Monday, September 18, 2017

Where Is Your Bookmark? (Owl and the Japanese Circus & the Top Ten Books on My Fall TBR List)


Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a book they are reading or thinking about reading soon. It is also where I share my first impressions about the book I am sharing.

I hate potholes. I hate desert highways too, about as much as I hate wearing high heels.
My Winnebago jolted over a bad pothole before I could swerve around it. I scrambled to keep the wheel straight and grabbed for my water bottle before it toppled and spilled across my laptop keyboard.
Too late. 

My thoughts: I am not a fan of high heels or potholes either, frankly. And why is she driving with her laptop open? That scene still makes me scratch my head. But then again, it is Owl. And she's just that kind of person.

I dove right into my September TBR list poll winner (thanks again to all who voted!), Owl and the Japanese Circus (The Adventures of Owl #1) by Kristi Charish last week, and it's been quite a wild ride of a read.  Indiana Jones come to mind, heavy on the supernatural. I am just about finished with the book and enjoying it. The main character is a former archaeologist and an international antiquities thief who seems to be unable to keep away from the supernatural despite her best efforts.


Does this sound like something you would read? 

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Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

This week's  Top Ten Tuesday theme is the Top Ten Books On My Fall TBR List. It is best not to hold me to any list I make. What whets my reading appetite today might not tomorrow. Still, these are the books I am most likely feeling the urge to read this fall--at least as of this moment. 



1. Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer ~ Cinderella as a cyborg. This one has been sitting on my shelf for quite a while now, and I feel like the last one to finally be getting to it.  



2. Bridget Jones Diary by Helen Fielding ~ Who doesn't know this story? I had seen the movie years ago and never really had an interest in reading the book, until a friend talked it up so much, it's made my to read list for this year. No time like the fall.



3. The Fire By Night by Teresa Messineo ~ I enjoy reading historical fiction. I knew I wanted to read this the minute I heard about it:a World War II novel about two American nurses. 



4. Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor & Heather Webb ~ Another historical fiction novel that I find irresistible, this one set in World War I.



5. Stay With Me by Ayobami Adebayo ~ Set in Nigeria, this novel is about a couple struggling with infertility and other marital issues. I hadn't heard of this book until it arrived on my doorstep earlier this month in a subscription box. I was immediately intrigued and cannot wait to dive in.



6. A Curious Beginning (Veronica Speedwell, #1) by Deanna Raybourn ~ Deanna Raybourn's books are a great escape an this first in her "new" Victorian mystery series sounds too delicious to pass up. I'm just slow at finally getting to it . . . 



7. Monstress, Vol. 2: The Blood by Marjorie M. Liu, illustrated by Sana Takeda ~ Monstress, Vol. 1: The Awakening was among my favorite books read last year. I can't wait to dive back into this series. 



8. Pressed to Death (Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum, #2) by Kirsten Weiss ~ Doesn't this sound like the perfect fall read? A cozy mystery set in a museum full of haunted items? I really enjoyed the first book in the series and am looking forward to reading the next installment.



9. A Promise of Fire (Kingmaker Chronicles #1) by Amanda Bouchet ~ This is another one that has been on my TBR pile longer than it should have been. A rebellious clairvoyant who will do just about anything to fight her destiny.



10. Ink and Bone (The Great Library, #1) by Rachel Caine ~ Am I the last one to read this one too? It's likely. I enjoyed Rachel Caine's Weather Warden series, which would have been enough to make me want to read this one, but add in a library--a magical one at that--and I knew I would be reading this. 


Have you read any of these? Which do you think I should read first?



© 2017, Wendy Runyon of 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.

66 comments:

  1. I thought Owl and the Japanese Circus had some interesting elements, glad you liked it. I haven't read the rest of the series yet. Last Christmas in Paris looks good, and so does A Curious Beginning.

    The Great Library series is another I've considered jumping into.

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    1. Greg - I like how you carefully worded your comment about Owl and the Japanese Circus. :-)

      I have been wanting to read something by Gaynor for awhile. Last Christmas in Paris especially appeals to me.

      I keep hearing great things about Caine's series and hope I like it too!

      Thanks for visiting, Greg!

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    2. Ha ha you caught that huh? :) Owl was a tricky one for me since some parts of it I really liked but it didn't wow me so much that I continued on? I still may though. I'll be anxious to see your thoughts.

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  2. The scene in the first paragraph make me scratch my head too.But, I do like the narrator's voice in that brief piece. I'd like to read more.

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    1. Margot - I feel the same way. I like the narrator's voice. She has a tendency to jump before looking, which lands her in a lot of trouble.

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  3. "The Fire By Night" was one of the best books I read this year, and I LOVE the Veronica Speedwell series! I hope you do as well. It actually spurred me to check out Deanna Raybourn's previous Lady Julia Grey mystery series and I love those books too.

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    1. Lindsay - I am so glad to hear you loved The Fire by Night. I hope I will too. It will be my next read. :-) I am excited to finally dive into the Victoria Speedwell series. Thanks for stopping by, Lindsay!

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  4. I love World War historical fiction. The Fire By Night and Last Christmas in Paris sound great!

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    1. Megan - Me too! And I seem to gravitating a lot toward those kinds of reads as of late. Thanks for visiting!

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  5. Your current read sounds very different--glad you're enjoying it. I like your fall list. I'm going to get to The Fire By Night and Stay With Me before year's end.

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    1. Catherine - Thank you! I couldn't resist it when I first heard about it.

      I hope you are able to read both The Fire By Night and Stay With Me. They both sound really good.

      Thanks for visiting, Catherine!

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  6. The teaser sounds interesting but I've realised I'm not really an urban fantasy person I might pass on this.

    I love the cover of A Curious Beginning and I'd really like to read it! AND MONSTRESS TWO!!!! The first one was so good I'm sure the second one is too.

    I haven't read Ink and Bone later haha

    I hope you get to read all of these soon because I'd like to see what you think of them!

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    1. Eustacia - Urban Fantasy is not for everyone. Although it is one of my favorite genres. :-) I'm really looking forward to finally reading A Curious Beginning. It sounds like such a fun series. My husband gave me a hard time for not yet reading Monstress Vol 2. I was so excited when I bought my copy. Soon though. Very soon.

      Thanks for visiting, Eustacia!

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  7. I've read Monstrous and it's intense, but really good. I also loved Promise of Fire and Ink & Bone. Cinder has been in my TBR list forever! I hope you get to read them all :)

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    1. Elizabeth - I'm glad you enjoyed Monstress! I loved the first volume and am looking forward to this second one. I also glad you loved Promise of Fire and In and Bone. I suspect I will too. I hope so anyway! Thank you for stopping by!

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  8. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on Owl and the Japanese Circus, Wendy. I didn't have the chance to read The Fire by Night and by the time my mood called for it the book on my reader expired. I hope you'll enjoy the book as well as the others when you get to it.

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    1. Melody - I am enjoying it, but have some minor issues with it. I think I will pick up The Fire By Night next. I am sorry you weren't able to read it. :-(

      Thanks, Melody! And thank you for visiting!

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  9. I'm anxious to read Stay With Me too but I've read mixed things about it.

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    1. Kathy - Hopefully we will like it when we read it. I haven't heard too much about it either way.

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  10. I loved Cinder, and the entire Lunar Chronicles actually. I hope you love them.

    Good luck this Autumn with your list

    Marissa
    Reading List

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    1. Marissa - I am so glad to hear it! Makes me even more excited to dive into the Lunar Chronicles. Thank you for visiting!

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  11. Cinder and Ink and Bone are on my hit list to read as well!

    Awesome picks! There are so many fall releases I am excited about and so many series I want to continue/start!

    Happy Reading!

    Michelle @ Book Briefs
    My Fall TBR picks

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    1. Michelle - Thank you! Hopefully we will love them both. :-) As if I need more series to start. Haha. I can't resist though. Thanks for stopping by!

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  12. I'm glad you're enjoying Owl and the Japanese Circus! I voted for that one because I really want to read your review!

    Great TBR! I hope you'll enjoy Cinder! Cress is my favourite in the series, though. I really want to read Stay With Me as well!

    Have a wonderful week and happy reading!

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    1. Lynn - Thank you for voting for Owl and the Japanese Circus! It's a fun one. :-)

      I'm looking forward to reading the Lunar Chronicles finally. I am glad you like it!

      I hope you have a great week too, Lynn. Thanks for visiting!

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  13. A Curious Beginning is from one of my favorite series. I hope you love it as well as the rest of your TBR!

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    1. Barb - Yay! That is good news for me. IL looking forward to finally meeting Victoria Speedwell. Thanks for stopping by, Barb!

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  14. Cinder was so good - and so was the rest of the series! I hope you enjoy it!

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    1. Angela - I am glad you enjoyed Cinder. I can't wait to finally read it! Thanks for stopping by!

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  15. I am curious about the thought processes of that narrator in Owl and the Japanese Circus. An open laptop with water nearby...and those pot holes...not to mention the high heels. Disaster ahead!! It definitely piques my curiosity, if for no other reason than to find out what other bonehead moves she might make. LOL. Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.

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    1. Laurel-Rain - Owl is an interesting character. She sometimes doesn't think things through before acting, which lands her in a lot of trouble. Thanks for visiting!

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  16. Cinder was a great story. I hope you have a good time reading it.

    Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.

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  17. Would love to continue reading. Happy reading.

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    1. Sharon - It is a fun book. Very action packed. Thanks for visiting!

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  18. I've had Monstress vol. 1 on my tbr for a few months now. I'm glad to hear that you really enjoyed it! Happy reading! :)

    my TTT

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    1. Emily - I hope you love Monstress as much as I do! Thanks for stopping by!

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  19. I never read Kristi Charish's books, but that looks like a good series. Love your reading list. I'm the same way, what I want to read today isn't necessarily what I want to read tomorrow. Have a great week!

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    1. Yvonne - I hope to continue with it. Owl is an interesting character if not always the smartest.

      I hope you have a great week too. Thanks for visiting, Yvonne!

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  20. Hmmm, not sure the cover makes me say "not for me" but the intro leaves me curios. Hope you enjoy it.

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    1. Diane - It has been a fun book. I hope to finish it tonight. That's the plan anyway. :-) Thanks for stopping by!

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  21. I hope you enjoy all of these! I would read Ink and Bone first, it's so good!
    My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2017/09/19/top-ten-tuesday-125/

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  22. Ink and Bone looks so good and I really liked Pressed to Death. I loved Cinder! It's so not my kind of book but it was so amazing and I think I liked Scarlet even more. Now I just need to read Cress and Winter! I'm just about to start Last Christmas in Paris and I'm so excited I can barely stand it. I've only read one book by Hazel Gaynor but I absolutely loved it and this has WWI AND Paris! Great list!

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    1. Katherine - I think Ink and Bones looks good too. I got the book for Christmas last year, and it just keeps staring at me, wondering when I'm going to read it. :-) I am really excited about diving into Cinder soon! I hope you enjoy Last Christmas in Paris. I need to start on that one soon too. It sounds really good! Thanks for visiting!

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  23. Ink and Bone was fabulous - I hope you love it!

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    1. Lauren - I'm glad to hear you liked Ink and Bone! That makes me more excited to read it. :-) It's getting a lot of love.

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  24. There are a couple books on your Top 10 list that I need to read too. I loved Cinder so I hope you get to read it and enjoy it.

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    1. Kathy - So many tempting books! I am glad you loved Cinder. I hope I do too!

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  25. Like the intro here. I can imagine it, potholes and all!

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  26. I'm excited to see Cinder on your list. The Lunar Chronicles is one of my favorite retellings. So imaginative!

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    1. Suzanne - I can't wait to start the Lunar Chronicles. I keep hearing such good things about it. I am glad to hear you really enjoy the series!

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  27. I didn't care for A Curious Beginning, but my daughter loved Monstress.
    My ttt
    http://hauntedgravebooks.blogspot.com/2017/09/top-ten-tuesday-top-7-books-on-my-fall.html

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    1. Renee - I'm sorry to hear you didn't care for A Curious Beginning. I really enjoyed another of her books I read a couple years ago, so I'm hopeful, but we'll see. Monstress is really good.

      Thanks for visiting!

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  28. I LOVED Cinder and the entire Lunar Chronicles series! Definitely a good one to have on your TBR! You'll have to tell me if you like them. They're just such fun retellings ☺️

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    1. Lindsey - So glad to hear you loved the Lunar Chronicles. They sound like a lot of fun, and I am looking forward to reading them. Thanks for visiting!

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  29. Hope you'll enjoy Cinder! I was hesitant about it at first but ended up falling in love with the series :) Monstress looks so good as well!

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    1. Lindsey (of Lindsey Reads) - I have definitely put off reading Cinder long enough. I will be getting to it next month for sure. :-) I love Monstress. I highly recommend it. Thanks for stopping by!

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  30. Thanks to you, I've added "Owl and the Japanese Circus" to my GR shelves. It certainly sounds fascinating, although, like you, I scratched my head at that opening. Still, this novel certainly looks like a GREAT read!

    Oh, I LOVE your TBR choices!! I ESPECIALLY want to read "Cinder", "Bridget Jones's Diary", "Last Christmas In Paris", "A Curious Beginning", "A Promise of Fire", "Monstress", and "Ink and Bone". Adding them all to my GR shelves!

    BTW, I LOVE the cover of "Monstress"! I think I'll feature it very soon on my blog!

    Thanks for sharing, Wendy!! HUGS TO YOU AND MOUSE!! <3 <3 <3 :) :) :)

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    1. Maria - I enjoyed Owl and the Japanese Circus. I had a couple of issues with Owl, but overall I liked the book and am anxious to continue with the series.

      I hope you enjoy whichever of these books you do decide to read! Hopefully I will enjoy them when I get to them. :-)

      The artwork for the Monstress graphic novels is amazing. Sana Takeda is a talented artist.

      Thanks for visiting, Maria!

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  31. Whoops! But you're right, why is she driving with her laptop open within spilling range of her water? That is odd.

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    1. Charlie - It turns out she has it open for a reason, and it's not all that good of a one. LOL

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  32. If you read Cinder, go in knowing that it's the first in a series and the ending very much reflects that. I enjoyed it but know that it could be years before I get to the next book...by which time I'll have completely forgotten the details of this book.

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    1. Lisa - Thank you for the head's up about Cinder. Fortunately, I have the second book already on my TBR shelf too. Whew.

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