Musings of a Bookish Kitty

Saturday, August 07, 2021

Weekly Mews: July Wrap Up & An August Blogging Break

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.

As part of my monthly wrap up, I am linking up to Nicole of Feed Your Addiction's Monthly Wrap-Up Post and Stacking the Shelves hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews and Marlene of Reading Reality a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently.

In reading . . .

Then

I started reading Smoke Gets in Your Eyes & Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlyn Doughty in hopes of adding another nonfiction book to my list of challenge books read, but the timing wasn't right and so I have set it aside for now. It is definitely a book I want to read still and hope to pick it up again later. Sometimes mood is everything.

In its place I picked up The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun, a queer rom-com set in the middle of a reality dating show. It was funny and adorable and just what I needed reading-wise.

Now

Mouse and I are enjoying seeing favorite characters come to life as we read in Tilly and the Bookwanderers (Pages & Co #1) by Anna James together. It is a middle grade novel about an eleven-year-old girl who is able to travel inside the stories she reads. A bit of magic, adventure and mystery--three of Mouse's and my favorite qualities in a book.

I am also reading Be My Ghost, the first book in Carol J. Perry's new Haunted Haven mystery series featuring a woman who inherits an inn just when she most needs to make a fresh start. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. Except for maybe finding a dead body. There are ghosts. And a charming failed guide dog named Finn. I am enjoying it so far.

Next

Oh goodness! I am not sure what I will be reading next, honestly. As stressed, anxious, and busy as I have been, something fun and escapist will likely be the way to go. Perhaps the third book in Juliette Cross's paranormal romance Stay a Spell series, Witches Get Stitches. I really liked the first two books in the series. There's also The Shaadi Set-Up by Lillie Vale, a rom-com involving being matched with an ex by an online dating service, that sounds fun. The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson, about a lonely woman who joins forces with the community to save the library in their small English village, also sounds very appealing. Then there is The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova which has caught my attention, if I am craving something a little darker.

What I Have Been Watching

My husband and I are continuing to make our way through Broadchurch. It is such a good but sad show. We recently began the third and final season. We took a break from the heaviness of Broadchurch to watch the first season of Ted Lasso. To be honest, I was not very interested in watching a sports show, but my husband wanted me to give it a chance. And now I am completely hooked. It is such a good show--funny, uplifting and entertaining.

Monthly Wrap Up

New to the Shelves in July:

E-Book Purchases:

My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Book from my local independent bookstore:

Black Sun (Between Earth and Sky #1) by Rebecca Roanhorse

Have you read any of these books? What books did you add to your TBR this past month?

Here is what I finished reading in July:

Death at the Crystal Palace (Kat Holloway Below Stairs #5) by Jennifer Ashley
I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life by Anne Bogel
The Stranger in the Mirror by Liv Constantine
Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop by Rosselle Lim
Tales from a Not-So-Best Friend Forever (Dork Diaries #14) by Rachel Renée Russell
A Fistful of Charms (The Hollows #4) by Kim Harrison
Strange Beasts of China by Yan Ge

My reading in July was a mixed bag falling mostly on the enjoyable side. I did not dislike anything I read, at least. Jennifer Ashley continues to be a favorite with her Kat Holloway series and I adored Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop. Kim Harrison's series is a lot of fun and is becoming my go to series when I need an extra-comfort read. I imagine it will not be long before I pick up book 5 in the series.

This Past May In Reading Mews:

How did your July shape up? Do you have a favorite among the books you read? What are you looking forward to in August?

Off the Blog

July got away from me. And August is going to slip right on by as well. I have barely had a chance to turn on my personal computer. Lack of time. Lack of motivation. A good mix of both, I'm afraid. We have been keeping indoors as much as possible to avoid the heat. My medical procedure went well (no cancer found--thankfully). I also finally got around to the optometry appointment I had been putting off. Mouse had her annual check-up as well.

In July, Mouse attended a two week dance intensive, which she really enjoyed. Probably more so because she got to spend time with some of her friends. Mouse's rehearsals for the Annie musical and showcase performance have stepped into high gear as we count down to performance weekend the weekend after next. So much work, energy and time go into pulling off these of shows. We have two more dress rehearsals to go, including one this weekend. I am exhausted already thinking about it! The pandemic is never far from my mind, especially with the rapid rate the new variant is spreading. I go between thinking this is a terrible idea, that we should pull out, to not wanting to take this away from my daughter (or the other kids) given how much it means to her and how much work she's put into it--and how close it is to show time. The studio and everyone involved have been taking precautions and have safety measures in place, at least.

Mouse starts school next week. Masks are mandatory in schools here in California thankfully (although it hasn't stopped some parents from protesting and petitioning against them). The school will also be taking the students' temperatures as they come onto the campus. Mouse has the usual back to school nerves (new grade, new teacher) but also added in is whether the school friends she hasn't seen in over a year will remember her and what the environment will be like--how much the same and how different things will be for her. For the last couple months she has been attending the summer camp portion of the after school care program attached to the school a couple days a week to help ease her back in. So, she will have some familiarity in terms of expectations at school and in the after school program going in.

The new hybrid rotation at work started last month and went fairly well. I had stimulus overload on my first day back in the office with my team. I was so used to having the office to myself--or close to it--for over a year. And while there still were not a lot of people in the office all at once, each team often sits in the same general office area and so it felt a bit crowded going from one to seven people in my section. All of us continued to wear masks--even those of us who had the option not to. We had a nice send off for my team member who is moving out of state. I was really sad to see her go but glad I got the opportunity to say goodbye in person. I have to admit I was happy when my week in the office was up and I could work from home again. Our turn in the office will be coming around again soon enough.

With work, school starting, the show and an upcoming visit from my mom, I think it is time I make this break official. I will be back in September and hope you all have a wonderful August in the meantime. Please stay safe and take care of yourselves.

On a particularly difficult work day (unbeknownst to my daughter),

she handed me a handmade card and a little gift she made for me.

The note inside is even sweeter.

At the local Starbucks drive thru

Tell me what you have been up to!

What are you reading, listening to and watching?

How was your week?

© 2021, 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.

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Waiting to Read Wednesday: The Second Life of Mirielle West /The Dating Dare / Death in Castle Dark / Ink Mage

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 Second Life of Mirielle West by Amanda Skenandore
Release Date: July 27, 2021 by Kensington Books

In this thought-provoking and sensitive novel, inspired by the true story of a Louisiana leprosy hospital where patients were forcibly quarantined, acclaimed author Amanda Skenandore tells an extraordinarily timely tale of resilience, hope--and the last woman who expected to find herself in such a place...

1920s Los Angeles: Socialite Mirielle West's days are crowded with shopping, luncheons, and prepping for the myriad glittering parties she attends with her actor husband, Charlie. She's been too busy to even notice the small patch of pale skin on the back of her hand. Other than an occasional over-indulgence in gin and champagne, which helps to numb the pain of recent tragedy, Mirielle is the picture of health. But her doctor insists on more tests, and Mirielle reluctantly agrees.

The diagnosis--leprosy--is devastating and unthinkable. Changing her name to shield Charlie and their two young children, Mirielle is exiled to rural Louisiana for what she hopes will be a swift cure. But the hospital at Carville turns out to be as much a prison as a place of healing. Deaths far outnumber the discharges, and many patients have languished for years. Some are badly afflicted, others relatively unscathed. For all, the disease's stigma is just as insidious as its physical progress.

At first, Mirielle keeps her distance from other residents, unwilling to accept her new reality. Gradually she begins to find both a community and a purpose at Carville, helping the nurses and doctors while eagerly anticipating her return home. But even that wish is tinged with uncertainty. How can she bridge the divide between the woman, wife, and mother she was, and the stranger she has become? And what price is she willing to pay to protect the ones she loves? [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read this: One of my favorite novels is Moloka'i by Alan Brennert about a girl who grows up in a leprosy settlement. I have since read more about leprosy and the appalling way people with the illness have been treated throughout history. I am really excited about The Secret Life of Mirielle West and cannot wait to read it.

The Dating Dare (A Sweet Mess #2) by Jayci Lee
Release Date: August 3, 2021 by St. Martin's Griffin

Jayci Lee, author of A Sweet Mess, returns with The Dating Dare—her next witty, chemistry-filled romantic comedy.

Tara Park doesn’t do serious relationships. Neither does she hop into bed with virtual strangers. Especially when that particular stranger is her best friend’s new brother-in-law. It isn’t an easy decision, though. Seth Kim is temptation personified. His unreasonably handsome looks and charming personality makes him easy on the eyes and good for her ego.

When a friendly game of Truth or Dare leads to an uncomplicated four-date arrangement with Seth, Tara can’t say she minds. But their dates, while sweet and sexy, have a tendency to hit roadblocks. Thankfully, their non-dates and chance meetings get frequent and heated.

Seth is leaving for a new job in Paris in a month and a no-strings attached fling seemed like a nice little distraction for both… But soon Seth realizes that Tara Park doesn’t come in a “nice & little” package--she’s funny and bold, sweet and sexy, and everything he ever wanted and never expected to find. Neither of them are ready for something serious and both have past relationship baggage they’ve been ignoring, but with a shot at forever on the line will they follow their hearts and take a chance on happily-ever-after? [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read this: Doesn't this sound cute? I love the premise behind this one and am anxious to read it.

Death in Castle Dark by Veronica Bond

Release Date: August 3, 2021 by Berkley

Actor Nora Blake finds her dream job when she is cast in a murder-mystery troupe that performs in an imposing but captivating old castle. When she stumbles upon a real murder, things take a nightmarish turn in this first book in an exciting new series.

Maybe it was too good to be true, but when Nora Blake accepted the job from Derek Corby, proprietor of Castle Dark, she could not see any downsides. She would sink her acting chops into the troupe's intricately staged murder-mystery shows, earn free room and board in the fairy tale-like castle, and make friends with her new roommates, which include some seriously adorable kittens.

But something sinister lurks behind the walls of Castle Dark. During Nora's second performance, one of her castmates plays the part of the victim a little too well. So well, in fact, that no one can revive him. He has been murdered. Not ready to give up her dream gig--or to be the next victim--Nora sets out to see which one of her fellow actors has taken the role of a murderous real-life villain. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read this: A mystery within a mystery and an old castle. This is one cozy I will not be able to pass up when it comes out.

Do any of these books 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!

Ink Mage (A Fire Beneath the Skin #1) by Victor Gischler (47th North, 2013)

The city of Klaar has never fallen. No enemy has ever made it across the Long Bridge or penetrated the city’s mighty walls. Even when a powerful invading army shows up at the gates, the duke and his daughter, Rina Veraiin, are certain that it poses little threat.

But they are cruelly betrayed from within and, in a horrific spasm of violence, the city is brought to its knees.

With the help of her bodyguard, Kork, the battle-trained young Rina narrowly escapes the slaughter and makes her way to the lair of an ancient sorcerer—the Ink Mage—who gifts her with a strange, beautiful set of magical tattoos.

Now a duchess in exile, Rina sets out on a quest to reclaim what is rightfully hers, aided by a motley assortment of followers who will help her in her cause—some for noble reasons and others for their own dark purposes.

With the enemy’s agents nipping at her heels, Rina must learn to harness her new and startling magical powers if she is to assert her rightful place as ruler of Klaar. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read this: Ink Mage is the first in a trilogy. It was published in serial format, which is part of why I did not rush to read it right away even though it has been sitting on my Kindle for some time now. I do not especially like cliff hangers. I am sure the strong female lead is what attracted me to this book when it first came out. It has gotten mixed reviews which gives me pause about picking it up, but I prefer to judge for myself in the end.

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

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Waiting to Read Wednesday: Half Sick of Shadows / Men Are Frogs / Much Ado About Nauticaling / Settled Blood

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.

Half Sick of Shadows by Laura Sebastian
Release Date: July 20, 2021 by Ace

The Lady of Shalott reclaims her story in this bold feminist reimagining of the Arthurian myth from the New York Times bestselling author of Ash Princess.

Everyone knows the legend. Of Arthur, destined to be a king. Of the beautiful Guinevere, who will betray him with his most loyal knight, Lancelot. Of the bitter sorceress, Morgana, who will turn against them all. But Elaine alone carries the burden of knowing what is to come--for Elaine of Shalott is cursed to see the future.

On the mystical isle of Avalon, Elaine runs free and learns of the ancient prophecies surrounding her and her friends--countless possibilities, almost all of them tragic.

When their future comes to claim them, Elaine, Guinevere, Lancelot, and Morgana accompany Arthur to take his throne in stifling Camelot, where magic is outlawed, the rules of society chain them, and enemies are everywhere. Yet the most dangerous threats may come from within their own circle.

As visions are fulfilled and an inevitable fate closes in, Elaine must decide how far she will go to change fate--and what she is willing to sacrifice along the way. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read this: I generally avoid Arthurian stories but occasionally one will catch my eye and I cannot resist. I do not think I will be able to resist this one.

Men Are Frogs (Fairy Godmothers, Inc. #2) by Saranna DeWylde
Release Date: July 27, 2021 by Zebra

Armed with her trademark mix of quirky charm, witty comedy, and swoon-worthy romance, Saranna DeWylde takes readers on a rollicking ride through twisted fairy tales and towards the ultimate HEA with her second novel set in the magical town of Ever After, Missouri.

Ever After, Missouri, is the unlikely source of the world's magic, but without love--magic's secret ingredient--the well is running dry. Resident fairy godmothers Petunia, Jonquil, and Bluebonnet are on the job! Nudging couples toward romance might do the trick, unless their fairy dust is on the fritz...

SOMETIMES YOU'RE THE CURSE . . .

Disgraced wedding planner Zuri Davis is so relieved to be offered a job with Fairy Godmothers, Inc., she's willing to trade the high-rise excitement of Chicago for the small-town charm of Ever After. Falling for one of her grooms, even unintentionally, was enough to destroy her career--and also to prove that all men are indeed frogs. But when she meets gorgeous B&B owner Phillip Charming, who definitely lives up to his name, even she is tempted to test that theory . . .

AND SOMETIMES YOU'RE THE CURE

Three hundred years as a frog by day and himself by night, is enough to test any man's patience--even if Phillip knows he deserved Petunia's curse. It certainly taught him not to mess around when it comes to making promises. And stubborn, proud Zuri is a woman he'd like to promise his heart and everything else to--if only he weren't a sometimes-frog. Can he hope for True Love's Kiss from a woman whose trust has been so thoroughly broken?[Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read this: I have not yet read the first in the series although it is on my wish list. This second book only makes me want to read the series even more.

Much Ado about Nauticaling (Whit and Whiskers Mystery #1) by Gabby Allan
Release Date: July 27, 2021

Whitney Dagner is your tour guide to a Pacific paradise that's to die for--only to find it's a place people are also willing to kill for--in Gabby Allan's Much Ado About Nauticaling, first in the Whit and Whiskers Mystery series.

After far too many years in the Los Angeles corporate world, Whitney Dagner has come home to Santa Catalina Island off the California coast to help her brother Nick run Nautically Yours, the family tourism business. Between gift shop shifts selling all manner of T-shirts and tchotchkes and keeping her feline Whiskers in fine fettle, she pilots the Sea Bounder, a glass bottom boat showing tourists the underwater sights of aquatic plants, marine life--and a murder victim?

The self-proclaimed Master of the Island, Jules Tisdale was a wealthy man with business interests throughout Catalina who was about to be honored as Person of the Year before someone strangled him with his own tie and tossed his body into the water. That someone appears to be Nick, who had a raw deal from Jules and no alibi the night of his murder. To clear her brother's name, Whit will have to investigate Jules' shady associates and not exactly grief-stricken family members--with the unwelcome help of Felix Ramirez, police diver and Whit's ex-boyfriend who's looking to rekindle their relationship. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read this: A new cozy mystery series is hard to resist. The Catalina Island setting makes this a must read for me. It's such a beautiful and cozy place, even if extremely touristy--too much so to some degree. I look forward to revisiting the island--even if only this time in a book.

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

★ ★ ★

The Old(er)

Settled Blood (DCI Kate Daniels #2) by Mari Hannah (Witness Impulse, 2012)

When a young girl is found dead at the base of Hadrian's Wall, it's not long before Detective Chief Inspector Kate Daniels realises her death was no ordinary homicide. She was thrown from a great height and was probably alive before she hit the ground. Then a local businessmen reports his daughter missing, has Daniels found the identity of her victim, or is a killer playing a sickening game? As the murder investigation team delve deeper into the case, half truths are told, secrets exposed, and while Daniels makes her way through a mountain of obstacles time is running out for one terrified girl. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read this: I read the first book in this series years ago and really liked it. Kate Daniels is a great character. I added this to my TBR pile soon after reading the first one but just haven't gotten to it yet.

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

Saturday, July 10, 2021

Weekly Mews: Another Busy Week & A Bit of Reading

In reading . . .

Then

I am officially all caught up in Jennifer Ashley's Kat Holloway Below Stairs historical mystery series, having finished reading Death at the Crystal Palace. I also finished I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights an Dilemmas of The Reading Life by Anne Bogel. I told my husband it's a book I wish I could hand out to anyone who wants to better understand me. At the reader part of me, at least--and why being a reader is much more than just reading a book for me.

Now

Mouse and I are close to finishing Rachel Renee Russell's Tales From a Not-So-Best Friend Forever (Dork Diaries #14). And I am enjoying Stranger in the Mirror by Liv Constantine.

Next

I plan to dive into the TBR Winner next and my daughter has agreed to read Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega with me in between her other reads. I also have my eye on Strange Beasts of China by Yan Ge, which is written in the form of a bestiary.

What I Have Been Watching

Just one more episode of Loki to go. I went into the show without any preconceived notions and have enjoyed seeing how the story plays out. I do not think I like it quite as much as WandaVision and Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but I am still enjoying it.

I watched the second season of Lupin this past week and loved it. I really need to read the books! I also watched an Australian show called First Day about a 12 year old transgender girl adjusting to a new school and all the social and personal issues she faces. I liked it quite a bit and hope to watch it again with my daughter at some point. It's the type of show I think she would enjoy.

My husband I are watching the first season of Broadchurch. I had forgotten how many Dr. Who characters made it into the show! I have seen the first season before, but it has been so long I do not really remember much.

Off the Blog

It seems like every time I sit down to start this post my cat Gracie settles on my chest making it difficult to type. Of course I cannot just move her. I have to give into the cuddles and wait until she leaves before I get back to blogging.

The work week was a trying one but I survived! I switched up my work station at home a bit. I use two computer monitors when I am in the office but was just using my work laptop when home. I decided since this is going to be a relatively permanent situation (it only took me 15 months), I might as well bring one of my office monitors home. With my laptop, I will now have two screens both at home and in office. It's made a big difference and I am happy with the result.

It was a busy week for Mouse. She completed her first week of her two week dance intensive (like a day camp). Five days straight of dance, a mix of different kinds. Six days, really, if you count our full day of dance and rehearsals today (Saturday). I got the chance to see the full run through of the musical while my husband helped with the props, and everything seems to be coming together. We got the last of Mouse's costumes. Now to do a little dance shoe shopping . . .

My back is feeling much better, just a twinge now and then to remind me I should still be taking it easy. Thank you for all the well wishes! I had to take a COVID-19 test for an upcoming medical procedure. It is a common precaution these days even if a person is vaccinated. I have not yet gotten the results back, but I am hopeful it will be negative.

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?

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

My TBR List is 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. My review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise).

There was a tie right up until the very end. I was hoping my daughter would be the tie breaker, but she cast her vote for the book with the least amount of votes. So I reached out to my friends on the COYER Facebook group and I have my winner!

Paris on Repeat (Wish & Wander #1) by Amy Bearce may have received the least amount of votes with 5 votes, but my daughter got a promise out of me that we will read it together. The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan is still on my TBR although it will not be my next read. It was a close call but it lost by one vote to Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop by Roselle Lim, which got 15 votes. I am looking forward to reading Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop next!

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

Thursday, July 08, 2021

Where Is Your Bookmark? (The Stranger in the Mirror & Paris in July TBR Connect 5)

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.

I'd like to think I'm a good person, but I have no way of knowing for sure. [opening line of The Stranger in the Mirror]

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.

Frantically I begin to search the room, opening every drawer, running my hands along their insides. I even check the bathroom, flinging open the vanity doors and drawers. Nothing. I sit on the bed and try to think. Did I put it somewhere else? No. I'm sure the last place I put it was in that drawer. [excerpt from 56% of The Stranger in the Mirror]

After finishing my last book, I was in the mood for something dark and thrilling and settled on Liv Constantine's The Stranger in the Mirror. I am not too far in yet, but I was hooked from the first first line!

A diabolically twisty, psychologically unsettling novel about a woman with no recollection of her past from the authors of the Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick The Last Mrs. Parrish and The Wife Stalker.

Addison’s about to get married, but she’s not looking forward to the big day. It’s not her fiancé; he’s a wonderful man. It’s because Addison doesn't know who she really is. A few years ago, a kind driver found her bleeding next to a New Jersey highway and rescued her. While her physical wounds healed, Addison’s memory never returned. She doesn’t know her real name. Or how she ended up injured on the side of a road. Or why she can’t shake the notion that she may have done something very, very bad . . .

In a posh home in the Boston suburbs, Julian tries to figure out what happened to his loving, caring wife, Cassandra, who disappeared without a trace two years ago. She would never have left him and their seven-year-old daughter Valentina of her own free will—or would she?

As these two lives intersect, The Stranger in the Mirror hooks readers with riveting drama, told with Liv Constantine’s hallmark blend of glamour, tense psychological thrills, and jaw-dropping twists.

Have you read The Stranger in the Mirror? If so, what did you think? What book are you reading right now?

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.

Although I am not participating in this month's Paris in July event hosted by Thyme for Tea, I do seem to have Paris on the brain. As I was selecting three books for July's TBR List Poll (there's still time to vote if you haven't already! Help me break the tie!), I came across quite a few titles with the word "Paris" in the title. Here are a few more that did not make my poll this month but are still books on my TBR shelves that I am looking forward to reading someday.

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles ~ Books set in and around the World Wars are among my favorites and I especially like dual timeline novels, this one set in Paris 1939 and Montana 1983. The Paris Library features a teenager longing for something different in small town Montana when she discovers more about her elderly neighbor's past. This is the story of a young woman who couldn't have been happier, engaged and with her dream job as a librarian at the American Library in Paris at one time. The Nazis appearance in the city put all of that at risk. Librarians joining in the Resistance and a terrible betrayal . . . I want to know more!

The Bones of Paris (Harris Stuyvesant #2) by Laurie R. King ~ I have long wanted to read Laurie R. King's Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series, but still haven't managed to read even one. This series caught my eye as well. I still need to read the first book, Touchstone. This mystery takes us to Jazz Age Paris, 1929. P.I. Harris Stuyvesant is searching for an American model and actress whose family is concerned after they have lost contact with her. As his investigation takes him into the expatriate community, among the writers and artists, cafes and cabarets, he finds himself on a much darker path. No one may like what they find. Once I start reading this one, I have a feeling it will be hard to put down.

The Paris Wedding by Charlotte Nash ~ Who could pass up an all expense paid trip to Paris? Even if it is for the wedding of a former high school sweetheart she never quite got over. No one knows what the week will bring--secrets revealed, friendships turned inside out, and the biggest question of all: can she move on or will an old flame be reignited? I cannot help but think of the movie My Best Friend's Wedding. Will it follow a similar path or go in a completely different one?

All the Flowers in Paris by Sarah Jio ~ I do love these dual timeline historical novels. And Sarah Jio is an author I have read before and loved. So adding this one to my TBR shelf was a no brainer. It is another World War II novel and two women connected through time by a journal hidden in a closet. Waking up in a Paris hospital Caroline cannot remember her past. She is drawn into the story of Celine and her family as she reads the journal entries about Celine's life during World War II. A young widow, her father, and daughter attempt to escape from the Nazi officer who has been blackmailing them, Celine forced to be his mistress in exchange for his keeping her family's Jewish ancestry a secret. Caroline and Celine's stories are full of dark secrets and hidden strengths. This sounds heart-wrenching!

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George, translated by Simon Pare ~ This is one of those books I was so excited about when it came out and yet it still sits unread on my shelves. Not for lack of interest, I can assure you. A floating bookstore in which Monsieur Perdu sells books from his barge on the Seine. He is intuitive and knows just which book to prescribe to his readers. He calls himself a literary apothecary. He has long been haunted by his own heartbreak, however. He never opened the letter she gave him before she left. Until now. Will he be able to heal himself? How have I not read this yet?!

Have you read any of these books set in Paris? What books with Paris in the title would you recommend?

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.

Where do you post your reviews? (submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews)

I start with sharing my thoughts about the books I read on my blog and then will follow up with posting them on Goodreads. If I received the book from NetGalley or Edelwiess, I usually post them there too. Occasionally, when I remember, I may post my thoughts on LibraryThing too.

What about you? If you write reviews, where do you post them?

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

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