Sunday 5 February 2012

Sunday Salon: Venice In February




Now that it's February, it means that it is time for the only reading challenge I am taking part in this year, Venice in February.  Hosted by Dolce Bellezza and Ally from Snow Feathers, the aim is simply to read books set in Venice, as many or as few as you feel the urge to.  There's a review site where people have already started to link their reviews.  I feel comfortable participating in this challenge as there are no deadlines and definitely no pressure.  I have a good idea of how many books I would like to read for it, but if I don't read them all, it won't be the end of the world.

I started my Venice in February reading this morning, with The Book Of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark.  Having read and loved The Sandalwood Tree (my review), I have high hopes for it.  I also have a copy of Crossing The Bridge of Sighs sent to me by the author, that I'm hoping to read over the next two weeks.  Beyond that, I already own a copy of Miss Garnet's Angel and there's always the two Shakespeare plays: Othello and The Merchant of Venice, neither of which I have ever read before.  Plenty to keep me busy!



Are you participating in Venice in February this year?  If so, what's on your reading list?

13 comments:

  1. The only book set in Venice I've read is In The Company of The Courtesan by Sarah Dunant, which I enjoyed very much. Cities with such a long history make for some fabulous stories, don't they? Your choices here look like good ones, especially Unholy Mischief (I love the cover!)

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    1. In The Company of The Courtesan was on my shortlist but unfortunately I couldn't get a hold of it at the library. Unholy Mischief is a lot of fun so far...

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  2. These seem like some great picks! I'll have to check out Unholy Mischief; I have The Sandalwood Tree on my shelf waiting to be read (soon! I'll get to it soon!). The Shakespeare plays are awesome as well... two perennial favorites (although, I mean, it's Shakespeare... where's bad?)

    Enjoy your armchair vacation to Venice this month!

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    1. I an enjoying Unholy Mischief although so far, The Sandalwood Tree is better. I loved that book. I think out of the two Shakespeare plays, I will try Othello first, it's always appealed to me.

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  3. I will have to keep an eye out for Venice recommendations this month.

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    1. I never realised just how many books were set in Venice until this month...

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  4. Can't wait to read your review of the Book of Unholy Mischief. I bought this book almost a year ago and still haven't cracked it open.

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    1. It's very good so far, although not as good as The Sandalwood Tree.

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  5. I'm not participating but should, as when I was in Venice I bought some books (in English) as souvenirs: http://thesleeplessreader.com/2010/09/12/books-as-souvenirs/

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    1. Oh, you should definitely participate! Thanks for linking to your post, I liked your Scotland collection a lot.

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  6. I'm a bit swamped with things to read this month, but the challenge sounds fun! I also didn't realize how popular Venice is as a book setting! (I think the only one I've read recently set there is City of Falling Angels).

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  7. Ooh now I see the post! Yes, this was smack dab in that sick time period so I completely missed it before! I love the idea of this challenge. I might just go unofficially read a book set in Venice sometime, if I find one that sounds good for me. :)

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  8. I'm keen on reading your reviews. Hope you'll like your books.

    I like the cover of Crossing the Bridge of Sighs. I am so superficial, I always want to read the prettiest books. And everything else I can get in my hands. :)

    I'm participating, too. I just got hold of A Thousand Days in Venice.

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