Where Is Your Bookmark: A Peek into Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries (& Other Friday Discussion Fun)

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

Shadow is not at all happy with me. He lies by the fire while the child wind rattles the door, tail inert, staring out from beneath that shaggy forelock of his with the sort of accusatory resignation peculiar to dogs, as if to say: Of all the stupid adventures you've dragged me on, this will surely be the death of us. I fear I have to agree, though this makes me no less eager to begin my research.  [opening paragraph of Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries]

Such an inviting opening with an introduction first to her dog and then the main character! And then a sense of foreboding--just what are they in for? 

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. NOTE: Friday 56 is currently on an indefinite hiatus.

For a moment, I saw something--a shadow upon my third finger. It was only visible from the corner of my eye, and only then when I let my mind wander and did not think of it. My hand was very cold. [excerpt from 46% of Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries]

I am deep into Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett and loving it so far. It is the book that won my September TBR List Poll earlier this month. 

A curmudgeonly professor journeys to a small town in the far north to study faerie folklore and discovers dark fae magic, friendship, and love, in this heartwarming and enchanting fantasy.

Cambridge professor Emily Wilde is good at many things: She is the foremost expert on the study of faeries. She is a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher who is writing the world's first encyclopaedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good at people. She could never make small talk at a party--or even get invited to one. And she prefers the company of her books, her dog, Shadow, and the Fair Folk to other people.

So when she arrives in the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik, Emily has no intention of befriending the gruff townsfolk. Nor does she care to spend time with another new arrival: her dashing and insufferably handsome academic rival Wendell Bambleby, who manages to charm the townsfolk, get in the middle of Emily's research, and utterly confound and frustrate her.

But as Emily gets closer and closer to uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones--the most elusive of all faeries--lurking in the shadowy forest outside the town, she also finds herself on the trail of another mystery: Who is Wendell Bambleby, and what does he really want? To find the answer, she'll have to unlock the greatest mystery of all--her own heart. [Goodreads Summary]

Does this sound like a book you would like to read? What book is your bookmark in this week? 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. It is co-hosted by Linda Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, Roberta from Offbeat YA, Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About, Berl's from Because Reading is Better than Real Life, and Karen from For What It’s Worth. Join in by answering this week's question in the comments or on your own blog.

New to me authors: who have you discovered this year?

I do not know if "discovered" is the right word since I had already heard of many of the new to me authors I read for the first time this year. At the head of the list would be Julie Mulhern, author of the Country Club Murders Mystery series, which I FINALLY began this year. T.J. Klune (Under the Whispering Door) is another one I am glad I finally took a chance on. Aida Salazar (The Moon Within) and Anna V.Q. Ross (Flutter, Kick) are brilliant poetesses. This year, I also read and enjoyed books by new to me authors Shannon Messenger (Keeper of the Lost Cities series), T.J. Newman (Falling), Jessica Ellicott (Murder at a London Finishing School), and Colson Whitehead (Nickel Boys). I am sure there are more I am forgetting, but these are the ones that most stand out. 

Which new to you authors have you read for the first time this year and enjoyed? 

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.

Has reading helped you become a better person? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)

 

Personally, I believe reading in general has helped shape who I am and what I believe. It has expanded my worldview and caused me to examine my own motivations, thoughts, and feelings in ways I might not have if it hadn't been for reading. I have traveled the world in books, shared experiences with characters leading very different or similar lives, exposing me to new ideas and ways of thinking. Is it the same as traveling in the real world and being exposed to real people in those same or similar situations? Not nearly to the same degree, but I still believe it has an influence on my overall outlook on life. 

Reading is food for the mind and the soul. I am more knowledgeable thanks to reading. It has helped me get where I am in my career and continues to help as I grow and learn in every aspect of my life, a process that is never-ending--as it should be for all of us. And reading helps calm my racing mind when I need something singular to focus on, to distract me, or relieve stress. It's good for my mental health. Reading has shown me that I am not alone, given me comfort, and challenged me to do and be better.  

Reading has made me more curious, ask more questions, think critically, and look beyond the surface. It's helped me better understand the why just as much as the how and who. How much of this is due to the books I read versus other influences or just who I am intrinsically, I cannot say. It's likely a combination of them all at varying degrees.  

Has reading shaped who you are as a person?

 I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!

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