Tag: mystery

Down the TBR Hole #44

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It’s time for a new round of Down the TBR Hole! This is where I go through my Goodreads ‘Want to Read’ shelf and do a bit of cleaning up. If you want to see the full description of what this post is all about, check out my first round HERE.

Hello, reader!

After a busy day of pre-best-friend’s-wedding stuff, I figured it was time for some bookish stuff. So now I’m bringing you another round of Down the TBR Hole! I have somehow managed to maintain the amount of books on my ‘Want to Read’ shelf at 690 books since completing the last round. I’m honestly impressed because I’ve been hearing more and more about books coming out in 2023. The urge to add is very high, haha.

For now, let’s see if I can make more room on the TBR!

#1. The Tea Dragon Festival by Kay O’Neill

Yeah, there’s no way this is coming off my TBR 😂 This is the second graphic novel in the Tea Dragon series and I absolutely loved the first one. It was so cute and heartwarming! Not to mention the fact that the art is just gorgeous. I love all the little tea dragons, the story, and the inclusiveness of the story. I’m eager to jump back into this world!

Verdict: Keep

#2. Spellslinger by Sebastian de Castell

So forever ago, I read the first book in the Greatcoats series by this author and loved it! And I haven’t picked up a book of his since 😅 I have no good reasons, no excuses… I just kind of forgot about him a little bit. That being said, I’ve heard some great things about the Spellslinger series, so that’s how it ended up on my TBR. The fact that I know that I enjoy his writing, as well, means that I’m keeping it around for now.

Verdict: Keep

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#5OnMyTBR – Borrowed

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#5OnMyTBR is a bookish meme hosted by E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook where you chose five books from your to-be-read pile that fit that week’s theme. If you’d like more info, head over to the announcement post!

Hello, reader!

I hope everyone has had a great Monday. Mine has been especially busy, which is why I’m just now sitting down to write this post. After rushing around and feeling kind of crabby, I was pumped to find out that the 5 On My TBR prompts had been updated! It’s been a hot minute since I’ve done one of these posts and I have to say, I’ve missed them.

Today’s prompt is borrowed books which I honestly don’t have any I can think. Mostly because I avoid borrowing books from friends because I take forever to read them. So I’m going to pick five books that I would love to borrow from my library some time soon!

#1. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

This is a book that has been on my TBR for years. It’s also a book by an author that I’ve never read from before. I don’t always do this, but when I think about, I do like to try authors out before I commit to having them on my shelves. So for this book, which definitely intrigues me, but not enough to buy it, I’m definitely going to get it from my local library. Ya know, when I can remember I want it and not get distracted by the shiny, new books right at the front of the building, haha.

#2. Flamefall by Rosaria Munda

This is the second book in the Aurelian Cycle series, which is criminally underrated! I mean… I’ve only read the first book, Fireborne, so I suppose I don’t know if the entire series is underrated. All I know is that the first book was incredible and no one ever seems to talk about it! That being said, I don’t own the first book and I don’t need to be buying an entire series any time soon, so this seems like a good ‘borrow from the library’ choice. Then, if I love this one as much as I love the first, I’ll probably cave and get the whole set 😂

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WWW Wednesday: Aug 24, 2022

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It’s time for another WWW Wednesday! This is a bookish meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words where bloggers answer the 3 Ws:

  1. What are you currently reading?
  2. What did you recently finish reading?
  3. What do you think you’ll read next?

If you’d like to learn more about any of these books, click on the cover to be taken to the Goodreads page.

Current Reads

  • The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart: I’m about one-third into this book and can already tell I’m going to love it. Mostly because of Mephi because he is the best! I legit need a Mephi plushie right now. One that could hang around my neck and be all cozy 😌 Anyways… the book! I’m loving the multiple POVs, the wonderful world-building, and especially Jovis and Lin. They are my favorites so far and I can’t help but root for them both! I’m looking forward to continuing my read.
  • All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban: This is my second Diana Urban thriller, though it’s her first one, and I find myself liking this one more than the other, haha. It’s probably because I don’t want to shake the main character every two seconds. Do I find the premise a little outlandish? Sure, but I’m still having a great time! I’m hoping that trend continues as I read more.
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The Cheesy Goodness Book Tag

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Hello, reader!

It’s Thursday and that seems as good a day as any for another book tag! Today, I’m doing one that combines two of my favorite things: books and cheese! Makes me want to whip up a charcuterie board and have a snack whilst reading after I finish this post 😂 But maybe first I should tell you what it actually is… The Cheesy Goodness Book Tag!

Before I start, I must thank two incredible bloggers for tagging me! Shoutout to both Ashley @ Books Are 42 and Danni @ _ForBooksSake for thinking of me! You should definitely check out both of their blogs because they are fantastic. Lots of wonderful, bookish content!

Now, it’s time to get to the tag 😊

The Rules:

  • Pingback the original creator (Sydney at Fire and Rain books) so she can see all your cheesy goodness answers.
  • Pingback the person who tagged you or you stole this from (Thanks Ashley and Danni!)
  • Have fun!

The Prompts:

Cheddar – The Traditional Cheese: Name Your Favorite Classic Novel

Oh, it has to be The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas! I was so nervous about reading this book. Mostly because my experience with classics has been very hit or miss, but also partly because this book is THICK. Eventually, though, my curiosity won out and I picked up the audiobook. I absolutely fell in love with the king of all revenge stories! This was such an incredible novel and it made me want to explore more books by Dumas.

Swiss – A Hole-y Cheese: Name an Emotional Roller Coaster

I just finished Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley yesterday while I was at work. I probably should have held off until I got home because, dear lord, does this book pack a punch! My heart was in my throat for most of the last few chapters, from both joy and sadness. I was prepared for an intriguing thriller that kept me engaged. I was not prepared to have my feelings bounce around like a ping-pong ball 😂 Suffice it to say, I loved this book!

Blue Cheese – The Controversial Cheese: Name an Unpopular Book Opinion You Have

I’m slowly starting to realize that I’m not a fan of e-books 😬 I love the concept of them! I love that they make books more accessible and easy to bring wherever you go. But the actual experience of reading them? No thank you. I don’t know if it’s because I stare at screens all the time and adding one more screen to my routine is too much or if I just really prefer having a physical book in my hand, but they’re definitely my least preferred reading format.

Brie – The Favorite Cheese: Name an Author You Always Want More Of

Top of the list has to be Erin Morgenstern. She has written two of my favorite books of all time. She’s one of the few authors where I read one book they wrote and immediately added them to my ‘favorite authors’ list. And I cannot wait til whatever she’s working on next is announced! I just need more of her beautiful, lyrical writing and the fantastical worlds that she creates. Until then, I’ll just have to re-read The Night Circus and The Starless Sea until my books fall apart 😂

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WWW Wednesday: Jul 20, 2022

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It’s time for another WWW Wednesday! This is a bookish meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words where bloggers answer the 3 Ws:

  1. What are you currently reading?
  2. What did you recently finish reading?
  3. What do you think you’ll read next?

If you’d like to learn more about any of these books, click on the cover to be taken to the Goodreads page.

Current Reads

  • Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Not gonna lie, I only picked this book because it’s a book of the month pick for one of my Goodreads groups. Nothing about the synopsis really appealed to me because it sounded like it was just going to be a story of rich people making terrible decisions. Which… it kind of is, but it’s more so a story about family and familial bonds. And I’m kind of loving it!
  • Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert: I started this book yesterday and stayed up way too late because I did not want to stop! I loved the other books in the Brown Sisters series, but this book? This book is top-tier, chef’s kiss, cannot be beat. Eve and Jacob? Jacob and Eve?! I adore them so much and I want nothing but wonderful things for these precious beans. I’m currently deep enough into the book that I am dreading the probable third act breakup because why can’t they just be happy?! I mean… I know they will be in the end, but why can’t they be noooow 😭
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WWW Wednesday: Jul 6, 2022

kerrimcbooknerd9 Comments

It’s time for another WWW Wednesday! This is a bookish meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words where bloggers answer the 3 Ws:

  1. What are you currently reading?
  2. What did you recently finish reading?
  3. What do you think you’ll read next?

If you’d like to learn more about any of these books, click on the cover to be taken to the Goodreads page.

Current Reads

  • The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde: I’m gonna be honest and say that I had only the vaguest sense of what this classic was about before I started reading it. I knew that there is a painting that takes on the sins of it’s subject, Dorian Gray. I wasn’t prepared for how terrible Dorian actually is throughout the story! Like… why is anyone friends with this man?! Well, I know why… because he’s rich and handsome. But dear lord, he sucks! Suffice it to say, I’m having a great time reading about this terrible person 😂
  • Ariadne by Jennifer Saint: Dipping back into Greek mythology retellings with this one and, so far, I’m really enjoying it! I want to fight some people (LOOKING AT YOU, THESEUS) and loads of poor decisions have been made, but I’m liking how we get to see more of who Ariadne is beyond her part in Theseus’ tale. I’m already wishing that this book was a little longer because I would have loved to spend more time with Ariadne when Asterion was a baby. I’m intrigued by their relationship, but it’s a blip in this story. Still, this book is scratching that mythology retelling itch and I’m enjoying it!
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Top 5 Tuesday: 2022 Reads

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Top 5 Tuesday is a fun, weekly meme that asks you to pick 5 books that fit that week’s theme. It was created by Bionic Bookworm and is currently being hosted by Meeghan Reads. You should check out their wonderful blog for more details and the list of prompts!

Hello, reader!

It’s a lovely Tuesday here in New England and I’m with another Top 5 Tuesday post! And this one is focused on a great topic: my top five reads of 2022 (so far). Now, I did an entire post at the end of last year just listing all my five star reads because I didn’t want to have to choose. I’m bad at making decisions when it comes to favorite books, okay?! However, the tiny caveat of ‘so far’ works to make me feel less guilty about picking up five books to feature.

That being said, let’s get to my list!

#1. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

I gotta give a shout out to my first five star read of the year! Actually, this was the first book I read in 2022. Talk about starting my reading year off with a bang! This duology has been everywhere and I had an e-ARC that was staring at me accusingly from my Netgalley shelf. I’m so glad I finally picked it up because it was phenomenal! It was a fast-paced thrill ride through 1926 Shanghai and I fell in love with our two main characters, Juliette and Roma.

#2. The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd

This is probably one of my biggest surprises of the year, so far. I had seen the cover of this book and that was enough to make me want to read it. I knew very little about the book before picking it up, so I had no idea what I was getting into. I then proceeded to devour it in one day! Which is an accomplishment for me as I’m typically a slow reader. This fantasy wrapped in a mystery was truly captivating and made me want to read everything this author has written.

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WWW Wednesday: May 25, 2022

kerrimcbooknerd3 Comments

It’s time for another WWW Wednesday! This is a bookish meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words where bloggers answer the 3 Ws:

  1. What are you currently reading?
  2. What did you recently finish reading?
  3. What do you think you’ll read next?

If you’d like to learn more about any of these books, click on the cover to be taken to the Goodreads page.

Current Reads

  • The A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie: I’m continuing on my Poirot reading and, so far, this has been one of the more interesting ones. I’ve only just begun, but I’m loving the mystery in this! I’m also loving that Hastings is back. He may be completely obtuse, but he’s my favorite, haha. The friendship between Poirot and Hastings is one of my favorite things in these books, so I always miss Hastings when he’s not around. Anyways, I’m really enjoying this one so far.
  • The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna: I’ve started in on one of my most anticipated reads of the year and, so far, it’s living up to expectations. Of course, I’m only a few chapters in, but this is just as cinematic and vivid as the first one! I feel like this book is going to contain a bit more action than the first since, ya know, there’s a war going on and I am ready for it. I’m excited to see how this one turns out.
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ARC Review: The Paradox Hotel by Rob Hart

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Title: The Paradox Hotel

Author: Rob Hart

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Genre: Science Fiction

Content/Trigger Warnings: Blood, death, grief, gun violence, absent parents

Rating: ★★★★

Book Links: Bookshop::TBD::B&N::Amazon::
Goodreads

Goodreads Synopsis

An impossible crime. A detective on the edge of madness. The future of time travel at stake.

January Cole’s job just got a whole lot harder.

Not that running security at the Paradox was ever really easy. Nothing’s simple at a hotel where the ultra-wealthy tourists arrive costumed for a dozen different time periods, all eagerly waiting to catch their “flights” to the past.

Or where proximity to the timeport makes the clocks run backward on occasion—and, rumor has it, allows ghosts to stroll the halls.

None of that compares to the corpse in room 526. The one that seems to be both there and not there. The one that somehow only January can see.

On top of that, some very important new guests have just checked in. Because the U.S. government is about to privatize time-travel technology—and the world’s most powerful people are on hand to stake their claims.

January is sure the timing isn’t a coincidence. Neither are those “accidents” that start stalking their bidders.

There’s a reason January can glimpse what others can’t. A reason why she’s the only one who can catch a killer who’s operating invisibly and in plain sight, all at once.

But her ability is also destroying her grip on reality—and as her past, present, and future collide, she finds herself confronting not just the hotel’s dark secrets but her own.

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#5OnMyTBR – At Work

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#5OnMyTBR is a bookish meme hosted by E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook where you chose five books from your to-be-read pile that fit that week’s theme. If you’d like more info, head over to the announcement post!

Hello, reader!

It’s time for another 5 On My TBR post! This one seems rather appropriate for the beginning of another work week. That’s because this week’s topic is books set at work. I’m taking a bit of liberty with a couple of my choices, but I think I make it *ahem* work 😆

Alright, enough of my bad jokes, time to get to the list!

#1. While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams

This thriller certainly fits the bill since the drama focuses a young law clerk who suddenly finds herself entangled in a political mess. She becomes the power of attorney for her boss when he falls into a coma and discovers he’s been working on something very controversial. It sounds like a thriller I could definitely sink my teeth into. I’ve also been wanting to try a Stacey Abrams book for a minute! This seems like a good jumping off point for me.

#2. The Night Shift by Alex Finlay

Here’s one where I’m kiiind of flexing the definition a bit. I don’t think most of this book takes place at work, but the inciting incidents are two workplace murders, so I think it counts! Besides, I really want to give this one a read and I figure if I just keep talking about it, I’ll finally pick it up. It’s a thriller with multiple POVs, which I usually enjoy, and it promises some early 2000s pop culture. I’m definitely on-board!

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