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Monday, February 21, 2011

Mailbox Monday #64

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at The Printed Page but it is now on a monthly tour. For the month of February it is being hosted by Library of Clean Reads.

This week my mailbox blessed me with two gifts. One I have had my eye on for awhile, the other is quite new to me.

From PaperBackSwap I received Hugh and Bess
by Susan Higginbotham. After reading and very much enjoying
Queen of Last Hopes I am very interested in checking out this book.

From Amazon Vine I selected Stalina by Emily Rubin. This book is a little different from what I normally read but there were a few things about it that pulled me in. First it is an immigrant story from Russia to the US. I haven't had the opportunity to read many immigrant stories but I find them very interesting. The main character settles in Connecticut (my home state) - there are not too many books set here, so that was an exciting prospect! This book is also loosely based on the true story of a woman the author knew. Here is the blurb:
After the fall of the Soviet Union, Stalina Folskaya’s homeland is little more than a bankrupt country of broken dreams. She flees St. Petersburg in search of a better life in America, leaving behind her elderly mother and the grief of the past. However, Stalina quickly realizes that her pursuit of happiness will be a hard road. A trained chemist in Russia, but disillusioned by her prospects in the US, she becomes a maid at The Liberty, a “short-stay” motel on the outskirts of Hartford. Able to envision beauty and profit even here, Stalina convinces her boss to let her transform the motel into a fantasy destination. Business skyrockets and puts the American dream within Stalina’s sights. A smart, fearless woman like Stalina can go far…if only she can reconcile the ghosts of her past. Obsessed with avenging her family while also longing for a new life, Stalina is a remarkable immigrant’s tale about a woman whose imagination—and force of personality—will let her stop at nothing.
What came in your mailbox this week?




Copyright © 2011 by The Maiden’s Court

7 comments:

  1. I haven't heard of Stalina but it sounds really good. Another one for the WL :) I've had Hugh and Bess on my shelf for awhile now but haven't read it yet.

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  2. Stalina sounds like a fascinating character. Enjoy your books.

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  3. I have Stalina on my Kindle but haven't read it yet. Hope it's good!

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  4. Stalina is new to me so I will be waiting to hear what you think of this one.

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  5. I hadn't heard of Stalina until I saw it on the Vine newsletter.

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  6. Stalina looks good. I am looking forward to your review of it. Hugh and Bess is on my TBR. Enjoy.
    I received 2 books.

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  7. These titles are new to me. I look forward to seeing what you think of them.

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Thanks for leaving your comments! I love reading them and try to reply to all!