Recent Updates and Currently Reading | March 26

Hi, reader friends! 

Did you see the article written about Brandon Sanderson this week? It was published in Wired. I hate to even link to it (or give it more views), but it was such a bizarre article. The author of the article went out to Utah to spend several days learning about why Brandon Sanderson is so popular. He stayed in Sanderson's home, met his friends and family, went to his fan convention, and even went with his family to an amusement park. He had pre-conceived notions and a clear intent to uncover dark secrets and write a hit piece on Sanderson, but he got there and found Sanderson is everything everyone claims he is - a hard working guy who loves his family and his company and loves to write. Instead of changing his agenda and writing a real story from all of the insight he should have gained while having all of that personal access, he wound up writing a mean-spirited article with no direction and no point that insulted not only Sanderson and his family but everyone in the Fantasy community.

What I really want to point out is Sanderson's response to the article. He is so very kind and so much can be learned from his response.

Posted Last Week

Book Review | The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review | Book Lovers by Emily Henry ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Two 5⭐ reviews! Go check them out!

Finished Reading

Book Lovers by Emily Henry ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I finished Book Lovers shortly after posting last week, and the ending was exactly what I wanted. Book Lovers turned out to be such a good read. 

Currently Reading

Chlorine by Jade Song - I am about halfway through Chlorine. I am very invested in the characters, but I'm starting to wonder about the promise of "horror" in this debut. Sometimes books that are strange get classified as horror and that's fair here (I guess) since it's being compared to The Vegetarian which falls to that same categorization. 

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This post is being shared as part of The Sunday Salon at Readerbuzz, Book Date’s It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Caffeinated Book Reviewer's The Sunday Post.

Review | Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Book Lovers is a romance book by Emily Henry.

One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn't see coming....

Nora Stephens’ life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby.

Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters’ trip away—with visions of a small-town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute.

If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.

If you've been following my blog recently, you know I've been on a quest for cozy things. Cozy books, games, movies, I'm here for your recommendations. I've been looking for more cozy genre books, but I also wanted to branch out into some romance books as well.

One thing that stuck out to me in the reviews of Emily Henry's books was the maturity of the characters. I'll admit I don't read romance books hardly at all, but I do watch a lot of Hallmark and Lifetime romance movies around the holidays. The few romance books that I have tried were definitely not the right fit for me. Emily Henry's books, however, sounded exactly like the type of romance books that I would enjoy.

I think Book Lovers was a great book to kick off my cozy romance journey since the main characters were book lovers and this was a world I felt comfortable in.

“You're in books. Of course you don't have a life. None of us do. There's always something too good to read.”

Nora is an agent and Charlie is an editor, and while this is a bit of an enemies to lovers story, all of the characters are very likeable. I loved being able to root for everyone in Book Lovers.

Another thing I loved is this book wasn't just about Nora and Charlie's relationship. It was also about the relationship between Nora and her sister Libby. I adore when books give us deep, meaningful relationships outside of romance. Book Lovers gave us both!

Book Lovers wrapped up exactly how I wanted it to, and I was not expecting it to hit me in the feels the way it did. I have a copy of Beach Read that I'm hoping to get to sooner rather than later then I'm sure I'll be picking up People We Meet on Vacation as well. If you have any recommendations similar to Emily Henry - romance or otherwise - I'd love to hear them. Otherwise, take this review as a recommendation to read Book Lovers.

5/5 stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Source: personal purchase. This is a review of my reading experience.

Review | The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty

The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi is the first book in a new fantasy series from Shannon Chakraborty (S.A. Chakraborty). 

Amina al-Sirafi should be content. After a storied and scandalous career as one of the Indian Ocean’s most notorious pirates, she’s survived backstabbing rogues, vengeful merchant princes, several husbands, and one actual demon to retire peacefully with her family to a life of piety, motherhood, and absolutely nothing that hints of the supernatural.

But when she’s tracked down by the obscenely wealthy mother of a former crewman, she’s offered a job no bandit could refuse: retrieve her comrade’s kidnapped daughter for a kingly sum. The chance to have one last adventure with her crew, do right by an old friend, and win a fortune that will secure her family’s future forever? It seems like such an obvious choice that it must be God’s will.

Yet the deeper Amina dives, the more it becomes alarmingly clear there’s more to this job, and the girl’s disappearance, than she was led to believe. For there’s always risk in wanting to become a legend, to seize one last chance at glory, to savor just a bit more power… and the price might be your very soul.

Shannon Chakraborty, the bestselling author of The City of Brass, spins a new trilogy of magic and mayhem on the high seas in this tale of pirates and sorcerers, forbidden artifacts and ancient mysteries, in one woman’s determined quest to seize a final chance at glory—and write her own legend.

10⭐ out of 5.

The reason I most wanted to read The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi is because it's a pirate book written by a woman. I had expectations going in, and it far surpassed every single one of them. It checked boxes that I didn't even realize I had.

Amina Al-Sirafi is a retired pirate in her 40s. She's a mother and she's living peacefully with her family after having left the pirating world behind her, but she gets an offer that pulls her back into that world for one last adventure (or so it would seem).

The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi had everything for me from plot to adventure to imagination to characters to relationships... It was so skillfully crafted, and I loved every minute of it from the first word to the last. I hadn't savored a book that slowly in so long. I went several days without reading at all because I didn't want it to end.

I haven't read the Daevabad trilogy by Chakraborty yet. I love so much that she has shifted from S.A. Chakraborty to Shannon Chakraborty with The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi. I feel like this is a choice, and I support it so hard.

Thankfully The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi is not Amina's last adventure. This was such an incredible start to a series, and I cannot wait for the rest. It's set up to be longer than a trilogy so fingers crossed we get several more books. This is now my most anticipated on-going series that will trump all other releases.

I recommend this book for everyone. You don't need to be a pirate-loving, treasure-seeking reader like me to fall for Amina, her crew, or this world. It is such a wonderful book, and I truly can't sing it's praises enough. Hit up your library, order you a copy, and please let me know once you've read it so we can wait in anticipation together for the next one!

5/5 stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Review copy provided by publisher

Recent Updates and Currently Reading | March 19

Hi, reader friends! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. I had a long rainy weekend, and I managed to get in plenty of reading so I'm grateful for that.

I also managed to play a lot of Stardew Valley. This game is deceptively huge.

Finished Reading

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I cannot stress enough how much I love this book. I'll have a review out tomorrow, but honestly this book was perfect.

The Helm of Midnight by Marina J. Lostetter ⭐⭐⭐★★ - I'll have a review out soon for this one as well. I enjoyed it, but it meandered a bit for me.

Currently Reading

Book Lovers by Emily Henry - I started reading Book Lovers this weekend, and I only have 40 pages left. I'm anxious to get back to it as soon as I'm done posting!

The Unknown. Weird Writings, 1900-1937 by Algernon Blackwood - I'm still loving this. It was released this past week so I need to finish it to get a review up, but I'm trying not to rush through it.

Added to the TBR

Piñata by Leopoldo Gout - Piñata was also released this past week. Thank you to Tor for offering to send me a copy. Coincidentally, I have been in the mood for ancient evil lately so I'm excited for this to fit the bill!

Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki - There is a #TransRightsReadathon happening this coming week. I may not have time in my reading schedule to read this immediately, but I did go to the bookstore and pick up a book (this one!) in support. Light from Uncommon Stars is a cozy scifi, and I'm very much looking forward to reading it.

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This post is being shared as part of The Sunday Salon at Readerbuzz, Book Date’s It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Caffeinated Book Reviewer's The Sunday Post.

Recent Updates and Currently Reading | March 5

Hi, reader friends! I'm still struggling with not being able to read so once again I finished no books, but I'm about to load up Stardew Valley and an audiobook for my morning while my family sleeps in!

Last week was Read Across America so I featured some kidlit on the blog. If you need some fun, spooky kid novel recommendations, I've got you covered below!

Posted Last Week

Book Review | Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn ⭐⭐⭐⭐★ - a great ghost story for middle grade readers.

Top 21 Middle Grade Horror Novels! - Believe it or not, this is a narrowed down list!

Currently Reading

The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty - You guys, I love this book so much. SO. MUCH.

House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland - The first time I read this I dnf'ed it, but it was selected as this month's readalong pick for the Horror Spotlight discord group. I'm remembering why I dnf'ed it. The second time is not the charm, but I'm going to read a chapter a day because I am, in fact, curious as to what happens.

Added to the TBR

Book Lovers and Beach Read by Emily Henry - I'm branching out a bit with these two. I hear Emily Henry writes mature characters who communicate with one another so I'm thinking her flavor of romance is what I'm looking for. I need a lot more cozy in my life, and I have high hopes for these. I couldn't decide which one to get and my ten year old who is wise beyond his years said "Why don't you get both?" He was right.

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This post is being shared as part of The Sunday Salon at Readerbuzz, Book Date’s It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Caffeinated Book Reviewer's The Sunday Post.

Top 21 Middle Grade Horror Novels!

Today's Top Ten Tuesday topic is genre freebie which is perfect because this week is Read Across America week, and I want to highlight horror for kids.

"Read Across America is an annual event celebrated on or near March 2nd, which is the birthday of children's author Dr. Seuss. It is a nationwide reading celebration that was created by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1997 to promote literacy and encourage a love of reading among children."

If you are a teacher or a librarian, there are kids in your current group that love horror. I promise! Please, please, please if you want everyone in your current group to be an independent reader when they move on from you - include fun, spooky content. You will reach a reader if you do. I promise.

Below you will find my recommendations for middle grade horror novels:

Where the Woods End by Charlotte Salter

The Girl and the Ghost by Hanna Alkaf

Root Magic by Eden Royce

Ghost Girl by Ally Malinenko

Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega

Be Wary of the Silent Woods by Svetlana Chmakova

Hide and Seeker by Daka Hermon

Séance Tea Party by Reimena Yee

Thirteens by Kate Alice Marshall

Doll Bones by Holly Black

Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn

The In-Between by Rebecca Ansari

Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls by Kaela Rivera

Long Lost by Jacqueline West

Ophie's Ghosts by Justina Ireland

The Stitchers by Lorien Lawrence

The Girl in the Lake by India Hill Brown

The Dollhouse by Charis Cotter

The Ghost of Midnight Lake by Lucy Strange

The Mulberry Tree by Allison Rushby

Crater Lake by Jennifer Killick

Review | Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn

It's Read Across America week so I'm dedicating the blog to horror novels for children this week! If you have anyone young in your life, please make sure they have access to fun, spooky reads, OK?

Source: personal purchase. This is a review of my reading experience.

Wait Till Helen Comes is a middle grade horror novel by Mary Downing Hahn.

Twelve-year-old Molly and her ten-year-old brother, Michael, have never liked their seven-year-old stepsister, Heather. Ever since their parents got married, she's made Molly and Michael's life miserable. Now their parents have moved them all to the country to live in a house that used to be a church, with a cemetery in the backyard. If that's not bad enough, Heather starts talking to a ghost named Helen and warning Molly and Michael that Helen is coming for them. Molly feels certain Heather is in some kind of danger, but every time she tries to help, Heather twists things around to get her into trouble. It seems as if things can't get any worse.

I really can't explain what happened as a child. I was eight years old when Wait Till Helen Comes came out. That should have been the perfect age for me to have found and read and loved Wait Till Helen Comes. I spent my entire childhood – every single time I went to the library and every time I went to a book fair – searching for children's horror and specifically searching for ghost stories. How was Mary Downing Hahn not in my life? How was Wait Till Helen Comes not in my life? I can't explain it. Did I somehow forget it?

Regardless of this mystery, I have found Mary Downing Hahn as an adult, and I have made it a mission to catch up on reading all of her books. Wait Till Helen Comes is probably Mary Downing Hahn's most popular book, and I can see why.

One thing I have to confess is I find Mary Downing Hahn's characters (even the adults) to be generally annoying. But kids in real life are annoying, too, and I found myself loving everyone by the end of Wait Till Helen Comes.

This is a great ghost story, and I would have loved it as a kid. There is even some possible possession happening here which is amazing. I think this ghost story would absolutely hold up in 2023. The family in Wait Till Helen Comes is a blended family that has moved out into the country to live in a house that used to be a church. They are dealing with grief and trauma and learning how to be a family together while also having to deal with the haunted graveyard out back.

I've only read a couple of Mary Downing Hahn's books so far so I'm looking forward to continuing my way through the rest of her bibliography.

4/5 stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐★

Read more of my reviews of books by Mary Downing Hahn:

Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn

The Doll in the Garden by Mary Downing Hahn

If you like Mary Downing Hahn, check out these books by Lindsey Duga:

The Haunting by Lindsey Duga

Ghost in the Headlights by Lindsey Duga

Recent Updates and Currently Reading | February 26

Hi, reader friends! 

Books

Once again I have completed no books BUT! I am in the middle of some amazing, amazing books so that's wonderful at least. 

Baseball

Baseball spring training has begun. I got to watch two games (on TV 😆) yesterday which did wonders for my mental health. I also read during the games which I'm going to try to do during baseball season this year. If you are a baseball fan - what do you think of the new rules? I am living for the new pitch clock rules. I love baseball, but the games are way too long. I like sleeping, you know?

Gaming/Apps

Thank you for the game recommendations last week! So far I've tried the coloring app that Tanya @ Girl Plus Books and Destiny @ Howling Libraries recommended. If you need something mindless to do while you are lying around listening to an audiobook, check out Happy Color.

Posted Last Week

Book Review | Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - This was a reread if you are interested in checking out my thoughts.

Book Review | Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire ⭐⭐⭐★★ - This was a reread as well.

Finished Reading

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid [DNF]- I tried listening to the audiobook of Daisy Jones & the Six last week, and it did not go well. I wasn't going to post about it at all, but I decided I need advice/opinions/recommendations/whatever you've got for me. Have you read Daisy Jones & the Six? The entire book is written in interview style. I hate listening to interviews in audio. They are always in the format of Name! Blah, blah, blah. Name! Blah, blah, blah, and I can't even. This is never the book's fault - it's the format, right? - but I can't listen to it. I looked at the print copy in Target this weekend, and I don't know... I don't know if I just need some distance after the audiobook experience or if this book is just not going to be a good fit for me. Is this story amazing? Is the interview format in print easy to get used to? I need your thoughts!

Currently Reading

This is partly why I haven't finished any books!

The Helm of Midnight by Marina J. Lostetter - I'm still enjoying this, but it's going a little slow for me.

The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty - This is absolutely incredible. This may wind up as one of my favorite books of all time. Stay tuned!

Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez - This is also incredible. I can't wait to devote more time to this!

The Unknown. Weird Writings, 1900-1937 by Algernon Blackwood - And this, too! Absolutely loving this. What even is this reading life right now?

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - I started reading this for my mental health this past week. I need a break from everything so I took a trip into middle earth. Even though I've seen the movies - I had no idea how much of a treasure hunt book this is. This is just what I need right now.

Added to the TBR

Night's Edge by Liz Kerin - Thank you to Tor Nightfire for sending this to me. I love everything they publish - and you know I'm passionate about horror by women. This sounds like some great scary mom horror.

In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune - Tor sent me In the Lives of Puppets, and I'm so happy already. I haven't even read it yet. Just knowing I have some T.J. Klune on the immediate TBR is already lifting my spirits.

Chlorine by Jade Song - Speaking of horror by women - Chlorine is a debut horror that is being compared to The Vegetarian. I cannot wait to read this super soon. It's one of my most anticipated books. (Thank you to William Morrow Books!)

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This post is being shared as part of The Sunday Salon at Readerbuzz, Book Date’s It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Caffeinated Book Reviewer's The Sunday Post.