Can't Wait Wednesday: The Volcano Daughters / A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor / The Last Witch in Edinburgh / The Girl Who Knew Too Much

The New

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

Here are three upcoming releases that caught my attention and immediately ended up on my wish list. I am looking forward to reading all of them! 

The Volcano Daughters by Gina María Balibrera
Release Date: 08/20/2024 by Pantheon

A saucy, searingly original debut about two sisters raised in the shadow of El Salvador’s brutal dictator, El Gran Pendejo, and their flight from genocide, which takes them from Hollywood to Paris to cannery row, each followed by a chorus of furies, the ghosts of their murdered friends, who aren’t yet done telling their stories.

El Salvador, 1923. Graciela grows up on a volcano in a community of indigenous women indentured to coffee plantations owned by the country’s wealthiest, until a messenger from the Capital comes to claim at nine years old she’s been chosen to be an oracle for a rising dictator—a sinister, violent man wedded to the occult. She’ll help foresee the future of the country.

In the Capital she meets Consuelo, the sister she’s never known, stolen away from their home before Graciela was born. The two are a small fortress within the dictator’s regime, but they’re no match for El Gran Pendejo’s cruelty. Years pass and terror rises as the economy flatlines, and Graciela comes to understand the horrific vision that she’s unwittingly helped shape just as genocide strikes the community that raised her. She and Consuelo barely escape, each believing the other to be dead. They run, crossing the globe, reinventing their lives, and ultimately reconnecting at the least likely moment.

Endlessly surprising, vividly imaginative, bursting with lush life, The Volcano Daughters charts, through the stories of these sisters and the ghosts they carry with them, a new history and mythology of El Salvador, fiercely bringing forth voices that have been calling out for generations. [Goodreads Summary]

A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor (#1) by Darci Hannah
Release Date: 08/20/2024 by Kensington Cozies

While filming at a haunted English manor, chef Bunny MacBride’s big break on her first reality TV show may be cut short by an unscripted murder in Darci Hannah’s new Food & Spirits cozy mystery series . . . 

It isn’t how chef Bridget “Bunny” MacBride imagined her own cooking show unfolding. But, if preparing historic meals with a modern flair is what it takes to get her cooking on the air, she can deliver, even if her dinner guest is a ghost. That’s the premise of the new reality TV show Food & Spirits, where Chef Bunny teams up with ghost hunter Brett Bloom and psychic medium Giff McGrady to visit haunted locales around the world and tempt lingering spirits back to the table with a beloved meal. 

For their first episode, the Food & Spirits team sets off to investigate Bramsford Manor, a historic house turned famously haunted hotel, in picturesque Hampshire, England. The sprawling estate is said to be home to the Mistletoe Bride, a young woman who died in the 18th century, the victim of a tragic accident on her Christmas wedding night. Disliking spooks but loving food, Bunny leaves the spectral search to the pros and focuses on the feast, creating a traditional English holiday wedding dinner, complete with a gorgeous prime rib, Yorkshire pudding, and rustic apple tarts. It’s a sumptuous meal she hopes will entice the ghostly Mistletoe Bride to take a seat and join them while the cameras roll. But Bunny’s task is made more difficult when someone steals a boning knife from her custom kit. Alas, when the blade finally turns up again—in the chest of an all-too-human dinner guest—Bunny’s woes only grow as she is named a lead suspect in the case! Now, with a haunted house full of living residents, staff, and crew, Bunny will need the help of Brett, Giff, and her clairvoyant Grandma Mac, to solve this murder before the manor gains another ghost! [Goodreads Summary]

The Last Witch in Edinburgh by Marielle Thompson
Release Date: 08/20/2024 by Kensington

This lush, atmospheric novel blends witchcraft, queer love, a vibrant Edinburgh setting, and Scottish folklore for a propulsive and emotional story exploring what it means to resist the patriarchy and find your voice.

In an alternate Edinburgh of 1824, every woman lives in fear that she will be the next one hanged for witchcraft. All it takes is invoking the anger, or the desire, of the wrong person. Nellie Duncan, beautiful and unwed, keeps to herself until she encounters the Rae Women’s Apothecary. There, fiery Jean Rae and the other women provide cures and teach others that they too can aid the winter deity, the Cailleach, embracing her characteristic independence, agency, and craft, in turn becoming witches themselves.

Nellie finds a place and a purpose at the shop, and a blossoming romance with Jean, as she learns about nature-based craft and a witch’s ability to return to life after death. But the Cailleach has an ancient enemy intent on stripping the power of the deity and all her witches, leaving a wake of patriarchal violence and destruction.

When heart-breaking disaster strikes, Nellie flees and spends the next two centuries hiding from the world—until love gives her the courage and the motivation to come back. Nellie’s past is waiting for her there, and hanging witches is no longer the only means of oppression. But this time, Nellie refuses to run—either from her foes, or from her resolve to awaken others to the unimaginable power that can come with fighting the patriarchy in its many forms—and finding one’s own magical inner-strength. [Goodreads Summary]

Do any of these books interest you? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to reading?

The Old(er) 

Carole of Carole's Random Life in Books has given me the perfect excuse to spotlight those unread books on my TBR in her Books from the Backlog feature, reminding me what great books I have waiting for me under my own roof still to read!

These past few months I have been featuring books on the losing end of my TBR List Poll, all books which are on my TBR shelves. This one was one of the options in my August 2017 poll that I have not managed to get to yet.

The Girl Who Knew Too Much (Burning Cove #1) by Amanda Quick (2017)

Amanda Quick, the bestselling author of ’Til Death Do Us Part, transports readers to 1930s California, where glamour and seduction spawn a multitude of sins…

When Hollywood moguls and stars want privacy, they head to an idyllic small town on the coast, where the exclusive Burning Cove Hotel caters to their every need. It’s where reporter Irene Glasson finds herself staring down at a beautiful actress at the bottom of a pool…

The dead woman had a red-hot secret about up-and-coming leading man Nick Tremayne, a scoop that Irene couldn’t resist—especially since she’s just a rookie at a third-rate gossip rag. But now Irene’s investigation into the drowning threatens to tear down the wall of illusion that is so deftly built around the famous actor, and there are powerful men willing to do anything to protect their investment.

Seeking the truth, Irene finds herself drawn to a master of deception. Oliver Ward was once a world-famous magician—until he was mysteriously injured during his last performance. Now the owner of the Burning Cove Hotel, he can’t let scandal threaten his livelihood, even if it means trusting Irene, a woman who seems to have appeared in Los Angeles out of nowhere four months ago…

With Oliver’s help, Irene soon learns that the glamorous paradise of Burning Cove hides dark and dangerous secrets. And that the past—always just out of sight—could drag them both under… [Goodreads Summary]

Have you read The Girl Who Knew Too Much?  Does this book sound like something you would like to read? 

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© 2024, 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.

Weekly Mews: Disneyland Vacation & My Bookish Mewsings on Parable of the Sower & The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer and The Sunday Salon (TSS) hosted by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz  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 It's Monday! What Are you Reading? hosted by Kathryn of Book Date where readers talk about what they have been, are and will be reading.

I am linking up Stacking the Shelves hosted by Marlene of Reading Reality a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently.  

This past week went by too fast. It always does when I am on vacation. My family and I spent a couple of days at Disneyland and California Adventure, with a day in between to rest our feet and recover from the heat and crowds. We had a fun time, and I am glad we got a chance to go. I was not sure it would happen with the bee situation and having to paint the house this summer, but we were able to work it into our budget. Anjin and I had decided our anniversary gift to each other this year would be a painting of Disney art, and we picked one out while at Off the Page art store in California Adventure. Now to find a place for it . . . Disneyland holds a special place in our hearts because Anjin and I got married in the rose garden at the Disneyland Hotel many years ago. 

View of the train station upon entering the Disneyland Park (photo taken by Anjin)

Entrance to the Rise of the Resistance Rise Ride at Disneyland (photo taken by Anjin)

View from inside the Rise to the Resistance ride at Disneyland (photo taken by Anjin)

View of Rivers of America at Disneyland (photo taken by Anjin)

View from inside the Little Mermaid ride at California Adventure (photo taken by Anjin)

View of hearse carriage (all ready for Halloween and Christmas!) outside 

the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland (photo taken by me)

A sign from inside Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway ride 

at Disneyland (photo taken my Anjin)

We picked up Mouse's school schedule for this coming school year this past Thursday. She isn't too happy to see her summer come to an end--and who would be? She seems satisfied with the order of her classes, so that's at least something. Her first day back is this coming Monday. I still have a few more days off of work before I go back on Thursday. 

What have you been up to?

I have my bookmark in Amari and the Great Game by B.B. Alston, the second book in his middle grade fantasy Special Investigations series. The third book is coming out later this month, and I have it on pre-order. It is such a fun series. 

What are you reading right now?

My TBR List is hosted by Michelle at Because Reading. The 1st Saturday of every month, I will list 3 books from my TBR pile I am considering reading and let you vote for my next read during that month. My review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise).  

Thank you to everyone who voted in August's TBR poll. I am excited about all three of these books and was on pins and needles to see which book you would select for me this month. 

Black Sun (Between Earth and Sky #1) by Rebecca Roanhorse received five (5) votes and The Sentence by Louise Erdrich came in with six (6) votes. Winning with nine (9) votes, is The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava! Thanks again to everyone who voted! I plan to start The Truth According to Ember tonight. 

This past week I finished reading Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler (while waiting in line at Disneyland--which seems like a strange juxtaposition) and The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye by Briony Cameron. 

Parable of the Sower (Earthseed #1) by Octavia Butler 
Grand Central Publishing, 2023 (originally published in 1993)
Fiction/Dystopian/Modern Classic; 356 pgs

This acclaimed post-apocalyptic novel of hope and terror from an award-winning author "pairs well with 1984 or The Handmaid's Tale" and includes a foreword by N. K. Jemisin (John Green, New York Times).

When global climate change and economic crises lead to social chaos in the early 2020s, California becomes full of dangers, from pervasive water shortage to masses of vagabonds who will do anything to live to see another day. Fifteen-year-old Lauren Olamina lives inside a gated community with her preacher father, family, and neighbors, sheltered from the surrounding anarchy. In a society where any vulnerability is a risk, she suffers from hyperempathy, a debilitating sensitivity to others' emotions.

Precocious and clear-eyed, Lauren must make her voice heard in order to protect her loved ones from the imminent disasters her small community stubbornly ignores. But what begins as a fight for survival soon leads to something much the birth of a new faith . . . and a startling vision of human destiny. [Goodreads Summary]

Parable of the Sower opens on July 20, 2024, and spans over the next few years. Butler's novel shares  similarities to other dystopian novels I have read (Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel particularly comes to mind), while at the same time standing out as the modern classic it has become. I found the first half of the novel slower in pace than the second half, but appreciated those earlier chapters as they helped create a real feel for the world Lauren and her neighbors were living in and the dangers outside their gates. When she is forced to leave everything she knows behind, her situation becomes even more harrowing, and it became harder to tear myself away from the book because I needed to know that Lauren and her companions would be okay. 

A nudge from several people on the social media site Threads was all the encouragement I needed to read Parable of Sower, but I was hesitant at first. With climate change concerns, fires all over the state, recent earthquakes (however small), ever threatening drought conditions, and political/economic and racial tensions being a part of our current reality, I worried this book would hit too close to home. Octavia E. Butler wrote this book with reality in mind--a future she could see if certain problems and issues weren't addressed and continued on as they were. It was easy to imagine how Lauren's world could be our own. Butler's writing deserves credit for that as well. Her descriptions of the poverty and crime--the dangers the characters faced and their desperation and fear, the lengths people went to in order to survive--it was all very visceral. And with the novel being set in current times, with references to an actual reality we actually live in, it made this novel all the more effective.

Lauren is such an interesting character. Only 15 at the start of the novel, she has already lived a lifetime in some respects, taken on responsibilities that most 15 year olds today wouldn't have to. She is extremely resourceful which is one of her biggest strengths. I was curious to see how her hyperempathy would come into play in the novel--would it be more of a strength or a hindrance? I had a better appreciation of Butler's inclusion of it later in the novel. 

One aspect of the novel I have mixed feelings about is the religious one. I applaud Butler for including a character who questions the faith she was raised in, especially at a time when life is so dire and so little hope exists. I think it is only natural. Lauren's father was a preacher and so Christianity was a big part of her life; she comes to the conclusion that her father's faith is not her own, and she forms her own belief system called Earthseed. The novel is written like a diary, capturing Lauren's experiences and also documenting the beliefs that make up Earthseed. It was interesting, but I admit I was more interested in the other aspects of the novel and less about Lauren's religious insights. Perhaps because I am not religious myself. It did spark some interesting discussions with my husband at least.  

Parable of the Sower is my second Octavia E. Butler novel. I read Kindred earlier this year and was greatly moved by it. This one was just as poignant in its own way. I do want to read Parable of the Talents, the second in the Earthseed series, but will probably put it off for a little while. 

Source: Purchased copy for my own reading pleasure.

The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye by Briony Cameron
Atria, 2024

Historical Fiction; 368 pgs

This epic, dazzling tale based on true events illuminates a woman of color’s rise to power as one of the few purported female pirate captains to sail the Caribbean, and the forbidden love story that will shape the course of history.

In the tumultuous town of Yáquimo, Santo Domingo, Jacquotte Delahaye is an unknown but up-and-coming shipwright. Her dreams are bold but her ambitions are bound by the confines of her life with her self-seeking French father. When her way of life and the delicate balance of power in the town are threatened, she is forced to flee her home and become a woman on the run along with a motley crew of refugees, including a mysterious young woman named Teresa.

Jacquotte and her band become indentured servants to the infamous Blackhand, a ruthless pirate captain who rules his ship with an iron fist. As they struggle to survive his brutality, Jacquotte finds herself unable to resist Teresa despite their differences. When Blackhand hatches a dangerous scheme to steal a Portuguese shipment of jewels, Jacquotte must rely on her wits, resourcefulness, and friends to survive. But she discovers there is a grander, darker scheme of treachery at play, and she ultimately must decide what price she is willing to pay to secure a better future for them all.

An unforgettable tale told in three parts, The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye is a thrilling, buccaneering escapade filled with siege and battle, and is also a tender exploration of friendship, love, and the search for freedom and home. [Goodreads Summary]

I fell in love with the cover of The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye, but it was the description that sold me on it. A historical novel about a female pirate and forbidden love? Yes, please! 

Jacquotte Delahaye is the daughter of a Haitian woman and a exiled French nobleman. She and her younger brother were raised by her father after her mother died in childbirth. Jacquotte is content with her life in Yáquimo where she works as a shipwright, although that quickly changes when Jacquotte unwittingly finds herself in the middle of a power struggle that forces her, her brother, and  her closest friends to flee. This is the story of how Jacquotte came to be a pirate, from the time she first took to the sea, was indentured to the infamous pirate Captain Blackhand, and came to be a pirate captain herself. If Jacquotte Delahaye is real or legend, no one really knows. Author Briony Cameron was inspired by the idea though and crafted an action packed, heartfelt and entertaining tale about "Back to the Dead Red", as Jacquotte Delahaye came to be called because of her red hair and her many feats. 

Jacquotte faced a lot of challenges, not the least of which were the color of her skin and the fact that she was a woman. She knew how to survive, however, and was not afraid to fight hard for what she believed in. She was smart and tenacious. Jacquotte has the advantage of being well-educated and being able to speak and understand many languages, which comes in quite handy in her life as a pirate. She is also very loyal and protective of her friends.

This novel was brutal at times, violent and cruel. Author Briony Cameron does not shy away from including the realities of colonialism, slavery, racism, and the poor treatment of women during the 17th century setting. Jacquotte may not have hesitated to kill and steal, but she did not abide by slavery or the abuse of women. Her moral code won her allies when she needed them the most. 

Woven into this swashbuckling tale of pirates, high seas adventure, and revenge was a thread or two of romance, just the right amount that never distracted from the rest of the novel and only strengthened the narrative. It took a while for Teresa, Jacquotte's love interest, to grow on me, but she proved to be a force of nature in her own right. 

Is this book historically accurate? Probably not. But I found The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye to be such a compelling and entertaining read, that it doesn't matter. Whether Jacquotte is real or not, she is a character I enjoyed getting to know and wish I could go on more adventures with. 

Source: Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Have you read either of these books? If so, what did you think?

New to my shelves (recent book purchases):

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson

Have you read any of these books? If so, what did you think? 

I hope you have a great week! Let me know what you have been reading!

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© 2024, 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.

Can't Wait Wednesday: Love and Other Conspiracies / The Third Wife of Faraday House / New Adventures in Space Opera / The Readaholics and the Falcon Fiasco

The New

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

Here are three upcoming releases that caught my attention and immediately ended up on my wish list. I am looking forward to reading all of them! 

Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe
Release Date: 08/20/2024 by Berkley

The hardest thing for a paranormal conspiracy theorist and a web series producer to believe in is finding love in this swoony debut romantic comedy.

Hallie Barrett's life has imploded after she's dumped by her hotshot ex, who also happens to be her coworker and the star of the online series she was producing. Without a new show to present for the company competition, she’ll be out of a job. But inspiration can come from the strangest places . . . like the most handsome guy she’s ever seen passionately discussing Bigfoot on a late-night docuseries.

Hayden Hargrove made a name for himself as a cryptid expert on his hit podcast, and is intrigued by the plucky, blue-haired producer who offers him the opportunity to lead his own web show. When the production team sees that Hayden’s solo on-screen presence is bad enough to make a ghost blanch, Hallie jumps on camera too, hitting him (and his cryptids) with a healthy dose of skepticism—and enough chemistry to electrify their show to the top of the competition.

As Hayden and Hallie investigate the unknown, they unearth feelings for each other that shake their beliefs to the core. In their search for Mothman, aliens, and the truth, the most elusive discovery might just be learning to love again. [Goodreads Summary]

The Third Wife of Faraday House by B.R. Myers
Release Date: 08/20/2024 by William Morrow

The Edgar Award–winning author of A Dreadful Splendor blends mystery and spooky thrills with friendship and romance in this delicious love letter to Gothic fiction, featuring two brides who must band together to unravel the ghostly secrets at the heart of a crumbling island manor.

'Til death do us part...

November 1816: Restless but naïve Emeline Fitzpatrick is desperate to escape her stifling life in foggy Halifax. Her guardian is lining up repugnant suitors, but Emeline has her eyes set on a handsome lieutenant in the British navy. She just needs to persuade him to propose, or her one chance at happiness will be gone forever.

But when Emeline’s hopes end in scandal, she finds herself with only one suitor left: the wealthy and enigmatic Captain Graves. Having already lost two wives to tragic circumstances, the unfortunate widower is seeking a new companion in his cloistered seaside manor, Faraday House. Or at least that is what Emeline had been told, because when she arrives, she is horrified to discover that the second Mrs. Graves, Georgina, has not yet died.

Emeline is only certain of two things: something ghastly is afoot at Faraday House, and no one is going to save her. She will have to rely on her own courage, her burgeoning bond with the ill but strong-willed Georgina, and the aid of a handsome reverend with a mysterious past to unravel the secrets at the heart of the manor and forge her own destiny. [Goodreads Summary]

New Adventures in Space Opera by Jonathan Strahan

Release Date: 08/13/2024 by Tachyon Publications

Have you ever wanted a faster-than-light trip to the future? Are you tired of reading science fiction novels that feel like they’re taking literal eons to finish? These fifteen award-winning and bestselling science fiction authors, including Charlie Jane Anders, Alastair Reynolds, Yoon Ha Lee, Becky Chambers, Tobias S. Buckell, Ann Leckie, and Sam J. Miller, and more, are here as your speedy guides to infinity and beyond.

In “Zen and the Art of Starship Maintenance,” a cloud-based contractor finds a human war criminal clinging to the hull of the ship. The clones of “All the Colours You Thought Were Kings,” about to attend their coming-of-age ceremony, are plotting treason. During “A Temporary Embarrassment in Spacetime,” two outlaws go on the run after stealing a device from a space cult.

Here are the new, adventurous―and most efficient―takes on interstellar battles, sentient spaceships, and political intrigue on a galactic scale. Discover where memories live and die, and where memes rise and fall in moments. Remember, the future is sooner than you think, and there’s only so much time for visiting it. [Goodreads Summary]

Do any of these books interest you? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to reading?

The Old(er) 

Carole of Carole's Random Life in Books has given me the perfect excuse to spotlight those unread books on my TBR in her Books from the Backlog feature, reminding me what great books I have waiting for me under my own roof still to read!

These past few months I have been featuring books on the losing end of my TBR List Poll, all books which are on my TBR shelves. I featured the third book in my March 2017 TBR Poll, but soon after got the first in the series to read first since I hadn't gotten to it yet. Both are still on my TBR, but I am still very interested in reading this series. 

The Readaholics and the Falcon Fiasco (Book Club Mystery #1) by Laura DiSilverio (2015)

Amy-Faye Johnson’s book club, the Readaholics, enjoys guessing whodunit in mysteries like The Maltese Falcon. But when a murder happens in their midst, they discover that solving crimes is harder that reading about them…

Amy-Faye has always loved her idyllic Rocky Mountain town of Heaven, Colorado. Her event-planning business is thriving, her fellow book-obsessed Readaholics are great, and her parents live only a few blocks away. But lately her hometown has felt a little less heavenly. First, she agrees to plan a wedding without realizing the groom is her ex-boyfriend. Then, Ivy, one of her fellow Readaholics, dies suddenly under mysterious circumstances.

The police rule Ivy’s death a suicide by poisoning, but Amy-Faye and the remaining Readaholics suspect foul play. Amy-Faye soon discovers that Ivy was hiding dangerous secrets—and making deadly enemies. Taking a page from her favorite literary sleuths, Amy-Faye is determined to find the real killer and close the book on this case. But finding the truth could spell her own ending… [Goodreads Summary]

Have you read The Readaholics and the Falcon Fiasco?  Does this book sound like something you would like to read? 

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© 2024, 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.

Weekly Mews: My July Wrap Up & It's Time to Vote for My August TBR Read!

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer and The Sunday Salon (TSS) hosted by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz  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 It's Monday! What Are you Reading? hosted by Kathryn of Book Date where readers talk about what they have been, are and will be reading.

I am linking up Stacking the Shelves hosted by Marlene of Reading Reality a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently.  

Happy August! I am taking this next week off work to spend with my family before Mouse starts school again on the 12th. We pick up Mouse's class schedule on Thursday. 

The painters are almost finished painting the exterior of our house, and my mom has returned from her drive to Seattle, with a long stopover in Sacramento. Mouse was tasked with watering her grandma's plants while she was out of town. There have been fires. Lots of fires, a couple of which we kept a close eye on because they were closer to home than we liked (they never got close enough to us to threaten an evacuation, fortunately). There were a couple of earthquakes. And heat. We had an especially hot week last week, and while it was a little cooler this week, it wasn't by much. I was glad I had my sweater when working in the office though. They have the air conditioner cranked up very high. It's much easier to layer up than to try to find ways to stay cool though, so I cannot complain. Mouse had fun with her Girl Scout troop at Knott's Berry Farm one day this past month. And she has been able to spend time with friends here and there. I think that sums up the last couple weeks or so.  

I have cat pictures for you. For once Nina would not cooperate with my attempt to take a photo of her, and Gracie did not runaway when I captured her picture while reading my book. It felt a bit like Freaky Friday with them changing places. 

If I forget to give the cats their evening treats, they gang up on me, as you can see below.

What have you been up to?

Books Read in July

I read quite a variety in July, both in genre and format. Even so, I spent a lot of time in the past, it would seem. I was able to fit in three audiobooks, which is huge for me given my preference for print and e-books. I listened to the sixth book in J.D. Robb's In Death futuristic mystery series (and enjoyed it) and revisited the third and fourth books in Jim Butcher's Dresden Files urban fantasy series, which I first read in paperback almost twenty years ago. I wasn't quite as enamored with Harry this time around, but I still enjoyed the books.

In July I finished reading the third book in V.E. Schwab's Shades of Magic trilogy, A Conjuring of Light, and loved it. It was a strong finish for the trilogy. I look forward to reading Threads of Power, the third in the sequel trilogy--but not quite yet. I also finally read the last book in the Invisible Library series by Genevieve Cogman, An Untold Story, which I had been putting off. I really didn't want to see the series come to an end. I enjoyed my time with Irene, Kai, and Vale.

This past month I also read The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay which was a fun and gripping read. It sparked a couple of late night conversations with my husband about the history in and around the Cold War. I read the latest in Kate Khavari's Saffron Everleigh historical cozy mystery series, A Botanist's Guide to Society and Secrets. While it wasn't as intense as the previous books in the series, it was no less compelling. I think it was my favorite yet in the series. Housekeepers by Alex Hay was a good read. I love a heist novel and the addition of a revenge trope made this one all the more intriguing. It took a darker turn than I had expected, but it only made that desire for revenge all the more sweeter. 

I had put off reading the young adult novel Pulp, but I am glad I finally gave it a chance. As often happens with dual time line novels, I found myself more invested in the historical story line, about a young woman trying to come into her own during a time when loving another woman was considered subversive. It made me think of Malinda Lo's Last Night at the Telegraph Club, which is one of my all time favorite books. Mouse asked me (well, said I had to, is closer to reality) to read the young adult graphic novel duology, Magical Boy, which is her current favorite. The books are about a young trans boy who inherits magical abilities and must fight off a great evil while also facing transphobia both by outsiders and within his own family. The books carry a strong and positive message, even with such serious themes. I thought they were great.

It may have taken me two months to read because I was taking it slowly, but Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver is my favorite of all my July reads. I think having read David Copperfield by Charles Dickens so close before it enhanced my reading of it, but it's not at all necessary to read the classic to appreciate Kingsolver's book. Demon Copperhead has it's own distinct voice and story. 

(courtesy of Storygraph)

• A Vengeance in Death (#6) by J.D. Robb, narrated by Susan Eriksen
• A  Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic #3) by V.E. Schwab
• Pulp by Robin Talley
• The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay
• A Botanist's Guide to Society and Secrets (Saffron Everleigh Mystery #3) by Kate Khavari
• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver 
• The Housekeepers by Alex Hay
• The Untold Story (Invisible Library #8) by Genevieve Cogman
• Magical Boy, Vol. 1 by The Kao
• Magical Boy, Vol. 2 by The Kao
• Grave Peril (Dresden Files #3) by Jim Butcher, narrated by James Marsters
• Summer Knight (Dresden Files #4) by Jim Butcher, narrated by James Marsters

My July 2024 Reading Moods (according to Storygraph)

What was your favorite book read in July? Did you have a good reading month?

I started August off strong with Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person written and narrated by Shonda Rhimes. It was such an inspiring book. I currently am reading the dystopian novel, Parable of the Sower (#1) by Octavia E. Butler. It was an unplanned read, but several people on Threads (where I have been spending too much time as of late) had recommended it; the opening of the novel is set in July 2024 and seems eerily plausible given the current state of affairs in the U.S. Perhaps not the wisest choice for my mental health given the subject matter, but there it is.

 

This coming week, I hope to start the graphic novel Palestine by Joe Sacco, a book I have had on my TBR shelf for many years but have yet to get to. Given current world events, it seems overdue. And because I need something lighter and more escapist, I plan to dive into B.B. Alston's middle grade fantasy novel, Amari and the Great Game (Supernatural Investigations #2) as well. 

What are you reading right now?

My TBR List is hosted by Michelle at Because Reading. The 1st Saturday of every month, I will list 3 books from my TBR pile I am considering reading and let you vote for my next read during that month. My review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise).  

Please help me select my next read! For once I did not struggle over which books to include in this month's TBR poll. You wouldn't think it would a difficult decision given how many books I have on my shelves, but it often turns into quite the ordeal. I do it to myself. I overthink everything. Anyway, I am excited about all three of these and imagine I will be reading them all sooner than later. But, for now, which of them do you think I should read first? 

The Sentence by Louise Erdrich

The Sentence asks what we owe to the living, the dead, to the reader and to the book.

A small independent bookstore in Minneapolis is haunted from November 2019 to November 2020 by the store's most annoying customer. Flora dies on All Souls' Day, but she simply won't leave the store. Tookie, who has landed a job selling books after years of incarceration that she survived by reading with murderous attention, must solve the mystery of this haunting while at the same time trying to understand all that occurs in Minneapolis during a year of grief, astonishment, isolation, and furious reckoning.

The Sentence begins on All Souls' Day 2019 and ends on All Souls' Day 2020. Its mystery and proliferating ghost stories during this one year propel a narrative as rich, emotional, and profound as anything Louise Erdrich has written. [Goodreads Summary]

The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava

A Chickasaw woman who can’t catch a break serves up a little white lie that snowballs into much more in this witty and irresistible rom-com by debut author Danica Nava.

Ember Lee Cardinal has not always been a liar—well, not for anything that counted at least. But her job search is not going well and when her resumé is rejected for the thirty-seventh time, she takes matters into her own hands. She gets “creative” listing her qualifications and answers the ethnicity question on applications with a lie—a half-lie, technically. No one wanted Native American Ember, but white Ember has just landed her dream accounting job on Park Avenue (Oklahoma City, that is).

Accountant Ember thrives in corporate life—and her love life seems to be looking up too: Danuwoa Colson, the IT guy and fellow Native who caught her eye on her first day, seems to actually be interested in her too. Despite her unease over the no-dating policy at work, they start to see each other secretly, which somehow makes it even hotter? But when they’re caught in a compromising position on a work trip, a scheming colleague blackmails Ember, threatening to expose their relationship. As the manipulation continues to grow, so do Ember’s lies. She must make the hard decision to either stay silent or finally tell the truth, which could cost her everything. [Goodreads Summary]

Black Sun (Between Earth and Sky #1) by Rebecca Roanhorse

The first book in the Between Earth and Sky trilogy, inspired by the civilizations of the Pre-Columbian Americas and woven into a tale of celestial prophecies, political intrigue, and forbidden magic.

A god will return
When the earth and sky converge
Under the black sun

In the holy city of Tova, the winter solstice is usually a time for celebration and renewal, but this year it coincides with a solar eclipse, a rare celestial event proscribed by the Sun Priest as an unbalancing of the world.

Meanwhile, a ship launches from a distant city bound for Tova and set to arrive on the solstice. The captain of the ship, Xiala, is a disgraced Teek whose song can calm the waters around her as easily as it can warp a man’s mind. Her ship carries one passenger. Described as harmless, the passenger, Serapio, is a young man, blind, scarred, and cloaked in destiny. As Xiala well knows, when a man is described as harmless, he usually ends up being a villain. [Goodreads Summary]

Thank you for voting!

New to my shelves (recent book purchases):

Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi

Masters of Death by Olivie Blake

Can't I Spell Treason Without Tea (Tomes & Tea Cozy Fantasy #1) by Rebecca Thorne

Recent gift card purchases: 

Black Bird Oracle (All Souls #5) by Deboarah Harkness

Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley

A Study in Charlotte (Charlotte Holmes #1) by Brittany Cavallaro

Nine Tailed (Realm of Four Kingdoms #1) by Jayci Lee

Daughter of Fire by Sofia Robleda

Authentically, Izzy (Skymar #1) by Pepper Babsham

Parable of the Sower (#1) by Octavia E. Butler

A Novel Disguise (A Lady Librarian Mystery #1) by Samantha Larsen

The Awakening (Dragon Heart Legacy #1) by Nora Roberts

 Bad Girls Bite (Blood Fae Druid #2) by S.L. Choi

Have you read any of these books? If so, what did you think? 

My husband took advantage of a good deal on Peacock's streaming service, which has made it possible for us to watch more of the Olympics than we've been able to in the past. We got to see the opening ceremony live and have enjoyed watching replays of several events so far. 

Mouse introduced me to two of her favorite anime series over the past few weeks. Both are based on manga series, but I believe Mouse is only reading one of them. She wasn't sure how I would take to an anime about skateboarding, but it wasn't hard to get attached to Sk8 the Infinity and its characters. Then she thought I might like Sasaki and Miyano, one of her other favorites. Oh my gosh! It is so cute! The first season (which is all there is so far) is a slow burn and sweet romance between two teen boys. She also had me watch the first couple episodes of Assassination Classroom (not pictured above), which I am still on the fence about. It's about a group of kids, each with their own sad backstories, tasked with assassinating their teacher who plans to destroy the earth. Mostly I am enjoying the extra bonding with my teen who is growing up way too fast! 

What have you been watching?

I hope you have a great week! Let me know what you have been reading!

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