Weekly Mews: Reading Less but Still Reading, Book Clubs, & Time for My October TBR List Poll (Please Vote!)

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer and The Sunday Salon (TSS) hosted by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz  where participants recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. I am also linking It's Monday! What Are you Reading? hosted by Kathryn of Book Date where readers talk about what they have been, are and will be reading.

I am linking up Stacking the Shelves hosted by Marlene of Reading Reality a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently.  

I am not ready for October, but here it is. The end of September was a difficult one, marking a year since my father-in-law's passing. Work continues to be emotionally exhausting. Gracie gave us a scare for a couple of days. We think now she pulled a muscle in one of her back legs as she was limping badly, was extra quiet, and found a quiet place to hide for much of the time. Just when we decided it was time to call the vet, she was feeling better and is now back to her normal self. In fact, she and Nina were chasing each other all over the house half an hour ago.

October will be a busy month. Mouse has lots of band activities to attend (and I still need to buy tickets to the football game and the Band Extravaganza events. Don't let me forget!). She has her well check up with the doctor and I have a dentist appointment coming up in the next couple weeks. Neither of which are exciting, but things that must be done. 

Recommendation Request: Mouse's interest in mythology (especially Greek, Roman, and Norse) has amped up in recent weeks. If you can think of any books that might interest a 13 year old, fiction and nonfiction, she is open to recommendations. She just asks for nothing with romance (or very little, if any) and not Percy Jackson-like. 

What have you been up to?

Books Read in September

I kicked my September off with an entertaining mystery by Elise Bryant, It's Elementary. It was a funny light mystery with a hint of romance that went in a direction I did not anticipate. Next up was The Golden Enclaves, the third book in Naomi Novik's YA fantasy Scholomance trilogy. While perhaps not my favorite in the series, I found myself quickly immersed in El's world again. I am a huge fan of El, which I know she would not at all be happy to hear.

I took the plunge and took part in a book club hosted by my local independent book store. They have quite a few book clubs (19 adult clubs and 5 youth/children's clubs) and, being the eclectic reader that I am, I find myself drawn to more than I can realistically attend. I decided to start with the Historical Book Club. Amy Harmon's A Girl Called Samson was September's pick and a book I had wanted to read for awhile now. I haven't read too many books set during the American Revolution but I found the story of Deborah Samson, a woman who disguised herself as a soldier to fight in the war, fascinating--even more so because the character is based on the real like Deborah Sam[p]son. My book club had a good discussion about the book and we all agreed we liked the book. I plan to participate in this month's historical book club too where we will be discussing The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas.

Because I got it into my head that I needed to earn ALL the Kindle achievement bookmarks for the summer, I took a chance on a Kindle Vella novel (where authors are given the opportunity to self-publish a novel an episode at a time), choosing to read a paranormal romance called Enchanting the Alpha by Abby Ryan. I do not read a lot of self-published work, admittedly, but I do read (and have enjoyed) some, just not usually unpolished work like this. The premise was good and I liked Skye and Kieren, but I didn't love it. 

My September TBR List Winner, Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca, was just what I hoped it would be. It made for a great romance and the ghostly mystery was an added bonus. I ended the month with the graphic novel, Banned Book Club Kim Hyun Sook, Ryan Estrada, & Ko Hyung-Ju, set in 1983 South Korea, when students were protesting the totalitarian regime of that time. I may not have read a banned book for National Banned Book Week, but Banned Book Club fit the theme. I know so little about South Korea modern history and found the book eye-opening. 

It's Elementary by Elise Bryant

The Golden Enclaves (Scholomance #3) by Naomi Novik

A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon

Enchanting the Alpha by Abby Ryan

Haunted Ever After (Boneyard Key #1) by Jen DeLuca

Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook, Ryan Estrada, & Ko Hyung-Ju

My September 2024 Reading Moods (according to Storygraph)

What was your favorite book read in September? Did you have a good reading month?

I began reading James by Percival Everett last month in hopes of attending the Black Lit Book Club at the local independent bookstore, but it wasn't meant to be. My reading slowed down considerably last month and hasn't picked up much since. It isn't for lack of enjoyment of what I am reading. It's more a matter of other things getting in the way. I did squeeze in the graphic novel Everything Is OK by Debbie Tung the first day of October. I kept telling my husband, "She totally gets me," and "This is me; she's describing me," just about every page.  

I recently started Weyard by Emilia Hart and am already invested in each of the stories of the three main characters across the different timelines. I have been wanting to read this one since it first came out and was excited to see it would be the Cellar Door Book Club pick this month (yet another book club--yes, I've gone book club crazy). 

What are you reading right now?

My TBR List is hosted by Michelle at Because Reading. The 1st Saturday of every month, I will list 3 books from my TBR pile I am considering reading and let you vote for my next read during that month. My review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise).  

Please help me select my next read! My current reads seem a bit on the more serious side and so I thought I would lighten the mood with one of these three. And they fit with the spirit of the season! Which of these three books do you think I should read? 

An Intrigue of Witches (Secret Society Mystery #1) by Esme Addison

Introducing the Secret Society mystery series, and kick-ass red-headed heroine Sidney, a Black historian poised on the brink of discovering her true past . . . and her hidden witchy powers!

Thirty-year-old Black woman Sidney Taylor is a talented early American historian, working in fast-paced Washington DC, with her eyes on promotion. She’s also currently persona non grata. Who knew that making an inconvenient historical discovery would see her stuck at her desk, shuffling paper?

So when she receives an anonymous and very cryptic invitation to visit historic small-town Robbinsville, North Carolina and hunt for a missing archaeological treasure – with a million-dollar pay out at stake – it’s one she can’t refuse. Besides, her beloved grandmother lives in Robbinsville, and it’s been too long since she’s paid her a visit.

Soon, Sidney's on an exciting treasure hunt, following two-hundred-year-old clues that lead her ever closer to the artefact she’s searching for. But what is the artefact? And why is Sidney starting to feel like she’s at the heart of a terrifying conspiracy she doesn’t understand?

The answer blows Sidney’s world apart, plunging her into a dark, glittering world of secret societies, ancient bloodlines, witches and magic, linked to an ages-old conspiracy that could destroy the very principles upon which America was founded.

This delicious genre-blend of cozy thriller, contemporary fantasy and mystery is National Treasure meets the supernatural treasure hunts of Indiana Jones, with a dash of A Discovery of Witches. [Goodreads Summary]

A Grim Reaper's Guide to Catching a Killer (SCYTHE Mystery #1) by Maxie Dara

Sometimes it takes working with the dead to start living.

Kathy Valence is forty-two, mid-divorce, and pregnant with her ex's baby. She's also a modern-day grim reaper employed by S.C.Y.T.H.E. (Secure Collection, Yielding, and Transportation of Human Essences), but frankly that's the easiest part of her life right now. Or at least it was, until her latest client's soul goes missing.

When she finally tracks down seventeen-year-old Conner Ortiz, he angrily denies he died of natural causes, despite what his file says. He insists that someone at S.C.Y.T.H.E. murdered him, and he demands Kathy find out who and why.

Kathy has only forty-five days to figure out what happened to Conner and help him move on before the boy's soul is doomed to roam the Earth as a ghost forever. She’s forced to rely on the help of her retired mentor, her almost ex-husband—and some sneaky moves by Conner himself. This is the wildest case of her career. . .and one wrong move could cost Kathy her job, not to mention her life. [Goodreads Summary]

The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society by C.M. Waggoner

A librarian with a knack for solving murders realizes there is something decidedly supernatural afoot in her little town in this cozy fantasy mystery.

Librarian Sherry Pinkwhistle keeps finding bodies—and solving murders. But she's concerned by just how many killers she's had to track down in her quaint village. None of her neighbors seem surprised by the rising body count...but Sherry is becoming convinced that whatever has been causing these deaths is unnatural. But when someone close to Sherry ends up dead, and her cat, Lord Thomas Crowell, becomes possessed by what seems to be an ancient demon, Sherry begins to think she’s going to need to become an exorcist as well as an amateur sleuth. With the help of her town's new priest, and an assortment of friends who dub themselves the "Demon-Hunting Society," Sherry will have to solve the murder and get rid of a demon. This riotous mix of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Murder, She Wrote is a lesson for demons and murderers. 

Never mess with a librarian. [Goodreads Summary]

Thank you for voting! 

New to my shelves:

Upcoming (over the next couple or so months) book club books:

Kindred (graphic novel) by Octavia Butler, adapted by Damian Duffy, illustrated by John Jennings

The Fall of Whit Rivera by Crystal Maldonado

Temple Folk by Aaliyah Bilal

The Temple of Fortuna (Wolf Den Trilogy #3) by Elodie Harper

E-Books:

Fourteen Days edited by Margaret Atwood & Douglas Preston

The House with the Golden Door (Wolf Den Trilogy #2) by Elodie Harper

Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy

Mouse's recent additions (which I may be borrowing when she's done): 

I Cross-Dressed for the IRL Meetup, Vol. 1-2 by Kurano

Medea by Eilish Quin

The Iliad by Homer, translated by Emily Watson

Have you read any of these books? If so, what did you think? 

I hope you have a great week! Let me know what you have been reading!

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© 2024, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Where Is Your Bookmark: A Peek Into James & Other Friday Fun

I had every intention of finishing Percival Everett's James in time for a book club meeting this week, but time got away from me. This work week has left me feeling exhausted and drained, and it doesn't help that I have not been feeling good, health wise. I hope the week has treated you kindly. I look forward to seeing what you have been reading!

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the amazing Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.

 

Those little bastards were hiding out there in the tall grass. The moon was not quite full, but bright, and it was behind them, so I could see them as plain as day, though it was deep night. Lightning bugs flashed against the black canvas. I waited at Miss Watson's kitchen door, rocked a loose step board with my foot, knew she was going to tell me to fix it tomorrow.  [opening of James]

I grew up reading about Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn's adventures. I decided against re-reading Mark Twain's classic novels before picking up James though, preferring to let my memories of them remain as they are. Percival Everett opens his novel with a well known scene from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, only this time from Jim's perspective. It's Jim's turn to tell his side of the story, and I am here for it! 

A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Our wonderful host Freda of Freda's Voice is on a break, and Anne of My Head is Full of Books  has stepped in to host! 

Deep in the night from deep in the forest, I heard the barking and howling of hounds. I pulled myself into an even tighter ball atop the tree roots that had become my bed. There was a mama raccoon that lived in the tree. She had taken to walking past me nonchalantly in the darkness. Tonight she stayed in the tree, high above me, listening to the dogs. We were both animals and we didn't know which of us was the prey.  [page 92 of James]

I can already tell James will likely be among my favorite books of the year.

James by Percival Everett

A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and ferociously funny, told from the enslaved Jim's point of view.

When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he decides to hide on nearby Jackson Island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father, recently returned to town. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and too-often-unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond.

While many narrative set pieces of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn remain in place (floods and storms, stumbling across both unexpected death and unexpected treasure in the myriad stopping points along the river’s banks, encountering the scam artists posing as the Duke and Dauphin…), Jim’s agency, intelligence and compassion are shown in a radically new light. [Goodreads Summary]

Does this sound like something you would enjoy? If you have read it, what did you think?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. It is hosted by Linda Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell and Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About. Join in by answering this week's question in the comments or on your own blog.

Do you have a series you've been meaning to finish but haven't? Which one(s) and why? 

I am the queen of starting series. I always mean to get back to them. And sometimes I do. But there are so many. And so many new ones to start. One of my ongoing reading goals it so work my way through the series I am reading. Let's be honest though. It'll take me a lifetime. Probably longer. I am caught up in a few of the series I read, but not most. The list of series I am in the middle of is way too long to post here today, but here are a small few series I have been wanting to finish or catch up with:  

Amari Special Investigations by B.B. Alston

Elemental Magic series by Celestine Martin

Saffron Everleigh series by Kate Khavari

Electra McDonnell series by Ashley Weaver

Below Stairs Mysteries by Jennifer Ashley

Spy x Family by Tatsuyo Endo 

Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs

Emily Wilde series by Heather Fawcett

Kinsey Millhone Mysteries by Sue Grafton

Gunnie Rose series by Charlaine Harris

Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews

Verity Kent Mysteries by Anna Lee Huber

Veronica Speedwell series by Deanna Raybourn

Magus of the Library by Mitsu Izumi

The Country Club Murders by Julie Mulhern

Well Met series by Jen DeLuca

The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells

Finlay Donovan series by Elle Cosimano

The Wayfarers by Becky Chambers

Witch Way Librarian Cozy Mysteries

The Others by Anne Bishop

The Hollows by Kim Harrison

Innkeeper Chronicles by Ilona Andrews

Deathless trilogy by Namina Forna

Maggie Hope series by Susan Elia MacNeal

To answer the why of this week's question, all I can say is that each of these series captured my heart, has characters I have enjoyed getting to know, and want to continue to spend time with. Some I am newer to than others, but we have been through a lot together. Some make me laugh, almost all have brought tears to my eyes and kept me up too late at night because I have to know what happens next.

What about you? Are you a series reader? If so, which series are you looking forward to catching up on or completing? Are we reading any of the same series?

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

With the changing of seasons from summer to fall in September, do you have a favorite book that reflects the essence of this transitional period or one that you enjoy reading when the temperature cools down? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)

Autumn is one of my favorite seasons. Although my reading does not always flow with the seasons and the cool temperatures do not hit until about mid-October, this time of year always makes me think of snuggling under a blanket with a book, the smell of cinnamon or wet leaves, and the feel of a chill in the air. It makes me think of Gothic novels, haunted houses, ghosts, witches, and dark academia, whether cozy, romantic, scary, or fantastical. I am not much of a re-reader and so there really isn't one book I return to this time of year. But here are some of my recent favorites that bring to mind this time of year:

The Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

Cackle by Rachel Harrison

Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca

A Deadly Education (The Scholomance Trilogy #1) by Naomi Novik 

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

What about you? Do you have a favorite fall read or a book you would recommend this time of year? 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading!

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© 2024 Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Can't Wait Wednesday: Deja Brew / A Grim Reaper's Guide to Catching a Killer / The Mighty Red / The Veil

The New

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by the marvelous Tressa at Wishful Endings to spotlight upcoming release we are excited about that we have yet to read.

Here are three upcoming releases that caught my attention and immediately ended up on my wish list I am looking forward to reading all of them. 

Deja Brew (Elemental Love #3) by Celestine Martin

Release Date: October 1, 2024 by Forever

In this spellbinding rom-com about a wish gone wrong, two opposites might just get a second chance at love, perfect for fans of New York Times bestsellers Payback's a Witch and The Ex Hex.

Ex-celebrity chef Sirena Caraway has had the wackiest October ever. Her cooking powers are on the fritz, she failed to land a career-saving job, and she embarrassed herself at the town’s Halloween party. Just before midnight, she makes a desperate wish for a second chance to fix her life. The next morning Sirena wakes up and realizes that she’s repeating the entire pumpkin spice-flavored month. Even sweeter, she runs into Gus Dearworth, whose magic leaves her spellbound.

A former reality star, Gus moved to Freya Grove to rebuild his reputation and heal his broken heart, but his restless magic is tempting him to return to the spotlight. And his secret crush on Sirena is making him want to try something dangerous like fall in love again. When Sirena realizes he can help her fix her powers, Gus makes her a deal. If she’ll help decipher a mysterious cookbook in his collection, he'll help get her magical groove back.

Every encounter offers a new adventure—from tasting menus, harvest mazes, and a growing attraction that’s taking on an irresistible enchantment of its own. But as the month winds down and the wish grows stronger, Sirena and Gus have a decision to make. Will their second chance be their happy-ever-after ending or a bittersweet memory? [Goodreads Summary]

A Grim Reaper's Guide to Catching a Killer (SCYTHE Mystery #1) by Maxie Dara

Release Date: October 1, 2024 by Berkley

Sometimes it takes working with the dead to start living.

Kathy Valence is forty-two, mid-divorce, and pregnant with her ex's baby. She's also a modern-day grim reaper employed by S.C.Y.T.H.E. (Secure Collection, Yielding, and Transportation of Human Essences), but frankly that's the easiest part of her life right now. Or at least it was, until her latest client's soul goes missing.

When she finally tracks down seventeen-year-old Conner Ortiz, he angrily denies he died of natural causes, despite what his file says. He insists that someone at S.C.Y.T.H.E. murdered him, and he demands Kathy find out who and why.

Kathy has only forty-five days to figure out what happened to Conner and help him move on before the boy's soul is doomed to roam the Earth as a ghost forever. She’s forced to rely on the help of her retired mentor, her almost ex-husband—and some sneaky moves by Conner himself. This is the wildest case of her career. . .and one wrong move could cost Kathy her job, not to mention her life. [Goodreads Summary]

The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich

Release Date: October 1, 2024 by Harper

In this stunning novel, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award–winning author Louise Erdrich tells a story of love, natural forces, spiritual yearnings, and the tragic impact of uncontrollable circumstances on ordinary people’s lives.

History is a flood. The mighty red . . .

In Argus, North Dakota, a collection of people revolve around a fraught wedding.

Gary Geist, a terrified young man set to inherit two farms, is desperate to marry Kismet Poe, an impulsive, lapsed Goth who can't read her future but seems to resolve his.

Hugo, a gentle red-haired, home-schooled giant, is also in love with Kismet. He’s determined to steal her and is eager to be a home wrecker.

Kismet's mother, Crystal, hauls sugar beets for Gary's family, and on her nightly runs, tunes into the darkness of late-night radio, sees visions of guardian angels, and worries for the future, her daughter’s and her own.

Human time, deep time, Red River time, the half-life of herbicides and pesticides, and the elegance of time represented in fracking core samples from unimaginable depths, is set against the speed of climate change, the depletion of natural resources, and the sudden economic meltdown of 2008-2009. How much does a dress cost? A used car? A package of cinnamon rolls? Can you see the shape of your soul in the everchanging clouds? Your personal salvation in the giant expanse of sky? These are the questions the people of the Red River Valley of the North wrestle with every day.

The Mighty Red is a novel of tender humor, disturbance, and hallucinatory mourning. It is about on-the-job pains and immeasurable satisfactions, a turbulent landscape, and eating the native weeds growing in your backyard. It is about ordinary people who dream, grow up, fall in love, struggle, endure tragedy, carry bitter secrets; men and women both complicated and contradictory, flawed and decent, lonely and hopeful. It is about a starkly beautiful prairie community whose members must cope with devastating consequences as powerful forces upend them. As with every book this great modern master writes, The Mighty Red is about our tattered bond with the earth, and about love in all of its absurdity and splendor.

A new novel by Louise Erdrich is a major literary event; gorgeous and heartrending, The Mighty Red is a triumph. [Goodreads Summary]

Do any of these books interest you? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to reading?

The Old(er) 

Carole of Carole's Random Life in Books has given me the perfect excuse to spotlight those unread books on my TBR in her Books from the Backlog feature, reminding me what great books I have waiting for me under my own roof still to read!

These past few months I have been featuring books on the losing end of my TBR List Poll, all books which are on my TBR shelves. This one was one of the options in my September 2017 poll that I have not managed to get to yet. I really enjoyed this author's Heirs of Chicagoland series, so I am sure I will like this one too!

The Veil (Devil's Isle #1) by Chloe Neill

Seven years ago, the Veil that separates humanity from what lies beyond was torn apart, and New Orleans was engulfed in a supernatural war. Now, those with paranormal powers have been confined in a walled community that humans call the District. Those who live there call it Devil's Isle.

Claire Connolly is a good girl with a dangerous secret: she’s a Sensitive, a human endowed with magic that seeped through the Veil. Claire knows that revealing her skills would mean being confined to Devil’s Isle. Unfortunately, hiding her power has left her untrained and unfocused.

Liam Quinn knows from experience that magic makes monsters of the weak, and he has no time for a Sensitive with no control of her own strength. But when he sees Claire using her powers to save a human under attack—in full view of the French Quarter—Liam decides to bring her to Devil’s Isle and the teacher she needs, even though getting her out of his way isn’t the same as keeping her out of his head.

But when the Veil threatens to shatter completely, Claire and Liam must work together to stop it, or else New Orleans will burn…[Goodreads Summary]

Have you read The Veil?  Does this book sound like something you would like to read? 

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© 2024, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Where Is Your Bookmark: A Peek Into Haunted Ever After & Other Friday Fun

Happy Friday! I am very ready for this coming weekend. It has been a long and busy week at work, and I am looking forward to some quality reading time! I am reading two books right now, one of them being my September TBR List poll winner (thanks to all who voted!), Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca. I was smitten with this book the moment I started reading it. I cannot wait to get back to it. 

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the amazing Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.

 

That meeting could've been an e-mail. [opening of Haunted Ever After]

I have lost count of the number of times I have had that same thought. 

A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Our wonderful host Freda of Freda's Voice is on a break, and Anne of My Head is Full of Books  has stepped in to host! 

"I'll ask him about Sarah under one condition."

The enthusiasm drained from Cassie's eyes, replaced by suspicion. Oh, no. That wasn't the look he wanted to put on her face. "What's the condition?" 

His heart pounded as he took the leap. "Have dinner with me. Let me prove to you that I'm not that guy." Nick held his breath. This was his chance. If she said no, he wasn't going to ask again. He wasn't that guy, either. If a girl said no, she said no. [excerpt from 56% of Haunted Ever After] 

This is a jump ahead for me in the novel because I'm not quite there yet. I cannot help but wonder what Nick did to make Cassie think he was that guy (and just what kind of guy that is). 

Haunted Ever After (Boneyard Key #1) by Jen DeLuca

It's love at first haunting in a seaside town that raises everyone’s spirits from USA Today bestselling author Jen DeLuca.

Small Florida coastal towns often find themselves scrambling for the tourism dollars that the Orlando theme parks leave behind. And within the town limits of Boneyard Key, the residents decided long ago to lean into its ghostliness. Nick Royer, owner of the Hallowed Grounds coffee shop, embraces the ghost tourism that keeps the local economy afloat, as well as his spectral roommate. At least he doesn’t have to run air-conditioning.

Cassie Rutherford possibly overreacted to all her friends getting married and having kids by leaving Orlando and buying a flipped historic cottage in Boneyard Key. Though there’s something unusual with her new home (her laptop won’t charge in any outlets, and the poetry magnets on her fridge definitely didn’t read “WRONG” and “MY HOUSE” when she put them up), she’s charmed by the colorful history surrounding her. And she's catching a certain vibe from the grumpy coffee shop owner whenever he slips her a free slice of banana bread along with her coffee order.

As Nick takes her on a ghost tour, sharing town gossip that tourists don't get to hear, and they spend nights side-by-side looking into the former owners of her haunted cottage, their connection solidifies into something very real and enticing. But Cassie's worried she’s in too deep with this whole (haunted) home ownership thing… and Nick's afraid to get too close in case Cassie gets scared away for good. [Goodreads Summary]

Does this sound like something you would enjoy? If you have read it, what did you think?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. It is hosted by Linda Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell and Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About. Join in by answering this week's question in the comments or on your own blog.

Do you have a go-to comfort book/read? 

I may not be able to name just one book, but over the past five or so years, I find myself craving comfort reading more often than not. Books with a cozy vibe or happy ending are my ideal comfort reads these days, whether mystery, historical, fantasy, or science fiction. Middle grade novels and manga are good for that too. I would even expand that to include just about most fantasy novel really, especially urban fantasy. 

In the olden days (six plus years ago), I often took comfort in domestic thrillers, needing that adrenaline rush to grab me and not let go, in order to help keep me distracted as well as those cozier feeling novels. I don't find thrillers quite as comforting as I used to--although I still enjoy a good one from time to time. That isn't to say I do not enjoy (and love) reading other types of books either. Sometimes the book that rips my heart out and stomps on it over and over can be cathartic. Or the beauty of the writing and story in a literary fiction novel fills me with a sense of awe that lingers on awhile. There's room in my reading life to fit just about any mood I am in. 

Comfort reads are the books I turn to when I am feeling extra stressed out or cannot quiet my mind. They ease me out of a reading slump--or even prevent me from falling into one. They keep me entertained, provide me a brief moment of respite from the real world, and leave me with that warm fuzzy feeling inside.

What is a comfort read for you? 

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

September is a busy month for literary events and book awards. Are there any award-winning books or authors you're eager to read, or any forthcoming book events you intend to go to or cover on your blog? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)

One of my favorite book events, the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, is in April. Although it's been awhile since I have been able to attend a discussion panel, I really enjoy hearing what authors have to say about their books and writing process. In more recent years, when I have been able to go, my family and I mostly visit the booths, attend book signings, enjoy the entertainment, and buy books. There's something special about being surrounded by other book lovers, in a place that celebrates books. I did not make it to the festival this year, unfortunately, but hopefully this coming year I will. As for literary or book events this time of year, I think there is a Children's Book Festival this weekend in the neighboring county, but we have no plans to go. 

I see mention of book awards on blogs and other social media platforms throughout the year, but I do not really follow any myself. And while I have read plenty of award nominated books and winners over the years, I do not choose books to read based on the fact that they are nominated or win. If it weren't for Susan of The Cue Card, I wouldn't have known one of my current reads, James by Percival Everett, is a Booker Prize nominee! 

Are there any upcoming literary events or book awards you are looking forward to? 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading!

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© 2024 Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Can't Wait Wednesday: Murder in Berkeley Square / The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society / The Crescent Moon Tearoom /Rule of Luck

The New

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by the marvelous Tressa at Wishful Endings to spotlight upcoming release we are excited about that we have yet to read.

Here are three upcoming releases that caught my attention and immediately ended up on my wish list I am looking forward to reading all of them. 

Murder in Berkeley Square (Lady Worthing Mysteries #3) by Vanessa Riley

Release Date: September 24, 2024 by Kensington

Offering “a vibrant picture of the roles Black and mixed-race people played in Regency life” (Publishers Weekly), this unique historical mystery series, featuring a mixed-race heroine with a notorious past, will appeal to Bridgerton fans who want a sharper edge to their drama.

A marriage of convenience saved Lady Abigail Worthing’s family from disgrace, but she’s finding her absent husband's endless conditions increasingly repressive. Unable to stay at their London home during the oncoming winter, she accepts a ride to the country from her neighbor, Stapleton Henderson. However, she's less than delighted that she’s his excuse to avoid a dinner held by Lord Charles Duncan, one of London's most powerful—and relentless—magistrates. More irritating, women are decidedly unwelcome at the evening’s prestigious discussion of criminality—even though Abigail and Stapleton have solved several cases together . . .

Then an unexpected blizzard strands them at Lord Duncan’s with his now-houseguests. Suddenly, an evening of fine dining, fine brandy, and insightful debate becomes an inescapable—and deadly—ordeal. The ultimate test for Abigial’s skill. One of the dinner guests is found dead in front of the Berkley Square mansion. And when another party is murdered, Abigail discovers each had received a taunting, prophetic nursery rhyme . . . coincidence, or clues left by a killer on the loose?

Through deft interrogation, she learns everyone present is connected to Lord Duncan's greatest failure in the the conviction of a Martinique plantation informant for a murder he didn’t commit. But as Abigail races to find who was really responsible for the miscarriage of justice, she'll be forced to put her own and Stapleton's lives at risk in a gambit that will alter their fates forever—or end them permanently. [Goodreads Summary]

The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society by C.M. Waggoner

Release Date: September 24, 2024 by Ace

A librarian with a knack for solving murders realizes there is something decidedly supernatural afoot in her little town in this cozy fantasy mystery.

Librarian Sherry Pinkwhistle keeps finding bodies—and solving murders. But she's concerned by just how many killers she's had to track down in her quaint village. None of her neighbors seem surprised by the rising body count...but Sherry is becoming convinced that whatever has been causing these deaths is unnatural. But when someone close to Sherry ends up dead, and her cat, Lord Thomas Crowell, becomes possessed by what seems to be an ancient demon, Sherry begins to think she’s going to need to become an exorcist as well as an amateur sleuth. With the help of her town's new priest, and an assortment of friends who dub themselves the "Demon-Hunting Society," Sherry will have to solve the murder and get rid of a demon. This riotous mix of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Murder, She Wrote is a lesson for demons and murderers. 

Never mess with a librarian. [Goodreads Summary]

The Crescent Moon Tearoom by Stacy Sivinski

Release Date: October 1, 2024 by Atria Books

A cozy and uplifting debut novel about three clairvoyant sisters who face an unexpected twist of Fate at the bottom of their own delicate porcelain cups.

Ever since the untimely death of their parents, Anne, Beatrix, and Violet Quigley have made a business of threading together the stories that rest in the swirls of ginger, cloves, and cardamom at the bottom of their customers’ cups. Their days at the teashop are filled with talk of butterflies and good fortune intertwined with the sound of cinnamon shortbread being snapped by laced fingers.

That is, until the Council of Witches comes calling with news that the city Diviner has lost her powers, and the sisters suddenly find themselves being pulled in different directions. As Anne’s magic begins to develop beyond that of her sisters’, Beatrix’s writing attracts the attention of a publisher, and Violet is enchanted by the song of the circus—and perhaps a mischievous trapeze artist threatening to sweep her off her feet. It seems a family curse that threatens to separate the sisters is taking effect.

With dwindling time to rewrite their future and help three other witches challenge their own destinies, the Quigleys set out to bargain with Fate. But in focusing so closely on saving each other, will they lose sight of themselves? [Goodreads Summary]

Do any of these books interest you? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to reading?

The Old(er) 

Carole of Carole's Random Life in Books has given me the perfect excuse to spotlight those unread books on my TBR in her Books from the Backlog feature, reminding me what great books I have waiting for me under my own roof still to read!

These past few months I have been featuring books on the losing end of my TBR List Poll, all books which are on my TBR shelves. This one was one of the options in my November 2017 poll that I have not managed to go to yet.

Rule of Luck by Catherine Cerveny

A thrilling new science fiction series -- perfect for fans of character-driven SF adventure. Linnea Sinclair, author of the Dock Five Universe novels calls it "an edge-of-your-seat ride."

Year 2950. Humanity has survived devastating climate shifts and four world wars, coming out stronger and smarter than ever. Incredible technology is available to all, and enhancements to appearance, intelligence, and physical ability are commonplace.

In this future, Felicia Sevigny has built her fame reading the futures of others.

Alexei Petriv, the most dangerous man in the TriSystem, will trust only Felicia to read his cards. But the future she sees is darker than either of them could ever have imagined. A future that pits them against an all-knowing government, almost superhuman criminals, and something from Felicia's past that she could never have predicted, but that could be the key to saving -- or destroying -- them all. [Goodreads Summary]

Have you read Rule of Luck?  Does this book sound like something you would like to read? 

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© 2024, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.