Peeking Between the Pages

...escape into the pages of a good book

Waiting on Wednesday (August 18)

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Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is a novel called Bitter in the Mouth by Monique Truong releasing August 31, 2010 by Random House. Is this not a fantastic cover – I love it! Here is a bit about the book from Random House…

From Monique Truong, the bestselling and award-winning author of The Book of Salt, comes a brilliant, mesmerizing, beautifully written novel about a young woman’s search for identity and family, as she uncovers the secrets of her past and of history.

Growing up in the small town of Boiling Springs, North Carolina, in the 70’s and 80’s, Linda believes that she is profoundly different from everyone else, including the members of her own family. ‘What I know about you, little girl, would break you in two’ are the cruel, mysterious last words that Linda’s grandmother ever says to her.

Now in her thirties, Linda looks back at her past when she navigated her way through life with the help of her great-uncle Harper, who loves her and loves to dance, and her best friend Kelly, with whom Linda exchanges almost daily letters. The truth about my family was that we disappointed one another. When I heard the word ‘disappoint,’ I tasted toast, slightly burnt.

For as long as she can remember, Linda has experienced a secret sense – she can ‘taste’ words, which have the power to disrupt, dismay, or delight. She falls for names and what they evoke: Canned peaches. Dill. Orange sherbet. Parsnip (to her great regret). But with crushes comes awareness. As with all bodies, Linda’s is a mystery to her, in this and in other ways. Even as Linda makes her way north to Yale and New York City, she still does not know the truth about her past.

Then, when a personal tragedy compels Linda to return to Boiling Springs, she gets to know a mother she never knew and uncovers a startling story of a life, a family. Revelation is when God tells us the truth. Confession is when we tell it to him.

This astonishing novel questions many assumptions – about what it means to be a family and to be a friend, to be foreign and to be familiar, to be connected and to be disconnected – from others and from the past, our bodies, our histories, and ourselves.

Doesn’t it sound awesome! It sure sounds like a book that could capture and hold my interest! How about you – are you waiting for anything this week? Leave me a link or share in the comments. Have a great day everyone!

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

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  1. Anytime I hear the word "taste" in the same sentence as "words", I get interested. You always find the most exciting new releases!

  4. What a beautiful cover!! I'm not sure if there are any titles, I am waiting for but there certainly are writers that I would like to hurry up 🙂

  5. From where on earth did you dig this out. It sounds wonderful. And its tantalizing the way you have done the description.

  9. The cover is fantastic! I'd read this one just for the location – I know exactly where Boiling Springs is.

  11. Ooo I saw this somewhere else too! It sounds lovely. Plus I think my mom would like it too, so I am definitely adding it to the wish list.

  12. Oh yes, this sounds like something I'd definitely like, and I will have to keep my eye out for it. I have also heard good things about Salt as well. Thanks for sharing this, Dar!

  14. The basic premise sounds similar to THE PARTICULAR SADNESS OF LEMON CAKE, which I haven't read but also sounds wonderful. It's amazing to me that more than one author has come up with this idea of tasting emotions. What particularly attracts me to your choice is the Southern setting. Definitely going on my To Read list!

  15. Ah, I've been noticing this one…sounds DELECTABLE! lol

    Thanks for visiting my blog.

  21. I'm not really waiting on anything in particular this week but that'll probably change soon 🙂 Happy reading!