Mini Bookish Thoughts: The Good Luck Sister by Jill Shalvis/Alchemy by Marie S. Crosswell/The Risk of Rogues by Sabrina Jeffries

Tilly Adams sat in the vet's office staring at the doctor in shock. ~ Opening of The Good Luck Sister 

The Good Luck Sister (Windstone, 1.5) by Jill Shalvis

William Morrow Impulse, 2018

Romance; 144 pgs

I was in the mood for something short and sweet and so picked up The Good Luck Sister by Jill Shalvis. It is a novella in the author’s Windstone series, which I have yet to read. The good thing about series like this one though is that each book is a stand-alone, featuring different main characters. So, I do not feel lost having not read the first book in the series yet. In The Good Luck Sister, Tilly Adams feels like her life is on the right track. She has a job teaching art at the local community college and has just adopted a cute and loyal puppy. What she doesn’t need is for her old crush and former boyfriend to walk in the door of her classroom. Dylan Scott knew what he was doing when he signed up for Tilly’s class. Years ago he had left town, leaving behind the one person who meant the world to him. Now he is back, has a business of his own, and is hoping to mend the broken fence between him and Tilly.

I loved Tilly and Dylan. They are great characters who obviously still care about each other. They both have their baggage and are able to work through their issues, although Tilly does not make it easy for Dylan initially. Leo, the dog, is adorable. I enjoyed his scenes, which probably comes as no surprise to those of you who know me at all. The romance is mixed with humor—two characteristics I have come to expect and enjoy in Shalvis’s novels. This was a definite pick me up that left me smiling in the end.

For more information about the author and her books, visit her website. You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook.

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She's dreaming in the shallows of sleep. ~ Opening of Alchemy 

Alchemy by Marie S. Crosswell
Less Than Three Press, 2018
Crime Fiction/Romance; 47 pgs

In a twist on the original Sherlock Holmes and Watson characters, Marie S. Crosswell introduces readers to a reimagining of them as women. Sherlock is called upon by a female Detective Lestrade to take a look at the body of a homeless person found murdered. It is not the first, nor will it the last. What has caught everyone’s attention is the fact that Sherlock’s name is carved onto the bodies of the victims. A sure message to the brilliant detective, although what it means is anyone’s guess, other than that this is very personal.

The relationship between Detective Lestrade and Sherlock plays a big part in this novella. The two are clearly attracted to each other—although this is new to both of them in some respects. Lestrade has had heterosexual relationships in the past and Sherlock is asexual. They take their time in feeling out their relationship, and just what the other expects and wants from one another. Watson herself is a lesbian, and I liked that Sherlock took her feelings into consideration before pursuing anything with Lestrade. I loved how their relationship played out, how well the two communicated with each other—something you don’t see enough of when it comes to romance in a novel. Each of the women in Alchemy are well fleshed out and relatable characters. I do wish there had been more time spent with Watson as that character has always been a favorite of mine in the canon. I liked Crosswell’s female version too.

The mystery itself in this story is fairly weak as far as it goes. I had been excited by the notion of a female version of Sherlock Holmes and seeing her in action, but her skills of deduction left much to be desired. Things fell into place a bit too easily. Maybe had this been a full length novel instead of a novella, I would have been more satisfied. The author would have had more time to weave a more complex crime in which we could see the good detective and her partner in action. Overall, I think this novella held a lot of promise for me, but in the end didn’t quite live up to my expectations—at least in regards to the mystery aspect.

For more information about the author and her books, visit  Goodreads.

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Captain Lord Hartley Corry had come to his brother Warren's Shropshire hunting lodge, Hatton Hall, to play cards, drink brandy, and do some shooting with his male friends. ~ Opening of The Risk of Rogues

The Risk of Rogues (Sinful Suitors #5.5) by Sabrina Jeffries
Pocket Star, 2018
Romance (Historical); 100 pgs

Historical romance can be hit and miss for me, but I do enjoy it from time to time. I had heard good things about Sabrina Jeffries and thought this would be a good way to taste test her writing. Lady Anne hasn’t forgotten how Lord Hartley Corry broke her heart years ago. He had fled the country without a word after her father forbade they marry, not even trying to fight for her hand. When he reappears and catches sight of her, he knows it was meant to be—only now she is refusing him. How will he ever convince her he is worth a second chance?

This one was just plain fun. Lady Anne protests a lot despite how easily she finds herself returning Lord Hartley Corry’s affections once he has her in his arms—which happens a lot. The conflict between the two centers around one misunderstanding after another. At a time when men and women often married for fortune, it is no wonder Lady Anne questions Hartley’s motives, especially when he refuses to tell her exactly what he does for a living. Does he even have a reliable job? I enjoyed the banter between the two character and felt the author packed a lot of quality story into a short novella. I will definitely be seeking her work out in the future.

For more information about the author and her books, visit her website. You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook.

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© 2018, 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.

Where Is Your Bookmark? (A Peek Into The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel & More Bookish Fun)

I am still reading Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven, which I featured last week, and so I thought I would share a teaser or two from the next book on my TBR pile, The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel: A story of Sleepy Hollow by Alyssa Palombo. It is perfect for the fall season, I think. Just in time for Halloween.

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the wonderful Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.

The first paragraph of the Prologue:

Washington Irving got it wrong. I don't know what secondhand version of Katrina Van Tassel's story he heard, but it was all wrong. Oh, he got the names right: Ichabod Crane. Brom Bones. The Headless Horesman. But he left out the important parts of the story--the parts that matter most. 

Opening of Chapter 1:

It was an early summer of my eighteenth year that my destiny arrived, and despite my fancy for premonitions he took me quite by surprise. 

My thoughts: The opening of the prologue immediately got my attention. What is Katrina Van Tassel's story then, I wondered? As for the first sentence of the first chapter, well, I have a feeling I know who she is referring to and I cannot wait to meet him myself. And what is it she means by premonitions? Ooo! This sounds like it will be good!

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A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Hosted by the wonderful Freda of Freda's Voice.

She knelt beside me, an arm wrapped around my shoulders. "We wait to hear what Ichabod's mother tells Giles." she said, her voice faint. "And we . . . we wait. We wait to see if he comes back."

Charlotte helped me to the daybed so I might lie down, and went to fix me some more skullcap tea. The whole while, all I could hear were her last few words. 

We wait. We wait to see if he comes back. 

If he comes back. 

  [56%]

My thoughts: If you are familiar with Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, you might well know what has become of Ichabod Crane (or do you?).  I can tell from these passages that Katrina is worried about Ichabod and I find myself worrying as well.


What do you think? Does this sound like a book you would be interested in reading? 

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Originally hosted by Books by Proxy, Friday Face Off is now hosted by the fabulous Lynn of  Lynn’s Book Blog. Participants are asked to feature two more more covers of the same book with the week's assigned theme, and pick a favorite. 

This week the theme is a book whose cover features eyes ~ Eyes wide shut. 

The particular book I am featuring today, Laini Taylor's Days of Blood and Starlight (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #2), has multiple covers with eyes on them as you can see.  There is a definite effort to draw attention to the eye in several of these covers.

Not all of the covers feature eyes, however.

I like the look of many of these covers, and am hard-pressed to pick a favorite. Of the covers with the eye, I think the first is my favorite. However, I am partial to a couple of the covers without eyes even more. Especially the one with the archway--I even prefer the font on that one best as it compliments the picture.

Which cover do you prefer? 

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Everyone has a favorite and then we also have something we dislike. Like a coin, there are two sides to every question. Each week, Carrie at The Butterfly Reads and Laura from Blue Eye Books ask participants to list what they like and don't like about that week's topic.

This week's topic is Favorite Book With the Most/Least Ratings

I used Goodreads to determine which books of mine fit today's theme. One of my all-time favorite books has 2,447,190 ratings, which is not too surprising given how well read it is.

Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

My favorite book with the least amount of ratings on the Goodreads site only has 718 ratings:

The Night Parade by Kathryn Tanquary (Why haven't you read this book?!)

What are your favorite books with the most/least ratings? 

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Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Do you sneak a peek at the number of views your posts have gotten? (submitted by Elizabeth @Silver's Reviews)

No. In fact, I cannot even remember the last time I looked at my number of page views. When I first began blogging over 12 years ago, I fell down the rabbit hole of blog stats, and all it brought me was stress and burn out. I came to the conclusion that paying attention to the numbers was not how I wanted to blog.

I do understand the need to be seen and heard, something that isn't quite as easy today as it was when I got my start in blogging. The book blogging community is huge now. If you are just starting out as a blogger, it can be tough. You want to build an audience and find your niche, after all. I still get a thrill with each and every comment on my blog. And I am ever so grateful to my return visitors, most of whom I consider friends.

Everyone has their own reason and purpose for blogging, as well as his or her own way of doing it. Each blogger has to do what works best for them. I got into book blogging because I wanted to have a place where I could talk about the books I read and to share my thoughts with others. I like to think of my blog as a kitchen table where everyone comes to enjoy each other's company. Hopefully you will enjoy your visit while you are here.

What about you? Do you pay attention to your blog stats?

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© 2018, 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.

Waiting to Read Wednesday (#16)

The Old(er) 

I have an embarrassing number of unread books sitting on the shelves in my personal library. Carole of Carole's Random Life in Books has given me the perfect excuse to spotlight and discuss those neglected books in her Books from the Backlog feature. After all, even those older books need a bit of love! Not to mention it is reminding me what great books I have waiting for me under my own roof still to read!

The Passage (The Passage #1) by Justin Cronin (Ballantine, 2010)

“It happened fast. Thirty-two minutes for one world to die, another to be born.”

First, the unthinkable: a security breach at a secret U.S. government facility unleashes the monstrous product of a chilling military experiment. Then, the unspeakable: a night of chaos and carnage gives way to sunrise on a nation, and ultimately a world, forever altered. All that remains for the stunned survivors is the long fight ahead and a future ruled by fear—of darkness, of death, of a fate far worse.

As civilization swiftly crumbles into a primal landscape of predators and prey, two people flee in search of sanctuary. FBI agent Brad Wolgast is a good man haunted by what he’s done in the line of duty. Six-year-old orphan Amy Harper Bellafonte is a refugee from the doomed scientific project that has triggered apocalypse. He is determined to protect her from the horror set loose by her captors. But for Amy, escaping the bloody fallout is only the beginning of a much longer odyssey—spanning miles and decades—towards the time and place where she must finish what should never have begun.

With The Passage, award-winning author Justin Cronin has written both a relentlessly suspenseful adventure and an epic chronicle of human endurance in the face of unprecedented catastrophe and unimaginable danger. Its inventive storytelling, masterful prose, and depth of human insight mark it as a crucial and transcendent work of modern fiction.' to '“It happened fast. Thirty-two minutes for one world to die, another to be born.”  [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read it: This book was all the rage when it first came out and I could not help but add it to my personal library. I think it is the length that has me pausing before actually reading it, but it sure does sound good!

Baking Cakes in Kigali (Bakery #1) by Gaile Parkin

(Delacorte Press, 2009)

Once in a great while a debut novelist comes along who dazzles us with rare eloquence and humanity, who takes us to bold new places and into previously unimaginable lives. Gaile Parkin is just such a talent—and Baking Cakes in Kigali is just such a novel. This gloriously written tale—set in modern-day Rwanda—introduces one of the most singular and engaging characters in recent fiction: Angel Tungaraza—mother, cake baker, keeper of secrets—a woman living on the edge of chaos, finding ways to transform lives, weave magic, and create hope amid the madness swirling all around her.

In Kigali, Angel runs a bustling business: baking cakes for all occasions—cakes filled with vibrant color, buttery richness, and, most of all, a sense of hope only Angel can deliver.…A CIA agent’s wife seeks the perfect holiday cake but walks away with something far sweeter…a former boy-soldier orders an engagement cake, then, between sips of tea, shares an enthralling story…weary human rights workers…lovesick limo drivers. Amid this cacophony of native tongues, love affairs, and confessions, Angel’s kitchen is an oasis where people tell their secrets, where hope abounds and help awaits.

In this unlikely place, in the heart of Rwanda, unexpected things are beginning to happen: A most unusual wedding is planned…a heartbreaking mystery—involving Angel’s own family—unravels…and extraordinary connections are being made among the men and women who have tasted Angel’s beautiful cakes…as a chain of events unfolds that will change Angel’s life—and the lives of those around her—in the most astonishing ways.  [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read it: Oh, wouldn't I love to sit in Angel's shop and enjoy getting to know the various people who walk through her doors! 

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The New

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by the marvelous Tressa at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss upcoming release we are excited about that we have yet to read.

The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter by Hazel Gaynor

Release Date: October 9, 2018 by William Morrow

From The New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Came Home comes a historical novel inspired by true events, and the extraordinary female lighthouse keepers of the past two hundred years. 

“They call me a heroine, but I am not deserving of such accolades. I am just an ordinary young woman who did her duty.” 

1838: Northumberland, England. Longstone Lighthouse on the Farne Islands has been Grace Darling’s home for all of her twenty-two years. When she and her father rescue shipwreck survivors in a furious storm, Grace becomes celebrated throughout England, the subject of poems, ballads, and plays. But far more precious than her unsought fame is the friendship that develops between Grace and a visiting artist. Just as George Emmerson captures Grace with his brushes, she in turn captures his heart. 

1938: Newport, Rhode Island. Nineteen-years-old and pregnant, Matilda Emmerson has been sent away from Ireland in disgrace. She is to stay with Harriet, a reclusive relative and assistant lighthouse keeper, until her baby is born. A discarded, half-finished portrait opens a window into Matilda’s family history. As a deadly hurricane approaches, two women, living a century apart, will be linked forever by their instinctive acts of courage and love. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read it: Hazel Gaynor is an auto-buy for me. And I haven't even read most of her books yet! I love her writing and the stories she weaves together, in this case, two that are a century apart. I look forward to reading this one.

The Vanishing Box (Stephens & Mephisto Mystery #4) by Elly Griffiths

Release Date: October 9, 2018 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

DI Edgar Stephens and the magician Max Mephisto discover once again that the line between art, life, and death is all too easily blurred.

It's the holiday season and Max Mephisto and his daughter Ruby have landed a headlining gig at the Brighton Hippodrome, the biggest theater in the city, an achievement only slightly marred by the less-than-savory supporting act: a tableau show of naked "living statues." But when one of the girls goes missing and turns up dead not long after, Max and Ruby realize there's something far more sinister than obscenity afoot in the theater.

DI Edgar Stephens is on the case. As he searches for the killer, he begins to suspect that her fatal vanishing act may very well be related to another case, the death of a quiet local florist. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read it: A couple of my mystery reader friends are always singing the praises of Elly Griffiths. I really must give her mysteries a try! 

Do any of these books appeal to you? Have you read them?

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© 2018, 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.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books By My Favorite Authors That I Still Haven’t Read

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana at The Artsy Reader Girl.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic is the Books By My Favorite Authors That I Still Haven’t Read. This list could be a mile long--or longer--if I let it. I will keep it to 10, but there are so many more . . .

The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi ~ Although I have had this on my shelf in awhile, I have still yet to read it. I know I will love it. She has a way of making me feel what her characters feel, and experience what they are going through.

Lie Still by Julia Heaberlin ~ One of the author's older novels I want to go back and read. I have loved everything I have read by her so far.

A Desperate Fortune by Susanna Kearsley ~ I love her writing. Kearsley has a way of drawing me in and making me feel like I am a part of her story.

Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, # 5) by Ilona Andrews ~ I love this series and hope to jump back into it one of these days!

River Marked (Mercy Thompson, # 6) by Patricia Briggs ~ Another case of me loving a series and needing to get back to it.

Dark Tide by Elizabeth Haynes - I hope to read everything this author has written. She's one of my favorite crime fiction writers.

China Dolls by Lisa See ~ One of my favorite historical fiction authors whose characters and stories pull at my heartstrings every time.

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen ~ And Sense and Sensibility. I have loved everything I have read by Austen so far.

Furies of Calderon (Codex Alera, #1) by Jim Butcher ~ I am a big fan of the Dresden Files and have been wanting to try the authors more epic or high fantasy series.

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie ~ Whether in fiction, nonfiction or at a speaking engagement, this woman wows me every time.

What books by your favorite authors have you not yet read?

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© 2018, 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.

Bookish Thoughts: Bring Me Their Hearts by Sara Wolf

King Sref of Cavanos watches me with the deadened eyes of a raven circling a corpse--patient, waiting to devour me the second I let my guard down. ~ Opening of Bring Me Their Hearts

Bring Me Their Hearts (Bring Me Their Hearts #1) by Sara Wolf

Entangled Teen, 2018

Fantasy (Romance/YA); 400 pgs

Source: Netgalley

Sara Wolf’s Bring Me Their Hearts was pure entertainment, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Zera is a Heartless, an immortal slave to the witch, Nightsinger, who saved her from the bandits who murdered Zera’s family. Zera wants nothing more than her freedom—and her heart back. Zera is used to being told no when she asks for her heart, but this time Nightsinger offers her a deal. Her heart in exchange for the heart of the prince. Those in power hate the witches and will do anything to see them wiped out of existence. The witches have other ideas and using Zera is their latest ploy to gain the upper hand. Time is short, and Zera must learn the skills of a lady in record time. She must pass as a noble or forfeit her life if caught. Her timing could not be more perfect as Lucien is about to choose a bride. At least that is what his parents want. The crown prince is hard to please, however, and nothing short of extraordinary is bound to catch his eye. Zera is not at all what Lucien expected, nor is he what she expected. The two find themselves fighting their attraction to each other while at the same time unable to stay away. The risk to Zera is high. Her very life hangs on the line either way. If she doesn’t get the prince’s heart, she will die. And stealing his heart is the last thing she wants to do.

Zera may be a bit of a smart-ass, but she truly is smart and quick on her feet. Sometimes I found myself rolling my eyes at her quips, but I liked her just the same. She is in a very difficult position, and I felt for her and her situation. I could not help but think of Monstrosity as I read Bring Me Their Hearts. Zera must work hard to keep her inner monster under control. Not having a heart inside her chest has its consequences. I read a tweet in which someone mentioned the author having referred to the voice inside Zera’s head being a mirror image of the author’s own experience with Depression and how that inner voice continually tells her hurtful things. And I could see that. Zera feels so much guilt over her past, sees herself as a monster, but the more the reader gets to know her, the more she seems less like a monster and more like the caring human being she is. For someone without a heart, she has the biggest heart of all in this novel.

It is a constant struggle for Zera to push those voices down. Zera is grateful to the witch who saved her life but also longing to have the tie to her severed. She hates her fate and the more she gets to know the prince, the less she wants him to have to go through that too. Prince Lucien has the expected arrogance of his position, and as is often the case in novels like this, is a bit of a rebel. I got annoyed at some of the games he played with Zera—clearly he likes her, but playing hard to get got old fast for me. I did like him overall though. Lucien, it turns out, has a good head on his shoulders. And I liked that the romance between the two developed over the course of the novel. Neither he nor Zera trust others quickly—and with good reason.

There are a couple of other characters in the novel that won me over as well—both of whom I was skeptical of at first. Fione, a longtime friend of the prince and Lady Y’shennria, the noble woman who takes Zera in and trains her for court. Both have their own agendas and reasons for wanting to help Zera, although Fione does not have a clue about Zera’s true identity. 

I was intrigued with the world building in this novel. The old versus the new religion, the way science and magic are woven in, and the politics.  The novel has a definite medieval feel to it. The idea of a young woman sent in to assassinate or incapacitate the prince is not a new one, of course. It’s often the story around it that varies. Sara Wolf sets her story in the middle of a war between witches and humans, in which the humans are winning. The witches have developed a strong weapon of their own—that of the Heartless, humans whose hearts they keep in jars. They control those whose hearts they hold captive. Some witches are more humane with their Heartless than others. It could be argued that Zera is lucky the witch holding her heart is humane and even at times kind to her. And while I would not argue against the affection Zera feels toward her witch, there is nothing humane about enslaving someone to do your bidding.

Cliffhangers tend to make me mad, especially in books in which I am deeply involved like this one. Be forewarned as this has a big one. I hope we don’t have to wait long for the next book! Other than that though, I thoroughly enjoyed Bring Me Their Hearts. I look forward to the next book.

For more information about the author and her books, visit her website. You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook.

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© 2018, 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.

Mouse's Corner, The Sunday Edition: Smile by Raina Telgemeier

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by the wonderful Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where participants recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. I am also linking to Stacking the Shelves hosted by the great Team Tynga's Reviews and Marlene of Reading Reality a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently.



Happy Sunday! Sundays here have become Mouse's Just Dance days. Just Dance is an interactive game in which Mouse dances to songs in the game and earns points. Sometimes her dad and I join in. It is a good work out!

Mouse is almost a month and a half into the second grade, can you believe it? We are finally settling into our routine for the school year, balancing school and extracurricular activities. Both Girl Scouts and rehearsals for The Nutcracker kicked off earlier this month. There were also princess birthday parties for Mouse's friends, and, all on her own, Mouse started her very own vlog series. So far she has had a prince week, a dragon week, and a Halloween edition. (I am afraid her vlog is not available for the general public--it is strictly an offline affair.)


New to the Shelves: 

Mouse's Book Fair purchases:

Battle of the Bands and Scarlet's Big Break (Major Eights) 

by Melody Reed, illustrated by Émilie Pépin

Barbie You Can Be a Soccer Player

Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures: The Great Cake Race

Half Birthday Gift (picked out by herself):

The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey

What Mouse is Reading: Mouse and her dad did quite a bit of reading together this past summer. Right now they are reading On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers.  I am a little sad she has not asked me to read her more of War and Peace or Les Miserables in the last couple months. Oh well.

On her own, Mouse is currently reading January Joker (Calendar Mysteries) by Ron Roy. She seems to like mysteries.

Mouse's first read for the school year was Raina Telgemeier's graphic memoir, Smile, which she checked out of her classroom library. I had heard of it, but hadn't read it before. Mouse really took to it and enjoyed reading it. I thought it was quite ambitious of her given it's length. One night I took the opportunity to read it for myself and enjoyed it. I can see why Mouse took to it. Raina, like her, is a Girl Scout, and even though Raina is in sixth grade at the beginning of the novel, she is very relateable. 

Smile (Smile #1) by Raina Telgemeier  

Scholastic, 2009

Nonfiction (Graphic Novel); 224 pgs

Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth, and what follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there’s still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly. This coming-of-age true story is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever been in middle school, and especially those who have ever had a bit of their own dental drama. [Goodreads Summary]

I think the opening picture of the Raina and her family going into the dentist's office is a great opening to the story, especially given the context. See how Raina hangs behind? It's clear she doesn't want to be there. The panels that follow say a lot in few words. "Smile!!" And then the camera goes off. The awkwardness of the moment is captured so well.

From page 56:

 These few panels resonate with me. Raina does not like that she has to wear not only braces, but headgear as well. Her mom tries to comfort her by telling her it is something other kids go through too, but do not talk about it. Raina makes a good point in the last two panels on the page. "Well, Maybe someone should start talking about it!!" And silently adds, "Maybe it would make us feel less like freaks." This could apply to so many different experiences and aspects of life . . .

Raina was younger during the Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989, and a lot closer to the epicenter than I was. Reading about her experience brought back memories just the same. In fact, a lot of the little details throughout the novel reminded me of my own growing up years. I never had to wear braces, but Mouse likely will. She may not remember this book when the time comes, but it might be one to have on hand and revisit.

I admit to being a little concerned about the section about Raina and her friends hitting puberty, but in the end felt it was age appropriate. I am glad I read the book myself so that I was able to help her with any questions she had.

Mouse gave this book five stars, and I have to say I liked it quite a bit too. The artwork was engaging and Raina Telgemeier's story is one I think will appeal to all ages.

Some of Mouse's other recent reads (and re-reads):
The Princess in Black Takes a Vacation (The Princess in Black #4) by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey
Junie B. Jones and Some Sneaky Peeky Spying (Junie B. Jones #4) by Barbara Park, illustrated by Denise Brunkus
Dear Girl, by Dear Girl, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Paris Rosenthal, illustrated by Holly Hatam
Pinkalicious: Mother's Day Surprise by Victoria Kann

Flashlight Friday at school

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© 2018, 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.

Where Is Your Bookmark? (A Peek Into Phoenix Unbound/Cloudy Covers/Polygamous Reading)

I am just over halfway through Lyndsay Faye's Jane Steele and enjoying it quite a bit. Unfortunately, I was in a position yesterday in which I didn't have my copy handy (it's a trade paperback), and so I started reading Grace Draven's Phoenix Unbound on my phone.  I am already hooked.

A woman with power over fire and illusion and an enslaved son of a chieftain battle a corrupt empire in this powerful and deeply emotional romantic fantasy from the USA Today bestselling author of Radiance.

Every year, each village is required to send a young woman to the Empire's capital--her fate to be burned alive for the entertainment of the masses. For the last five years, one small village's tithe has been the same woman. Gilene's sacrifice protects all the other young women of her village, and her secret to staying alive lies with the magic only she possesses.

But this year is different.

Azarion, the Empire's most famous gladiator, has somehow seen through her illusion--and is set on blackmailing Gilene into using her abilities to help him escape his life of slavery. And unknown to Gilene, he also wants to reclaim the birthright of his clan.

To protect her family and village, she will risk everything to return to the Empire--and burn once more.  [Goodreads Summary]

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the wonderful Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.

For Gilene, spring was the season neither of rain or planting, but of suffering. 

She waited beside her mother, sister, and brothers as the caravan of shackled women plodded down Beroe's market street toward the town square. The slavers of the Empire guided the line, shoving their cargo forward with harsh commands and the occasional warning crack of a whip. 

My thoughts: Already the oppressiveness of living under the Empire's rule can be felt in just those first two paragraphs.

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A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Hosted by the wonderful Freda of Freda's Voice.

Summer had finally settled hard on the steppes, chasing away the rains that had lingered for weeks and turned the land into a vast quagmire. The relentless wet had left everyone and everything a soggy, miserable pile of foul-smelling wool. The people, the sheep, the qaras, They all reeked and were in desperate need of drying out. Only the horse herds and the wandering chickens escaped the stench. Today was the first dry day, and the wind galloping across the plains was finally dry instead of damp.  [56%]

My thoughts: I feel miserable just reading this scene. Wet and uncomfortable. It seems like they are in for some relief, at least weather wise.


What do you think? Does this sound like book you would be interested in reading? 

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Originally hosted by Books by Proxy, Friday Face Off is now hosted by the fabulous Lynn of  Lynn’s Book Blog. Participants are asked to feature two more more covers of the same book with the week's assigned theme, and pick a favorite. 

This week the theme is a book whose cover features clouds ~ I wandered lonely as a cloud.

I read She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb years ago. I remember being really moved by it.

I found quite a few covers for this one, not all of which I included believe it or not. My personal copy of the book matches the cover in the last row on the left, the head surrounded by water coming out of the water. My favorite of the covers is actually the top middle one with the blue dress. It's simple and yet detailed, and I just love the blue hues. 

Which cover do you prefer? 

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Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Do you like to finish one book before starting the next or do you read several at once? (submitted by Cathy @What Cathy Read Next)

I used to be a monogamous reader, preferring to finish one book before starting another. When I began listening to audiobooks, I realized that was not very realistic, especially given how long it takes me to get through just one audiobook. And then I began juggling more than one book at a time, depending on where I was at any given moment and how best to sneak in some reading time. A paper book, a book on my e-reader and another on my phone perhaps? Sometimes it's a matter of wanting something quick to read while in the middle of a longer book. Or something funny and light to take the edge of a more serious or depressing read.

I currently am taking part in two different year long read-alongs, one for Les Misérables and another for War and Peace. As a result, I have had at least three books going at once, sometimes more (four right now, in fact), since the beginning of the year. My fear of forgetting or not being able to keep a story straight hasn't been a problem, thankfully, even when the books are in similar genres. Sometimes I do struggle with which book to read when they all are good

What about you?

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© 2018, 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.

Waiting to Read Wednesday (#15)

The Old(er) 

I have an embarrassing number of unread books sitting on the shelves in my personal library. Carole of Carole's Random Life in Books has given me the perfect excuse to spotlight and discuss those neglected books in her Books from the Backlog feature. After all, even those older books need a bit of love! Not to mention it is reminding me what great books I have waiting for me under my own roof still to read!

Anne Frank: The Book, the Life, the Afterlife by Francine Prose

(Harper Collins, 2010)

In Anne Frank: The Book, the Life, the Afterlife, Francine Prose, author of Reading Like a Writer, deftly parses the artistry, ambition, and enduring influence of Anne Frank’s beloved classic, The Diary of a Young Girl. Approved by both the Anne Frank House Foundation in Amsterdam and the Anne Frank-Fonds in Basel, run by the Frank family, this work of literary criticism unravels the complex, fascinating story of the diary and effectively makes the case for it being a work of art from a precociously gifted writer. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read it: The Diary of a Young Girl made quite an impression on me when I first read it as it has many people over the years. Francine Prose's book about the famous classic caught my attention years ago. I am looking forward to reading this one.

Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables #1) by L.M. Montgomery (Puffin Classics, originally published in 1908)

As soon as Anne Shirley arrives at the snug white farmhouse called Green Gables, she is sure she wants to stay forever . . . but will the Cuthberts send her back to to the orphanage? Anne knows she's not what they expected—a skinny girl with fiery red hair and a temper to match. If only she can convince them to let her stay, she'll try very hard not to keep rushing headlong into scrapes and blurting out the first thing that comes to her mind. Anne is not like anyone else, the Cuthberts agree; she is special—a girl with an enormous imagination. This orphan girl dreams of the day when she can call herself Anne of Green Gables. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read it: It is true. I have never read Anne of Green Gables. I bought a copy a couple of years ago so that when the time comes, my daughter might read it. Maybe we will read it together--or me alone. Sometimes giving in to peer pressure is worth it. 

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The New

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by the marvelous Tressa at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss upcoming release we are excited about that we have yet to read.

The Sadness of Beautiful Things: Stories by Simon Van Booy

Release Date: October 2, 2018 by Penguin Books

An exquisite new collection of short stories from award-winning author Simon Van Booy.

Over the past decade, Simon Van Booy has been listening to people's stories. With these personal accounts as a starting point, he has crafted a powerful collection of short fiction that takes readers into the innermost lives of everyday people. From a family saved from ruin by a mysterious benefactor, to a downtrodden boxer who shows unexpected kindness to a mugger, these masterfully written tales reveal not only the precarious balance maintained between grief and happiness in our lives, but also how the echoes of personal tragedy can shape us for the better. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read it: Simon Van Booy has a way with words that I find irresistible. Where he is writing a novel or short stories, I find myself lost in his words, his characters coming to life. 

Shadow of The Fox (Shadow of the Fox #1) by Julie Kagawa

Release Date: October 2, 2018 by Harlequin Teen

One thousand years ago, the great Kami Dragon was summoned to grant a single terrible wish—and the land of Iwagoto was plunged into an age of darkness and chaos.

Now, for whoever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers, a new wish will be granted. A new age is about to dawn.

Raised by monks in the isolated Silent Winds temple, Yumeko has trained all her life to hide her yokai nature. Half kitsune, half human, her skill with illusion is matched only by her penchant for mischief. Until the day her home is burned to the ground, her adoptive family is brutally slain and she is forced to flee for her life with the temple’s greatest treasure—one part of the ancient scroll.

There are many who would claim the dragon’s wish for their own. Kage Tatsumi, a mysterious samurai of the Shadow Clan, is one such hunter, under orders to retrieve the scroll…at any cost. Fate brings Kage and Yumeko together. With a promise to lead him to the scroll, an uneasy alliance is formed, offering Yumeko her best hope for survival. But he seeks what she has hidden away, and her deception could ultimately tear them both apart.

With an army of demons at her heels and the unlikeliest of allies at her side, Yumeko’s secrets are more than a matter of life or death. They are the key to the fate of the world itself. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read it: Julie Kagawa is another one of those author's whose work I have been wanting to try, but have yet to do so. The Shadow of the Fox seems like a great place to start. I love the sound of this one!

The Hollow of Fear (Lady Sherlock #3) by Sherry Thomas

Release Date: October 2, 2018 by Berkley

Charlotte Holmes, Lady Sherlock, returns in the Victorian-set mystery series from the USA Today bestselling author of A Conspiracy in Belgravia and A Study in Scarlet Women, an NPR Best Book of 2016.

Under the cover of "Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective," Charlotte Holmes puts her extraordinary powers of deduction to good use. Aided by the capable Mrs. Watson, Charlotte draws those in need to her and makes it her business to know what other people don't. When her dear friend Lord Ingram stands accused of the murder of his estranged wife, Charlotte goes under disguise to help prove his innocence to Scotland Yard. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read it: I know, I know. When am I going to read the first two books in this series. Soon. I am sure I will love this series.

Do any of these books appeal to you? Have you read them?

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© 2018, 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.