Mini Bookish Mewsings: How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse / Together, Apart / Anya's Ghost

They named the child Rory, because the firstborn of every generation was always a Rory, and had been since the first of that name had cut his way through the cursed briars on the homeworld and saved the kingdom of Thorne--and, incidentally, the princess--from the consequences of poor manners. ~ Opening of How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse by K. Eason

How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse (The Thorne Chronicles #1) by K. Eason 

DAW, 2019

Science Fiction/YA, 416 pgs

Source: NetGalley for an honest review.

How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse was such a fun read. Taking on several fairytale tropes and wrapping it up in a Science Fiction novel, K. Eason's first novel in this duology tells the story of Princess Rory Thorne, gifted with thirteen fairy blessings, one of which gives her the ability to see beyond the lies and platitudes. After her father the king is assassinated, she is to marry a prince of another world for political reasons. An ambitious Regent standing in for the prince until he becomes of age is hellbent on holding onto the power for himself. Rory is no damsel in distress, and with a small group of allies, she is determined not to let the Regent have his way. 

I was immediately pulled into the novel and liked Rory right away. She is a headstrong and clever young woman. Add in a well-developed cast of secondary characters who help make this novel what it is. From the writing to the characters, to the high stakes, occasional action, and carefully orchestrated political maneuvering, Eason's novel kept me entertained and has me eager to read the second book.

"This is it!" Mom said brightly, opening the door to my new room with a grand, ceremonial swing. ~ Opening of "Love, Delivered" by Erin A. Craig in Together, Apart

Together, Apart by Erin A. Craig, Auriane Desombre, Erin Hahn, Bill Konigsberg, Rachel Lippincott, Brittney Morris, Sajni Patel, Natasha Preston, Natasha Preston, & Jennifer Yen 

Delacorte Press, 2020

Fiction/YA; 288 pgs

Source: NetGalley for an honest review.

Several authors come together in this collection to share short stories set during the current pandemic. There's a definite sense of melancholy given the situation, but there's also a sense of hope in the connections the characters are able to make even despite the circumstances. I enjoyed each of these stories, relating to their feelings of frustration at being cooped up and enjoying the creative ways they made new friends--and even found love--while taking precautions and being safe. Whether flirting to the cute boy on the balcony across the way, falling for the pizza delivery boy, connecting with someone while out walking the dog, or bonding in an oak tree, among other ways, these stories capture our reality and that we really aren't alone in this.

Krak! ~ Opening of Anya's Ghost

Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol

First Second, 2011

Fiction/Graphic Novel/YA; 221 pgs

Source: Purchased

Vera Brosgol's graphic novel Anya's Ghost is about a teenager who just wants a friend. Her life isn't going the way she would like. Anya is ashamed of her immigrant parents and traditions, and only wants to fit in with the others in her school. A ghost Anya meets after falling into a well find a way to escape the well herself by tagging along with Anya when she is rescued. As Anya gets to know the ghost, she thinks perhaps she's met the answer to her problems. It soon becomes obvious that there is more the ghost's story than the ghost has let on.

There is a definite creepy factor to Anya's Ghost. Anya is an interesting character, insecure and full of angst, who grows over the course of the novel. The artwork is well done and enhances the dialogue. This graphic novel was a bit darker than I anticipated, but I thoroughly enjoyed it--probably more so as a result. 

---

© 2020, 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.

Season's Greetings!

Merry Christmas everyone! 

My thoughts are with you all this holiday, wishing you safe and well. 

To all those (like us) who are unable to be with loved ones this year, know that we are together in spirit. 

Big hugs to my friends and family who have lost someone and are missing them especially hard right now. 

May the New Year bring you peace, love and good health.

---

© 2020, 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? (Goodbye Dreadful Week, A Peek Into A Royal Holiday & My Winter TBR List)

It has been a long week, and I am very much looking forward to the week off from work and school (my daughter's). It was a difficult week at work in more ways than one. If you have children, please check in with them. Make sure they are okay. I know it isn't as simple a solution as that, but please do it anyway. Some of you who follow me on Facebook or Twitter may have already heard me talk about my coworker who lost his life because of COVID-19 on Tuesday. It feels like it happened so fast. Two weeks ago he was all smiles and his kindhearted positive self. It just doesn't seem real that he's gone. I also got news this week that my grandmother tested positive for the virus. You may remember me mentioning a few weeks ago about how it had been spreading around the long-term care facility in which she resides. You can imagine my concern for her well-being--and all the other residents and staff there. I know so many have been impacted by the pandemic, whether losing loved ones, suffering their own health (physical and mental) issues, or having financial difficulties. It all sucks. I hate it and I am tired. Oh so tired. 

My daughter has been giving me an overdose in hugs (not a bad thing, mind you), which I appreciate. And I am taking comfort in my current read. It's an escape out of my head for a little while, anyway. It's my first Jasmine Guillory book, although I believe the 4th in the series. Each one stands alone well, so I wasn't worried about that. I am enjoying reading a Royal Holiday, and like that it features a romance between two middle-aged people. There's something refreshing about that. It is sweet so far, and I am enjoying it.

 

New York Times bestselling author Jasmine Guillory makes her hardcover debut with a heartwarming Christmas romance. 

Vivian Forest has been out of the country a grand total of one time, so when she gets the chance to tag along on her daughter Maddie's work trip to England to style a royal family member, she can't refuse. She's excited to spend the holidays taking in the magnificent British sights, but what she doesn't expect is to become instantly attracted to a certain Private Secretary and his charming accent and unyielding formality. 

Malcolm Hudson has been the Queen's Private Secretary for years and has never given a personal, private tour...until now. He is intrigued by Vivian the moment he meets her and finds himself making excuses just to spend time with her. When flirtatious banter turns into a kiss under the mistletoe, things snowball into a full-on fling. 

Despite a ticking timer on their holiday romance, they are completely fine with ending their short, steamy fling come New Year's Day...or are they? [Goodreads Summary]

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.

Vivian nudged her daughter as they walked out of the customs area at Heathrow Airport.

"Um, Maddie? Do you think Ms. M. Forest and Ms. V. Forest are us?"

Vivian gestured at the man in the suit, holding a sign with their names on it.

Maddie turned in the direction Vivian was looking and grinned at her mother.

"Let's do this, Mom." [opening of Royal Holiday]

Initial thoughts: I like how the novel jumps right in with Vivian and her daughter arriving in England, and I'm right there with Maddie when she says, "Let's do this, Mom." I was ready!

A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Hosted by the wonderful Freda of Freda's Voice.

She never should have stayed. Why had she listened to her daughter? [excerpt from 56% of Royal Holiday]

My thoughts: Uh oh. What's happened?! As I write this, I have not reached this point in the book, and so I haven't a clue what is going on. Last I left Vivian, she was having a marvelous time. I must find out!  Excuse me while I get back to my reading.

Have you read Royal Holiday? Does it sound like something you would enjoy? 

Following the example of  Maria from ReadingMaria who started 

the Last Year I Was Reading feature, I will be looking back to what 

I was reading around this time last year and comparing it to what I am reading now. 

A year ago this week my daughter and I were catching up on the Ivy + Bean series  by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall. We also re-read this little gem, Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon written by Patty Lovell & illustrated by David Catrow. It is one of my favorites of Mouse's picture books about having confidence in oneself and celebrating our differences. 

My daughter is much less interested in books meant for younger readers these days and so Molly Lou is out and Nikki Maxwell (Dork Diaries) is in. Fortunately for me, she still enjoys reading with me from time to time. She's been introducing me to Nikki and friends as we read through the Dork Diaries series together (her second time around and my first). We have read the first two books together so far. Whereas Molly Lou was full of confidence, Nikki has very little. But both girls learn the value of being true to themselves. Well, maybe Nikki in a more round about way . . .

And of course I am also reading this month's TBR List poll winner, Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory, which is proving to be a delightful read. It's quite different from Mouse's and my reading.

*                    *                    *

Five Years Ago I Was Reading: 

The Dew Breaker by Edwidge Danticat

Connect Five Friday is a weekly meme where readers share 

a list of five books, read or unread, or bookish things, that 

share a common theme. Hosted by the  Kathryn of of Book Date.

Winter is coming. It is just a few days away. I am not the best at sticking with reading lists even as much as I enjoy making them. But this time of year seems like the time for making lists, and so here are five books I would like to read this winter. At least as of this moment.  

The Black Witch (The Black Witch Chronicles #1) ~ I have wanted to read this series since it first came out. I cannot resist a novel about witches. Coming in at 601 pages, I have been putting it off though. Winter seems like a good time for long books--so perhaps it's time. 

A new Black Witch will rise…her powers vast beyond imagining.

Elloren Gardner is the granddaughter of the last prophesied Black Witch, Carnissa Gardner, who drove back the enemy forces and saved the Gardnerian people during the Realm War. But while she is the absolute spitting image of her famous grandmother, Elloren is utterly devoid of power in a society that prizes magical ability above all else.

When she is granted the opportunity to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an apothecary, Elloren joins her brothers at the prestigious Verpax University to embrace a destiny of her own, free from the shadow of her grandmother’s legacy. But she soon realizes that the university, which admits all manner of people—including the fire-wielding, winged Icarals, the sworn enemies of all Gardnerians—is a treacherous place for the granddaughter of the Black Witch.

As evil looms on the horizon and the pressure to live up to her heritage builds, everything Elloren thought she knew will be challenged and torn away. Her best hope of survival may be among the most unlikely band of rebels…if only she can find the courage to trust those she’s been taught to fear. [Goodreads Summary]

Circe by Madeline Miller ~ The Song of Achilles was my first book of 2019 and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's tempting to make Circe my first book of 2021. It's certainly a contender for the spot!

In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child - not powerful, like her father, nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power - the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves.

Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus.

But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love. [Goodreads Summary]

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson ~ A must read if ever there was one. I had hoped to get to this one this past summer. Perhaps now is the time.

An unforgettable true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to end mass incarceration in America — from one of the most inspiring lawyers of our time.

Bryan Stevenson was a young lawyer when he founded the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit law office in Montgomery, Alabama, dedicated to defending the poor, the incarcerated, and the wrongly condemned.

Just Mercy tells the story of EJI, from the early days with a small staff facing the nation’s highest death sentencing and execution rates, through a successful campaign to challenge the cruel practice of sentencing children to die in prison, to revolutionary projects designed to confront Americans with our history of racial injustice.

One of EJI’s first clients was Walter McMillian, a young Black man who was sentenced to die for the murder of a young white woman that he didn’t commit. The case exemplifies how the death penalty in America is a direct descendant of lynching — a system that treats the rich and guilty better than the poor and innocent. [Goodreads Summary]

A Great Deliverance (Inspector Lynley #1) by Elizabeth George ~ This has been on my TBR shelf forever. I think I have the entire series. At least most of it. And all but one in the series are unread. How does this happen?! It has been awhile since I dived into a police procedural mystery, and as I was pulling books from my shelves to donate, I came to this one and decided I really need to read it!

To this day, the low, thin wail of an infant can be heard in Keldale's lush green valleys. Three hundred years ago, as legend goes, the frightened Yorkshire villagers smothered a crying babe in Keldale Abbey, where they'd hidden to escape the ravages of Cromwell's raiders.

Now into Keldale's pastoral web of old houses and older secrets comes Scotland Yard Inspector Thomas Lynley, the eighth earl of Asherton. Along with the redoubtable Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers, Lynley has been sent to solve a savage murder that has stunned the peaceful countryside. For fat, unlovely Roberta Teys has been found in her best dress, an axe in her lap, seated in the old stone barn beside her father's headless corpse. Her first and last words were "I did it. And I'm not sorry."

Yet as Lynley and Havers wind their way through Keldale's dark labyrinth of secret scandals and appalling crimes, they uncover a shattering series of revelations that will reverberate through this tranquil English valley—and in their own lives as well. [Goodreads Summary]

The Arctic Fury by Greer Macallister ~ This sounds like an intriguing winter read given the setting. I enjoyed Macallister's The Magician's Lie and Girl in Disguise and am eager to read more by her. 

A dozen women join a secret 1850s Arctic expedition—and a sensational murder trial unfolds when some of them don't come back.

Eccentric Lady Jane Franklin makes an outlandish offer to adventurer Virginia Reeve: take a dozen women, trek into the Arctic, and find her husband's lost expedition. Four parties have failed to find him, and Lady Franklin wants a radical new approach: put the women in charge.

A year later, Virginia stands trial for murder. Survivors of the expedition willing to publicly support her sit in the front row. There are only five. What happened out there on the ice?

Set against the unforgiving backgdrop of one of the world's most inhospitable locations, USA Today bestsellng author Greer Macallister uses the true story of Lady Jane Franklin's tireless attempts to find her husband's lost expedition as a jumping-off point to spin a tale of bravely, intrigue, perseverance and hope. [Goodreads Summary]

Have you read any of these? What did you think? What books are you hoping to get to this winter season? 

 I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Stay safe and take care.  Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!

---

© 2020, 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.

Waiting to Read Wednesday: The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry / The Broken Spine / Unwept

The New

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

The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry by C.M. Waggoner
Release Date: January 12, 2021 by Ace

A charming historical fantasy with a tender love story at its core, from the author of Unnatural Magic.

Hard-drinking petty thief Dellaria Wells is down on her luck in the city of Leiscourt—again. Then she sees a want ad for a female bodyguard, and she fast-talks her way into the high-paying job. Along with a team of other women, she’s meant to protect a rich young lady from mysterious assassins.

At first Delly thinks the danger is exaggerated, but a series of attacks shows there’s much to fear. Then she begins to fall for Winn, one of the other bodyguards, and the women team up against a mysterious, magical foe who seems to have allies everywhere. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read this: The title alone was enough to make me want to read this one. I love the premise: female bodyguards, magic and romance. I look forward to reading The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry!

The Broken Spine (Beloved Bookroom Mystery #1)  by Dorothy St. James
Release Date: January 19, 2021 by Berkley

The first in an exciting new series featuring Trudell Becket, a spunky librarian who will stop at nothing to save her beloved books and catch a killer! 

Trudell Becket, book-loving librarian, finds herself in a bind when the library where she works is turned into a state-of-the-art bookless library. In a rare move of rebellion, Trudell rescues hundreds of her library's beloved books slated for the recycle center. She sets up a secret book room in the library's basement and opens it to anyone who shares her love of the printed book. 

When the town councilman, who was the vocal proponent of the library's transformation into a "futuristic technological center," is crushed under an overturned shelf of DVDs, Trudell becomes the police's prime suspect for his murder. She was the only person in the library at the time of his death, or so the police believe. But that's not true. For the past month, Trudell had been letting a few dozen residents into the building through the basement entrance so they could read and check out the printed books. 

But if she tells the police about the backdoor patrons who were in the library at the time of the murder, she'd have to explain about the secret book room and risk losing the books. In order to protect herself from being arrested for a murder she didn't commit, Trudell--with the help of a group of dedicated readers--decides to investigate. She quickly discovers you can't always judge a book by its cover.  [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read this: I might be tempted to rescue all those library books too! What cozy mystery reader love a cozy with a librarian protagonist? I can't wait to give this series a try.

Do The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry and The Broken Spine interest you? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to reading?

 

The Old(er) 

I have an embarrassing number of unread books sitting on the shelves in my personal library. Carole of Carole's Random Life in Books has given me the perfect excuse to spotlight and discuss those neglected books in her Books from the Backlog feature. After all, even those older books need a bit of love! Not to mention it is reminding me what great books I have waiting for me under my own roof still to read!

Unwept (The Nightbirds #1) by Tracy Hickman & Laura Hickman (Tor, 2014)

Gamin, Maine, is a remote seaside town where everyone seems to know Ellis Harkington better than she knows herself—but she doesn’t remember any of them. 

Unknown events have robbed Ellis of her memory. Concerned individuals, who purport to be her friends and loved ones, insist that she simply needs to recuperate, that her memories may return in time, but refuse to divulge what has brought her to this state. For her own sake, so they say. 

Ellis finds herself adrift in a town of ominous mysteries, cryptic hints, and disturbingly familiar strangers. The Nightbirds, a clique of fashionable young men and women, claim her as one of their own, but who among them can she truly trust? And what of the phantom suitor who visits her in her dreams? Is he a memory, a figment of her imagination, or a living nightmare beyond rational explanation? 

Only her lost past hold the answers she seeks—if she can uncover its secrets before she fall prey to an unearthly killer. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read this: I do not remember when this landed on my TBR pile, but it has been there quite a while now. It sounds like a good pick for this time of year. 

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

---

© 2020, 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.

Weekly Mews: An Uneventful Week in December & My December TBR List Poll Winner

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by 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. I am also linking The Sunday Salon hosted by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz where participants discuss what they are reading and other bookish topics. 

What I Am Reading: I read here and there throughout the week, but not as much as I would have liked. If I do not finish How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse tonight, I definitely will this weekend. Mouse and I are reading the second Dork Diary book together, Tales from a Not-So-Popular-Party-Girl by Rachel Renée Russell (her second time, my first).

What I Am Watching: This weekend my family and I enjoyed Godmothered on Disney+, which was adorable. It was funny and sweet and a perfect feel good movie. I also made my family watch the High School Musical: The Musical: Holiday Special. It was more of a passing-the-time show to have on in the background. 

My husband and I have made it to season 5 of our Buffy the Vampire Slayer re-watch. Dawn has made her appearance. And we are on 2nd season of Angel. I had completely forgotten about Gunn. How could I forget Gunn?! We also are all caught up with the Mandalorian. My husband was telling me about all the upcoming Star Wars spin off shows Disney will be putting out. I hope they will be just as good.

Off the Blog: This week was not overly exciting. I went into the office this weekend to sign holiday cards for staff (all of the supervisors and managers are going in together on gift cards and cards for the staff--and each one was personalized. It took me about half an hour to sign them all). I wasn't scheduled to be back in the office until late in the week, and they need to go out in the mail.

We are continuing on our organizing and rearranging projects around the house when we can. I am hoping to go through the mass market paperback books I own and donate the ones we no longer need to keep. I always have a hard time letting go of books, but I try to do so every now and then.

Thank you to everyone for your well wishes and prayers for my grandmother. She is doing well last I heard. 

The shelter-in-place orders continue. The U.S. Supreme Court said no to the latest attempt by the GOP to overturn the election results, and a 3rd grade teacher in Minnesota donated a kidney to her school's custodian. 

What I Am Grateful For: Feel good movies, hugs from my daughter, Hot Tamales (the candy), and holiday cards. 

Let me sleep in peace please.

Bookshelf cat

(Yes, that's a sled. No, it doesn't snow here)

Tell me 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 week?

This Past Week in Reading Mews:

• Waiting to Read Wednesday: The Wife Upstairs / A Glimmer of Death / Language Arts
• Where Is Your Bookmark? (More Dork Diaries & Five Fun Holiday Reads)

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). 

Thank you to everyone who voted in my December TBR List poll! I have not had a chance to dive into too many holiday-themed books this year and so decided to make sure this month's choice fit in that category. Mrs. Claus  and the Santaland Slayings by Liz Ireland came in with 7 votes and Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas by Nancy CoCo  received 8. Ten of you voted for Jasmine Guillory's Royal Holiday. I can't wait to start reading it!

 

New York Times bestselling author Jasmine Guillory makes her hardcover debut with a heartwarming Christmas romance. 

Vivian Forest has been out of the country a grand total of one time, so when she gets the chance to tag along on her daughter Maddie's work trip to England to style a royal family member, she can't refuse. She's excited to spend the holidays taking in the magnificent British sights, but what she doesn't expect is to become instantly attracted to a certain Private Secretary and his charming accent and unyielding formality. 

Malcolm Hudson has been the Queen's Private Secretary for years and has never given a personal, private tour...until now. He is intrigued by Vivian the moment he meets her and finds himself making excuses just to spend time with her. When flirtatious banter turns into a kiss under the mistletoe, things snowball into a full-on fling. 

Despite a ticking timer on their holiday romance, they are completely fine with ending their short, steamy fling come New Year's Day...or are they? [Goodreads Summary]

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

---

© 2020, 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.