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Book Review: Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
After years of seeing her sisters suffer at the hands of an abusive prince, Marra—the shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter—has finally realized that no one is coming to their rescue. No one, except for Marra herself. Seeking help from a powerful gravewitch, Marra is offered the tools to kill a prince—if she can complete three impossible tasks. But, as is the way in tales of princes, witches, and daughters, the impossible is only the beginning. On her quest, Marra is joined by the gravewitch, a reluctant fairy godmother, a strapping former knight, and a chicken possessed by a demon. Together, the…
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Heatwave Life
We’re on day five of an insane heatwave here in Southern California, and I am going slowly insane. Yesterday, with humidity, it was 115 degrees. Like… what? WHO? I moved away from the desert on purpose to avoid temperatures like that, and they are so very much made worse by humidity. I’m so thankful we now live in a house with A/C and that we have blackout curtains. We’ve been living in a cave, but at least it’s a cool cave. The one benefit to being trapped inside by the heat is that I have more time to catch up…
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Book Review: The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick
In this poignant and sparkling debut, a lovable widower embarks on a life-changing adventure Sixty-nine-year-old Arthur Pepper lives a simple life. He gets out of bed at precisely 7:30 a.m., just as he did when his wife, Miriam, was alive. He dresses in the same gray slacks and mustard sweater vest, waters his fern, Frederica, and heads out to his garden. But on the one-year anniversary of Miriam's death, something changes. Sorting through Miriam's possessions, Arthur finds an exquisite gold charm bracelet he's never seen before. What follows is a surprising and unforgettable odyssey that takes Arthur from London to…
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Late Summer Nights
Ah summer. How I used to love you, and how I don’t love you now. We’ve just finished a two week heatwave and I barely survived. It seems the older that I get, the more I crave cool weather and hot drinks. Warm sweaters, and cozy blankets. Man, I really want the weather to turn already. Too bad I live in So Cal where that won’t happen for quite a while hahaha. On the bright side, being trapped inside with the A/C meant that I’ve actually got a fair amount of reading done! I’m on book 34 of 52 for…
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Top 5 Tuesday: Favorite Illustrated Books
Happy Tuesday friends! As promised, I’m slowly ramping up posting in here again, with a focus on doing what feels right at any given point. I’m still a little slow at reading, but I’ll have some reviews for you soon! The goal is no burnout. I’m proud of how well I’m doing. Until then, let’s participate in some weekly memes! Top THREE Favorite Illustrated Books Okay yes, it’s supposed to be five. But truth be told, I’m pretty picky about books with illustrations in them, and it took me forever to narrow it down to these wonderful stories. So I’m…
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Stay Cool, Friends.
Wherever you are, and whatever you’re doing, I hope that you’re all staying cool my friends! This heatwave has been insane, and today being the hottest day of the week was not something that I was anticipating. The good news is that we have blackout curtains and updated windows this summer, so that’s been a big help. The bad news is that it’s so hot that I honestly don’t want to do anything. Except sleep that is. Sleep is the best. On a happy note, I’m rounding out two books that I’ve been reading, and I’m actually excited to review…
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Book Review: The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther
Meredith Fox has been going to Martha's Vineyard for the summer as long as she can remember. But this summer is the first one back since the death of Meredith's sister. It will all be overwhelming, but even more since since the entire extended family will be together for her cousin's big wedding. Unfortunately, Meredith's longtime boyfriend unexpectedly dumped her two weeks before the wedding, leaving her dateless. Luckily, she has the perfect distraction. Her family has a tradition of playing the ultimate game of Assassin every summer, and this year it will take place during the week of wedding…
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Top Ten Tuesday: Top Five Most Anticipated Books for Fall/Winter 2022
Happy Tuesday friends! Getting back into the blogging groove again slowly. I had a great birthday weekend, and I promised myself that when I came back I’d take things slow and steady and not burn myself out. I’m actually starting to finish books again, and feel like reviewing again, so that’s so great! But I won’t rush. It will happen when it happens. Until then, let’s participate in some weekly memes! This week it’s actually TOP 5, which thank goodness because this was a hard one. My answers are below! Top Five Most Anticipated Books – Second Half of 2022…
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Yes, I still exist. I think?
Oof, the rut I’ve been in friends. Not only just not wanting to write any reviews, but really not wanting to read many books either. It’s like my brain had held it all together as best it could for as long as it could, and now it just needed a break whether I wanted it or not. I’ve been binge watching TV like there’s no tomorrow, and playing video games again (which I really never do), but books took a backseat. It’s been a rough go, if I’m being honest. I kept wanting to catch up on reviews in here,…
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Book Review: Sofi and the Bone Song by Adrienne Tooley
In this gorgeous, queer standalone fantasy, a young musician sets out to expose her rival for illegal use of magic only to discover the deception goes deeper than she could have imagined—perfect for fans of An Enchantment of Ravens! Music runs in Sofi’s blood. Her father is a Musik, one of only five musicians in the country licensed to compose and perform original songs. In the kingdom of Aell, where winter is endless and magic is accessible to all, there are strict anti-magic laws ensuring music remains the last untouched art. Sofi has spent her entire life training to inherit…
