Top Ten Tuesday- 11/8/22

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly post hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, where people like me who love lists and books can share our thoughts on fun bookish topics.

This week’s Topic: November 8: Series I’d Like to Start/Catch up on/Finish

I love series, but I rarely read them all at once. There are so many series I’ve started and enjoyed, yet the most recent books are still sitting on the shelves. These are the series I most want to return to in the near future.

The Healer by Maria V. Snyder

I don’t love the healer series quite as much as the Poison Study series, but I’d still love to go back to that world.

Sebastian St. Cyr mysteries by C.S. Harris

This one of my favorite historical mystery series. I have only read the first four books, but from what I’ve heard the series maintains its quality throughout.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

I have read other books in the Grishaverse since reading Six of Crows, but haven’t gotten around to Crooked Kingdom.

Lords of the Underworld by Gena Showalter

My favorite guilty pleasure series. I’m much farther into this series than others on the list, and have read parts of spin off series. But, it’s been awhile since I’ve returned to the series

The Books of Bayern by Shannon Hale

I’ve read the first two books in the series and loved the strong female leads. I own River Secrets but have not read it yet.

The Brothers Sinister by Courtney Milan

I love the banter in these romances but don’t always think to go back to the series. The prequel novella, The Governess Affair is one of my favorite historical romances

Fairy Tale Fatal Mysteries by Maia Chance

This is a fun cozy historical mystery series with fairy tale connections. I loved the first book, but never got around to the next two even though they are both sitting on my bookshelf.

The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly

The Tea Rose sat on my shelf for a long time due to the length. I have no problem reading long books, but I wasn’t sure if the plot would hold my attention. It was wonderful, and I’m sure the rest of the series is as well.

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to read the next book in this popular series.

Rebel Mechanics by Shanna Swendson

I don’t read a lot of steampunk of alternate history books, but I love the characters in this series.

Mini-book haul and writing update

This weekend was the Rochester Children’s Book Festival was this weekend. I’ve attended in the past, but this was my first year as a volunteer. My job was to be an “author escort”, which means I got to take authors from their table to presentations. It was so much fun getting to meet the authors. It did cut back on my shopping time, which is why this is only a mini book haul.

Book Haul

These are the books I picked up at the festival:

The Lovely War by Julie Berry


It’s 1917, and World War I is at its zenith when Hazel and James first catch sight of each other at a London party. She’s a shy and talented pianist; he’s a newly minted soldier with dreams of becoming an architect. When they fall in love, it’s immediate and deep–and cut short when James is shipped off to the killing fields.

Aubrey Edwards is also headed toward the trenches. A gifted musician who’s played Carnegie Hall, he’s a member of the 15th New York Infantry, an all-African-American regiment being sent to Europe to help end the Great War. Love is the last thing on his mind. But that’s before he meets Colette Fournier, a Belgian chanteuse who’s already survived unspeakable tragedy at the hands of the Germans.

Thirty years after these four lovers’ fates collide, the Greek goddess Aphrodite tells their stories to her husband, Hephaestus, and her lover, Ares, in a luxe Manhattan hotel room at the height of World War II. She seeks to answer the age-old question: Why are Love and War eternally drawn to one another? But her quest for a conclusion that will satisfy her jealous husband uncovers a multi-threaded tale of prejudice, trauma, and music and reveals that War is no match for the power of Love.

This isn’t one of her children’s books, but it’s been on my wish list. I love WWII books or any book with a connection to Greek Mythology. So, I’m going into this one with very high expectations.

For the Birds The Life of Rober Tory Peterson by Peggy Thomas Ilustrated by Laura Jacques

Roger Tory Peterson revolutionized the way we look at and appreciate birds, animals, and plants. Some kids called him “Professor Nuts Peterson” because of his dedication to his craft; yet he went on to create the immensely popular Peterson Guides, which have sold more than seven million copies, and which birders everywhere appreciate for their simple text and exquisite illustrations. Working closely with the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown, New York, author Peggy Thomas and artist Laura Jacques have created a fascinating portrait of a global environmentalist with this very first children’s biography of Peterson, a winner of the John Burroughs Nature Books for Young Readers Award.

Any book with penguins on the cover calls to me. I kept walking past this one and finally couldn’t resist any longer. It wasn’t until I was writing this that I remembered that as a kid I had field guide of birds that I would look through all the time.

Fifth period is hands down the best time of day in Connor U. Eubanks Middle School, because that’s when Mr. Lewis teaches Jazz Lab. So his students are devastated when their beloved teacher quits abruptly. Once they make a connection between budget cuts and Mr. Lewis’s disappearance, they hatch a plan: stop the cuts, save their class.

Soon, they become an unlikely band of crusaders, and their quest quickly snowballs into something much bigger–a movement involving the whole middle school. But the adults in charge seem determined to ignore their every protest. How can the kids make themselves heard?

This book was published less than a month ago, and people were already buzzing about it. Can’t wait to get it in the hands of my middle schoolers.

Writing update

As I mentioned in a previous post, my goal for November is to write every day. I alsomade aacalendar forrmyselfincludingg individual plans for each day. I have stuck to my overall goal of writing every day, but I am a little behind on my individual goals. This is mainly because I’ve gone into a rabbit hole of revisions. It may be taking longer but, I think I will be much happier with the end products of my writing.

Middle Grade Book of the Week:Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell

Synopisis:

When her tribe leaves the island, Karana is left behind. For years she survives on the island alone with nothing but the animals as company. Based loosely on the story of a real woman who survived on San Nicolas Island for eighteen years.

My thoughts:

This is a favorite from childhood (which is why I chose that cover rather than a later addition- I chuckled when I saw the $1.50 on the front). It’s rare to find a young adult book with such a strong female lead written in the 1970’s. When I reread it years later as an adult, I feared it wouldn’t hold up to my memory. But, the story is just as strong today as it was when it was written 50 years ago. I took a trip to California in 2019, and was thrilled to find out that one of our stops featured the grave of Juana Maria, the woman Karana’s character is named after.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Top Five Wednesday- 11/2/22

Top 5 Wednesday is a Goodreads group that responds to weekly bookish prompts.

November 2nd: Characters Who Need a Break

There are always those bookish characters who seem to be on edge all the time. Sort of makes you wish they could realize they need to take a break, right? In honor of National Stress Awareness Day, what are five characters you would love to see “chill out” from how stressed they are?

  1. Hermione Granger- saving the world from an evil wizard while maintaining good grades is very stressful, Hermione needs to take some “me” time.
  2. Holly from Coming Home to Wishington Bay – I’m not even a quarter of a way through this rom com, but it’s clear Holly needs to end her workaholic ways.
  3. Nora from Book Lovers – Nora tries to be everything to everyone and all it does is earn her reputation as a shark.
  4. Mrs. Bennet from Pride and Prejudice- The overdramatic Mrs. Bennet creates stress for herself and thher family. If she would just chill out about marrying off her daughters everyone would be happier.
  5. Nina Hill from The Bookish Life of Nina Hill Nina has dealt with her anxiety by closing people out and living in books.

I threw this together quicker than usual because I didn’t remember until 10PM, so I’m sure I left out some great stressful characters. Which book characters do you think need to “chill out”?

NaNoWriMo Goals

November means NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). For those unfamiliar, NaNoWriMo is an event where writers commit to writing 1,667 words daily, resulting in completing a 50,000-word novel in a month. I am not writing a book this month. I have participated in the July challenge before, but it’s not very practical while teaching full-time. However, that doesn’t mean I can’t have other writing goals. My intent is to dedicate time every day to writing in November. To keep myself accountable, I will post blog updates.

Top Ten Tuesday: November 1, 2022

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly post hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, where people like me who love lists and books can share our thoughts on fun bookish topics.

This week’s topic: November 1: Unlikable Characters You Can’t Help but Love (These are villains, criminals, jerks, etc. that make you fall in love with them anyway, perhaps because they evolve by the end or they’re secretly wonderful and have been all along.)

My favorite characters are often ambiguous characters who seem evil, but are hiding a heart of gold underneath.

  1. Artemis Fowl: Artemis is an evil genius with no compunction about kidnapping or blackmail.
  2. Will Herondale (Infernal Devices series): Will gambles, drinks, and doesn’t seem to care about anything. But, you can’t help falling in love with him.
  3. Rhysand (Court of Thorns and Roses series): Rhysand’s dark reputation is carefully constructed to deceive those around him.
  4. The Darkling (Shadow and Bone Series) Another dark character that shows glimpses of heart.
  5. Khalid IBN Al-Rashid (Wrath and the Dawn series): You really shouldn’t like a character who keeps killing his wives, but Khalid has his reasons.
  6. Severus Snape (Harry Potter series): It’s hard to come back from being a death eater, but Snape managed to redeem himself.
  7. Trenton Kalamack (The Hollow series): This evil Elfin druglord is so smooth, you can’t help but be drawn to him.
  8. Phillipe de Clermont (All Souls Universe): Phillipe is the domineering vampire that rules the family with an iron fist, but you can’t help respecting him.
  9. Ethan Jones (Agency of Burglary and Theft series): Ethan is a thief without the moral code of protagonist Cat Montgomery, but his charm is irresistible
  10. Crowley (Good Omens; The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch) Crowley is a demon you can’t help but love.

Favorite Read of October 2022: Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley

Words matter, in fact. They’re not pointless, as you’ve suggested. If they were pointless, then they couldn’t start revolutions and they wouldn’t change history. If they were just words, we wouldn’t write songs or listen to them. We wouldn’t beg to be read to as kids. If they were just words, then stories wouldn’t have been around since before we could write. We wouldn’t have learned to write. If they were just words, people wouldn’t fall in love because of them, feel bad because of them, ache because of them, and stop aching because of them.

Cath Crowley, Words in Deep Blue

Goodreads Synopsis:

Years ago, Rachel had a crush on Henry Jones. The day before she moved away, she tucked a love letter into his favorite book in his family’s bookshop. She waited. But Henry never came.

Now Rachel has returned to the city—and to the bookshop—to work alongside the boy she’d rather not see, if at all possible, for the rest of her life. But Rachel needs the distraction, and the escape. Her brother drowned months ago, and she can’t feel anything anymore. She can’t see her future.

Henry’s future isn’t looking too promising, either. His girlfriend dumped him. The bookstore is slipping away. And his family is breaking apart.

As Henry and Rachel work side by side—surrounded by books, watching love stories unfold, exchanging letters between the pages—they find hope in each other. Because life may be uncontrollable, even unbearable sometimes. But it’s possible that words, and love, and second chances are enough.

My Thoughts:

I am always drawn to books that are centered around bibliophiles. Usually the protagonists in these books are well into adulthood. I liked that this was a new adult book, showing a young man who loves books and poetry. There is drama and misunderstandings, but I felt like they rang true for that age.

What I liked about this book:

  • Their bookstore has a library where customers exchange notes in the books. I loved this concept, and the excerpts were an innovative technique for adding depth to the story.
  • There is a deep appreciation for the power of words in this book, balancing Henry’s love of poetry and Rachel’s love of science.
  • Rachel is dealing with her brother’s death and how to move on without feeling guilty. She and Henry have a lot of deep discussions about life and death.
  • George and Martin are fantastic side characters. Even though the central romance is between Henry and Rachel, I was more drawn to their story. George is Henry’s cynical sister, but Martin wiggles his way into her heart by refusing to take her insults personally.

Most Anticipated Book Releases of November 2022

A mix of books from a variety of genres I enjoy coming out this month.

November 1

Goodreads Synopsis:

In an extraordinary story that only he could tell, Matthew Perry takes readers onto the soundstage of the most successful sitcom of all time while opening up about his private struggles with addiction. Candid, self-aware, and told with his trademark humor, Perry vividly details his lifelong battle with the disease and what fueled it despite seemingly having it all.

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing is an unforgettable memoir that shares the most intimate details of the love Perry lost, his darkest days, and his greatest friends.

Unflinchingly honest, moving, and hilarious: this is the book fans have been waiting for.

Chandler was always my favorite Friend.

November 3

Goodreads Synopsis:

Medieval queens were seen as mere dynastic trophies, yet many of the Plantagenet queens of the high middle ages dramatically broke away from the restrictions imposed on their sex.

Marguerite of France, married at twenty to the formidable sixty-year-old Edward I, became politically active and sought to topple Edward II’s favourite, Piers Gaveston. Edward II’s queen, Isabella of France, ended his disastrous reign by invading England and deposing him. Her rule with her lover Roger Mortimer was in turn overthrown by her son Edward III as soon as he came of age. Edward III’s long, happy and fruitful marriage to Philippa of Hainault came closest to the medieval ideal, and truly exemplified the Age of Chivalry. Anne of Bohemia was one of the most sophisticated and cosmopolitan queens ever to grace the English throne and Richard II loved her to distraction, but she may have dabbled in heresy and she died young. Afterwards Richard took a child bride, Isabella of Valois, who, despite her youth, remained fiercely loyal to him as he grew ever more tyrannical, and was active in the conflicts that led to his deposition.

The turbulent, brutal Age of Chivalry witnessed the Black Death, the Peasants’ Revolt, the Hundred Years’ War against France and savage baronial wars against the monarchy in which these queens were passionately involved. Using personal letters and wonderfully vivid sources, Alison Weir evokes the lives of five remarkable queens and brilliantly recreates this truly dramatic period of history. 

Alison Weir’s nonfiction reads like a narrative. I don’t know a lot about any of these queens and am interested in learning more.

November 8

Goodreads Synopsis:

Adalheid Castle is in chaos.

Following a shocking turn of events, Serilda finds herself ensnared in a deadly game of make-believe with the Erlking, who is determined to propel her deeper into the castle’s lies. Meanwhile, Serilda is determined to work with Gild to help him solve the mystery of his forgotten name and past.

But soon it becomes clear that the Erlking doesn’t only want to use Serilda to bring back his one true love. He also seeks vengeance against the seven gods who have long trapped the Dark Ones behind the veil. If the Erlking succeeds, it could change the mortal realm forever.

Can Serilda find a way to use her storytelling gifts for good—once and for all? And can Serilda and Gild break the spells that tether their spirits to the castle before the Endless Moon finds them truly cursed?

I haven’t read Gilded, book one in this series, but I have loved everything I’ve ever read by Marissa Meyer.

November 15

Goodreads Synopsis:

After living through a dumpster fire of a Valentine’s Day, Emilie Hornby escapes to her grandmother’s house for some comfort and a consolation pint of Ben & Jerry’s. She passes out on the couch, but when she wakes up, she’s back home in her own bed—and it’s Valentine’s Day all over again. And the next day? Another nightmare V-Day.

Emilie is stuck in some sort of time loop nightmare that she can’t wake up from as she re-watches her boyfriend, Josh, cheat on her day after day. In addition to Josh’s recurring infidelity, Emilie can’t get away from the enigmatic Nick, who she keeps running into—sometimes literally—in unfortunate ways.

How many days can one girl passively watch her life go up in flames? And when something good starts to come out of these terrible days, what happens when the universe stops doling out do-overs?

I haven’t read anything by Lynn Painter, but this description caught my attention. The Groundhog Day meets rom-com premise sounds like a lot of fun.

Goodreads Synopsis:

After winning her mother’s freedom from the Celestial Emperor, Xingyin thrives in the enchanting tranquility of her home. But her fragile peace is threatened by the discovery of a strange magic on the moon and the unsettling changes in the Celestial Kingdom as the

emperor tightens his grip on power. While Xingyin is determined to keep clear of the rising danger, the discovery of a shocking truth spurs her into a perilous confrontation.

Forced to flee her home once more, Xingyin and her companions venture to unexplored lands of the Immortal Realm, encountering legendary creatures and shrewd monarchs, beloved friends and bitter adversaries. With alliances shifting quicker than the tides, Xingyin has to overcome past grudges and enmities to forge a new path forward, seeking aid where she never imagined she would. As an unspeakable terror sweeps across the realm, Xingyin must uncover the truth of her heart and claw her way through devastation–to rise against this evil before it destroys everything she holds dear, and the worlds she has grown to love… even if doing so demands the greatest price of all.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess was one of my favorite reads of September. I’m so excited that I didn’t have to wait long for the sequel.

Middle Grade Book of the Week: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Summary

Bod is a living boy being raised by ghosts. There are many dangers living in graveyard. There’s the Sleer and a desert of ghouls just to name a few. But, the real world is even more dangerous for Bod. That’s where Jack is, the man who killed Bod’s parents.

My Thoughts

I love how Gaiman can create books with such dark premises so funny. This is a perfect example. Here’s a book that opens with the murder of a child’s parents, yet it’s filled with love and humor.

Top 5 Wednesday- 10/26/22

Top 5 Wednesday is a Goodreads group that responds to weekly bookish prompts.

This week’s prompt:

October 26th: Characters You Want to Dress Up As

Halloween is right around the corner, and with this holiday, many are dressing up to celebrate! Whether you are planning to dress up or not, share about some characters who you would love to dress up as! Maybe you’ve dressed up as them in the past or are planning to this Halloween, but either way, let’s have a fun time imagining potential future cosplays!

Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice)

Not only is Elizabeth one of my favorite characters, but regency dresses are so pretty, and more comfortable than most period ensembles.

Mrs. Frizzle (Magic School Bus series)

This seems like the perfect teacher Halloween costume.

Hermione Granger (Harry Potter series)

I love Hermione, but in all honesty this just seems like a simple costume. You just need a robe and a wand.

Dorothy Gale (The Wizard of Oz)

Did someone say ruby slippers?

Cindy Lou Who (How the Grinch Stole Christmas)

My hair isn’t long enough for Cindy Lou’s style, but this would be a fun costume.

Proudly powered by WordPress | Theme: Baskerville 2 by Anders Noren.

Up ↑