Sunday Post (67) / It's Monday, What Are You Reading

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s 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 now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

It was a dark and stormy afternoon...

Today is the perfect day to stay inside and read. I've been fighting sinus headaches all week and this weekend has been particularly bad. The weather was so nice yesterday and I was sad that I couldn't go out and do anything. On the plus side it gave me the excuse to read and watch TV. I always enjoy the Charlie Brown holiday specials and I got out my DVD of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Today I think I'll binge watch Gilmore Girls on Netflix. I've watched the trailer for the new miniseries several times this week. I'm so excited!

On Friday I went to a programming round table hosted by another library. I got some good ideas for programs but it was also nice to hear that I'm not the only one struggling with poor attendance. I still don't have my craft program for December planned but I have been looking for ideas on Pinterest. One possibility is painting wineglass candle holders. Another craft idea is sock snowmen. I've seen some that are cute and it is an easy craft as kids could even do it. 

Tomorrow is Halloween and my library is having a Boo Bash for kids and teens. We already had trick or treat storytime for the little kids and one kid was scared by another kid's costume (it was a unicorn) and spent the whole time crying and screaming so loudly we could hear it throughout the library. Every year there is always one poor little kid traumatized by Halloween. Hopefully tomorrow will go well and no one will be scared. 

Last week on my blog:

Like a River Glorious by Rae Carson (review)

Books read:

Victoria by Daisy Goodwin

Even though the young Victoria was kind of immature and unprepared to rule (not entirely her fault), I enjoyed reading this book and seeing her settle into being Queen. The novel only covers the beginning of her reign so I hope there will be more books. 

All We Have Left by Wendy Mills

This book is set both in modern day New York and New York on September 11, 2001. The present day story is told from the point of view of Jesse whose older brother died at the World Trade Center 15 years before when Jesse was only two. The past is seen from the perspective of Alia who is trapped in one of the towers with Jesse's brother. I liked the book though Jesse frustrated me at times. Alia's story was very sad and compelling.

A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas

I loved Sherry Thomas's YA fantasy series so when I saw that she had written a historical mystery based on Sherlock Holmes but with a female Sherlock I was definitely intrigued. There is a lot of setup in this first book and because Charlotte has to rely on others to go to the crime scenes and report back to her instead of investigating herself the story didn't flow as well as it could have. While not as good as I'd hoped, I still liked the book enough that I'd read the next one.

Books listened to:

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan (reread)

DNF:

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

I wanted to love this book especially considering how much I loved the Lunar Chronicles but I just couldn't get into it. I was reminded that I didn't like Alice in Wonderland as a kid. It was just too weird for me and in the end that is what doomed the book for me.

Currently reading:

Alterations by Stephanie Scott

This is a contemporary YA adaptation of Sabrina set in Miami. While I like it I am also frustrated by Amelia at times. I'm hoping she will let go of the things that hold her back and the lies she keeps spinning. I didn't find Sabrina as frustrating when she was in love with David Larrabee and I think that was because Sabrina didn't lie. 

Currently listening to:

The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan (reread)

On my TBR pile:

Spinning Starlight by R.C. Lewis

A Change of Heart by Sonali Dev

A Most Extraordinary Pursuit by Juliana Gray

The Darkest Hour by Caroline Tung Richmond

New books received:

What Light by Jay Asher (library book)

A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas (library book)

The Gilded Cage by Lucinda Gray (library book)

Sweetshop of Dreams by Jenny Colgan (library book)

Review: Like a River Glorious

Like a River Glorious

By Rae Carson

Published: September 27, 2016

After her harrowing journey west to California, Lee Westfall has finally found a new home—one rich in gold, thanks to her magical power, a power that seems to be changing every day. But this home is rich in other ways, too: with friends who are searching for a place to be themselves, just as she is, and with love. Jefferson—her longtime best friend—hasn’t stopped trying to win her heart. And Lee is more and more tempted to say yes. 

But her uncle Hiram hasn’t given up his quest to get Lee and her power under his control. When she’s kidnapped and taken to him, Lee sees firsthand the depths of her uncle’s villainy. Yet Lee’s magic is growing. Gold no longer simply sings to her, it listens. It obeys her call. Is it enough to destroy her uncle once and for all?

Rae Carson, acclaimed author of the Girl of Fire and Thorns series, takes us deep into the gold fields as she continues this sweeping saga of magic and history, and an unforgettable heroine who must come into her own. Like a River Glorious is the second book in the Gold Seer trilogy.

My review:

Leah (Lee) Westfall has found the perfect spot for a mining camp for herself and her new friends. With her ability to sense gold, they are assured of success but the thorn in her side is Uncle Hiram and his goons. Lee knows that she is going to have to defeat Hiram if she hopes to have a life in California. She's already lost so much to him and she's not about to let him hurt her friends. Then Lee is kidnapped and taken to Hiram's mining operation. She is not entirely alone though with friends like Jefferson on her side and new friends in unexpected places. Her magic is also changing near so much gold. Her uncle wants her to use it to make him rich but Lee has no intention of obeying. 

While the first book Walk on Earth a Stranger sets the stage and mostly takes place on the wagon train west, Like a River Glorious is all about the Gold Rush. Lee and her friends establish their own small town and they meet other miners as well. While they are panning for gold on their claims, Hiram is forcing Indian and Chinese laborers to mine the caves at Hiram's Gulch. 

This book builds on the friendships and storylines that are established in the first book and it is great to see how much Lee has changed, going from a solitary and secretive person to someone with a family she can trust and rely on. Even secondary characters like Becky Joyner have really developed. In the first book I didn't like her but now she has become a real friend to Lee and the heart of their camp. Jefferson and Lee's relationship changes as well with Lee finally confronting her feelings for him. 

The story builds up suspense as Lee tries to find a way out of her current predicament and a way to bring down Hiram. Thankfully there is not a cliffhanger but I am left with questions about what will happen in the next book. While I prefer the setting of Walk on Earth a Stranger since I love to read about wagon trains and pioneer life, I still found this to be a fascinating story. I really liked the character development and the touches of humor.  I would suggest this series to fans of teen historical fiction who don't mind just a little magic. 



Note: I received an ARC for review purposes courtesy of the publisher and Edelweiss

Sunday Post (66) / It's Monday, What Are You Reading

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s 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 now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

Not much going on this past week though it was cold and rainy. I was a little sad that I had to get my sweaters out of storage so early. I hope we actually have a fall instead of going from warmer weather to an early winter. No snow on the forecast though!

At work I am still trying to figure out what my last program of the year will be. I had thought of doing a cookie exchange but due to the possibility of germs I am considering a craft night instead. I am also working on ideas for a cookbook club I hope to start next year. I am trying to decide what format to use (we all read the same cookbook and make a recipe from it, we use different cookbooks based on a theme like chocolate or comfort food) and when and how often we'll meet. This Friday I'm going to a programming round table so hopefully I'll get some fresh new ideas for next year. 

Last week on my blog:

Top Ten Characters I'd Name a Pet After (or What Not to Name Your Cat) (post)

A Most Novel Revenge by Ashley Weaver (review)

Books read:

A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess

I liked this book though I'd had some misgivings after reading other reviews. It reminded me of The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas which I loved.

Amy Snow by Tracy Rees

This book started off really well and I did like it though I admit I was a bit let down in the end. I liked Amy and thought she was a sweet character who had to deal with a lot of cruelty. I was happy to see her bloom and find happiness though I felt a little let down in the end.

The Masked City by Genevieve Cogman

This series is really interesting and I learned more about magic, the library and various worlds. I can't wait for The Burning Page which is set in an alternate fantasy version of the French Revolution.

Currently reading:

Victoria by Daisy Goodwin

I am really excited about the PBS series coming this January and I find this book to be fascinating. I do think Victoria seems really naive and unprepared for being a queen and at times I found her annoying because of her immature behavior. This book focuses on the very beginning of her reign but I hope the author will write more so we can see how Victoria matures and changes.

Currently listening to:

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan (reread)

On my TBR pile:

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

A Change of Heart by Sonali Dev

All We Have Left by Wendy Mills

New books received:

Alterations by Stephanie Scott (for review) 

A Most Extraordinary Pursuit by Juliana Gray (library book)

The Tea Planter's Wife by Dinah Jefferies (library book)

The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan (library book)

Review: A Most Novel Revenge

A Most Novel Revenge

By Ashley Weaver

Published: October 11, 2016

With two murder investigations behind them and their marriage at last on steady ground, Amory and Milo Ames intend to winter quietly in Italy. The couple finds their plans derailed, however, when Amory receives an urgent summons to the English countryside from her cousin Laurel. At Lyonsgate, the country house of Laurel’s friend Reginald Lyons, Amory and Milo are surprised to discover an eccentric and distinguished group of guests have also been invited, led by the notorious socialite Isobel Van Allen.

After years of social exile, Isobel has returned to England to write a sequel to her scandalous first book, the thinly fictionalized account of a high society murder at the very country house to which the Ameses have been called. Her second incriminating volume, she warns the house’s occupants―all of whom were present when one of their companions was killed years ago―will tell everything that really happened that fateful night. But some secrets are meant to stay buried, and when a desperate person turns to murder, it’s up to Amory and Milo to sort through a web of scandal and lies to uncover the truth, and the identity of a killer.

My review:

This third book in the Amory Ames mystery series has two intriguing questions to solve: Was Edwin Green murdered years ago or was his death an accident? Who killed one of the current guests and why? The setting also gave it an almost Agatha Christie like feel as the guests at the country house (minus Amory and Milo) are all suspects. 

Amory is definitely an amateur sleuth and she sometimes makes mistakes but she puts her charm and her intelligence to good use to assist in the investigation. In this case, she meets Reginald Lyons and his sisters Beatrice and Lucinda as well as the scandalous Isobel Van Allen and other house guests. They were all present years ago when Edwin Green died. Isobel wrote a novel about the incident, changing the names but barely disguising the real people behind the characters. In her novel, she says that Edwin Green was murdered and she points her finger at another guest, Bradford Glenn. He committed suicide over the scandal that was caused. Now Isobel is back, claiming to be working on another novel that could reveal even more. When another murder happens, Amory decides to get involved.

I thought the author does a good job of making various people seem suspicious and I didn't guess who the killer was till nearly the end. It was also great to see how the relationship between Amory and Milo has grown stronger. Unlike other historical mysteries I've read (notably Rhys Bowen's Lady Georgiana series and Susan Elia MacNeal's Maggie Hope series), we don't really get to know any secondary recurring characters. The focus instead is on Amory, Milo and the suspects that are introduced. I didn't mind too much though as it kept things moving at a good pace. All in all it was an enjoyable mystery and I look forward to the next one. I think readers who like the works of Rhys Bowen and other similar mystery authors would like this series too. They are great for fall reading.



Note: I received an ARC for review purposes courtesy of the publisher and Edelweiss

Top Ten Characters I'd Name A Pet After

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. There is a new subject each week and this week's theme is "Top Ten Characters I'd Name a Child, Pet, or Car After".

I am not a pet owner but my sister has three fur children, a cat named Kitty and two dogs named after Green Bay Packers players-- Raji (after B.J. Raji) and Jordy (after Jordy Nelson). I decided Kitty needs a creative name to match her siblings so here are some (tongue in cheek) character inspired names I came up with for her.

Catness Everclean 

after Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games

Voldekitty (or Lord Voldecat)

after Voldemort from the Harry Potter series

Katnaerys Storm Cat, the Mother of Kittens

after Danaerys from Game of Thrones

Smeagol/Gollum

from The Lord of the Rings

Yoda

Liesl

Some other names:

Catdalf the Grey after Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings

Her-mew-one, after Hermione Granger from Harry Potter

Percy after Percy Weasley from Harry Potter

Minerva after Minerva McGonagall from Harry Potter

Sunday Post (65) / It's Monday, What Are You Reading

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s 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 now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

Last weekend I was out of town visiting my sister. We went to a food festival and then to the movie theater where we watched The Girl on the Train. I hadn't read the book and I'm glad I didn't. The movie was slow at times (at one point I wished I could just leave) but it definitely picked up at the end with that twist. My sister felt the same way about it (she probably liked it less since she'd read the book and knew about the twist) but her friends enjoyed it more.

This past week was my murder mystery dinner at the library. The theme was Murder in the Library and I played one of the suspects. My boss also played a suspect (he was the "head librarian") and so did several of my coworkers. We had a lot of fun with it and even though we had less of a turnout than usual, the library patrons really enjoyed it. Part of the fun was being in the library after it was closed. Now I will be getting things ready for the end of the year with my budget requests for next year, some purchases I need to catch up on and maybe one last program. 

Last two weeks on my blog:

The Queen's Accomplice by Susan Elia MacNeal (review)

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult (review)

Books read:

The Sheriffs of Savage Wells by Sarah M. Eden

I liked this historical romance about a female sheriff set in the "Wild West". I think Paisley would have made Annie Oakley proud and I'm hoping there will be more books about this town and its quirky citizens.

United by Melissa Landers

I thought United was a mostly satisfying conclusion to the Alienated series. It was great to see Cara become a better leader and while it wasn't as lighthearted as the previous books (especially the first one), I still really liked it.

A Most Novel Revenge by Ashley Weaver

This was another enjoyable entry in the Amory Ames mystery series. I liked that the mystery took place at a country house with plenty of suspects.

The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan

This is one of those charming books that are perfect to read when you want something light and fluffy and Hallmark movie-like. I liked that the main character is a librarian though she does lose her job and end up opening a bookshop in a van that she drives around in a small village in Scotland. There is also some romance and some fun quirky characters. 

Like a River Glorious by Rae Carson

Hi. My name is Christina and I am a Rae Carson fangirl :)

I loved Walk on Earth a Stranger especially with the wagon train setting and in Like a River Glorious we get to see Leah and her friends establish a gold mining camp and a new life for themselves in California while also dealing with the threat of her evil uncle. 

The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman

This is such a fun fantasy novel. It had an almost steampunk feel (but I liked it more than Gail Carriger's books which are over the top) and I loved the intelligent and capable main character, Irene. I am curious to learn more about the Library, the characters and the various worlds. 

Books listened to:

Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson (reread)

Currently reading:

A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess

So far this reminds me of The Burning Sky, another YA fantasy novel I loved. I've heard so many good things about this book and hopefully it won't disappoint.

Currently listening to:

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan (reread)

On my TBR pile:

The Masked City by Genevieve Cogman

I've already read an excerpt of this sequel to The Invisible Library and I can't wait to dive in. The book is partly set in an alternate Venice where every day is Carnival.

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

I'm hoping that I will like this book about The Queen of Hearts before she went bad. I loved The Lunar Chronicles (except for Fairest) so hopefully this will be good too.

Victoria by Daisy Goodwin

I'm excited about the TV miniseries Victoria that will be on PBS next year and Daisy Goodwin is the person who created and wrote it. 

New books received:

The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan (purchased)

The Masked City by Genevieve Cogman (library book)

Heartless by Marissa Meyer (for review)

Victoria by Daisy Goodwin (for review)