So, it’s been a while. There are a few reasons for that. A lot’s been going on in my personal life that has made it difficult for me to consistently post here on my blog. While I’ve still been reading (less than usual for me, but still a decent amount), my motivation for reviewing has been incredibly low. On top of that, I am undergoing a pretty big life change soon, which will likely take up most of my time for the rest of the year.
SO where does that leave us? Well, I probably should’ve made this post earlier, and that’s entirely on me. I don’t do the best with change and me prioritizing my mental health takes precedent any day. But I think the best case scenario is putting this blog on pause at least until the new year, so I have time to get settled in my new routine, and hopefully my motivation for posting my thoughts about things will return with a vengeance. I love sharing my thoughts about things, I really do, and I’m amazed every time I check my stats page and see that another person has checked out a post or this blog. I’m hoping that a yearly reset will be just what I need to get back on track.
I guess this is goodbye for now. Thanks for checking out Thoughts About Things in 2024, and here’s to making a comeback in January with bigger and better plans. Hope to see you soon!
Hello! I’m here to discuss my thoughts on the second book by an author whose debut I absolutely adored last year. **And every day we are reminded that discrimination against marginalized communities is still a serious problem, so click here to find a compilation of resources where you can donate your time, money, or whatever you can to support these communities. I still encourage you to research these causes on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.**
Last year, in 2023, I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of Meg Shaffer’s debut, The Wishing Game, to review. It was such a beautiful story that had me staying up well into the night to finish and had me sobbing at multiple points for multiple different reasons. You can click here to read my full thoughts about it, but long story short is that I loved Shaffer’s writing, characters, story and atmosphere so much. I’ve been out of the loop when it comes to most new releases this year, a side effect of my new job, but I am so incredibly grateful that an associate marketing manager from Random House Publishing reached out in February with a e-copy of her newest book, The Lost Story, said to have been inspired by C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia. I knew it was a story I wanted to savor so I waited until a little closer to release date. Since that date has now been reached, I get to share all my thoughts.
Cover for The Lost Story
When Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell were young boys, they disappeared into the West Virginia state forest, seemingly out of thin air. Six months later, hikers in the same forest come across the boys again, who provide no indication of where they’d been or how they’d survived. Only Jeremy left the forest with his memories of those six months, and he left Rafe at his hospital bed with little explanation of when they’d see each other again. Fifteen years later, Jeremy is famous for finding mission people, “a lost boy who’d gone on to find lost girls.” When former vet tech Emilie Wendell tracks him down to ask if he could help find her missing half sister, a girl who had gone missing in the same forest as Jeremy, he is reluctant. But in the end, Jeremy knows what he’ll find in that forest, and, after some much needed coaxing, he recruits Rafe to return to the forest where they disappeared, and, if they’re lucky, they’ll disappear into the world of their dreams that’s waiting fifteen long years to welcome them home.
I don’t know how Meg Shaffer does it, but every time I pick up one of her books I feel like I’ve been transported to a magical place where your wildest dreams can become a reality. The Lost Story has everything from queens, knights, princes and princesses to golden apples, unicorns, and crows. But where there are dreams there must also be nightmares, and Shaffer does not shy away from the inclusion of difficult topics, such as attempted child abduction (in the past), parental abuse and familial loss (not on page but referenced), and wondering if those close to you will ever accept you for who you truly are, and who you love. [Please take care of yourself and if anything I’ve mentioned can be triggering for you please seek out other reviews or skip this read, your mental wellness is always more important than a book.] Each character is incredibly distinct, has their own motivations and reasons for their actions, and the banter between them, even when they first met, made it feel like they’d known each other for years. And in terms of Jeremy and Rafe specifically, a lot is explored and explained in terms of why Jeremy left all those years ago, and kept himself away from Rafe even though that is the last thing he ever wanted. There is also a sweet and tender romance, as any good fairy tale should, that I wasn’t quite expecting (at least, I wasn’t sure in the beginning who it was going to involve) but it was incredibly welcomed and flowed seamlessly throughout the actions of the book. There were some twists I wasn’t expecting, some big-bads I had to decipher, but overall this isn’t really an action and plot heavy book – it’s a character driven story that explores what it means to be lost, and how good it feels to finally be found.
There is an aspect to this story that I really loved but I feel like others might not. There are occasional interlude chapters from the perspective of the storyteller, that address the audience directly, give clarifying background information on characters’ lives or important prior events, and sometimes move the plot forward by summarizing certain events that are less important in the grand scheme of the story. The identity of the storyteller is not revealed until the final interlude chapter, however there are context clues that allow the reader to guess who is writing them. Personally, if it’s done well, I really enjoy when books can address the audience, and it really felt like those chapters were telling me a story. They gave the book an extra whimsical feel, and made me feel like I was reading a fairy tale. I can see how other readers can disagree, though, as these occasionally will fall into the “telling not showing” category of writing, and can make the book feel disjointed. It is certainly a matter of preference, and while I loved their addition I can see how other readers might disagree.
While I will admit that I did enjoy The Wishing Game just a tiny bit more, Meg Shaffer’s The Lost Story is an incredible sophomore novel, full of whimsy, magic, headstrong characters, and so much more depth than meets the eye. It is truly the best kind of fairy tale story for adults. I feel like she writes the perfect books for me, and I can’t wait to see what she comes out with next. The Lost Story is set to be released on July 16th, 2024, which is the day this post goes live, so please join me in wishing it a happy book birthday, and consider picking up a copy if you’re interested! *Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Ballantine Books, for the early copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Hi there! I’m here to review what was probably my most anticipated sequel of 2024! **And every day we are reminded that discrimination against marginalized communities is still a serious problem, so click here to find a compilation of resources where you can donate your time, money, or whatever you can to support these communities. I still encourage you to research these causes on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.**
It’s been over four years since the release of Rachel Lynn Solomon’s YA novel Today Tonight Tomorrow, which introduced us to high school rivals Rowan and Neil who have to team up during their senior game of Howl after hearing their classmates formulate a plan to take them down one last time. I absolutely loved the book – it still remains one of my favorite YA novels (and you can read my full thoughts here). When I heard Solomon was giving us more of Neil and Rowan’s story, I was initially skeptical (as sometimes authors don’t treat continuation stories with much care) but excited because I knew she loved these characters just as much as her readers and she would do a sequel justice. As soon as I saw it available on NetGalley, I immediately put in my request but didn’t have any good expectations because I’ve been a little slacking with my blog this year (I like my new job but it’s kicking my butt some days) and Simon & Schuster is a larger publication house. Imagine my surprise when I received the email notifying me my request had been approved. I’m incredibly grateful to have been able to read Past Present Future early, and delighted I get to share with you my thoughts here.
Cover art for Past Present Future.
In Today Tonight Tomorrow, high school rivals Rowan Roth and Neil McNair spend the last day of their high school senior year exploring Seattle, besting their classmates one last time in a game of Howl, and possibly falling in love. After a summer of perfect moments, it’s time for them to embark on their next journey of life – flying across the country for their first year of college. With Rowan in Boston studying creative writing, and Neil in New York as a linguistics major, the two must work harder than ever to ensure that their relationship stands the test of time and distance. On top of that, both are undergoing a crisis of identity when realizing their futures are not as crystal clear as they once thought, and as a part of his past comes back to haunt Neil he must work on allowing himself to be vulnerable and letting people in.
I absolutely adored Today Tonight Tomorrow when I read it in 2020. I thought it might have been a bit of my early pandemic-brain giving it five stars, but after a recent re-read to prepare for the sequel, it certainly does stand up to the test of time in my eyes. And with the additional dual-perspective added for Past Present Future, it was tough deciding which book I loved more (good thing I don’t actually have to choose). There is so much to love about this book, so I’ll try to keep my gushing to a minimum (but just know I couldn’t put it down and cried several times throughout my read). Rachel Lynn Solomon captured the first year college experience so well – being away from home on your own for the first time, not knowing if your roommate is actively avoiding you or just has an opposite schedule, being too overwhelmed by the amount of extracurricular options you just don’t join any in the end, underestimating how long it’ll take you to get to class on the first day, and, most importantly, finally being able to study what you’ve always dreamed of and it… disappointing you in ways you never could have imagined. We get to see Neil and Rowan struggle to figure out who they are as individuals, small fish in bigger ponds than their singular Seattle high school, and also how to be a long distance couple when it seems like almost all their classmates had ended their relationships before / after graduation. It was really cool getting to see both Rowan and Neil’s inner thoughts as they’re constantly questioning different aspects of their lives, but the one thing that seemingly never falters is the fact that they love each other, and want to work to make their relationship as solid as it can be. And without going into too much detail about Neil’s story specifically, I felt for him so much throughout the course of his freshman year journey. It seemed like every time he made progress something came up that knocked him down a few pegs and sent his mind spiraling to thoughts he didn’t know how to properly handle on his own. I appreciated the focus on acknowledging when you need help understanding how to parse through your emotions and being able to talk to your loved ones when situations are affecting you. We love good mental health representation in this household. When I reached that epilogue and was hit with the header “three years later,” I knew I was coming to the end of Neil and Rowan’s story, and while I am sad to see it ending I am incredibly appreciative of how their journeys have collectively come to an end.
In conclusion, Today Tonight Tomorrow remains one of my favorite YA novels, and its sequel Past Present Future has solidified its place on that list. It’s a duology full of heart, family, friends, love, self-discovery, and a lot of emotion, and I would not have it any other way. I can’t wait to meet Rachel Lynn Solomon at Steamy Lit Con this August, so I can tell her just how much these books, as well as many of her adult romances, mean to me. Past Present Future releases on June 4th, 2024, which is (hopefully) the day this post goes live, so please join me in wishing it a happy book birthday and consider picking up a copy (and its prequel) if you’re interested. *Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Simon & Schuster BYR, for the early copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Hi there! I’m back again to review a book I won from BookishFirst. **And every day we are reminded that discrimination against marginalized communities is still a serious problem, so click here to find a compilation of resources where you can donate your time, money, or whatever you can to support these communities. I still encourage you to research these causes on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.**
I read my first Marie Lu book, Skyhunter, when I claimed it from BookishFirst back in 2020 (and you can read my review of it here). While I didn’t end up reading its sequel, Steelstriker, I did enjoy her writing style and was open to picking up other books from her in the future. I did try a more historical / magical realism book from her, The Kingdom of Back, and didn’t finish it, but BookishFirst offered up a raffle for her 2023 release Stars and Smoke last year, and it was the one book I regretted not using my points to claim early enough. So when I saw that they were offering another raffle for it, this time for an early copy of the paperback edition releasing in 2024 with a redesigned cover, I made sure to use my points. I’m glad I finally got a chance to pick it up, just in time for the release of its sequel in June.
Cover for the paperback copy of Stars and Smoke. Cover design by Aurora Parlagreco, cover lettering by Jessica Cruickshank, cover illustration by Xiao Tong Kong
Panacea (noun: a solution or remedy for all difficulties or disease) is an elite covert operations group tasked with taking on jobs outsourced by other government entities. Sydney Cossette joined Panacea’s ranks in high school as a way of escaping her old town and old life, and slowly became the group’s youngest spy with aspirations of becoming the best agent. While Winter Young, an international pop sensation selling out stadium tour across the globe, is oblivious to Panacea’s very existence – that is, until he’s picked up in a black SUV and recruited for a mission to take down a major crime boss whose daughter just happens to be his biggest fan. Winter and Sydney, who’s tasked with being his bodyguard, travel to London and are tasked with infiltrating the boss’ inner circle to find a way to take him down legally. The two don’t get on the best at first, but as their mission expands and morphs into something neither one of the expected, so does their feelings towards one another.
First I’ll say that I loved the characters of Sydney and Winter individually, and their dynamic as mission partners. Both Sydney and Winter have “secrets,” or aspects of their family and past that they’d rather move away from, and it was interesting to see how they handle that. Sydney, at the first sight of an escape with Panacea after her mother passed away, took the chance and never looked back, because the men in her life had been abusive, both emotionally and physically. Winter lost his brother unexpectedly, at first he’d believed during an assignment with the Peace Corps but Artemis had secrets of his own. Their mother didn’t know how to handle his death, and therefore is kind of uninvolved in Winter’s life, and when she does make conversation with him she confuses facts and preferences of his with Artemis,’ making Winter feel even more isolated. But simultaneously, both Sydney and Winter have adult figures in their life – Sydney has Sauda and Niall at Panacea and Winter has his manager, Claire. These adults respect and care for Sydney and Winter but also challenge them when needed. As for the plot, it was pretty much how I expected it to go. Until it wasn’t. And at that point I was hooked and had to know how’d I missed the clues and how this mission was going to conclude. I really wasn’t sure who was going to emerge victorious. I was listening to the audiobook and reading along while commuting to work, and I finished on my dinner break because I needed to know how it ended. I came to love Winter and Sydney’s story, and while yes, I needed to know how it concluded, I was still sad to reach the end. I’ve never been so glad that I didn’t have so long to wait for a sequel.
There was one aspect I wasn’t expecting but really enjoyed, and that was the subtle queer representation. Before Winter fully sets off on his mission in London, and we’re more thoroughly introduced to his band-mates, Leo and Dameon, it’s made clear that Winter and Dameon have somewhat of a romantic and/or sexual past, before ultimately deciding that a secret relationship was not in the cards for them and they were better off as friends. It’s unclear if Leo is aware of their past, as it’s never directly mentioned in his presence, but it’s not something that either of them are ashamed of. Winter doesn’t express interest in any other guy throughout the course of the book, perhaps because he subconsciously is aware of how much he’s starting to care for Sydney, and his identity is never explicitly stated on-page, but it was still nice to read it subtly mentioned.
In conclusion, I have the sequel preordered and placed a library hold on the audiobook so hopefully I’ll be able to read it as soon as it’s released, because I really enjoyed Winter and Sydney’s story and can’t wait to see what the second book in the duology has in store. I’ve found that when Marie Lu dives into more contemporary stories I tend to enjoy them more, so I’ll be on the lookout for any of her new releases that fall into that category. Consider picking up Stars and Smoke if you’re interested, and if you enjoy it pick up the sequel Icon and Inferno, releasing June 11th, 2024. *Thanks to BookishFirst and the publisher, Macmillan / Roaring Brook Press, for the copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Hi there! I’m here to talk about my first BookishFirst raffle win of 2024! **And every day we are reminded that discrimination against marginalized communities is still a serious problem, so click here to find a compilation of resources where you can donate your time, money, or whatever you can to support these communities. I still encourage you to research these causes on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.**
So adjusting to a new job can be completely overwhelming and time consuming, but luckily I was able to, with my commute, dive into my first BookishFirst raffle win / book claimed of 2024. As a primarily romance reader, I’m always on the look out for romance books up for grabs, but I also have had a really good streak with the non-fiction / memoirs from Celadon Books that I’ve gotten through raffles, so when I saw The Manicurist’s Daughter, a memoir with this gorgeous cover, available for the week, I thought I’d give it a chance (honestly, I’m not too sure most readers are using their points to claim non-fiction, so I had a good feeling I’d win just entering the raffle). So that’s how I came into possession of Susan Lieu’s debut book, and now I get to share my thoughts with you.
Susan Lieu is a Vietnamese-American born to parents who fled Vietnam and sought refuge in the United States a few years before her birth. At age eleven, her family ran two pretty successful nail salons in California, and Susan’s mother was able to bring some of her family still in Vietnam over to work under her employ and stay under her roof. But then tragedy struck. In late September of 1996, after a heated argument with her mother early in the morning over a school sports try-out, Susan received word that her mother was in critical condition at the hospital. It would be a while after her mother’s passing that Susan learned the truth – her mother had gone in for plastic surgery, an abdominoplasty (commonly known as a “tummy tuck”), had been left without oxygen for approximately fourteen minutes before the surgeon called paramedics, and she’d been taken off of life support after her family was informed that significant brain damage had been sustained and there would be very little quality of life. At such a young age, Susan had to face so many questions, including “why did the strongest woman in my life want to change something about herself?”, “why am I the only one in my family who wants to talk about my mother’s passing?”, and “who was my mother, really?” What followed were years of visiting Vietnam to find family who’d tell her stories of her mother’s life before America, joining and eventually leaving a cult, assisting in the formation of a family chocolate company, starting stand-up comedy and quitting after an unfortunate incident with a heckler, getting married, digging through transcripts of the court case launched against the doctor who performed her mother’s botched surgery, creating a one-person show called 140 LBS: How Beauty Killed My Mother, reworking the show and performing its sequel, Over 140 LBS, 8 months pregnant, writing a memoir with a one-year old during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and releasing her debut, The Manicurist’s Daughter, at age 38, the same age her mother was when she passed.
**while neither my advanced copy nor the description by the publisher provided any content or trigger warnings, I would like to note those who are sensitive to comments about weight, discussions about unhealthy relationships with food, death of a parent, and fatal complications due to surgical malpractice should exercise caution when picking up this book**
I’ve always found memoirs particularly difficult to rate and critic, because what authority do I have to comment on the real lives of other people who have composed a written work reliving their trauma and struggles. With Susan Lieu writing in a non-linear structures, visiting stories from her childhood and adult life in a non-chronological order, it sometimes felt repetitive, or as if a lesson learned had been forgotten (simply because the lesson hadn’t been learned yet). I appreciated that the book was separated into six sections to correspond with the six tones of Vietnamese and therefore the six different definitions of “ma” – mother, rice seedling, tomb, ghost, but, and horse. I didn’t expect to learn about how Susan became involved in, what she determines to be, a cult, and how after losing her mother she was just aching to feel like she was loved and she belonged somewhere, and how these individuals exploited her pain. Some might find Susan’s discussions surrounding spiritual guides and learning about the future (and hearing from those who’ve passed) from those connected to the spirit world off-putting – this practice isn’t something I personally believe in or have experienced in my lifetime, but that doesn’t make it impossible or something that should be concreted dismissed. I connected with Susan when she discussed her struggles with learning and speaking Vietnamese, and how she felt she was disconnected from her heritage when family members commented on her inability to speak the language. I wasn’t totally a fan of how it seemed Susan was both accusing her relatives of not respecting her grieving process (wanting to learn more about her mother before she died) while simultaneously not respecting their own grieving processes (not wanting to discuss her life as it became too painful to think about it after her death). There certainly isn’t one singular way to grieve, and I don’t think anyone in the family, in the end, truly believed that either of these mechanisms were healthy (Susan’s way led to an obsessive whirlwind that led her to living more in the past, and her relative’s way led to an inability to truly express their emotions), but throughout the book Susan constantly prodded her relatives for information while not respecting their decision to not talk about things, and consistently believed she was the one in the right. I found myself wishing there was more of an open discussion around societal beauty standards, especially in communities of color in the United States, that can lead to exploitation of primarily femme-presenting individuals by the cosmetic industry. Don’t get me wrong, there were some paragraphs where this is brought up, and what was there I loved, I just wish it was expanded upon.
And lastly, I wasn’t exactly sure what Susan’s stance on cosmetic surgeries are, as there are a few conflicting discussions about it in the book. It’s understandable for her to be wary of any procedure, especially non-medically-necessary ones, after losing a loved one in the way that she did. But there are several instances where she actively tries to discourage others from receiving similar procedures, and even when it’s explicitly stated that it is their choice to do what they want with their body she still believes that they are a victim of societal exploitation. I appreciated that there is a moment where she discusses how it’s important that, if you do choose to receive similar procedures, to ensure that the medical professional performing it has valid credentials, that you fully understand any possible complications, and that you are not being pressured into it without fully wanting it yourself.
In conclusion, The Manicurist’s Daughter was another memoir that I wasn’t expecting to pick up in 2024, but came on my radar thanks to BookishFirst and I’m glad that I picked it up. It’s a powerful story about love, family, loss, grief, and finding yourself in the midst of falling apart. The Manicurist’s Daughter is set to be released on March 12th, 2024, which is the day this post goes live, so please join me in wishing it a happy book birthday and consider picking up a copy if you’re interested. *Thank you to BookishFirst and the publisher, Celadon Books, for the early copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Hi there! For my first official post of 2024, I want to talk about some of my favorite reads from an imprint that, unfortunately, no longer exists. **And every day we are reminded that discrimination against marginalized communities is still a serious problem, so click here to find a compilation of resources where you can donate your time, money, or whatever you can to support these communities. I still encourage you to research these causes on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.**
Back in July of 2023, HarperCollins announced the closure of one of its imprints, Inkyard Press. Staff were laid off and authors, some of which had expected future releases with the imprint, were left scrambling as they were supposedly transitioned to other imprints under the HarperCollins umbrella. And authors who’d had releases in late spring or early summer found themselves unsure of how to market their books with news of the closure. I’d planned to post this closer to last summer, but 2023 didn’t leave me with much mental capacity for blog posts, so I’m trying to do better this year. I want to highlight some of my favorite reads that were released from Inkyard Press, and give some authors a much needed shout-out so that more people can find and pick up their books.
Author: Alechia Dow Book(s): The Sound of Stars, The Kindred, and A Song of Salvation [(cover credit from left to right) The Sound of Stars: art direction by Erin Craig, cover design by Mary Luna, The Kindred: cover design by Gigi Lau, cover art by Aleea Rae, A Song of Salvation: cover design by Gigi Lau, cover art by Kaitlin June Edwards]
I discovered Alechia Dow in 2020, when I planned to order a signed copy of her debut YA sci-fi novel The Sound of Stars, but was sent an unsigned copy instead due to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. While her three books with Inkyard Press aren’t technically classified as a series, they’re set in the same universe, and you get the most out of each story when they’re read chronologically (especially if you read A Song of Salvation, her 2023 release, last). Dow just writes books that speak to my heart – they’re soft sci-fi with diverse characters trying their best to live their lives as best they can when their worlds are seemingly falling apart, both literally and figuratively. They include pop culture references, which may put off some readers but I was having so much fun with the characters I didn’t mind all that much. I’m sad to see the end of these characters’ stories, but I can say I am incredibly satisfied with the conclusion, and know that I’ll be able to revisit these books and this world again in the future. Alechia Dow also released a middle-grade fantasy with Macmillan / Feiwel & Friends in 2023, Just a Pinch of Magic, which I started but was not in the headspace to give it the mental energy it deserves so I’ll be revisiting it soon, and she’s releasing another middle grade with co-author Tracy Badua, titled The Cookie Crumbles, in June of 2024, so pre-order if you’re interested! -purchase copies here
Author: Laura Taylor Namey Book(s): The Library of Lost Things (cover credit: Art direction by Erin Craig, cover art by Elita Sidiropoulou)
I was introduced to Laura Taylor Namey with her 2020 release, A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow. While that was published with Simon & Schuster, her 2019 release, The Library of Lost Things, was published with HarperCollins and Inkyard Press. I read The Library of Lost Things in 2021 for the Buzzword Readathon, where in November the task was to read books with the word “lost” in the title. You can find my full thoughts about it here, along with a mini review of The Lost Love Song by Minnie Darke. In short, I found it both a charming novel with romance, and a heartbreaking novel of teens dealing with serious issues including parental abandonment and hoarding. I’ll be keeping up with Laura Taylor Namey’s future books, including a companion book A British Girl’s Guide to Hurricanes and Heartbreak, and also the eventual release of a film adaptation of A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, starring Maia Reficco and Kit Connor. -purchase a copy here
Author: Jessica S. Olsen Book(s): Sing Me Forgotten
Sing Me Forgotten by Jessica S. Olsen first came on my radar when it was listed as a book up for grabs as a part of the Books for Hope Auction. Since 2020, there have been several bookish auctions that I’ve participated in, as the money always goes to a good cause and you could get a cool book or bookish experience out of it. I tend to gravitate towards signed or annotated books, and I was really intrigued by this cover. Then once I read the synopsis, and my little theatre heart learned it was a reimagined take on The Phantom of the Opera, I made sure I was the winning bidder. The story follows Isda, a person who, cast away into a well at birth, should not be alive. Saved by opera house owner Cyrill, she resides in the shadows of the building, only asked to help boost ticket sales with her ability to manipulate memories when people sing as repayment. Her life is solitary and routine, until the newest performer Emeric arrives at the opera house, and then Isda’s life is in for a change. While I didn’t fall in love with this story as I’d hoped, I appreciated the references to the original story it offered, the unpredictability of the plot, and the author’s choice to not shy away from some of the more gruesome aspects of the world she created. And when I finally knew the significance of the title, I was a little shocked. Even though it didn’t become a new favorite, it’s still a book I look out for during Kindle sales, and would highly recommend anyone picking it up if they’re interested. -purchase a copy here
Author: Mara Rutherford Book(s): Luminous (Art direction by Kathleen Oudit, paper sculpture illustration by Marisa Aragon Ware)
I’m not sure I ever really would have picked up Luminous by Mara Rutherford on my own. I received this book in a bookish advent calendar from the company Unplugged Book Box a few years ago, and, in an attempt to read down some of my books I’d gotten in various subscription boxes, I decided to give it a shot. The story takes place in a world where magic must be hidden, as upon discovery a mage must be sent to the king’s warlock, Darius, who harbors magic in order to grow his own power. Liora has spent her entire life concealing her powers, until a moment of weakness attracts the attention of Darius. However, he does not take her – instead he requests the presence of her younger sister at the capital, which does not bode well. To make matters worse, Liora’s childhood friend, and the only one she’s revealed her powers to, Evran, has disappeared. So Liora has to find Evran and, with his help, rescue her sister. But things take a darker turn that have the ability to send the only world they’ve ever known into chaos. All in all, I enjoyed the book but haven’t found myself thinking about it since finishing. I think this would be a great book to readers starting their journey into fantasy books, as it’s an interesting world with [mostly] likable characters and is very approachable. Not a favorite but I would recommend if it sounds interesting to you. -purchase a copy here
Author: Emily Victoria Book(s): This Golden Flame (Cover credit to Gigi Lau, Mary Luna, and Maciej Frolow)
This Golden Flame by Emily Victoria was immediately added to my TBR after I heard it featured an aromantic asexual main character (and was written by an aro ace author). It’s told in dual perspective, from both Karis, an orphan trying to escape the country’s overbearing ruling group and search for her brother who was shipped away from her years ago, and Alix, an automaton Karis accidentally awakens, who is trying to uncover hidden memories of why he was made and why his father once tried to destroy the automatons. Together, and with the help of a few allies along the way, Karis and Alix must work together to find Karis’ brother and uncover the secrets behind how the ruling group has harbored power for so long. I had a good time reading this – it was one of my first dives into young adult science fiction, and I really loved both the representation (as an aro ace individual myself) and reading from Alix’s perspective. Some readers note some aspects to be unrealistic, and while I do agree (and I also really disliked some of Karis’ actions during the climax of the story), I still found a lot to love. It was also one of the first books I read back to back with my mom, and we had a fun discussion about it (but I’m sure she doesn’t remember much about the story now as it’s been a while). Anyway, even though it wasn’t the most universally-loved debut, I bought myself a FairyLoot special edition second-hand, and I think it’ll always have a special place in my heart. If you’re in the mood for an adventure sci-fi book, I recommend This Golden Flame. -purchase a copy here
Book: All Signs Point to Yes (cover credit: Art direction by Gigi Lau, cover design by Magen McCallum, illustration by Alex Cabal)
All Signs Point to Yes was actually a book that I wasn’t expecting to come into my possession. I had originally ordered a signed copy of Alechia Dow’s sophomore novel, The Kindred, from an indie bookstore that Dow would be visiting and signing books from. However, I believe this was a time where COVID cases were beginning to escalate again, and Dow was unable to make her way to the store (as I believe she still resided in Germany at the time). The bookstore reached out and offered to send signed bookplates instead, which I happily agreed to (as I already had a signed ARC I’d won from an auction, and I complete understood the circumstances were outside of anyone’s control). When the book and signed plate arrived, there was additionally a note from the publisher, Inkyard Press, and an advanced reader’s copy of All Signs Point to Yes, to make up for the inconvenience. From the description on Goodreads, All Signs Point to Yes is “a YA anthology of love stories for each of the star signs that will showcase multicultural characters and celebrate the myriad facets of love, from meet-cutes to the lesser-explored love expressed by aromantic people, featuring 13 bestselling and award-winning multicultural authors.” As with almost every short story collection and anthology I read, whether all by one singular author or multiple authors, there were stories I found stronger than others, but otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed this collection and appreciated all the thought that went into crafting each one. My favorite two have to be “Fake Scorpio,” the Libra story written by Mark Oshiro (half out of obligation, as a fellow Libra, but I do enjoy their writing quite a bit), and “Anchor Point,” the Sagittarius story written by Lily Anderson. I’m really grateful to have received this collection, and it’s one of the books that I’ll probably keep on my shelves for a long time. -purchase a copy here
In conclusion, there were so many stories by Inkyard Press that I enjoyed, and even more that I still have on my TBR and hope to get to soon. The closure of the imprint is always sad for the authors that had felt seen and represented and welcomed by it, and that’s no even including the editorial staff and all other hard workers who put everything they have into putting the best books possible out. So I hope this encourages you to pick up some of these books, or check out some of these authors, as their hard work, and the work of their whole team, should not go to waste.
**Every day we are reminded that discrimination against marginalized communities is still a serious problem, so click here to find a compilation of resources where you can donate your time, money, or whatever you can to support these communities. I still encourage you to research these causes on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.**
The number “2024” in paint splattered colors against an off-white background
Happy New Year! I can’t believe it’s 2024 already! 2023 really took an… unexpected turn towards the end of the year. I had just made a post saying I needed to catch up on posts after a small hiatus, and then I found out I was losing my full-time job, so I had to be on the hunt for another opportunity in the past few months. That’s left very little time for me to do much of anything else, and I’ve felt really terrible that this blog has taken a back seat. I want 2024 to be a bit of a clean slate, so while I’ll be trying to catch up on arc reviews I seemed to miss from summer – end of 2023, I won’t be continuing my 2023 Buzzword Reading Challenge posts. I think I’ll be cutting down on the number of books I request on NetGalley, and be really selective about books I’m choosing to review. As I’m starting a new job in January, which leaves me with a lot less free time, I want to be strategic about what I post, so it continues to be something I enjoy doing instead of feeling like more of a chore or simply an obligation. I love reading, and I want to share my thoughts about books I love (or like, or hate, reading is subjective after all). All I ask is that if I need more time to get my life settled again after a big change, that you’re patient with me.
Hello! I’m here to talk about an extremely anticipated YA contemporary 2023 release from one of my favorite romance authors! **And every day we are reminded that discrimination against marginalized communities is still a serious problem, so click here to find a compilation of resources where you can donate your time, money, or whatever you can to support these communities. I still encourage you to research these causes on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.**
The Love Hypothesis was an extremely popular adult romance debut back in 2021. I was a little late to the party, reading it in 2022 after receiving it in a Once Upon a Bookclub box, but I immediately followed the pack and fell in love with it. As a woman in STEM, I related so much to Olive and really appreciated so much of the story. This year I’ve been able to read all three of Ali Hazelwood’s novellas included in Loathe to Love You, and her two subsequent full-length romances Love on the Brain and Love Theoretically – while I didn’t love any as much as The Love Hypothesis, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed everything I’ve read from her. And so when I saw that she was releasing a YA contemporary revolving around chess, I pressed my luck and requested an advanced copy on NetGalley. I did not expect to be approved (I’m always surprised when, as a very small blog, I’m approved for popular titles). And I am so excited that I get to share my thoughts on it.
Cover art for Check & Mate. Cover design by Vikki Chu, cover illustration by Lilithsaur, graphics by Dana Mendelson
Saying Mallory Greenleaf’s relationship with chess is complicated would be an understatement. She loved the thrill of examining the board and anticipating her opponents moves far enough in advance to beat them, but the sport led to the destruction of her family four years ago and now she’s sworn to never play again. Besides, she has enough to worry about – looking after her two younger sisters, caring for her mother when she’s sick, working a dead-end job at a garage to provide for her family, and worrying about whether her best friend will forget about her when she heads to college and Mallory… doesn’t. But when she’s roped into playing at a charity tournament by said best friend, she maybe accidentally inadvertently… wipes the floor with reigning world champion Nolan Sawyer. Soon, Mallory is swept back into the chess world, when a fellowship to train and compete in tournaments lands in her lap, and she slowly starts to regain some of that joy from playing the game as a kid. There is maybe also some interest in the enigmatic world champion, who, for some reason, gives her butterflies and tries to find any excuse to play against her again. But the sport brings up painful memories, and as Mallory climbs the ranks of the leaderboard it becomes almost impossible keep her love for the game she used to hate a secret.
After the last few weeks I’ve had, I knew I needed to pick up something cute and fluffy yet still engaging, and Check & Mate delivered on all fronts. To start, I’ve never been one who followed the world of chess, or really understood much about the game itself, but Hazelwood makes the story approachable for readers of all levels of chess knowledge, and while she does take some creative liberties, and cuts some matches short in order to move the plot forward, it still felt incredibly well researched. The book also touches on sexism within the league, and how many of the male players underestimate Mallory’s skill simply because she is a woman – it was great to see that sexism challenged by both Mallory herself and other players that want to see the future of chess become a more welcoming place. I love how protective Mallory is of her family, and how those sibling and parent dynamics felt authentic and heartwarming while still allowing for some sister drama to take place. Both Nolan and Mallory had been playing chess at a young age, thanks to the influence of family members, and while both encounter tragedy they work through their own grief and move forward in different ways – Mallory blames chess, and herself, for the destruction of her family and vows to never play again, and Nolan learns everything there is about the game, stands tall, and becomes the top ranked player in the world. Speaking of Nolan, I knew immediately after his on-page introduction he was a character I was going to love. His passion, his knowledge and dedication to chess, and his determination to prove everyone who still sees him as the little boy with a temper wrong are so evident throughout the book. Another aspect I appreciated was depicting the fear of losing a close friendship at the end of high school – even the strongest platonic relationships can fizzle in the transition period after high school, and it’s important to remember that relationships of any kind take work, and if you want the other person to remain in your life you need to fight for it [though I will add that if they’d made it clear they do not wish to partake in the relationship any longer, you need to respect their boundary]. One important note to consider is that this book includes a lot of pop culture references. These are pretty common in YA contemporaries, and they do not bother me much, but I know that other readers can have strong opinions against them, and so if that’s not your thing I would recommend sitting this one out.
As there can sometimes be discourse surrounding the topic of sex in young adult novels, I just want to highlight how I think Ali Hazelwood handled it extremely well in Check & Mate. It’s clear from the beginning that Mallory is sexually active, and has partners of varying genders. When asked, she explains how she sometimes feels comfort in the physically closeness to another person, and usually doesn’t feel a very strong emotional connection to the people she sleeps with. This isn’t something she’s ever ashamed of. Conversely, we learn that Nolan has never had sex before. He’s someone who would much rather play a chess match against a reigned grand master than spend the night getting laid. I’m not sure he’s ever kissed anyone either (it may be discussed as well, I’m just blanking on the conversation right now). He’s never felt any desire to engage in this kind of activity, until he met Mallory. But that isn’t something that he’s ashamed of either. While I think it’s incredibly important to include discussions about sexual activity in young adult books, as I know many teens are engaging in it, I also think it’s equally as important to showcase teens who don’t quite feel ready yet, or know they don’t experience attraction the same way as their peers. I love that in almost every Hazelwood book, she includes characters who experience sexual, romantic, and/or emotional attraction in different ways, and it’s always without judgement.
In conclusion, I think I’m just drawn to the type of books Ali Hazelwood writes. Her signature humor, her grumpy misunderstood heroes, her strong-willed heroines, her friendship dynamics, and her well-rounded romances just make me swoon every time. I know her books aren’t for everyone, but consider me a fan, and I can’t wait to see both what readers think of Check & Mate and what’s in store for Hazelwood’s future books. Check & Mate was released on November 7th, 2023, so please join me in wishing it a happy book birthday week, and consider picking up a copy for yourself if interested! *Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers / Penguin Teen for the e-copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Hi there! It’s been a while but I’m here to talk about one of my most anticipated romance releases on 2023. **And every day we are reminded that discrimination against marginalized communities is still a serious problem, so click here to find a compilation of resources where you can donate your time, money, or whatever you can to support these communities. I still encourage you to research these causes on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.**
Ever since I read her sophomore novel back in 2020, Erin Hahn has slowly but surely become one of my favorite authors. I started with her second YA novel, More Than Maybe (which I reviewed here) which is now one of my most re-read and tabbed contemporary books. I then went back and read her debut, You’d Be Mine, which I enjoyed even though it broke my heart to read what these two country-song-singing teens had to go through. Her most recent YA, Never Saw You Coming (which I reviewed here) truly resonated with me as a former Catholic school kid, and her 2022 release, a debut adult romance Built to Last (which I reviewed here) was truly everything I love in a romance novel. We met Lorelai and Craig (briefly) in Built to Last, but from what was revealed I couldn’t wait for this badass jaded country star to have her happily ever after. I can’t wait to share my thoughts.
Cover art for Friends Don’t Fall in Love. Cover design by Kerri Resnick
Five years ago, country singer Lorelai Jones played one protest song at a concert and lost everything (her music career, her superstar fiancé, and almost all of her supporters) before the end of the night. But now she’s rebuilding [almost] from scratch because she refuses to give up on her dreams or soften her beliefs for those too scared to hear them. So she calls up the only person in the industry she can trust – Craig Boseman, who’s held a torch to Lorelai for years but knows all too well that backup bass and songwriters never get the girl. Now he owns his own indie recording label supporting artists looked down upon by mainstream artists, and he might have just the thing to help Lorelai have the comeback she deserves. But five years ago, these two spent the night together, and when their paths collide once again Lorelai and Craig start to discover a lot of things that friends just don’t do… and one of them might just be fall in love.
I received a physical arc of Friends Don’t Fall in Love back in April, after winning it in a giveaway Erin Hahn had conducted through raising donations for Donorschoose.org, and it’s been so incredibly difficult holding off on reading it because I knew I’d have to wait so long for Maren’s book and didn’t want to give myself too big of a gap. From Built to Last, we know Lorelai had lost her country singing career after performing a song protesting gun violence at a concert, and I immediately had so much respect for her as a character. As a former and current teacher, she sees just how much this violence is heartbreaking and unfathomable, and used her platform to try and fight back against an institution that perpetuates it. I mentally high-fived her every time she refused to turn her back on her beliefs even if it would make for an easier return to the music sphere. And in turn, I loved how Craig never once asked Lorelai to be anyone but her true authentic self. He knows her personality shines and people are drawn to it, and he fought against her doing an “apology tour” because, well first he knew someone would ask a stupid question or make an ignorant remark and Lorelai would not be able to restrain herself from aggressively educating them, but also because he felt like doing so wouldn’t make her feel good in the end. I love characters who are so incredibly in sync and know each other so well that everyone else just assumes they’re dating, and doesn’t believe it when they’re told otherwise, because that’s exactly what Craig and Lorelai are – they’re people who understand what the other needs so clearly, and it physically hurts when they aren’t able to take away any pain and suffering that may occur. But sometimes being so in sync can lead to a lack of communication, particularly when they both assume they know what’s best for the other and don’t want to begin a romantic (and sexual) relationship because it will negatively affect their friendship. You’re both on the same page, just talk it out (and then make out on Craig’s counter or something like that).I loved seeing Craig and Lorelai come together to both make an amazing comeback for Lorelai (and a little someone known as Jefferson Coolidge), but to show the world just how talented they are, and have been for a long time.
In conclusion, this was yet another strong adult romance novel from Erin Hahn. I can’t wait for this trio of books to come to an end with Maren’s book sometime next year, and to read her [perhaps final] YA novel Even If it Breaks Your Heart, which I already know will emotionally destroy me whenever I choose to pick up the NetGalley arc I have of it. I can’t wait for readers to experience Lorelai’s story, and appreciate just how much of a badass she is, and swoon over just how much Craig has fallen for his best friend. Friends Don’t Fall in Love is set to release on October 17th, 2023, which is the day this post goes live, so please join me in wishing it a happy book birthday, and consider picking up a copy for yourself if you’re interested! *Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin’s Press/Griffin, for the e-copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*
So, it’s been a while. I know it has. This year has brought some major challenges for me, and some times where it was hard to get out of a negative spiraling mindset. I’m finally taking the right steps to control my anxiety and move onto the next chapter of my life, but if I’m being honest there are aspects of that journey that scare me. And with that comes lack of motivation to do really anything non-work related, which includes this blog.
I want to get back to talking about books again. I really do. So I’m putting this out to hold myself accountable and try to catch up with the posts I’m behind on in the month of October. It’s… more than I would’ve liked, but to be fair, my last post was in June so… it was only a matter of time until they started piling up.
Here’s a list of the posts you can expect to [hopefully] come within the next month (not necessarily in this order): 1.) Buzzword Challenge June 2.) Buzzword Challenge July 3.) Summer 2023 Release Reviews 4.) favorite books from Inkyard Press 5.) Buzzword Challenge August 6.) Buzzword Challenge September 7.) ARC Review for Beholder 8.) ARC Review for Friends Don’t Fall in Love
Some days it feels like life is going a million miles a minute and other feel like time is going by so slowly. I can’t guarantee I’ll fully catch up because I’m only human. I can’t guarantee that a gap this big won’t happen again (I feel like one happens every year). But I can promise to always put out my honest thoughts and strive to give my reviews the best I can. Thanks for sticking around for my journey so far. Hope you’ll stick around a little longer.
Thoughts About Things 