Book 1 was The Summer Without Men by Siri Hustvedt, which after initial reservations I really enjoyed. The initial reservations were related to the fact it is a book about a middle aged lady whose husband has just left her for a younger woman, but indefinitely. He has asked for a "pause". I was not entirely sure what to make of that scenario, but once I got into the book I didn't put it down. Hustvedt is an extremely accomplished writer, clearly very well read and I enjoyed what she had to say.