I nearly forgot! There was a tie (?!) for which TBR book I should read in May, and so we need to do a tie-breaker! (!!)
It’s between Effi Briest by Theodor Fontane and The Summer of Riley by Eve Bunting. Here’s what each book is about, in case you forgot:
Effi Briest by Theodor Fontane
Summary:
Set in Bismarck’s Germany, Fontane’s luminous tale of a socially suitable but emotionally disastrous match between the enchanting seventeen-year-old Effi and an austere, workaholic civil servant twice her age, is at once touching and unsettling. Fontane’s taut, ironic narrative depicts a world where sexuality and the enjoyment of life are stifled by narrow-mindedness and circumstance. Considered by many to be the pinnacle of the nineteenth-century German novel, Effi Briest is a tale of adultery that ranks with Madame Bovary and Anna Karenina and brilliantly demonstrates the truth of the author’s comment and “women’s stories are generally far more interesting.”
On my TBR since: April 18, 2010
Why I added it: I’m pretty sure I saw it on one of those “you MUST read these books before you die or you’re a big fat loser” lists. I caved under the pressure.
The Summer of Riley by Eve Bunting
Summary:
Eleven-year-old William never needed a friend more than now. After his parents’ separation, his father’s new engagement, and his grandfather’s dying without any warning — adopting big, beautiful Riley is the first thing in a long time that has made him feel better. That is, until Riley innocently chases a horse.
Local law states that any animal that chases livestock must be put to sleep. Suddenly William stands to lose another thing close to him. Together with his “totally unsurpassed” friend Grace, William begins a campaign to reverse the county commissioners’ decision. But with a community divided on the issue, and the bully Ellis Porter trying to stop them at every turn, will they be able to save Riley’s life?
On my TBR since: November 30, 2010
Why I added it: I’d previously read at least one other of Eve Bunting’s works, and it’s one of my favorite set-in-a-boarding-school novels EVER. Plus, it was free.
Sooooooo, which one should I read in May? Only four days to vote! I’ll read and feature the winning book in May, so choose wisely!
Mount TBR, the TIE-BREAKER EDITION
- The Summer of Riley (100%, 1 Votes)
- Effi Briest (0%, 0 Votes)
Total Voters: 1
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The book: I’m currently about 73% into 
