Next up, another fantasy — not sure how I ended up with so many Indigenous authored fantasies on my TBR, but it‘s quite delightful…

This was such a good read, raw and searching, solid and seeing, compelling and quiet. It is storytelling in the most real sense of that term, like a history being imparted rather than a novel being written. And I guess it is, for all that the characters are fictional, their stories have real cousins out there that also need to be heard. I was deeply affected by the characters and the journeys they each traveled in order to find home.

I feel like the tone of this will be markedly different than my previous couple of reads, but I expect it will be a good one…

Second up in my Nov Indigenous reads — what a truly unique story it presents. A mirror of world, if dragons were real and the Norse had remained the main power in the world. Anequs‘ experience in this world, so different from her home and family, and so ripe with both casual and directed racism, is a sharp reminder of how far we still have to go. That said, the writing is somehow both simple and direct, and also lovely. There‘s a current of… 👇🏻

This story is sweet and sugar and twice as nice—but irresistibly readable all the same. I‘ve never met a toddler as consistently charming and well-behaved as Bea, but I‘ll forgive it because she‘s cute. Saiorse is relentlessly cheerful to Miles‘ grump, and the Christmas backdrop is perfect for their burgeoning relationship. Does it all happen ridiculously quickly? Yes. Is it entirely inappropriate? Definitely. Is it an absolute delight? ENTIRELY.

This was a sweet rom-com, wrapped around the serious issues of traumatic brain injury and chronic illness. What it can mean to a relationship and how people deal with even the potential of a life-altering illness, along with anxiety and depression, are topics dealt with with sensitivity and a deft hand. I really enjoyed watching Ben and Ella becoming friends, and then finding something deeper with each other. Clumsy editing kept this a soft pick.

This is an absolutely excellent read — a penetrating look at the very real issue of MMIW, while at the same time a fantastically woven mystery. The frustration and desperation over the missing and murdered in the story felt very real, visceral, and the need for answers was entirely believable. The teens took on a bit more than I think they actually would, but I get that‘s for the purpose of storytelling… 👇🏻

This was a fantastic wrap up to the series, although it came a lot sooner than I thought it would! Cin learns so much, and grows a great deal as a character, and most of the minor characters are strongly drawn and as vibrant as she is. Ofc there‘s a HEA, but getting there is a TRIP, and there‘s enough action and derring do to satisfy just about anyone. And of course, there‘s Havoc…😏 A quick read, but a good one.

This was a cute romance, although I found Clem a little overly prickly. We find out more about the magic systems and the world of this series, with a couple of big surprises. Overall a satisfying read.

I wasn‘t really wowed by this book — I found it predictable and not particularly original. The characters seemed to have more going on than the reader knew about, which was too bad, since they could have used more dimension. It was a quick read, though, with nothing particularly objectionable about it. Just left me sort of meh.

This is a lovely cozy, all about finding the courage to be your true self, out loud. The MC is anxious to the point of reclusiveness, and watching her inch out of her shell is rewarding. I also loved that a number of the supporting characters are magical animals, with robust personalities of their own. Throw in a sweet, tentative, enemies to lovers, and I‘m sold.

This book is almost entirely a story within a story, with a nod and a wink as if the reader, along with the MC, is in on the plot. A very clever way to experience the “travel to another world” scenario, with a lot of secrets, surprises, and wtf moments. The world is lushly imagined and the characters, from MC to the most minor, are richly developed and well written. The end left me gasping, and def waiting for more…

Mini book haul from the sweetest bookshop, The Same Page, in Claremore, Oklahoma. Just a lovely place, and I could have bought many more if I didn‘t have to schlep the home on a plane😂

This was an intense read. A mix of classic fairy tale and modern darkness, with a stalwart hero to lead the way. While it had truly horrific moments, the story was more deeply rooted myth and magic, good and evil, and the battle we all fight within. Not a quick read, but one with beautiful imagery, strong themes, and a robust cast of characters of all stripes. King‘s prose is really compelling, and his characters boldly drawn. Plus, the dog lives!

This is about as close to horror as I‘m willing to get. Hoping it won‘t be too much for me…😬😨

I can‘t describe this book, so I won‘t even try. Sinister and creepy, yet lovely and enticingly-shaped, it wanders through all kinds of stories to get to its own heart. The language is compelling and vivid, creating a tapestry of images that you can‘t avoid and can‘t forget. The characters are Stories themselves, and the whole thing binds together with blood and bone and the wonder of a new tale. Gah, I loved it.

Spooky wins it! Tis the season…

Which fantasy is my next read — cozy, high, or spooky…I can‘t decide…

This was a light hearted magical rom-com with all the best bits — enemies to lovers, forced proximity, humour and silliness and spice. And yet…somehow also managed to be a very insightful look at abusive relationships, self-awareness and working to be a better person, and racial politics. This book was a bit of a ride, but I enjoyed every second of it.

After all the build up — for NINE books — it all kind of…came together super neat and tidy with no real climax? I mean, they defeated the big bad (sort of), and everything turns out (more or less), but…it left me feeling pretty flat. Maybe it‘s just me, but I expected more after such a long road. Maybe I‘m just sorry it‘s over, idk. Still happy with the series, and recommend if you like this kind of supernatural adventure/romance.

This book just powered through test after test for our heroes, right until the end which…I don‘t know, came kind of easily? With a twist that ended up not being a twist which I didn‘t understand the need for, and then a blow up into a cliffhanger. Then I saw the not-twist was necessary for the cliffhanger to happen, but I feel like there may have been other ways to accomplish the same thing that weren‘t as much of a stretch. Still quite keen tho!

Another installment with things moving at a breakneck pace. The overarching plot is really starting to come together, and there are a LOT of surprises. Bree gets in touch with the true depth of her powers, and trouble ensues. Nothing is what it seems in this book, and I think our little group of jerks is really in for it in the next volume. I can‘t wait to see what happens!!

This was a fun read — but what an underbelly in this small town! It‘s a bit dated, but that‘s to be expected. Hannah is frank and funny, and the mystery unwinds in a neat and tidy way that keeps you guessing but still more or less holds together. I didn‘t love all the sly pokes at people‘s looks and character, although the mother-hating cat was pretty funny. I‘d probably read another one in the series, just to see what happens to everyone.

I legit can‘t get enough of this series. Bree continues to grow into herself and discover new strengths, even as the outside world fights her every step of the way. The way ALL of the characters change and grow and develop is really rewarding to read in a series. This book‘s plot was a little more intense, and it feels like the stakes are getting higher every time. I‘m so invested in this world and I can‘t wait to see what happens next.

This was another fast-paced, action-packed adventure! Bree faces up against an army of zombies, and things get, as you might expect, a little hairy. A LOT happens in a very short period of time, and the stakes seem to be getting higher with every book. False fronts and hidden allegiances are everywhere, and Bree is left with very few people to trust. A little spice just to keep things lively, and this is a great read — lots of fun, as usual.

This felt less like a sequel and more like a whole new story with the same FMC, with a host of new characters and new intrigues. Hazel learns a great deal throughout the book, about herself and about the world, and her happy ending does come at a cost. All in all, strain on my suspension of disbelief and all, I loved this creepy little duology — well written and plotted, with compelling storylines and a sweet love story. A definite pick.

The fun continues as the gang heads for New Orleans with an army of the undead on their trail… Bree continues to be a delight as she beats down every challenge and learns more about herself and her past. Alan-the-ghost finally gets a lesson, and he‘s not the only one — Corb also gets schooled, and it‘s about time too. A great time to read, and a solid entry in the series, and as always, ending on that perfect note to leave you wanting more.

This book…did not end the way I thought it would. At all. So, kudos for that, because I was super invested in Hazel and Jack and now I don‘t know what to do with myself. Read the sequel, I expect😂 A compelling story that I felt really gave a picture of Victorian Edinburgh, and the struggles of women in that Regency society. Hazel is an FMC we can all love, clever and thoughtful and reckless in all the right ways. Definitely a pick for me.

Spooky season read and a nice cuppa on a Sunday afternoon — life is good…

This was a very interesting read, if a tad repetitive—forgivable in the name of hammering a point home, I guess? The author‘s claims that insulin/sugars are the key to controlling body weight aren‘t entirely new, but he does go further and more in depth than other things I‘ve read. Mostly it‘s common sense, although intermittent fasting is a new thought for me—not sure I could do it, but I might try and see how it goes. A pick? I guess?

Just bombing through this series, which works with the fast-paced storylines. They‘re just so much fun, and the supernatural elements make them good spooky season reads, too. Things really ramp up for Bree in this book, on all fronts, and she has to make a couple tough decisions. The end is a banger of a cliffhanger and I rolled right into the next one! Mayer‘s writing is light and funny, but also cutting when it needs to be, and the pace is wild.

What an absolute blazer of a sequel! This book started out a bit slow, but consistently gained momentum until it was breakneck. An interesting twist to see the flip side of the characters from the first book (some more literally than others), and the good and bad within them fighting it out. Ciara is a sympathetic devil, probably more so than the angelic Niamh. The twist at the end is clear, but that won‘t stop me from reading the third book!

These books are just a joyous amount of fun! I‘m enjoying the way there‘s a twisty little mystery at the heart of each book that fits neatly into the overarching mystery of the series. Bree is a heroine for the rest of us, with midlife aches and pains, but also that don‘t-give-a-duck attitude, smarts, and determination that come with experience. The cast of characters is an appealing bunch, and the side plots are peak. Loving this series.

This book was an absolute scream, a romp through the supernatural world, with high stakes and a couple of surprise twists. Also some sharp commentary about aging and the “usefulness” of a person as they get older. Will definitely read more of this series.

This book was satirical and funny, even silly, but also sharp and incisive and pulled no punches whatsoever. A hard look at humanity with all its faults, with anthropomorphisized rabbits. This here, about humans, “You‘re trying to run a twentieth-century world on Paleolithic thoughts and sentiments.” That one will stick with me. The narrator, Peter Knox, is the Everyman, and is as flawed and troubled as we all are. A surprisingly thoughtful read.

This was a fun read! Following along as Bri discovers herself, and her history and abilities is a fast-paced road. The links with Greek mythology — and earlier — were thoughtful and worked with the story, and all the characters were well-drawn and interesting. The Poison Garden is fascinating and the magical elements make it all work together. I was so involved I looked wildly for the sequel as soon as I was done.

Well, if this just doesn‘t look like the cutest book! I wish I still had a little to read to…

Yoinked this off the tbr shelf to read bc The Constant Rabbit is downstairs and I don‘t feel like reading digital. 😅😂

Auren is a prisoner of the Fourth Kingdom — or is she? A lot happens in this book even though there‘s no real action. It‘s all learning and personal growth for our FMC, and the discovery that everything is not as it seems. What she thought was safety wasn‘t freedom and she no longer wants to be trapped. I bump this up for the excellent character development and for Rip, who I just love. everyone is gaining dimension and I'm here for it.

I love Fforde regardless, but how can one resist that tagline? 😂

This was cute, maybe a little too cute, and a quick and easy read. Enjoyable enough in places, it also felt like a send-up of the cozy mystery, while exploiting the same to further itself, if that makes sense? I 100% do not buy that the self-absorbed, twee and selfish FMC would suddenly twig to the murderer, either. Not sure I‘d bother continuing with the series.

Changing it up to something a little lighter for the weekend…

If you had told me that I would become engrossed, entranced, in a book about the rise and fall of communism in Bulgaria, I would not have believed you. But here I am, left in that after-space of a riveting story, not sure how to go on with my day. Elizabeth Kostova has such a lovely way with storytelling, both delicate and impactful, and her characters live and breathe and demand your attention and empathy. Stoyan will stay with me for long time.

It‘s funny, I had in my mind that this was a YA book, but then it opened with an orgy😂 Still, it reads like a YA book, but with sex and violence and language. The plot is engaging, and the main character, Auren, is appealing, if a bit whiny at times. I feel like there‘s a lot more to her backstory that will be revealed in series. All in all, an entertaining read and compelling enough to continue with the series. Soft pick.

A fantasy in which merfolk are real and varied, and live alongside humans in a world half underwater. The writing is beautiful, descriptive and vivid, but also charged. The book provided a sharp, incisive exploration of institutionalized racism, the problems it can cause, and the lasting harm it does. In the end, the world is turned upside down on a wish, and I am eager to see what happens next.

This was so cute — a love story in snapshots. The art is sweet and engaging, and Elsie the vampire is adorable. A cartoon, but a lovely one.

A bit of a TBR deep dive, but I have high hopes — I love this author and her engrossing way of spinning a tale. Just read a little over lunch and I am already hooked!

This was a sweet little cozy, and an enjoyable enough read. The way the main conflict of the book wrapped up, in just a few pages, super easily, left it a bit flat for me though. I did like the world Thorne created, and the characters were very lovable. Just that ending let the book down a little.

This book is a JOURNEY, and it only takes place over a span of days. So very much happens, and it‘s as magically themed, powerful, and romantic as you‘d expect from SJM. Bryce and Hunt make an engaging lead couple, and their adventures are always fun to experience. I did think SJM wrapped things up quite neatly, while still leaving herself space to write more in this universe. Docking a point bc Ithan is so very obnoxious😅