The Light in the Ruins, by Chris Bohjalian (Doubleday, July 9th): Would you believe I've never read any of Chris Bohjalian's work? Maybe it's because I don't know how to pronounce his last name (not a joke, that; I recently read in Drunk Tank Pink that unpronounceable names are more likely to be ignored or skipped over unconsciously). Whatever the reason, this seems like a good book on which to change this statement. Promising Italian countryside, multiple time periods, and secret histories, The Light in the Ruins is already receiving rave reviews from other bloggers and I'm excited to dive in. This one will likely come on vacation with me.
The Deep Whatsis, by Peter Mattei (Other Press, July 23rd): I've written before about my love of Other Press titles, and this one promises to fall into step with others before it in that vein. Plus, as one who spends her 9-to-5s working for an advertising agency, I can't pass up anything described as "a gripping and hilarious satire of the inherent absurdity of advertising and the flippant cruelty of corporate behavior."
