Sunday Post (18) / It's Monday, What Are You Reading

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. 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 will also be sharing my It's Monday post on Twitter #IMWAYR.

So I got back from my trip to Canada on Tuesday. I had a great time with my family and even got to see Casa Loma on my last day there. I'd wanted to go there since I was a kid so I'm glad I finally got to visit. It is very Downton Abbey like but probably isn't nearly as grand as Highclere Castle.

Speaking of Downton Abbey, I was excited to see the new trailer. There are some interesting clues of what might happen and I'm pretty sure we even get a glimpse of the Carson/Hughes wedding. The sixth and final season starts on September 20th in the U.K. and next January in the U.S.

Since I've been back to work I've been busy catching up. My coworker Kim and I are working on our first Pinterest Craft Night at the library. So far only one person has signed up but we have some fun crafts planned and once we have something on display it might attract more interest. We'll see. This is the first time I'll be doing a live craft program for adults so I don't know what kind of attendance to expect.

Last week on my blog:

Evergreen Falls by Kimberley Freeman (review)

Mechanica by Betsy Cornwell (review)

Books read:

Maid of Wonder by Jennifer McGowan

While I liked Sophia, the paranormal elements in this historical mystery didn't quite work for me (Sophia is the niece of John Dee and she has prophetic/psychic abilities). I prefer the two prior books in the series that were more solidly grounded in Tudor reality. I definitely plan to continue with the series because I like the characters and the other books shouldn't have the strong emphasis on the paranormal.

The Bollywood Bride by Sonali Dev

I think I like the cover more than the book. I felt bad the heroine, Ria who has to deal with some traumatic things in her past but the love interest was a big jerk for the first part of the book (he is bitter because she broke his heart years ago). I ended up liking the book but I prefer romances where the hero is worthy of the heroine from the beginning.

Soundless by Richelle Mead

This is a YA fantasy novel inspired by Chinese folklore. I prefer Mead's other teen fiction with its more vibrant characters. While I liked Fei because of her loyalty and determination, I found her and the story to be pretty bland overall.

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

There was a lot of hype surrounding this book so I was happy to discover that Dumplin' lives up to it.  Willowdean is a complex character. On the one hand she is brave and she can be pretty confident but on the other hand she also struggles with some insecurity regarding her body and she is mad at herself for feeling that way. I liked that the book didn't involve her losing weight to find happiness.

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

This is another book that had a lot of hype and an interesting premise (a teenage girl who can never leave her house because of an illness falls in love with a teenage boy who moves in next door). I really liked it and thought it reminded me a little bit of Eleanor and Park and The Fault in Our Stars while being original at the same time. I think Maddy is my favorite new character of 2015. 

Currently reading:

Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin

This Christian fiction novel is set during WWII prior to U.S. involvement and there is a lot of anti-war/isolationist sentiment. The main characters are trying to solve a mystery of who is behind the sabotage at the Navy shipyard.

What I might read next:

Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson

I have such high hopes for this book that I'm a little nervous about starting it. The Girl of Fire and Thorns is one of my favorite books and the other two books in the series were equally fantastic.

After You by Jojo Moyes

This is the sequel to Me Before You, my favorite of Jojo Moyes's books. I am hoping we will see some characters get a happy ending after the sorrow of the last book.

Madly by Amy Alward

I think this book sounds like fun. The main character Samantha has to save a princess who took a love potion that went wrong. 

The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach by Pam Jenoff

I decided to give this book a try after reading a review from Christina at Confessions of a Book Addict (she called it one of her favorite books of the year). I love historical fiction and with such high praise I'm sure I'll love this book too.

New books received:

Madly by Amy Alward (for review)

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (for review)

The Good Neighbor by Amy Sue Nathan (for review)

The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach by Pam Jenoff (library book)

Brown-Eyed Girl by Lisa Kleypas (library book)

The Oregon Trail by Rinker Buck (library book)