Where Is Your Bookmark? (06/09/2015)

I am nearly finished reading The Mapmaker's Children by Sarah McCoy. I had hoped to finish it this weekend, but I wasn't able to fit in any reading time. We were celebrating my husband's birthday, among other things. I did make a little more progress in my audio book, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, however. I thought I would share the first paragraph and a teaser from a book I read last month. My review will be going up later this month.

First Paragraph of The Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker, a young adult, historical fantasy novel:

I stand at the edge of the crowded square, watching the executioners light the pyres. The two men, dressed for work in dark read cloaks and charred leather gloves, circle the narrow wooden platform, their lit torches held high. At the top of each, four witches and three wizards stand chained to a stake, bundles of wood heaped around their feet. They stare into the crowd, determined looks on their faces.

Teaser from 28% into the e-book: 

I think about denying it. Then I remember what Blackwell told us: If ever we got caught, tell the truth, as much as doesn't condemn you. The less you lie, the less chance there is of confusing your own story. Not that it mattered anyway. He also told us that if we ever got caught, we were on our own.


What do you think? Would you keep reading?  

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This week's Top Ten Tuesday hosted by Broke and Bookish theme Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases For the Rest of 2015. Oh my goodness, have you seen all the wonderful books that are coming out the second half of this year?! I am so bad about keeping up with what's coming out when, I admit, but in preparation for this post, I did a little research. And my wish list grew by ten feet. At least. Here are the top ten books I am looking forward to the release of in 2015.

1. X by Sue Grafton ~ Because . . . Sue Grafton!  This is one of my favorite mystery series, which features Private Investigator Kinsey Millhone.

2. Saint Mazie by Jami Attenberg ~ Don't you just love this cover? This particular book just came out, and  is about a Mazie Phillips, owner of a movie theater. During the Great Depression, she opens the doors to help those who need help the most. This novel is told from the perspective of those who knew her, interspersed with entries from her diary. This story is a fictionalized story based on the life of the real Mazie.

3. Language Arts by Stephanie Kallos ~ One of my all time favorite books is Broken for You. This one sounds like it will be just as good. According to Goodreads, the author "spins the stories of a dedicated teacher, his enigmatic son, and a wartime survivor into an affecting tale of love, loss, and handwriting."

4. The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George ~ The obvious reason for my wanting to read this one is that the title contains the word "Bookshop". But it's really more than that. This is the story of lost love and the power books can have on our lives.

5. The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley ~ I am really excited about this one. It's been described as a historical fantasy novel, set in London 1884, with somewhat of a Sherlock Holmes feel to it.  

6. Lair of Dreams: A Diviners Novel by Libba Bray ~ The second book in A Diviners series, the first of which I still have to read and plan to. I cannot NOT read this series. Fantasy. Thriller. This sounds right up my alley. (I'm not a big fan of the cover. I liked the first book's cover much better.)

7. The Forgotten  by Heather Graham ~ I have enjoyed the other FBI Krewe Hunter books I have read. This is another paranormal mystery/romance novel in the ever growing series. (Each book can be read as a stand alone-so feel free to jump in anywhere if you want to give the books a try.)

8. The Blue Between Sky and Water by Susan Abulhawa ~ The title is what first caught my attention, and I barely had to read beyond the first sentence of the synopsis to know this is a book I want to read. Abulhawa's novel is the story of four generations of Palestinian women who are forced out of their home in a farming village and into a refuge camp in Gaza.

9. On the Road with Del and Louise (A Novel in Stories) by Art Taylor ~ This sounds like such a fun book. Something on the lighter, funny side. Del is "a small time crook with a moral conscience" and Louise, a rather sassy holdup victim turned lover of Del's, go on all sorts of adventures together, and this book of six stories offers the reader a ride along with them.

10. Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta ~ When I first heard about this book I knew I had to read it. This is a coming of age story for both a country (Nigeria) and a young woman. It is the story of forbidden love, prejudice, and the impact a civil war can have on people and a country. Somehow, I doubt my eyes will be dry when I finish reading this one.

Do you plan to read any of these books? What new releases are you looking forward to, this second half of the year?

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© 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.