Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Releases for the Second Half of 2020

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

I hope all of these books will be fabulous reads. Only time will tell if I’m right about them being good!

The Left-Handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix

Release Date: September 22

Why It Sounds Good: I find it hard to resist stories about booksellers in general.

The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez by Rudy Ruiz

Release Date: September 22

Why It Sounds Good: This book is set in both the present and past. I enjoy getting to know characters at various stages of their lives.

Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie

Release Date: September 22

Why It Sounds Good: The main character sounds like she overcame a lot of hardship during her life.

All This Time by Rachael Lippincott and Mikki Daughtry

Release Date: September 29

Why It Sounds Good: Most romance novels don’t begin with fatal car accidents! That alone piqued my curiosity.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

Release Date: October 6

Why It Sounds Good: Mrs. Schwab’s books are a must-read to me, especially when they involve curses!

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

Release Date: October 13

Why It Sounds Good: I’m irresistibly drawn to the phrase “forbidden magic.”

Among the Beasts & Briars by Ashley Poston 

Release Date: October 20

Why It Sounds Good: Honestly, who wouldn’t want to live in a magical kingdom that hasn’t had disease, droughts, famine, or war for centuries? It sounds wonderful to me.

Aphasia: A Novel by Mauro Javier Cárdenas

Release Date: November 3

Why It Sounds Good: Dysfunctional families can be very interesting things to read about, especially when the main character realizes their family isn’t healthy.

 

Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett 

Release Date: November 10

Why It Sounds Good: Sometimes a gentle romance novel really hits the spot.

The Cousins by Karen M. McManus

Release Date: December 1

Why It Sounds Good: The thought of meeting long-lost cousins sounds like fun to me even if the circumstances of their introductions are anything but ordinary.

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Opening Lines Revisited

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday!  This week is very special because Top Ten Tuesday turns ten!

There were a couple of options for this week’s topic.  I chose the option of picking a past Top Ten Tuesday topic that I didn’t get to do.  A couple of week’s ago my fellow reviewer, Astilbe, compiled a list for the topic Opening Lines.  I had so much fun reading her list as well as others, that I decided to make my own.  I made my list by browsing my bookshelf and opening some of my favorites.  Since this topic is a rather recent one, I also tried to avoid books that were frequently featured in the posts I visited.  Here’s my list in no particular order!

“I knew I was in trouble as soon as I saw the obituary.  The fact that it had my name on it was sort of a clue.” Touch the Dark (Cassandra Palmer #1) by Karen Chance

“I didn’t realize he was a werewolf at first.  My nose isn’t at its best when surrounded by axle grease and burnt oil.” Moon Called (Mercy Thompson #1) by Patricia Briggs

“No one who had ever seen Catherine Morland in her infancy would have supposed her born to be a heroine.” Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

“My name is Uhtred.” The Last Kingdom (The Saxon Stories #1) by Bernard Cornwell

“I wanted darkness.  There was a half-moon that summer night and it kept sliding from behind the clouds to make me nervous.  I wanted darkness” Lords of the North (The Saxon Stories #3) by Bernard Cornwell

Opened Book Near Ceramic Mug

“His letter came just at the point when I though death was my only option.” Claire’s Last Secret (Claire Clairmont #1) by Marty Ambrose

“It hardly seems possible that one’s entire existence can be completely upended in the blink of an eye, but it happened to me, so I know it to be true.” A Shadowed Fate (Claire Clairmont #2) by Marty Ambrose

“I see…”‘ said the vampire thoughtfully, and slowly he walked across the room towards the window.”  Interview with the Vampire (The Vampire Chronicles #1) by Anne Rice

“Mrs. Bridge did not like bugs. Perched high up on the stool, she peered distastefully into the kitchen light.” The Fog Ladies by Susan McCormick

“The day I died started out bad and got worse in a hurry.” Undead and Unwed (Undead #1) by Mary Janice Davidson.

“I’d been waiting for the vampire for years when he walked into the bar.” Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse #1) by Charlaine Harris

Which line/lines do you like most?  If you haven’t read these, do the opening lines make you curious enough to pick them up?

Top Ten Tuesday: Books on My Summer 2020 TBR

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

Wow, there are a lot of great books coming out this summer! How many of these titles are all of you also looking forward to reading?

You Say It First by Katie Cotugno

Release Date: Today

Why It Sounds Good: Small town romances feel very summer-like to me. And I love the fact that the main character works at a voter registration call center.

Sisters of Sword and Song by Rebecca Ross

Release Date: June 23

Why It Sounds Good: It’s always interesting to read about siblings who must work together to solve their problems. This is even more true in fantasy settings and when the siblings are both young girls.

Death in Her Hands by Ottessa Moshfegh

Release Date: June 23

Why It Sounds Good: Finding a dead body in the woods while out on a hike would terrify me.   Yet I’m also curious to see how the main character reacts and if she’d be more stoic in that situation than I would.

Opium and Absinthe by Lydia Kang

Release Date: July 1

Why It Sounds Good: The only thing better than a murder mystery is one where vampires are a possible suspect!

Burn Our Bodies Down by Rory Power

Release Date: July 7

Why It Sounds Good: I’m always interested in reading stories about family secrets, especially ones that are dangerous.

Or What You Will by Jo Walton

Release Date: July 7

Why It Sounds Good: I’ve read about fictional characters living in their author’s imaginations before, but I’ve never read anything about one of them trying to escape. That’s a great plot twist.

Loveless by Alice Oseman

Release Date: July 9

Why It Sounds Good: It sounds like the main character might be aromantic. I’m making a conscious effort read more books about characters on the ace spectrum in general.

The Dark Tide (The Dark Tide #1) by Alicia Jasinska

Release Date: August 4

Why It Sounds Good: Queer fairy tale romance? Sign me up!

Lobizona (Wolves of No World, #1) by Romina Garber

Release Date: August 4

Why It Sounds Good: I haven’t read enough modern fantasy novels lately. This one sound particularly good due to the main character needing to sort out immigration issues while simultaneously trying to discover secrets about her past.

Star Daughter by  Shveta Thakrar

Release Date: August 11

Why It Sounds Good: How would a star create a child? I can only think of one other book that may have included this concept before and am fascinated by how it might work.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I’ve Added to my TBR and Forgotten Why

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday!  This week’s topic is Books I’ve Added to my TBR and Forgotten Why.  I have a list on my computer, and every time I come across a book that catches my interest, I’ll add the title and author to the list.  After looking over this monster of a list there are quite a few books on it that I don’t remember adding.  I have certain authors I follow, and I know which ones are friend recommendations.  I’m assuming the rest I don’t remember quite as clearly are ones I stumbled upon on Goodreads or Top Ten Tuesday. (Top Ten Tuesday has considerably added to my tbr!)  Here’s my list in no particular order!

The Girl Who Couldn’t Read by John Harding-Now that I think about it, this might actually be a friend recommendation…  Apparently it is a sequel, but can stand on its own.

The Summer Dragon by Todd Lockwood-I truly have no idea where I came across this one.   I’m not sure if I’m still interested in it.  It does have dragons though…

The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter by Theodora Goss-Again, no clue where I heard about this one.  It sounds good though so it is staying on my tbr.

The Giftsnatcher by Charity Bishop-This one sounds intriguing too!

The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz-Pretty sure this one is something I saw on Top Ten Tuesday.  It sounds like a good historical romance so I’ll keep it on my tbr.

Eyeglasses On A Book

The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi-Another one I think I found on Top Ten Tuesday.

The Darkling Bride by Laura Andersen-This sounds like a wonderfully moody Gothic novel.

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale-I do like fairy tales, and this one sounds like fun.

Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn-I like the sound of this young adult fantasy.

A Portrait of Emily Price by Katherine Reay-This one sounds lovely.

I had fun looking over my list, and I could have listed a lot more than ten books!  Have you read any of these?  If so, what do you think?  Would you recommend them?

Top Ten Tuesday: Books that Give Off Summer Vibes

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

This week’s prompt was so large I needed to narrow it down in order to know which books to select for it. Camping is one of the first things I think about when someone mentions summer, so everything on this list will be related to it in some way.

May those of us who enjoy this sort of vacation be able to experience it without restrictions next year!

1. Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping by Mélanie Watt

2. Camp Spirit by Axelle Lenoir

3. The Lost Lake by Allen Say

4. Roughing It Easy: A Unique Ideabook for Camping and Cooking
by Dian Thomas



5. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

6. Three Days on a River in a Red Canoe by  Vera B. Williams

7. Campervan Kama Sutra: Outback Australia, with a camper trailer, three kids and a dog.*
by John Perrier

8. Camp by Lev A.C. Rosen

9. Wilderness Ethics: Preserving the Spirit of Wildness, Special Edition, with an Appreciation of Guy Waterman by Laura Waterman

10. Lizard Radio by Pat Schmatz

Top Ten Tuesday: Funny Opening Lines

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

I think I will let these quotes speak for themselves!

1. “Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.” ― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

2. “The sun shone, having no alternative, on the nothing new.” ― Samuel Beckett, Murphy

3. “To say the least, it was inconsiderate of Diana’s almost-dead husband to show up at her engagement party.” ― Robin Lee Hatcher, Beloved

4. “The last thing one discovers in composing a work is what to put first.” ― Blaise Pascal, Pensées

5. “On the day attorney Richard Caxton was shot he spent his morning in court doing what he did best… lying to the jury.” ― Mark Nolan, Dead Lawyers Don’t Lie

6. “That year the Ribeiro’s daffodils seeded early and they seeded cockroaches. Now, ecologically speaking, even a cockroach has its place — but these suckers bit. That didn’t sound Earth-authentic to me. Not that I care, mind you, all I ask is useful. I wasn’t betting on that either.” ― Janet Kagan, Mirabile

7. “This year had been one for the books. And by that, Jason meant a book that got doused in gasoline, set on fire, and kicked over a cliff.” ― Katherine McIntyre, Color of a Soul

8.“If you had met my father you would never, not for an instant, have thought he was an assassin.” ― Magda Szubanski, Reckoning: A Memoir

9. “No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality.” ― Shirley Jackson, The Haunting of Hill House

10. “She was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar when she decided to summon the devil and sell her soul for fame. As you do. Hell, we’ve all been there… Of course, things didn’t go according to plan. Never have, never will…” ― G.H. Finn, How to Trick the Devil

Top Ten Tuesday: Reasons I love the Mercy Thompson Series

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

Welcome to another edition of Top Ten Tuesday!  For this week’s topic, I decided to highlight the reasons why I love the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs.  I know I’ve mentioned this series many times, but I couldn’t resist another opportunity to write about it!

The Paranormal/Urban Fantasy Genre-I’ve been hooked on this genre for a long time, and while I don’t read it quite as often as I used to, I still enjoy it.

Vampires, Shape shifters, and the Fae-There’s just something about this assortment!  While the number of magical beings does get overwhelming at times, I think Ms. Briggs balances it all very well.

Mercy Thompson-She is one of my all time favorite characters!  Despite having the ability to turn into a coyote and being surrounded by all sorts of supernatural beings, Mercy is a very down to earth woman.  She’s likable, smart, tough, and loyal.  She has her flaws, but they only serve to make her more relatable.

Adam Hauptman-The very attractive leader of the local werewolf pack.  Like Mercy, he has his flaws, but he’s smart, strong, and very likable.

Mercy and Adam as a couple-Before they became a couple, I enjoyed their teasing banter.  When they became a couple, I enjoyed them even more.  They are an excellent team and a wonderful example of a healthy relationship.

Moon Above Forest during Night Time

 

Stefan Uccello-A vampire friend of Mercy’s, and definitely one of the nicer vampires.  He also has a van painted to look like the Mystery Machine from Scooby Doo!

Zee-Mercy’s former boss.  He’s an interesting member of the fae.  He seems like a grumpy old man, but he’s much more powerful, and dangerous, than he appears.

Jesse Hauptman-Adam’s teenage daughter.  She’s definitely a fun character!  She and her father have a good relationship, but it is entertaining to watch her irritate her father from time to time!

Consistency-This series is consistently good!  Some long lived series begin to lose their luster after a while, but I’ve never been disappointed in a Mercy Thompson book.

Great cover designs-I love the theme of the covers and the designs of the tattoos!

Have you read the Mercy Thompson series?  If so, what do you think?  If not, are you interested in reading it?

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Things I’d Have at My Bookish Party

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

This was such a fun prompt.

1. Friendly, interactive, and witty authors like Neil Gaiman or N.K. Jemisin.

2. Bookish beverages of both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties. Think butterbeer for the Harry Potter fans or Pan-Galactic Gargleblaster for the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy fans.

3. A popcorn machine and a DIY taco bar.

4. A Twitter hashtag like #BookishParty so everyone who couldn’t make it could still join in in the fun online.

5. Professional storytellers who would regale us with exciting tales.

6. Friendly dogs to pet and play with while you listened to the storytellers, and a dog-free zone on the other side of the very large room for anyone who is allergic to or afraid of dogs.

7. Trivia contests with prizes for people who answered the most questions correctly in each round. The prizes would be things like bookmarks, socks, tea, or candy from specific fandoms. For example, lembas for the Lord of the Rings fans. (Don’t ask how I’ll get it. Let’s just say I have my sources. 😉 )

8. A friendly round of speed dating for all of the book lovers out there who would like to meet a new partner.

9. Sing-alongs from books that include music or songs in them.

10. A slam poetry contest to top it all off.

Top Ten Tuesday: Titles That Would Make Good Band Names

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

What a fun topic!

I think all of these book titles would make wonderful names for rock and roll bands. All links in this post go to their Goodreads pages if you’re curious to read them or want to know who wrote them.

1. The Soft Machine 

2. Steppenwolf 

3. The Sooterkin

4. Naked Lunch 

5. Manhattan Transfer 

6. Twelve Angry Men 

7. The Cosmic Puppets 

8. Rumble Fish 

9. A Confederacy of Dunces 

10. Valhalla Rising 

Top Ten Tuesday: Signs You’re a Book Lover

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday!  This week’s topic is Signs You’re a Book Lover.  I’m betting most of us here have more than a passing interest in books.  Lets jump right into my list!

You have books in multiple formats.-Hard cover, paperback, e-books, and audio books.  There are so many different ways to enjoy books now!  I’ll admit I don’t have any audio books….yet.

You have the same book in multiple formats.-There are so many gorgeous special editions out there!

You take a book with you everywhere.-I almost always have a book tucked into my purse.  You just never know when you’ll have a few spare minutes to read!

Books are an essential item to pack when traveling.-I always take several books with me when I travel, even if I’m just visiting family for the weekend.  That way I have multiple reading options depending on my mood.

Bookstores are travel destinations.-When I’m on vacation or visiting family/friends, I like to check out the local, independent bookstores.  They all have a unique atmosphere and selection.

Book On A White Wooden Table

Your local bookstore is a home away from home.-I love my local bookstore!

Anything can be a bookmark.-Scraps of paper, receipts, index cards, envelopes, etc.

You collect bookmarks.-There was a Top Ten Tuesday post on bookmarks a while back.  That list can be found here.

You can’t count the number of times you’ve said, “The book was better than the movie.”-There are very few exceptions to this, in my opinion.

Space for books is a priority.-My husband thought we needed more storage space in the kitchen.  I thought I needed bigger bookshelves….he built me a floor to ceiling bookshelf.

What do you think?  Do you relate to any of these?  What do you think are signs you’re a book lover?