It's Monday, What Are You Reading (123)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

I decided to take a break from blogging last week since I was so busy with other things and it was kind of nice (but I'm glad to be back!). I did write a review to be posted later this week but I am behind on writing reviews for NetGalley and Amazon Vine. This week I am hoping to read some of those books I requested so I can start to get caught up.

Books read:

The Secrets of Mary Bowser by Lois Leveen

I read this for my evening book group's October selection and I thought it was fantastic! I had never heard of Mary Bowser before and it was interesting to learn about her life. I am looking forward to my book discussion later this week to find out what the others thought.

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

I reread this book so that everything would be fresh in my mind when I picked up the sequel. It certainly helped me to remember. 

Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier

I liked this sequel though the romance annoyed me at times. I am looking forward to finding out what happens in the final book, Emerald Green.

Hidden by Sophie Jordan

A good conclusion to the Firelight series. I hope Sophie Jordan will write more YA books-maybe some YA historical romance will be next. I will have to try her books for adults in the meantime.

Books reviewed:

The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin

Currently reading:

The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker

This is my afternoon book group's October selection and I am under deadline to finish it by Tuesday afternoon! So far I sort of like it but I am going to have to push myself to finish on time. 

What I might read next:

Princess Elizabeth's Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal

I will be picking this up the moment I finish my current book. I loved the first book in this mystery series and I've already started reading this (but had to put it aside to read the book group book). I look forward to reading about Queen Elizabeth as a young girl during WWII.

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

I requested this from NetGalley and since it will be published in December, I want to read it sometime soon so I can review it in time. I have read some positive reviews from other bloggers so hopefully I will like it.

Cinders and Sapphires by Leila Rasheed

This is another book I requested for review and though it won't be published till next year, I am eager to read it as it is set in the same time as Downton Abbey. I hope I will like it much more than Wentworth Hall!

The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley

I loved The Winter Sea and liked Mariana and The Rose Garden so I am hopeful that I will really enjoy this book too.  I love reading about Scotland and I've read some really positive reviews. 

The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin

I have had this ARC on my TBR shelf for quite awhile. It was released more than a year ago and while I started to read it, I never made time to finish it. My goal is to read it by the end of the year!

So what have you been reading and what do you plan to read next?