catlady]

I nominate Dragonwyck by Anya Seton (1944, 419 pp.). Modern gothics with innocent young women in ancient houses ruled by enigmatic masters are my guilty pleasure, and I've been meaning to read this one for a long time.

A novel of seduction, mystery, and danger set in New York’s Hudson Valley in the nineteenth century, by the author of Foxfire.

There was, on the Hudson, a way of life such as this, and there was a house not unlike Dragonwyck . . .

In the spring of 1844, the Wells family receives a letter from a distant relative, the wealthy landowner Nicholas Van Ryn. He has invited one of their daughters for an extended visit at his Hudson Valley estate, Dragonwyck. Eighteen-year-old Miranda, bored with her local suitors and commonplace life on the farm, leaps at the chance for an escape. She immediately falls under the spell of both the master and his mansion, mesmerized by the Gothic towers, flowering gardens, and luxurious lifestyle—but unaware of the dark, terrible secrets that await.

Anya Seton masterfully tells the heart-stopping story of a remarkable woman, her remarkable passions, and the mystery that resides in the magnificent hallways of Dragonwyck.

Amazon U.S., $10.99; currently the ebook is free to borrow in KU, and the audiobook is free to borrow in Audible Escape.

Also, both ebook and audiobook can be borrowed through Overdrive, Hoopla, and Scribd; the audiobook is also available in RB Digital.

[Uncle Robin]

This is not a guilty pleasure, but it may be a more accessible cricket book than many, for those not familiar with the game
Chinaman(Amazon US).
I learned a lot about Sri Lanka, and a bit more about cricket, from this excellent book.
Kobo US
Kobo Canada
Kobo Aus
Kobo UK

[Dazrin]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

This is not a guilty pleasure, but it may be a more accessible cricket book than many, for those not familiar with the game
Chinaman(Amazon US).
I learned a lot about Sri Lanka, and a bit more about cricket, from this excellent book.
Kobo US
Kobo Canada
Kobo Aus
Kobo UK

The Kindle version of this is "not available for purchase."

It sounds like fiction but Kobo has it ranked as "#4 in Nonfiction, Sports, Cricket." in addition to a fiction ranking.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by Dazrin

The Kindle version of this is "not available for purchase."

It sounds like fiction but Kobo has it ranked as "#4 in Nonfiction, Sports, Cricket." in addition to a fiction ranking.

Sad news about the Kindle version, sorry! As for Kobo's ranking, this is the same Kobo that recommended 1984, Animal Farm, Dante's Divine Comedy, and Atlas Shrugged to me as "more works by Lewis Carroll". Nuff said.

[Bookworm_Girl]

Interesting choices so far, including one that was already in my TBR. I am working on nomination ideas.

[gmw]

I nominate Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend.

From Goodreads:

A cursed girl escapes death and finds herself in a magical world - but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination

Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she's blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks--and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday.

But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback, he whisks her away into the safety of a secret, magical city called Nevermoor.

It's then that Morrigan discovers Jupiter has chosen her to contend for a place in the city's most prestigious organization: the Wundrous Society. In order to join, she must compete in four difficult and dangerous trials against hundreds of other children, each boasting an extraordinary talent that sets them apart - an extraordinary talent that Morrigan insists she does not have. To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests - or she'll have to leave the city to confront her deadly fate.

It's won lots of prizes. It's moderately priced. It sounds to be right up my street and is on my e-reader already (okay, so these last probably aren't a plus for everyone else ).

Example prices: Kobo US $7.99, Kobo CA $9.99, Kobo UK £4.99, Kobo AU $9.99.

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

This is not a guilty pleasure, but it may be a more accessible cricket book than many, for those not familiar with the game
Chinaman(Amazon US).
I learned a lot about Sri Lanka, and a bit more about cricket, from this excellent book.
Kobo US
Kobo Canada
Kobo Aus
Kobo UK

Unfortunately, it appears that both the US and Canada Kobo stores are actually links to a different book by Shehan Karunatilaka. And neither store has Chinaman available. The UK link is bad, but they do have Chinaman available for £4.99. Didn't check the AU one.If you want to withdraw it because of availability issues, I'll happily give you back the ticket to use.

Nevermind, I stand corrected!

[Dazrin]

If you read the descriptions of "The Legend of Pradeep Mathew" it sounds like the same book, so I think the links are probably correct.

[JSWolf]

I've got a nomination and it's 100% free.

I'm nominating The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. It is illustrated and well made by GrannyGrump.

When Mole rebels and abandons the spring cleaning of his burrow, he little knows what the future holds. He soon meets the steady and practical Water Rat, then the impulsive and boastful Mr. Toad, and wise old Badger. Many new adventures await, from travels on the open road, to getting lost in a snowstorm in the Wild Wood, to simply “messing about in boats.” Along the way, Toad lands in jail for stealing a motorcar, and the four friends must do battle to reclaim Toad Hall from the invading weasels and stoats.

This book is a testament to the enduring bond of friendship and the charm in homely pleasures, and can be enjoyed by the young and the young-at-heart. (Recommended for ages 9 to 90.)

ePub: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=328102
KF8: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=328101

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by Dazrin

If you read the descriptions of "The Legend of Pradeep Mathew" it sounds like the same book, so I think the links are probably correct.

Yes, that's the same book - "Chinaman" was a term describing a very specific type of bowling action in cricket, "Pradeep Matthew" much less offensive to a great many potential readers.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

Yes, that's the same book - "Chinaman" was a term describing a very specific type of bowling action in cricket, "Pradeep Matthew" much less offensive to a great many potential readers.

$9.99 in the US at Amazon and Kobo.

[CRussel]

Thanks for the confirmation. I'll add it to the nomination list shortly.

[fantasyfan]

I’ll second Mike and Psmith.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

This is not a guilty pleasure, but it may be a more accessible cricket book than many, for those not familiar with the game
Chinaman(Amazon US).
I learned a lot about Sri Lanka, and a bit more about cricket, from this excellent book.
Kobo US
Kobo Canada
Kobo Aus
Kobo UK

The title in the UK is Chinaman and it's £4.99.

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chinaman-Sh.../dp/B004SOYW6M
Kobo UK: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/chinaman