Monthly Archives: October 2024

Book Tag

End of the Year Book Tag 2024

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Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?

What the River Knows (Secrets of the Nile, #1)Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands (Emily Wilde, #2)Not Another Love SongLand of Milk and Honey

I’ve let too many books linger on my paused shelf this year, so I really want to finish What the River Knows by Isabel Ibanez (historical fantasy); Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett (historical fantasy); Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto (contemporary romance); and Land of Milk and Honey by C. Pam Zhang (science fiction).

Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?

So Thirsty

I’ve been really looking forward to Rachel Harrison’s newest contemporary horror novel, So Thirsty, which features a modern take on vampires.

Is there a new release you’re still waiting for?

A Witch's Guide to Magical InnkeepingThis Will Be FunCruel Winter with You (Under the Mistletoe, #3)The Courting of Bristol Keats (The Courting of Bristol Keats, #1)

I’m looking forward to future releases A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna (contemporary romantasy); This Will Be Fun by E. B. Asher (fantasy); Cruel Winter With You by Ali Hazelwood (holiday romance); and The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E. Pearson (romantasy).

What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?

Merry Ever After (Under the Mistletoe Collection, #2)I Who Have Never Known MenThe Fell

There are several short reads I think would round out the reading year nicely, like Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey (holiday romance); I Who Have Ever Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman (dystopian?); and The Fell by Sarah Moss (literary fiction).

Is there a book you think could still shock you and become your favorite book of the year?

Land of Milk and HoneyI Who Have Never Known Men

Have you already started making reading plans for 2025?

Onyx Storm (The Empyrean, #3)Eat the Ones You LoveDeath of the AuthorDream Girl Drama (Big Shots, #3)

I really haven’t started thinking about my 2025 TBR, but four 2025 releases I’m looking forward to are Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros (romantasy); Eat the Ones You Love by Sarah Maria Griffin (fabulism); Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor (science fiction); and Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey (contemporary romance).

Reading Recaps

August Wrap-Up (very belated)

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Stats

Books read: 8

BOTM: 3

Women in translation: 1

2024 releases: 7

 

Reviews

The Au Pair Affair by Tessa BaileyA Magical Girl Retires by Park SeolyeonSanctuary by Ilona AndrewsJust for the Summer by Abby JimenezHow Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie CruzStand Your Ground by Roxane GayHum by Helen PhillipsThe Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo (4.5 stars) – If you’re looking for a great book with fall vibes, I’d definitely recommend this historical fantasy by Leigh Bardugo. It’s set during the Spanish Inquisition and the time period is meticulously detailed and crafted around the story of Luzia, who has to hide both her Jewish ancestry and ability to do magic while surviving a world impossible for a woman like her to survive, let alone thrive, in. When her magic is revealed, however, she finds herself in a magical competition organized by powerful men looking to gain even more power by finding someone capable of performing miracles. Luzia is a scrappy, smart heroine who’s easy to root for, and the plot, with a side of romance, kept me hooked.

How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz (4.5 stars) – Highly recommend this audio, as the production is really well done with sound effects, etc. I loved how the story was slowly revealed through multiple monologues and the documents that were interspersed with the narrative.

A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon (4 stars) – I love books that present thoughtful analysis and new takes on existing genres, without losing the love of that genre that prompted their writing in the first place. A Magical Girl Retires takes the trope of the magical girl but places it in a contemporary setting, dealing with real-world issues and moral complexities. Our main character is severely depressed and financially struggling when she’s told she’s the world’s equivalent of the chosen one, a magical girl who can stop the destruction of the planet–not by fighting a supervillain, but by tackling climate change. She quickly realizes, however, that her problems and insecurities won’t actually be resolved despite her new magical girl status, and that the magical girl union itself is about to be turned on its head. I really enjoyed this short, translated novel; it’s the first book in a long time I’ve been able to read in a single sitting.

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez (4 stars) – I enjoyed this Abby Jimenez book more than Yours Truly; I thought it gave a thoughtful exploration of mental health issues and the importance of setting boundaries, accompanied by a strong central friendship and an enjoyable romance.

Stand Your Ground by Roxane Gay (4 stars) – This was a short-ish audiobook I listened to on Everand, featuring my favorite modern thinker’s musings on the 2nd amendment. I might have gotten more out of this if I hadn’t read Carol Anderson’s nonfiction book The Second earlier this year, but it was still a strong piece of writing and thinking.

Sanctuary by Ilona Andrews (3.5 stars) – Not my favorite Ilona Andrews by a long shot, but still a fun read. Dark wizard/priest Roman, a side character from the Kate Daniels series, is finally given his own story, aspects of which I enjoyed more than others.

The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey (3.5 stars) – This was a really fun read that was a very solid 4 stars through the first 80%, but I really wasn’t a fan of the post-third-act breakup reconciliation, where it honestly seemed like the main characters shouldn’t be together anymore. I did really enjoy the Boston setting and grumpy/sunshine dynamic, as well as glimpses at the couple from book 1 and many hints for the upcoming book 3 couple.

Hum by Helen Phillips (3 stars) – This BOTM pick was a disappointment for me. The premise (a near-future setting where a new procedure is developed to hide one’s face and identity from AI) was interesting, but the plot was much more centered around motherhood themes. This wouldn’t have been an issue if the main character’s two children weren’t possibly the most annoying child characters I’ve ever read about. They were far too centered in the story for how frustrating they were.

Reading Recaps

September Wrap-Up

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Stats

Total books read: 9

BOTM: 1

eARCs: 1

2024 releases: 6

Fall vibes reads: 6

 

Reviews

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis BaldreeElizabeth of East Hampton by Audrey BellezzaBride by Ali HazelwoodThe Only Survivors by Megan MirandaDreadful by Caitlin RozakisLooking for Love in All the Haunted Places by Claire KannThe Pairing by Casey McQuistonGraveyard Shift by M.L. RioA Long Stretch of Bad Days by Mindy McGinnis

Elizabeth of East Hampton by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding (4.5 stars) – I absolutely love a Pride and Prejudice retelling; it’s one of the few stories that for me never gets old. After reading and loving Emma of East 83rd Street last year, I was so excited to see that Elizabeth was up next. The original story’s characters, plot, and themes are all translated into a modern Hamptons setting effortlessly and in a way that makes perfect sense and creates excellent fun; Mr. Wickham as a Fyre Festival-esque scammer was a particularly great touch. The central romance had all of the tension and banter that we’ve come to expect, but was still contemporary enough to feel fresh. I also enjoyed the appearance of Emma and Knightley from book 1, as well as hints that book 3 will be based on Persuasion.

I received an eARC of Elizabeth of East Hampton from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. However, I loved it enough that I also purchased myself a physical copy.

Bride by Ali Hazelwood (4 stars) – Ali Hazelwood does an excellent job with coming through with a great read. Although I didn’t love Bride as much as her contemporary romance novels (three of which I’ve rated in the 5-star️ range), this paranormal romance still delivered on the chemistry, tropes, and addictive writing style that makes me want to pick up anything she writes. The worldbuilding wasn’t as strong as I’d have liked, but I still enjoyed the heck out of it, and I do hope she comes out with a sequel romance starring the side characters that was hinted about at the end.

Graveyard Shift by M. L. Rio (4 stars) – Since If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio is solidly on my list of favorite books, I was always going to pick up whatever she wrote next. I wasn’t expecting a multiple perspective horror novella that takes place over a single night, but I thoroughly enjoyed Graveyard Shift nonetheless. The moments I was able to pick up this book during my brief Italy trip remain some of my favorites.

The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda (4 stars) – This YA contemporary mystery about two teens working on a podcast centered around their town’s darkest period was absorbing and an easy listen on audiobook, but didn’t necessarily blow me away.

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston (4 stars) – The Pairing was a great book to read right as I was leaving on a trip to Europe; it flows through France, Spain, and Italy on a food and wine tour that had me reminiscing about featured places I’ve been to and stoking excitement about places still on my travel goals list. It’s a very sweet second chance romance between two people who are very deeply in love with and obsessed with one another, and I thought the audio was performed very well with the many accents and frequent dialogue in other languages.

Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis (4 stars) – Dreadful was a satirical and humorous take on fantasy featuring an amnesiac evil wizard who doesn’t actually want to be evil now that his memories are gone; a resourceful kidnapped princess; scarier, evil-er wizards that are also more than they appear; adaptable townsfolk figuring out how to eke out a living in the shadow of a malevolent castle; less than bright heroes; and a background cast of delightful goblins. I love fantasy that interrogates and questions the tropes and conventions of the genre while turning them on their heads, and therefore found this a very fun read.

Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree (4 stars) – I enjoyed returning to the adventures of Viv the orc in this cozy fantasy prequel; for me this as well as Legends & Lattes were definitely enjoyable reads but didn’t necessary strike as impactful a chord as they seem to with many readers.

A Long Stretch of Bad Days by Mindy McGinnis (3.5 stars) – This YA contemporary mystery about two teens working on a podcast centered around their town’s darkest period was absorbing and an easy listen on audiobook, but didn’t necessarily blow me away.

Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places by Claire Kann (3 stars) – This contemporary paranormal romance had a lot of potential, but unfortunately the writing, and therefore the characters and plot, fell flat for me. I liked the premise and early aspects of the mystery, but ultimately this didn’t work well for me.