Though most of my posting is happening over on Instagram as of late, I thought I’d get back to sharing some of my posts here.

What better way to start than with my most anticipated books of July?  I have  a great month of reading ahead!

What July releases are you looking forward to most?

What a week!  I wish I could say I spent it reading, but horribly high pollen levels leaves me with itchy, watery eyes.   Not at all conducive to reading for any extended period of time.  That said, I did manage to get some reading in, including a five-star read!

Tell Me An Ending by Joe Harkin (Read it! Great Book Club Pick!) Nepenthe is a clinic in London that has come up with a way to chemically remove a memory.  Unfortunately, the early days of this revolutionary practice had some issues, resulting in memory traces returning.  Many of these individuals don’t know they had a memory erased.   If they choose to have the memory removal reversed, how will their lives be altered?

There were so many ethical issues raised in this book, it would be the perfect book club read.  I loved the different points of view, most of which are current or former patients of Nepenthe. My only concern (and the reason for the three star rating) was the length; I think it could have been easily trimmed down a bit, aiding and the flow and pacing.

Homecoming by Kate Morton: (Read it now!)

Jess has lived in London for two decades, but her heart is still in Australia with her grandmother, Nora.  She is struggling financially and desperately needs inspiration for a story. When she receives news that Nora has fallen and is in the hospital, she returns to Sydney.  Nora is barely conscious, so Jess retires to her home. She finds a true-crime novel with a case that has never been solved.  As she reads, she learns that her family has connections to this now long-buried case.  Desperate to know more, makes this the basis of her story and begins to investigate the case that shocked the local community.

This was such a fantastic read! I’m a sucker for dark family secrets, and this book was filled to the brim with them.  The pacing was perfect, the characters were well crafted and dynamic!  There wasn’t a thing I didn’t like about this book, so it truly earned the five star rating!  Bump this up to the top of our TBR stack!

What books did you read this week? What were your favorites?

It was a slow reading week, but the books I read were quite memorable:

The House is on Fire by Rachel Beanland: My verdict: READ IT!

It’s the winter season of 1811 in Richmond, VA.   The city’s only theater is packed.  It’s the height of the social season, the Assembly is in session, and many of the wealthy planters & their families have come to Richmond for the winter.  When the theater goes up in flames during the performance, the reader follows four characters whose decisions will determine the fate of not only their lives, but the lives of many others.

Based on a true disaster, the author excelled at crafting characters who, despite having vastly different backgrounds,  were in one singular location at the time of a horrific tragedy.  The fire was a perfect vehicle to bring to light the various social travesties prevalent at the time, including abuse of slaves,  racism, and  more.  What transpired as the theater-goers fled the scene of the fire and the days that followed allowed many of those in power to be seen what they really are, horrific, selfish individuals who were only out for their own safety and protection.  A stunning piece of historical fiction!

The Perishing by Natashia Deón My verdict: READ IT (then discuss it)

I’m intentionally NOT giving a summary of this book.  This was my second time reading it; I needed a refresher before my book club discussion.  This is not a book you read in one sitting, or you try to rush through.  Rather, it’s one that must be savored, reflected upon, and then discussed.  I genuinely feel that each reader will have their own personal response to this title. There are a lot of unanswered questions.  There was a lot that could have been expanded upon; I don’t know if it was cut out in editing or never there to begin with.  That said, if you have patience with this book, and have the opportunity to read it and discuss it with a group, do so!

Coming up on my shelf next week:

The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead
Sisters of the Lost Nation by Nick Medina
The Cherished by Patricia Ward

What books did you read this week? Any you have coming up to read you are excited about?

It was a slow reading week for me.  The pollen in our area is on overdrive, so my eyes have been an itchy, watery mess all week!

Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton (DNF): I don’t know if it was the timing, or mood, but I just couldn’t get invested in this one.  I got about halfway through the book before calling it quits.

Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade (READ IT, LOVED IT):  Marcus Caster-Rupp, the star of the biggest show on television has a secret; he gets out his frustration with the show and script by writing anonymous fanfiction involving the show’s most popular couple.  If the word got out, it could end his career.  April Whittier is a hardcore fan of the show.  She, too, keeps her fanfiction hidden from her “real life.”  When she decides to post a picture of her wearing her latest costume on social media, she’s attacked due to her plus-size figure. Marcus comes to her defense. Despite the feeding frenzy it causes with internet critics, Marcus invites April to dinner. He quickly learns he wants more than just a publicity stunt, but when April reveals she’s actually her best fandom friend, Marcus must decide if he’s ready to drop the façade and allow this love made in fanfiction come to life.

So, so good!  I don’t think there was a thing I didn’t like about this book.  Realistic characters, a truly engaging plot line and oh…the sexy times.  I can’t believe I hadn’t read this author yet!  I’ve already requested the next two books from my library; I can’t wait!

Paradise 1 by David Wellington (READ IT, LOVED IT) Paradise-1 was Earth’s first deep space colony.  After receiving no communication from the colony in months, the Artemis, led by Inspector Alexandra Petrova, is sent to investigate.  Before they are awakened from the sleep chambers that kept them in stasis for the long journey, they are attacked.  What they discover when they awaken is beyond horrifying.  Still, they must finish their investigation, no matter the costs.

Yep, I’m being intentionally vague with the synopsis.  There is SO much packed into this book that I don’t want to spoil.  A must-read for fans of sci-fi & horror.  I can already see this being turned into a movie; I’d be the first in line to watch it!

Coming up on my shelves next week:

• A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell (recommended by one of my book club members!)
• The House is on Fire by Rachel Beanland
• The Perishing by Natashia Deón (my book club pick for April)

It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these, but I want to get back in the habit of doing them!  This is the first month I’ve consciously made it a priority to read at least 30 minutes each night; most nights it’s at least an hour!   17 books read in one month! Wow!

My top three (in no order):

• The Spite House
• Malice House
• Seek You

Least Favorite: Reminders of Him

DNF: The Night Travelers

What was your reading month like? What were your favorites?

What a week of reading!  For clarification, my “week” is Saturday-Friday, so a lot of my reading time takes place on the weekend.  I also hit a big book slump this week; one of the problems with reading so many books!

What I read this week:

She is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran: READ IT (with warning)! This was an uber-creepy book set in Vietnam.  In order for Jade to get the money she needs for college, she’s agreed to spend time with her father in the French colonial house he’s restoring.   She’s always had to lie to fit in, so this shouldn’t be a challenge.  But her father is obsessed with this house,  putting all of his resources into it.  Yet night after night, Jade wakes up to the sound of the walls thrumming, and bug carcasses keep appearing despite her frequent cleaning.  At night, the ghost of a young bride visits her, warning her not to eat.  Her father and younger sister don’t believe her, so she has to find evidence to prove her suspicions.  They have ancestral ties to this home; strong and deadly ties they must break if they want to survive.

The warning: bugs.  Lots of bugs. Apparently I wasn’t aware to how nauseated they made me.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers: READ THIS NOW!  I wrote out a long synopsis of this book, which I ultimately deleted. Part of the journey in reading this book is for the reader to reveal it on their own.  This is the sort of book that warms your heart and soul.  I’m so thrilled this is just the first book in a new series!   These are short novellas, so I’d get this and the second book, A Prayer for the Crown-Shy, too!

Book Lovers by Emily Henry: READ IT.  READ ALL OF HER BOOKS!  It’s been a practice of mine to always have an Emily Henry book, unread, in my TBR stack.   Her books are the perfect medicine for whatever ails you.  This one is my favorite.  The setting, the characters, I loved every bit of it.

Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover: Don’t Read It.  I’ve never read any of Hoover’s books, so I don’t understand the craze.  I caved.  While I can see (but not agree with) why people may enjoy her books, it’s just not my cup of tea.  Consider this the book version of a “thank you bite.”

What Have We Done by Alex Finlay: Read it. Three completely unique individuals were once the best of friends.  They grew up together in a group home over twenty years ago.  They’ve since grown and lead accomplished but troubled lives.  They haven’t seen or spoken to one another in years, so why is someone trying to kill them?  The only way to survive is to reawaken the buried memories of their childhoods and face the secret that has haunted them all these years.

Super fast and intense read, one that I can easily imagine as a movie.  The characters are all flawed and damaged, but that’s what makes them so believable.

The Night Travelers by Armando Lucas Correa: Did not finish.  I really wanted to read this one; I was sold by the premise (a young woman gives birth to a mixed-race daughter in Nazi Germany)  but I couldn’t get into it.  I got through half of the book, but the jumping around in time and place lost me.  I think there was a huge portion of this book that could have easily been cut-out to keep the reader engaged.

The Perfect Predator: A Scientist’s Race to Save Her Husband from a Deadly Superbug by Steffanie Strathdee, Thomas Patterson: READ IT.    This is actually a memoir, but read like a thriller!  An epidemiologist and her psychologist husband are traveling to Egypt when he comes down with what they think was a stomach bug.   He quickly turns critical, and after being transported via emergency medevac, they learn he is fighting an antibiotic-resistant bacteria.   Fortunately, they have connections that allow them access to world-class medical treatments and staff who are willing to try anything to save him.  What saves his life is a treatment that ceased over 100 years ago after the discovery of antibiotics, the “perfect predator” that can kill the most deadly of bacteria.  Honestly, I did find myself skimming some of the overly-medical bits, but my favorite parts were the chapters in which Tom, the patient, shared his dreams while he was under.  Truly fascinating to witness the experience from his point of view!

Whew…that was a lot!  Now what’s up for me next week:

• The Kindred by Alechia Dow
• Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton
• Paradise-1 by David Wellington

What a wonderful week of reading! Talk about an eclectic selection of books!

Books Read This Week

Wilder Women by Ruth Emmie Lang:  Nora Wilder disappeared five years ago, leaving her two daughters behind.  The daughters have been separated; Zadie lives on her own and Finn has spent the last few years in a loving foster home.  Reunited at Finn’s high school graduation party, the sisters plan to go on a beach trip to reconnect.  Both Wilder girls have special abilities; Zadie has psychic abilities and Finn can see the echoes of others’ memories.   Their trip changes when Finn experiences one of the strongest “echoes” of her life, leaving her with the feeling that their mother wanted to be found.  Using these “echoes,” the two embark on a journey across the country to retrace their mother’s footsteps.  As Finn dives deeper into these echoes, she finds it harder to pull herself from the past.  She’s the only way they’ll find their mother, but in doing so will she loose herself? 

READ IT!  I loved following Zadie and Finn on their journey.  It was more than just a physical journey, but a mental and emotional one as well.   They both believe their mother left them out of selfishness, but at each step on their journey they learn more about her and, in turn, themselves.

Lone Women by Victor LaValle: The year is 1915.  Adelaide Henry’s parents have been killed, and she must flee California.  She heads to Montana to become one of the “lone women” taking advantage of the government’s offer for anyone to own land as long as they settle on it.  The only thing she travels with is an enormous steamer trunk that must remain locked at all times.  As Adelaide builds her homestead, she begins to forget about the secrets in her past that lead to her current situation.  Secrets can’t remain locked up forever, and soon Adelaide must accept that what she thought was a curse may be her salvation.

READ IT! I admit, horror set in the American West has traditionally not been my thing.  Reading Alma Katsu’s THE HUNGER  a few years ago opened my eyes to a completely new element of horror fiction and I’ve been sold since!   LaValle crafts a truly chilling horror scene in cold & remote Montana and I was captivated after reading just a few pages.

Red Queen by Juan Gómez-Jurado: Jon Gutierrez is a police investigator in the city of Bilbao, Spain.  A career-ending decision may also land him in prison.  Instead, he’s contacted by a secret organization that leads criminal investigations of a highly sensitive nature.  Think of those crimes that people in power don’t want to show up on the nightly news.  This organization wants him to bring a detective out of self-imposed retirement. Antonia Scott is a legendary detective with an almost supernatural ability to solve murders.  She’s been unable to recover from a personal trauma, but only she can form a connection between two seemingly unrelated cases involving some of the most powerful people in Spain.

READ IT!  I was looking for a quick, fast-paced thriller and this certainly fit the bill!  The comparison Lisbeth Salander nearly dissuaded me from reading this one, but I’m glad I gave it a try.  Antonia’s backstory is truly jawdropping; I’m glad to read this isn’t the last we’ll hear of this unusual pairing!

Piñata by Leopoldo Gout:  Carmen Sanchez and her two daughters are living in Mexico while she oversees the renovation of an ancient church.   The abbey is being turned into a posh hotel.   Carmen hopes this trip will allow her and her girls to reconnect with their roots.  The role isn’t exactly stress-free for Carmen.  The laborers don’t respect her since she’s a woman and is forced to deal with local corruption.  They can’t walk down the street without seeing posters of missing young girls so she must juggle her families safety with her need to complete this job.    An accident on site unearths a room that doesn’t show up on the abbey’s floorplans.  Inside, they find artifacts that date back centuries.  There’s a reason these were hidden.  Unfortunately, the accident damages Carmen’s reputation and she and her daughters return to the States.  Something follows, something so dark and ancient they might not be able to stop it. 

READ IT! As an avid reader of horror, I’m always on the lookout for a fresh new voice, horror unlike anything I’ve read before.  This one is absolutely brilliant.  Vengeful spirits. Hidden rooms. Ancient artifacts. Sign me up!  Also, I carried this book into the salon with me for a hair appointment.  The looks I got after they saw the cover.  I have no shame in my horror-loving game!

Seek You: A Journey Through American Loneliness by Kristen Radtke: Loneliness is a silent epidemic.  Unfortunately, it’s not one we often talk about.  Anyone can be a victim.  Rather than shaming it as our society has traditionally done, Radtke gives it the attention it deserves.  Using emotionally-charged drawings, Radtke highlights examples of how and why we are drawn to interactions with others and what happens when that exposure to others is revoked. 

DON’T JUST READ IT. BUY IT. SHARE IT. This is the book everyone should be reading.  How many times have we looked on someone, an individual, and assumed they were lonely because they were solitary? Or sat in a crowded room and felt empty? Radtke presents loneliness, specifically American loneliness, in a way you can’t overlook or ignore.  I found myself stunned and gasping as I turned the pages.  I read this book days ago and I can’t seem to stop thinking about it and sharing it.  Undoubtedly it will top my favorites of the year.  I can honestly say I haven’t read anything like it!

COMING UP ON MY SHELVES THIS WEEK:

• SHE IS A HAUNTING by Trang Thanh Tran
• THE ISLAND by Natasha Preston
• TELL ME AN ENDING by Jo Harkin

How was your reading week? What books on your shelf stood out to you?

The time change has me completely out of whack this week, so I didn’t get nearly as much reading in as I would have liked to.  I did get to squeeze in a book event at my favorite independent bookstore, so that’s a plus!

Books Read: 

Venco by Cherie Dimaline: READ IT! LOVED IT! Lucky St. James lives with her quirky and surly grandmother, Stella, in Toronto.  Facing eviction, Lucky is at her wit’s end.   One night, she uncovers an antique spoon with the word “SALEM” printed on it.  Curious, she holds onto it.  She’s soon contacted by a company called VenCo about a job.  They offer to provide housing for Lucky and her grandmother.  Lucky can’t imagine how this company could have such an interest in her; her life has never really gone anywhere.  VenCo (anagram of coven) is actually a well-funded front that has provide resources for witches since the colonial days. She learns that in finding the spoon, it reveals she is the sixth of seven witches who must reunite to reform a coven.  Once the spoons are reunited, the coven will regain power once again.  They don’t have much time to find the final witch; the group is being tracked by an ancient witch-hunter who seeks to put an end to the coven…for good.

I’m intentionally keeping this summary vague, for I think so much must be revealed by the reader.  It’s a fun read, with a delightfully addictive blend of magic & history.  I can definitely see this being turned into a movie.

Red London by Alma Katsu: READ IT, LOVED IT!  I’ve been a fan of Alma’s writing since the early days of The Taker. I’d read anything she writes; she really got me interested in reading spy thrillers with the release of Red Widow.    This is the second book in this series.  While it could be read as a standalone, you’d get a lot of backstory and character development by starting with the first.  In this thriller, Agent Lyndsey Duncan is in London, focusing on her newest Russian asset, a war criminal.  When a Russian oligarch’s home is attacked, Lyndsay is personally contacted by her MI6 counterpart, asking for her help.  He needs someone on the inside, and he thinks Lindsay may be that person. Once she’s inside, she learns there are others that are seeking the same information and are taking steps that aren’t exactly legal to get that information.  A thrill of a read, I devoured this in an afternoon!

Alma’s talent crosses genres.  From supernatural to historical horror and back to spy thrillers, Alma can write it all.  Her career as an intelligence analyst gives you a hint at the level of research she does with everything she writes, and you can definitely see it in the success of her work.  I can’t wait to read what’s coming up next…more to come on that!

Coming up on my bookshelf next week:

I’m currently reading Wilderwomen and hoped to have it read by the end of this week, but it just wasn’t in the cards for me, I guess!   Following that, here are some books calling to me from my bookshelves:

The Curator by Owen King
Piñata by Leopoldo Gout