Musings of a Bookish Kitty

Saturday, April 14, 2018

Weekly Mews: My New Kindle & April TBR Poll Winner!

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by the wonderful Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer, 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.

Today will be a busy day for us--lots of running around. I am looking forward to a lazy day tomorrow. Hopefully I can do some of that catching up on my blog (and commenting) that I keep saying I will do. It has been a crazy few weeks with no end yet in sight.

My mom got home safely and her surgery yesterday went well from all reports. I couldn't be there for her, but the waiting room was full of family and friends who could. She is home now and resting. We should hear from the doctor in a few days. From what I heard this morning from my brother, my mom is already up and trying to do things around her house. She isn't one to stay down for long--even when she should be resting! Thanks again for all your prayers and kind thoughts!

My back is still giving me a bit of trouble. I mostly am having to be careful with how I bend and how much I carry. I made the mistake last night of loading the laundry basket up too much with clean clothes and then carrying it up the stairs. It made for a rough night and little sleep.

My Oasis arrived in the mail early this week! I haven't actually used it yet, other than to set it up. I want to start with the "right" book. It's more compact than I imagined it to be, but I love the feel of it in my hands. I think I am going to like it quite a bit!

Front Cover

Back Cover

Inside

What I Am Reading: I really struggled early in the week with what to read next (too many choices!). I kept going with Les Misérables and War and Peace as a result. That isn't a bad thing, of course, but I don't want to get too far ahead. I am really enjoying both now, so it is not hard to do.

I started on Jean Johnson's Dawn of the Flame Sea and am now nearly done with it. I do not know what I expected, but it wasn't what I got. The jury is still out on this one. The book got off to an interesting start though. It is lagging right now though, so I hope something happens soon to pick things up.

What I Am Watching: I am caught up with The Walking Dead, but will likely not get to see the season finale until later next week (I do not watch television live very often). I missed all of last season of Fear of the Walking Dead, but do plan to watch the third season anyway. If only for Morgan. I also have been watching Timeless, which I kind of like, but am still on the fence about--just as I have been since the show first aired. Why do I keep watching, you ask? It has everything to do with the history aspect. I am not at all thrilled about the current turn of events in the show though.

This Week In Reading Mews:

Tell me about what you have been up to! What are you reading, listening to and watching? How was your week? Do you have anything planned for this coming week?

Thank you for helping me decide what book from my TBR collection I should read next:

My TBR List is a meme hosted by the awesome Michelle at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Saturday of every month, I will list 3 books I am considering reading and take a poll as to which you think I should read. I will read the winner that month, and my review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise).

It was a close race, but it looks like The Girl From the Savoy by Hazel Gaynor won with 12 votes to The Girl Who Came Home's 11 votes. A Memory of Violets only received 4 votes in the end. I am really excited to be jumping into a Hazel Gaynor novel, and look forward to reading The Girl From the Savoy. It does sound good! Thank you to all who voted in this month's poll!

Thank you for voting! I hope you all have a wonderful April and Happy Reading!

What is good for a doll and a cat is good for a dog (my mom's) too.

© 2018, 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.

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Bookish Thoughts: Sweep in Peace by Ilona Andrews

A man walked into a darkened room, moving on silent feet. ~ Opening of Sweep in Peace

Sweep in Peace (Innkeeper Chronicles #2) by Ilona Andrews

NYLA, 2015
Science Fiction/Fantasy; 257 pgs

Sweep in Peace is the second book in the Innkeeper Chronicles. For those who do not know, Dina is an Innkeeper, and Gertrude Hunt is her Inn. She takes in wayward travelers from other worlds, protecting human beings from knowing just how big their world really is—aliens, other planets and all. She is reluctant to say yes when approached by an Arbitrator who shows up on her doorstep, asking her to host a peace summit. She is desperate, however, with bills to pay and in need of the guests who will help keep Gertrude Hunt alive. All other inns have turned the Arbitrator down, a sign of just how dangerous and impossible peace between the three warring factions will be.

Opening her doors to the Hope-Crushing Horde, Vampires and the Merchants of Baha-char, Dina takes her chances. It is a big task that she is not sure she is up to, but feels as if she has no other choice. Hiring a disgraced but talented chef, Dina does what she can to prepare and hopes her guests will not murder each other.

Sweep the Peace offered an even closer look at the world Ilona Andrews’ has created in their series. The three factions are fighting over a planet, having been at war for years with no end in sight. The death toll on all sides is high. The Horde and Vampires want complete control over the planet and the merchants want to establish a colony of their own as well as set up trade. All seems rather hopeless, and Dina is at a loss of what to do.

Tension was even higher in Sweep in Peace than it had been in the first novel, and at times it got quite dark, given the subject of war and the strife. Some might suggest that fantasy or science fiction is too “out there” or not real enough, but it is often closer to reality than we may want to believe. Perhaps not in creature or character, but in overall message and conflict. And that would be true in this instance. I liked the “human” side that the authors provide in Sweep in Peace. A reminder of all that is lost in war.

True to form, the book was lightened with humor inserted here and there (and more literary references, which I adored). I liked the various twists in this one, unexpected most of them, and appreciated the bond between inn and innkeeper even more. And, yes, you guessed right. I immediately went on to read the third book in the series.

Ilona Andrews is a husband and wife writing team. For more information about the authors and their books, visit their website.

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Wishing for Wednesday: Before Mars

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. (Based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.)

Before Mars (Planetfall #3) by Emma Newman
Release Date: April 17, 2018 by Ace

After months of travel, Anna Kubrick finally arrives on Mars for her new job as a geologist and de facto artist-in-residence. Already she feels like she is losing the connection with her husband and baby at home on Earth--and she'll be on Mars for over a year. Throwing herself into her work, she tries her best to fit in with the team.

But in her new room on the base, Anna finds a mysterious note written in her own handwriting, warning her not to trust the colony psychologist. A note she can't remember writing. She unpacks her wedding ring, only to find it has been replaced by a fake.

Finding a footprint in a place the colony AI claims has never been visited by humans, Anna begins to suspect that her assignment isn't as simple as she was led to believe. Is she caught up in an elaborate corporate conspiracy, or is she actually losing her mind? Regardless of what horrors she might discover, or what they might do to her sanity, Anna has find the truth before her own mind destroys her. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read this: I am hooked on this world Emma Newman has created and am already pulled into this one just from the description. What is going on?! I am curious about Anna and the situation she finds herself in. I must find out.

Does this interest you too?
What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?

Monday, April 09, 2018

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Loved but Will Never Re-Read

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana at The Artsy Reader Girl.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic is the Books I Loved But Will Never Re-Read (submitted by Brandyn @ Goingforgoldilocks). I have a rule about not keeping read books around the house that I do not intend to re-read one day. However, my problem is so many end up on my "maybe re-read" list. Which is why my bookshelves are overflowing still. The truth is though that I am not much of a re-reader when all is said and done. No matter what I tell myself. Other than picture books, I can count on one hand the number of books I have actually re-read in my life time.

After much thought and consideration, I came up with the following five books that I seriously doubt I will ever re-read again, but which I loved for one reason or another.

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov ~ The beauty of this book is in the writing which is just gorgeous. But the subject matter makes me physically ill. I doubt I would ever be able to sit through this one again.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn ~ Even with all the flack this novel receives and my guessing most of the twists ahead of time, it was a fun read, and I really enjoyed it. I doubt I could read it again though as it is one of those books that seems to go over better when you don't know for sure what to expect.

Still Alice by Lisa Genova ~ This was a well-written and poignant book that hit close to home. Too close to home. Once was enough. I cannot even bring myself to watch the movie.

Push by Sapphire ~ Do you remember when this first came out? The movie brought the book out of obscurity. My heart ached for Precious, and I wanted so much to scoop her up and give her a hug and make her life so much better than it was and make her believe she was worth it. This was a gut-wrenching story. I made everyone around me read it the year I read it. I don't think I could re-read it though.

The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley ~ This book spoke to my very core, and it will hold a special place in my heart for the rest of my life. It is a case of my not being able to separate the artist from the art, however. I do not think I will ever be able to re-read this book. It certainly won't hold the same magic for me. It will always be tainted with the author's actions during her lifetime. Child sexual abuse is never okay.

What books have you loved that you will never read again?

Sunday, April 08, 2018

Bookish Thoughts: Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews

Brutus was dead. ~ Opening of Clean Sweep

Clean Sweep (Innkeeper Chronicles, #1) by Ilona Andrews

NYLA, 2012

Science Fiction/Fantasy; 235 pgs

Source: I purchased this copy for my personal reading pleasure.

You just have to tell me a book is by wife and husband writing team Ilona Andrews, and I know I will want to read it. It doesn’t really matter what it is about. Still, the Innkeeper Chronicles would have caught my attention even without the authors’ name attached. This fantasy/science fiction mash-up sounded irresistible.

Dina Demille seems like just your average person running a bed and breakfast in a small Texas town. When neighborhood pets start winding up dead, killed by a possible wild animal, Dina focuses her attention on the new resident in neighborhood, Sean Evans. Could he be behind the attacks? Dina will protect her neighborhood at all costs. Armed with a rather deadly broomstick and accompanied by her adorable Shih Tze, Dina is an Innkeeper, her home a way station for travelers from other worlds. She is tasked with caring for her guests and protecting theirs and the inn’s secrets.

Sean Evans may be new to town, but he has made the small Texas town his home and will do whatever it takes to protect his territory. Dina pegged him for a werewolf right away, and despite his initial protestations, he does finally admit to it. Dina and Sean reluctantly join forces to find out figure out who or what is threatening their idyllic neighborhood.

Then vampires arrive on the hunt for the predators that are lurking in Dina and Sean’s backyard—and the situation only grows more complicated from there. Dina must stand her ground and find a solution fast.

This series is just plain fun! It’s full of magic, a sentient inn, humor, literary references, werewolves, vampires, and otherworldly travel. I loved Dina and Sean and Beast and even the inn’s permanent guest, Caldena, who was both amusing and frightening.

In Clean Sweep, we learn how attached Dina is to the Inn itself, how the two provide each other with strength and magic. Dina grew up in an inn, both her parents being innkeepers before they mysteriously disappeared several years ago. Dina and her brother searched everywhere for them, but are uncertain of their fate. While her brother still searches, Dina knew the time had come to put down her own roots, and so she brought a dormant inn back to life. The Inn, Gertrude Hunt, is as much a character as Dina, and I wish I could explore her hallways and rooms.

Sean Evans had never known his own ancestor’s history, believing all his life he was some sort of aberration of a human. Dina opens his eyes to the truth, about his parents’ origins and how that tied into who he is, and the pieces begin to fall into place.

I admit I hadn’t paid too much attention to the description and so had really only been expecting fantasy—and so was pleasantly surprised when it turned out there was a very firm science fiction thread in the novel as well. It added to the richness of the world Ilona Andrews created.

Tensions were high, the humor spot on, and with a bit of romance on the side, Clean Sweep had me from the opening lines, and I couldn’t wait to dive into the second book once I finished this one, and that's just what I did.

Ilona Andrews is a husband and wife writing team. For more information about the authors and their books, visit their website.