Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon

So I've decided at the last minute to join the Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon, hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer. The goal is to read holiday or winter themed books.

I do not know how much I will be able to participate. I currently have one book that is set during Christmas, What Light by Jay Asher. I'll have to see if I can find some more!

Top Ten Books I've Added to My TBR List Lately

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 Books I've Added to My To-Be-Read List Lately".

Hunted by Meagan Spooner

This sounds like an intriguing retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Also I love the green cloak on the cover.

The Wish Granter by C.J. Redwine

I really liked The Shadow Queen and this Rumpelstiltskin retelling is set in the same world. 

By Your Side by Kasie West

I read my first Kasie West book this year and thought it was fun so I am looking forward to reading some more of her books next year.

Gem & Dixie by Sara Zarr

I love that this book is about sisters plus it's Sara Zarr. She knows how to write emotional contemporary fiction.

Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham

This historical novel looks at the Tulsa race riot of 1921.

The Chilbury Ladies Choir by Jennifer Ryan

I thought this sounded really promising. It is set in England during WWII.

Girl in Disguise by Greer Macallister

A historical fiction novel about the first female detective in the U.S.? Yes, please!

A Twist in Time by Julie McElwain

I loved the first book about FBI agent Kendra Donovan who accidentally goes back in time and solves murder mysteries. This sequel looks like it will be just as good.

Heartstone by Elle Katharine White

This is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice with dragons and wyverns and direwolves, oh my! I must read it :)

The Supremes Sing the Happy Heartache Blues by Edward Kelsey Moore

The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat was one of my favorite books last year so of course I am thrilled about the sequel.

Sunday Post (68) / 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.

At the library we had our fall festival Saturday and it went very well. The weather cooperated and we had a good turnout for turkey bowling and pumpkin chucking. Monday's Boo Bash was also a success with some new teens and kids visiting the library to participate. 

On Monday night on the way home from work I ran over a dead deer lying in the road (I didn't see it in time and couldn't swerve around it as another car was coming the other way). Thankfully my car was easily fixable (a plastic part was out of place and the mechanic fixed it for free) and there were no injuries. I've never hit a live deer but I hope I never ride over a dead one again either!

I'm kind of dreading this week. Between the time change I hate and election day it promises to be stressful. Thankfully I have Friday off in honor of Veterans' Day and I'll be visiting my parents for the weekend for our family's Thanksgiving. I'm going to be on Pinterest the rest of the weekend looking for recipes to make. Unfortunately I'm back to dairy free and gluten free living for the time being after a miserable week of tummy issues. My sister said she'd be bringing a gluten free and dairy free Paleo pumpkin pie. Her pumpkin pie bars were delicious last year.

Last week on my blog:

Top Ten Books to Read if Your Bookclub Likes... (post)

A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess (review)

Books read:

A Most Extraordinary Pursuit by Juliana Gray

While the ghosts/mythology/time travel elements were a little strange I mostly enjoyed this story especially once the action got underway.

Currently reading:

The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E. Pearson

I started this when I realized it was due back to the library. I think it is pretty good so far. 

Currently listening to:

The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan (reread)

On my TBR list:

The Gilded Cage by Lucinda Gray

Sweetshop of Dreams by Jenny Colgan

Alterations by Stephanie Scott

Spinning Starlight by R.C. Lewis

The Tea Planter's Wife by Dinah Jefferies

New books received:

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalo (library book)

Crosstalk by Connie Willis (library book)

The Story of a Brief Marriage by Anuk Arudpragasam (library book)

Review: A Shadow Bright and Burning

A Shadow Bright and Burning

By Jessica Cluess

Published: September 20, 2016

I am Henrietta Howel.
The first female sorcerer in hundreds of years.
The prophesied one.
Or am I?

Henrietta Howel can burst into flames. 
Forced to reveal her power to save a friend, she's shocked when instead of being executed, she's invited to train as one of Her Majesty's royal sorcerers.

Thrust into the glamour of Victorian London, Henrietta is declared the chosen one, the girl who will defeat the Ancients, bloodthirsty demons terrorizing humanity. She also meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, handsome young men eager to test her power and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her.

But Henrietta Howel is not the chosen one. 
As she plays a dangerous game of deception, she discovers that the sorcerers have their own secrets to protect. With battle looming, what does it mean to not be the one? And how much will she risk to save the city—and the one she loves?

My review:

In this alternate fantasy version of London, magic is off limits to women so Henrietta has to keep her abilities a secret lest she be killed as a witch. When her friend Rook is in danger, she uses her ability with fire to save his life but she is seen by the sorcerer Agrippa. Henrietta is sure this is the end for her but Agrippa believes she is not a witch but the sorceress that is prophesied to save them. Instead of death, Henrietta has the opportunity to train in magic. She loves her newfound freedom and the ability to learn though things don't come to her as easily as they should. Unfortunately Henrietta discovers she isn't a sorceress but a magician, something anathema and illegal. She has to keep this a secret but everyone is depending on her to save them from the Ancients.

Prior to reading this book I read some mixed reviews. Some people loved it while others derided it as derivative of other YA fantasy novels or disliked all the "love interests". I was hesitant about reading it but decided to give the book a try anyway and I'm so glad I did. I like that the author chose to write a character that wasn't the "chosen one" and to show the challenges she faced not only in trying to live up to expectations but also because she wanted to do her part to stop the Ancients. While there are some hints of romance (one character claims to be in love with her while she seems to have feelings for another), I didn't really see a "love triangle".  

A Shadow Bright and Burning reminded me of The Burning Sky and other books in the Elemental Magic series by Sherry Thomas. I loved The Burning Sky so that is high praise from me. I thought the world that Jessica Cluess created was interesting and I hope to learn more in the next book. I would suggest this book to fans of The Burning Sky and other similar YA fantasy.

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

Top Ten Books to Read if Your Book Group Likes...

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 Books To Read If Your Book Group Likes..."

I have been running two book groups for five years now and while both book groups have their different reading tastes, sometimes we get tired of reading the darker or sadder stories typically considered "book group books"  and we need something a little more lighthearted (not that these are all "happy" books). 

These are my picks for books that are either lighthearted or have funny/quirky characters

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
The Tower, the Zoo and the Tortoise by Julia Stuart

The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin 
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

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)