Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
I am combining CWW with Books From the Backlog hosted by Carole at Carole's Random Life in Books. This will allow me to feature some newly "rediscovered" books, which I plan on reading, alongside a new release.
This week I can't wait for
The Same Bright Stars by Ethan Joella
Published by Scribner on July 2, 2024
Age/Genres: Adult, Fiction
Goodreads
Three generations of Schmidts have run their family’s beachfront restaurant, and Jack has been at the helm since his father's death. He puts the demands of the restaurant above all else, with a string of failed relationships, no hobbies, and no days off as proof of his commitment to the place. He can’t remember the last time he sat on the beach or enjoyed a moment to himself.
Meanwhile, the DelDine group has been snapping up beloved eateries along this stretch of coast, and it is pursuing Jack with a very generous offer to take Schmidt’s off his hands. Jack craves companionship and maybe even a family. He wonders whether closing the door on the restaurant might open a window for him—but who would he be without Schmidt’s, and can he trust DelDine’s claims that it will continue to employ his staff and honor his family’s legacy?
I stumbled upon Joella's older books and absolutely loved them! The style of his storytelling and the way he connects his characters to each other won me over. When I saw this was releasing, I automatically added it to my TBR. The Same Bright Stars hints at a Davey versus Goliath type story which centers on the family business. With a family business comes lots of family time, and I love stories with a strong family focus. The main character also seems to be a crossroads where he must choose between selling or keeping the family legacy alive. I expect something that will move me and fill me with joy, and no doubt, Joella can deliver such a tale.
The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yōko Ogawa
Published by Picador on February 3, 2009
Age/Genres: Adult, Fiction
Goodreads
He is a brilliant math Professor with a peculiar problem--ever since a traumatic head injury, he has lived with only eighty minutes of short-term memory.
She is an astute young Housekeeper, with a ten-year-old son, who is hired to care for him.
And every morning, as the Professor and the Housekeeper are introduced to each other anew, a strange and beautiful relationship blossoms between them. Though he cannot hold memories for long (his brain is like a tape that begins to erase itself every eighty minutes), the Professor’s mind is still alive with elegant equations from the past. And the numbers, in all of their articulate order, reveal a sheltering and poetic world to both the Housekeeper and her young son. The Professor is capable of discovering connections between the simplest of quantities--like the Housekeeper’s shoe size--and the universe at large, drawing their lives ever closer and more profoundly together, even as his memory slips away.
The Housekeeper and the Professor is an enchanting story about what it means to live in the present, and about the curious equations that can create a family.
I have been reading quite a few Japanese authors lately. Whenever these books pop up at my library, I find myself intrigued, and since it has been going well, I thought I would give The Housekeeper and the Professor a try. The synopsis eludes to an unlikely friendship, found family, and an overall message of living in the moment. All great things in my opinion. I am very much looking forward to meeting the housekeeper and the professor.
Let us know in the comments!
I have not heard of Joella before but The Same Bright Stars sounds like a good one. I love a family-focused story and characters at a crossroads, which seems to describe Jack's situation. Can't wait to hear what you think of it.
ReplyDeleteI read Joella's previous two books. They were so good.
DeleteI'd be so curious to hear what you think of The Housekeeper and The Professor. It sounds heartbreaking but also hopeful and wonderful! Will have to keep my eye out for this one if you enjoyed it. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteI liked The Housekeeper and the Professor. The idea that his memory only lasted 80 mins but he was able to develop a true friendship with the housekeeper and her son was just so human. I cried towards the end too.
DeleteThe Same Bright Stars sounds super interesting - such a tough decision!
ReplyDeleteI know! I am so eager to see how the main character works through it.
DeleteThe Housekeeper and the Professor sounds good. I was just offered a book by a Japanese author: We'll Prescribe You a Cat, which is a great idea, IMO! I'm really curious and I think I might grab it up.
ReplyDeleteI am almost certain that I have that cat book on my TBR because....CAT. The storytelling is a bit quieter, but I have had some great luck with these translated books. I liked The Housekeeper and the Professor. Heartbreaking setup, but an amazing testament to the power of friendship, connection, and humanity.
Delete"because... CAT." Yes! Exactly!!!
DeleteThe Housekeeper has me intrigued too Sam! And the cover is especially easy on the eye!
ReplyDeleteIt was a bittersweet sort of book, but very lovely and touching.
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