Where Is Your Bookmark? (07/14/2015)

 I am currently reading The Gracekeepers by Kirsty Logan.

First Paragraph of The Gracekeepers by Kirsty Logan:

The first Callanish knew of the Circus Excalibur was the striped silk of their sails against the gray sky. They approached her tiny island in convoy: the main boat with its bobbing trail of canvas-covered coracles following like ducklings, chained in an obedient line. Ships arrived a dozen a day in the archipelagos, and Callanish knew that the circus folk would have to fight for their place on her island. Tomorrow the dock would be needed for a messenger boat, or a crime crew, or a medic. In a world that is almost entirely sea, placing your feet on land was a privilege that must be earned.

Teaser from 12% of The Gracekeepers: 

Hunched in the boat's prow, or speaking in a monotone while staring at the horizon, they'd confess to her. They'd lied or hurt or killed, and they wanted her to make it all better. She couldn't fix anything, but she could listen and stay quiet, and that had always been enough.

Here is the blurb about the book:

As a Gracekeeper, Callanish administers shoreside burials, sending the dead to their final resting place deep in the depths of the ocean. Alone on her island, she has exiled herself to a life of tending watery graves as penance for a long-ago mistake that still haunts her. Meanwhile, North works as a circus performer with the Excalibur, a floating troupe of acrobats, clowns, dancers, and trainers who sail from one archipelago to the next, entertaining in exchange for sustenance. 

In a world divided between those inhabiting the mainland ("landlockers") and those who float on the sea ("damplings"), loneliness has become a way of life for North and Callanish, until a sudden storm offshore brings change to both their lives--offering them a new understanding of the world they live in and the consequences of the past, while restoring hope in an unexpected future.  

What do you think? Would you keep reading?  

What are you reading at the moment?  Is it anything you would recommend?

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

This week's  Top Ten Tuesday theme is Last Ten Books That Came Into My Possession (bought, borrowed, or received). Books do not flow into my home the way they once did. I used to visit every bookstore in town every other week, coming out of each store with multiple books. I also request fewer review copies, trying to limit them to only books I feel excited about reading (and not just want to read because it sounds good). Here are the latest ten  that found there way into my house. Most are e-copies.

1.

The Tide Watchers by Lisa Chaplin ~ I practically drooled when I read the description for The Tide Watchers. I love historical fiction full of intrigue. This one is about a young mother who goes undercover to try to help save Britain from Napoleon. (from the publisher via Edelweiss)

2.

The Book of Night Women by Marlon James ~ I had not even left Lisa's of Lit and Life blog after reading her review of the audio version of this book before I was purchasing my own copy. It sounds like a book I will need to be in the right mood to read--but a necessary and important book, nonetheless. (purchased on Audible.com)

3. 

Werewolves Be Damned by Stacey Kennedy ~ This is the first book in the series of which I have the second to review. Upon starting the second book first, I realized I might want to read the first book first. So, I ran off to Amazon to buy a copy. (purchased e-copy)

4. 

The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler ~ This sounded like a cute story I could share with Mouse in the not so distant future. (purchased e-copy)

5.

Sunbolt (The Sunbolt Chronicles 1) by Intisar Khanani ~ I read Athira's review of this one just last week over at Reading on a Rainy Day, and decided I just had to read it. It's short, more like a novella. (purchased e-copy)

6. 

The Sound of Language by Amulya Malladi ~ I love this author's books and am looking forward to reading this one. (purchased e-copy)

7. 

Name of the Devil by Andrew Mayne ~ I chose Name of the Devil because it appeals to my love of mysteries and the paranormal. It's the second in the series, but I'm told it can be read as a stand alone. I may end up buying the first book to read first anyway. (review copy from publisher)

8. 

Crooked Little Lies by Barbara Taylor Sissel ~ I am an Amazon Prime member, and I take full advantage of their Kindle First program (I'm not a Vine member). This one appealed to me for the mystery aspect. And I like an unreliable narrator now and then.

9. 

The Story of Land and Sea by Katy Simpson Smith ~ I read so little about the American Revolution, and, to be honest, it's not a time period I'm particularly drawn to. This book, however, caught my attention immediately and I'm looking forward to reading and reviewing it. (review copy from publisher)

10.

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder ~ This is the first book in the Soulfinders series. I heard about the book earlier in the year, and it sat on my wish list until recently when I decided to take the plunge and buy it. (purchased e-copy)

Honorable Mention:

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger ~ I received a copy in the mail via my Postal Book Club at the beginning of July. But I have owned my own copy for years. As a result, I didn't include this one on the official list.

Have you read any of these? Have you borrowed, purchased, or received any books lately?  What were they?  

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Pictures from the Disney Soundsational Parade, which is how my husband, daughter and I spent our 17th wedding anniversary this past weekend: