#Most anticipated books June 2023

[hope-for-olicity]

My Most Anticipated Books for June 2023!

My most anticipated books of June 2023! 

June 2nd: Imagine Me and You by Lynn Camden

June 6th: Someday I’ll Find You by C. C. Humphreys, We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian, Ciao For Now by Kate Bromley

June 13th: Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

June 20th: Bookshop Cinderella by Laura Lee Guhrke

June 27th: The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston, A Dish Best Served Hot by Natalie Caña and Lexi Lets Go by Mary Warren

[dkehoe]

This Chicks Sunday Commentary: My Top 5 Most Anticipated Book Release- June'23

This is a special Memorial Day edition of my Top 5. Thursday is June 01 and I haven’t even looked at the book release lists until now aaahhhhh! Ok, OK, I got this! Accepting the challenge of culling through all of the many books because of course, June is a HUGE summer book release month, I’ve narrowed it down to my top 5. Here goes! #5 BOOK RELEASE A Jill Shalvis romance is like mac and…

[veronyxk84]

Spuffy Fic Recs — September

Missed last month’s recs? Check this tag to catch up!

Find my Fic Recs on Dreamwidth as well

I present a list of 5 Spuffy fics I’ve read in September. They’re all complete and all links are for Sunnydale After Dark; some were published months ago because I’m going through my bookshelf.

(NOTE: some or all may be available on other archives as well).

Listed from oldest to most recent; see the publishing year (on SAD) before the title.

Some reviews are taken from my own comments left for the stories. I tried to make them short and not spoiler-y.

(2023) Forgiveness Doesn't Come Easy by Slaymesoftly [R] 38 chapters

Summary: An addition to the John and Buffy series in which Buffy, while visiting Dawn in Cleveland, has found an amnesiac human Spike "John" many years after NFA, and they have a relationship in spite of his lack of memory of who or what he was. This story begins in the UK at the Slayer and Watchers Council school where Buffy lives when not traveling on Council business. Spike has decided to let the coven try to regain his memories for him.

Review: This one is not complete just yet, but the epilogue should be close, so I decided to include it anyway, because it’s a great story. Set in the future, it follows Buffy, Spike, and the gang in an intriguing journey of discovery regarding some hidden truths about Slayers and Potentials throughout history. The premise is very compelling, you don’t want to miss this.

(2024) Perception by flootzavut [G] 6 chapters

Summary: five happy endings Dawn Summers anticipated and the one she actually got to see.

Review: Third installment of the series "all the reasons (why)." The previous two stories are not needed to enjoy this one, but I highly recommend them. Follow Dawn on a journey as she witnesses a few heartbreaking moments in the rollercoaster relationship between Buffy and Spike... but there’s a reward at the end.

(2024) The Ten Second Rule by Girlytek [PG-13] one shot

Summary: Another chapter from Andrew’s book!

Review: The first installment was part of my fic recs for May and June: the title was "Second Rule of Book Club". While it’s not necessary to read that in order to enjoy this new jewel, I highly recommend that you do because it’s a fun read! Buffy and Spike continue their adventure reading Andrew’s book... and one of the reasons you’ll want to join them, is that there’s gorgeous artwork attached, by the incredibly talented Claire. A story inside the story, Andrew’s tale is ridiculously hilarious and you don’t want to miss the comments from Buffy and Spike.

(2024) Salvaged by RavenLove12 [R] one shot

Summary: After finding Spike brutally injured in an alleyway, Xander and Willow go to Buffy with concerns there may be a new big bad in town.

Review: A fix-it fic for "Dead Things" that picks up after Buffy leaves the police station, not paying a second thought to Spike, whom she’s left behind bruised and battered. The journey into Buffy’s fragmented state of mind is very accurate, and unlike what happens in the show, we get to see her confront her role in what she did to Spike.

(2024) William the Bloody by Apache Firecat [PG-13] one shot

Summary: Sometimes Vampires daydream too, and it’s not always what their human companions might suspect.

Review: A clever story inside the story twist with our beloved characters thrown into an epic adventure... and I really can’t say more without spoiling some major points of the story that are better discovered while you read.

[theinquisitxor]

2024 Anticipated Book Releases

I thought I had a lot of anticipated book releases for 2023, but 2024 is also proving to be a year of many books I'm excited about too. These are all the books I'm looking forward to in the first half of the year!

January:

-A Fragile Enchantment by Alison Saft: (Jan 2nd) rom-com fantasy about a dressmaker hired to make the royal wedding dress, but she starts to fall for the prince instead.

-Mislaid in Parts Half-Known Wayward Children 9) by Seanan (Jan 9th) The second to last book in this novella series, this one featuring dinosaurs!

-The Atlas Complex (The Atlas Series #3) by Olive Blake (Jan 9th) the final books to this magical dark academia trilogy, and I've been excited for this one since the ending of book 2.

-Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands (Emily Wilde 2) by Heather Fawcett (Jan 16th) The second book in this new historical fantasy series, in which Emily and Wendall go on a new adventure in the Austrian Alps. This is one of my most anticipated books of the year.

-City of Stardust by Georgia Summers (Jan 30th) this is a new fantasy debut that sounds similar to The Starless Sea and features a woman descending down into a subterranean world to try and break a generational curse.

-House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City 3) by SJM (Jan 30th) I've been enjoying SJM's crescent city books the most of all her series, and I'm looking forward to this one after how book 2 ended.

February

-The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden (Feb 13th) This is possibly my most anticipated book of the year, and Katherine Arden's newest adult release. A historical fiction (and a little magical realism?) set in Europe during WW1 following a combat nurse trying to find her (presumably) dead brother.

-The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown (Feb 13th) A debut magical realism fantasy set in NYC with books, bookstores, and a mystery book. I've heard many good early reviews of this one.

-What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher (Feb 13th) This is a follow up novella to What Moves the Dead following Alex Easton in a new horror adventure. This one has such a cool cover.

-The Briar Book of the Dead by AG Slatter (Feb 13th) A coven of witches keeps a town and the border between realms safe.

March

-A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft (March 5th) I'm very excited to get two new Allison Saft books in 1 year. This is a dark academia fantasy about two rival scholars trying to figure out who killed their mentor. Sapphic romance too I believe.

-The Prisoner's Throne by Holly Black (March 5th) This is the conclusion to The Stolen Heir, and I'm looking forward to the seeing more of the characters from the original series make an appearance in this one.

-The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo (March 19th) This is a spooky queer horror novella set in 1920s Appalachia. Small town religiosity and something sinister creeping in the woods? This just sounds like a novella I'd enjoy.

-Song of the Huntress by Lucy Holland (March 21st) A new book from Lucy Holland, also set in magical ancient Briton. A warrior queen falls into trouble and teams up with the Wild Hunt to save her kingdom. Sapphic/queer romance.

-The Hedewitch of Fox Hall by Anna Bright (March 24th) a fantasy romance book set in medieval Wales as a hedge witch and prince team up to help prevent magic from fading away. The cover of this book is so beautiful!

April

-The Familiar by Leigh Barduo (April 9th) I don't really know much about this one, other than it is a new adult novel by Leigh Bardugo set in 1400s Spain. Also one of my most anticipated releases of the year.

-Song of Six Realms by Judy Lin (April 23rd) A young adult fantasy about a musician who goes to the Duke of Dreams's realm and must help stop a disaster.

June

-Running Close to the Wind by Alexandra Rowland (June 13th) A new high seas fantasy that was directly inspired by OFMD and Terry Pratchett. This is very queer and seems like it's going to be a lot of fun.

-Foul Days by Genovena Dimova (June 25th) A slavic fantasy story about a witch who has to team up with a detective as she is being hunted by her ex, the Tsar of Monsters. I've heard some very good early reviews of this book too.

-Children of Anguish and Anarchy (Children of Blood and Bone 3) by Tomi Adeyemi (June 25th) I honestly don't know if I'm going to read this anytime soon, but I've been waiting for this final book for almost 4 years now, so I just want to see how the series ends.

I think that's it for now! Release dates tend to change, and I'm sure I will be adding or editing this list as the new year starts. I'd love to hear of any new releases you are excited for!

Second half of 2024/To be determined:

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T Kingfisher (August)

The Mercy of Gods by James SA Corey (August)

The Whisper Between Worlds by Amanda Foody (TBD)

Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid (TBD)

[maddiesbookshelves]

📚🗓 Mid-Year Freakout Tag 2024 🗓📚

Thank you @cleopatras-library for the tag ☺️

How many books have you read so far?

10 novels, 2 graphic novels and uh, like 10 or more manga? I don't track all of them

What genres have you read?

Fantasy, historical, romance and mystery. Sometimes several of those in the same book

Best book you’ve read so far in 2024?

Probably The Briar Book Of The Dead, by A. G. Slatter if we're talking about novels only. But the graphic novel Rivages Lointains by Anaïs Flogny is just so good, I'm obsessed with it. If you can, please read it, it's French but it's been translated into English and Italian

Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2023?

The only ones I've read were either manga or the full Dr. Greta Helsing trilogy by Vivian Shaw, which I've read back to back. So either that (book 3, Grave Importance), or the manga Requiem Of The Rose King, by Aya Kanno, that I reread and finally finished after YEARS (yes the ending ended ME)

New release you haven’t read yet, but want to

There are way too many, and I keep seeing more at work, I'm gonna die of frustration. Evocation by S. T. Gibson is eyeing me very strongly because of the internet. As is The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal, from where it's sitting on my coworker's display (it only came out in February in France)

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year

I don't know honestly. The one book I was really waiting for this year was A Crane Among Wolves because I loved June Hur's previous books, and since I've read it now (it's very good btw), I'm not waiting for anything else

Update I learned something as I was writing this post: HEAVENLY TIRANT MIGHT STILL BE COMING OUT THIS YEAR???? DECEMBER 24????? MERRY FUCKING CHRISTMAS TO US???? HELLO?????? After Xiran told us the release date had been pushed back I thought for sure it would come out next year but apparently not so YEAH THAT'S MY MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE OF THE YEAR, PERIOD

Biggest disappointment

It's a toss between How To Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie, and A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft, for reasons that are very different. If it wasn't for that ending, How To Kill Your Family wouldn't even be there but unfortunately. And A Far Wilder Magic just wasn't for me. I didn't expect it to be YA romantasy so I was sorely disappointed

Biggest surprise

Probably A Sign Of Affection by Suu Morishita? Don't get me wrong, I love shoujo (I know, I don't like romance novels but I love shoujo, it makes no sense, don't look at me) and I thought I would like it but I didn't expect to like it this much

Book that made you cry

I cry so often when I read/watch/listen to things that it all gets mixed up in my memories. I think I cried for Rivages Lointains, I definitely cried for Requiem Of The Rose King HAHA. I might have cried for Run Away With Me, Girl by Battan, I'm not sure. All of those are manga by the way, I don't remember if I cried reading a novel this year

Book that made you happy

The Bandit Queens made me happy because the ending was great (unlike How To Kill Your Family) which healed me a little

Most beautiful book cover of a book you’ve read so far this year

Aaaaaaa I don't know. The cover (and sprayed edges) for the French edition of A Far Wilder Magic are a big part of why I even bought it in the first place, but also A Crane Among Wolves...... And of course Aya Kanno's art is just so beautiful, all the covers for the Requiem Of The Rose King series are 👌

How are you doing with your year’s goal?

I had set a goal of 40 on goodreads/storygraph but I might have underestimated how work would impact my reading habits. But also, I'm not dead set on reaching that goal, I just want to read

What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

I'd love to read more of the books I already own because it's becoming a problem. Other than that, there's no urgent need

That was fun so if anyone wants to join in, please feel free!

[kyndaris]

PAX-d to the Rafters

Having skipped PAX AUS in 2023 due to a host of new responsibilities and no friends wishing to accompany me on the pilgrimage down to Melbourne, I was adamant to head down once more to see what the fuss was all about for the 20th anniversary of PAX AUS in 2024. It helped that there were more big name publishers on the show floor than 2022. Although, truth be told, it was probably because I'd committed myself early by purchasing a three-day badge for the possibility of a bigger and better PAX AUS than the one I was greeted with during my first time.

Spoiler alert: While I feel like PAX Aus does have its perks, it simply isn't very enjoyable as a solo traveller. Should I go again, I will, most assuredly, have to bully bleachpanda to come down with me. Or have my meetups with friends be on separate days so I can have sufficient time to hang out with them all.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. I'm sure, dear reader, you want the nitty gritty details. A proper story as you read this on your phone, sitting on the toilet or where have you.

And so I shall oblige by returning to the beginning of my four-day adventure down to the city of Melbourne, Australia.

I woke up early on a sunny Thursday morning. My luggage was mostly packed and I was eager to see to head down to the domestic terminal for my very short flight down to the state of Victoria. After going through my daily ablutions, as well as breakfast, I was buzzing with excitement.

Although my flight was slated for 11 AM, I was ready to head to the airport early. After all, I needed to check-in and bring my suitcase to the baggage drop area. These I completed in quick succession once I arrived. And, within moments, I was through security.

With more than two hours to go before my flight, I wandered through the terminal, buying myself a hot chocolate and a Halloween-themed Krispy Kreme donut. Then it was off to the pharmacy to purchase some Panadol and first-aid stuff should anything untoward happen on the trip (nothing did). After scanning the shelves of the airport shelves for what books they might have, I headed to the gate to enjoy my donut and to wait for boarding.

What I had not quite expected was for Dikottir to also show up for the exact same flight.

Yes, I knew he would be attending PAX and that he would also be flying down on the Thursday, but I had not anticipated it would be on the same Virgin flight (although, to be fair, my flight was initially with Rex but in June this year, it went into administration and I had to scramble for a replacement. Thankfully, Virgin was there to pick up the open slots and I was able to secure my spot without having to pay anything additional). So, we sat at the airport (a veritable meet cute) and chatted about his recent trip to Seoul. He showed me a few of the pictures he had taken, including the food he had eaten, as we waited for our flight.

Unfortunately for us, our flight was delayed due to a fault detected on the vessel. For an additional hour, we sat at the gate, waiting. There was even a moment when we feared the flight had changed gates but this was merely because one of the staff had closed the door and the airport system had automatically updated the details.

It was several minutes past noon before our flight took to the skies.

After it had landed and we had retrieved our luggage, it was roughly 2 PM. Given the fact our respective accommodations were close by, we took the SkyBus from the airport towards the centre of Melbourne. Along the way, we chatted about his many concerns regarding the AirBnB he had booked (including the fact the original owners had sold the property, the desperation to search for a replacement, the suspicious dealings of having to check-in prior to staying and a slew of other issues). In many ways, it was like catching up with a friend.

Once we had reached Southern Cross Station, the two of us parted. He to his AirBnB (which he would later be trapped in due to someone setting the rubbish chute on fire), and I to the Hotel Indigo (located on the corner of Flinders Lane and Spencer Street, and within spitting distance of the Melbourne Convention Centre across the bridge of the Yarra River).

By the time I had checked in, it was twenty minutes past three and I was starving. However, because I'd arranged to meet up with an old work friend, I staved it off with a roll of sushi, along with some cheese and crackers. After we had scouted out the Big W in the city centre (in preparation for his trip the next day), the two of us enjoyed some Chinese xiao long bao and pan-friend dumplings.

And so my first day in Melbourne came to an end.

The second day, and the first proper day of PAX, had me rise at around 7:20 AM. Worried I was running late, I scoffed down my breakfast at the hotel, dropping a cut of bacon and some scrambled egg on the ground, and legged it to the Convention Centre. After waiting a few minutes, Sorrengail arrived looking quite cold in her t-shirt and cardigan. Realising that the showroom floor wouldn't open until 10, we decided to head to a local cafe. Sorrengail picked up a Portuguese tart as well as soy latte, while I enjoyed my go-to drink: the hot chocolate.

Then it was off to PAX proper where we tried out a few of the indie games, caught up with her game developer work colleagues (yes, I actually have a friend in game development), attended separate panels and essentially kept myself glued to her side. There was only one brief diversion to meet up with mrsarmageddon to hand off her Mimikyu t-shirt (a gift I'd picked up at SMASH earlier in the year) before I had to leave Sorrengail behind and meet up with Dikottir for dinner.

Of course, by then, I'd also accumulated a few other purchases (including Metaphor: ReFantazio and a yumcha inspired board game called Steam Up). Given I'd left PAX fairly early, I went back to my hotel to offload it all before hurrying over to Big Esso by Mabu Mabu at Federation Square. A proclaimed foodie, Dikottir had been eyeing the Indigenous restaurant for quite some time. After much hewing and hawing, we picked the three course meal and were treated to a smorgasbord of food: Terpa (oysters), island damper, cassava and native thyme rosti, charred kodal (crocodile) tongue skewer, usar (kangaroo) tartare, kami (emu) steak, kiamikiam cauliflower...and even some dessert!

Overall, the food was great and I got to enjoy some truly different flavours. Of course, the kangaroo tartare was also served with mirki salsa verde. As such, Dikottir got to witness firsthand my inability to handle spice (something which, no doubt) amused him to no end.

After dinner, the two of us headed back to the convention centre. While I hoped to catch one last panel (Video Games and Radio Stars: The Big Ol' Game Music Quiz Show with hosts: Meena Shamaly and Gemma Driscoll), he was headed to see a friend speedrun through Balatro.

The second day of PAX saw me attend two panels: CTRL + Empower: Navigating the Gaming Matrix as Women and So You Want to be a Voice Actor. Between the panels, I mostly wandered the showroom floor aimlessly - primarily intent on purchasing some merchandise to make the trip a little bit more memorable (and to see if I couldn't buy a few presents - either for myself or for friends). In the end, I walked away with even more Disney Lorcana cards that I'm not entirely sure want to do with, a Grunt plushie and a strange burrito creature that, by the time this blog post goes up, I'll have hopefully foisted on bleachpanda.

After my last panel, I vacillated between heading to the nearby DFO to purchase a pair of new jeans or to try my hand at getting a Moogle pin at the Final Fantasy XIV area. In the end, my desire for a Moogle pin won out. Though the line was capped, two people immediately left and I was able to enter.

An hour or so later, I was the owner of a new Moogle pin! One I wasn't sure if I should gift to bleachpanda or another friend, mizutina, come her birthday). It will, more than likely, have gone to mizutina for something a little more unique than yet another figurine she can purchase).

With evening fast approaching, I returned once more to Hotel Indigo to offload all of my purchases and to await dinner with an old high school friend. Given my busy schedule of panel attendance and making the most of the time I had to wander around the show floor, I had not eaten lunch. By 7:30 PM, I was starving.

Thankfully, my friend arrived right on time (a feat she thought impossible given her proclivity for time blindness) and we enjoyed some Japanese food for dinner. Afterwards, we headed for dessert - demolishing a huge kakigori with aplomb.

The third day, and last day of PAX (although it would be my fourth day in Melbourne overall), saw me try out several of the indies on display, and catching a glimpse of a furry wedding at a Cult of the Lamb themed section of the convention centre before abandoning the show altogether to buy myself a new pair of jeans (along with a pair of chinos) at the nearby DFO on the Southbank. Without anyone to keep me at PAX, I headed into Melbourne proper, stopping at Critical Hit and Minotaur Entertainment for possible pop-culture or game related purchases.

There was little to catch my eye, so I chose, instead, to cap off my trip to Melbourne with a showing of SIX: The Musical at the Comedy Theatre. Getting to witness the original cast on stage, and film the Megasix, was probably my greatest highlight of the trip given the unapologetic message of the show, as well as the vibrant energy of the performances.

It was certainly better than most of the panels I attended, which, while informative and their own brand of fun, did seem a little 'mid.' Not saying Mark Meer pulling off a Joker impression alongside Abubakar Salim was mid, but most of the time, it just felt like people had put up boring slideshows to talk at us.

Speaking of Abubakar Salim, on my flight home to Sydney, I swear he was on my flight! When I arrived at my gate, he was sat quite close to the Virgin counter dressed in a black jumper and blue jeans (the outfit he had been wearing on Saturday when I attended a panel he participated on). But, like the coward I was, I didn't approach him. Instead, I used the wait time at the gate to get through more of Ace Attorney Investigations Collection, and slyly spy on the man in my peripheral vision.

All in all, PAX AUS 2024 wasn't the grand outing I had hoped it would be. It was a bustling convention, true, with plenty to do, but given I had attended the event once again on my lonesome, it failed to carry the spark I was looking for. They do say third time's the charm with these kinds of events and I'm willing to go again. But perhaps with a friend who can keep my company, it won't seem so maudlin. So, bleachpanda, I hope you're prepared!

I'll even pay for all of your expenses!

That being said, if it fails to live up to my expectations for the third time, I might just call it quits and simply enjoy the time traipsing around Melbourne here at home, with all my nerdy memorabilia close at hand. After all, I have my games and books and even the musicals I want to see right in Sydney (except for Beetlejuice, which will apparently be showing in Melbourne May 2025. Drats)!

[nicholsroy]

April updates & May goals

Blog | Monthly updates

Hello! Me again. I come bearing some updates from the past month or so. Nothing major, but I'm happy to report steady progress on most fronts.

In April, I printed out the first 100 pages of LIFE IN BLACK AND WHITE's manuscript for its final consistency read prior to querying! 🎉

LIFE IN BLACK AND WHITE progress updates

Act I: ~90% complete. Edits/partial redrafting remain on three chapters (10, 11 and 15) and minor alterations, which I’m hoping to get done entirely this weekend, remain on three chapters (8, 19, and 21). If things continue to progress at the current rate, I anticipate being able to start consistency reading Act I later this month. Yay!

Act II: ~75% complete. No progress to report as I focused entirely on Act I in April/early May.

Query prep: As mentioned in last month’s update, a batch of test queries will be sent out once Act II is 90% complete. This being said: I plan to complete Act I’s consistency read prior to further progress on Act II (unless strong inspiration strikes me for Act II edits between now and then, of course) so I can send Act I out to those very patient readers who have been waiting to read this version for months now.  

Other writing

I have one flash piece (horror) on submission, and another (suspense) entered in a contest (results in mid-June for that).

I have two prose poems on submission.

I will be participating in another flash fiction contest beginning at the end of this month.

Some scattered drafting for THE DOTTED LINE has occurred between editing sessions for LIFE IN BLACK AND WHITE. As of now I still intend for THE DOTTED LINE to become my main WIP after the completion of LIFE IN BLACK AND WHITE’s edits – I know I will need to focus on something else while I’m querying, plus I would certainly like to actually finish this draft at some point. You know how it is.

Reading

I have read 12 books so far in 2024 (ie. the same number I read over the entirety of 2023), and have changed my goal from 20 books to 30 books for the year.

Read in April (a few of these were already mentioned in the last, very late, update):

WHEN THE STARS ALIGHT by Camilla Andrew

IF WE WERE VILLAINS by M.L. Rio

THE SANGUINE SORCERESS by Camilla Andrew

THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY by Oscar Wilde

Currently reading:

ANGELS BEFORE MAN by Rafael Nicolás

Up next:

THE DARKNESS OUTSIDE US by Eliot Schrefer (this month’s book club pick)

DEAD GIRLS DON’T SAY SORRY by Alex Ritany

MY DARK VANESSA by Kate Elizabeth Russell

THE BONDS THAT BIND US by Stephanie Johnson

[colescorner]

Mid Year Book Freakout tag!

Hello! It has way entirely WAY too long since I've posted anything! Since it's the end of June, I was inspired by one of my favorite Booktubers, Peruse Project, to participate in the Mid-year Freakout Tag! I will link the original video below and answer all of the questions! Since I haven't been on here in so long, if anyone wants to participate then by all means please do and if you do, add me so I can have some more bookish friends to have on here.

Original Video

1. Best book you’ve read so far this year.

I may be a bit biased since I just finished this one just a few days ago, but of course it was really good! For anyone who isn't aware, Cassandra Clare is my favorite author! I've been reading her books since her debut. Chain of Thorns is the last book in The Last Hours. In my opinion, Clare really shines when wrapping up a series. She just has a way of tying up all the loose ends and setting the stage for the climax of the story. I stayed late several nights because I just couldn't put it down! Clare continues to have a diverse cast of characters where so that all people have someone to identify with.

2. Best sequel you've read so far this year.

I read Angels and Demons forever ago and I've been itching to continue the series. Dan Brown's writing sucks you in from the very beginning and once you pick up the book you don't wan to put it down! I've been delving more and more into historical fiction each passing year and after reading Angels and Demons, I just knew I had to read the next one. It did not disappoint, Brown's pacing is fast and his chapters can be relatively short so I always feel like I'm making a lot more progress that I probably actually am, but I'll take it. This is Brown's claim to fame and it absolutely does not disappoint!

3. New release you haven't read yet, but want to.

As I've stated previously, Cassandra Clare is my favorite author and when she announced that she was releasing her first adult novel, I was ecstatic! I got this on release day but still have yet to read it! Sword Catcher follows Cal who is a body double for the royal prince of Castellane, he's been trained in combat and government and he is destined to die for the prince. This premise sounds so good and I can't wait to step into a new fantasy world and experience Clare's first adult fantasy novel!

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.

Rick Riordan has also been a prominent author that I've read a good amount of what he's published because of my love for mythology...especially Greek Mythology! The Percy Jackson series had 5 installments originally with the 5th book being published in 2009 and the 6th book The Chalice of the Gods being published in 2023...nearly 14 years later and now the 7th book Wrath of The Triple Goddess to be released later this year! If you like a classic hero's journey with greek mythology, humor and wit that can be enjoyed by, I think, people of all ages then you need to go and read this series!

5. Biggest disappointment.

One of my reading goals this year was to read more outside of my comfort zone. I mainly read fiction/fantasy so I have been trying to read more non-fiction. Honestly, it is harder for me to get into because I am so use to following a plot line and with non-fiction, there is a still a natural progression but it is different because there isn't a protagonist or a storyline to follow. While I did like the book overall, I had different expectations for what the content was going to be about. I think I need to continue to read more non-fiction and maybe once I do, I'll have a different perspective about it later. If you like books about books then give this one a try!

6. Biggest surprise.

I have been a fan of Britney Spears ever since I saw her video for ...Baby One More Time. The older I got, the more I fell in love with Britney as a person, she is one of the sweetest people who's been exploited by not just her family but the industry she loved. When this book was announced I was so excited because now we'd get her side of the story, for so long she has been silenced and under strict control and this memoir would be her chance to speak her truth. To say that this book completely took me by surprise is an understatement! I laughed and I cried because there were undoubtedly so many things going on behind the scenes that the public had god damn idea about. My heart both swelled and broke for her after reading all the things she went through and to be able to come out the other side and still have a positive outlook on life is astounding. I'll always be a fan of hers.

7. Favorite new author. (Debut or new to you)

This is the first time I've ever read anything by Madeline Miller. She is widely known for her debut novel The Song of Achilles and Circe. I have both of those novels but they are on ever-growing TBR, but Galatea is a short story about a marble sculptor whose masterpiece, the most beautiful woman he's ever seen, is brought to life by the goddess Aphrodite. Miller's writing is easy to follow, straightforward and has dry humor about it that I rather enjoy. If this was just a taste of what I'll get when I read her other works, then I'm excited to read more!

8. Newest fictional crush.

Pictured above is Thomas Lightwood, a main character featured in Cassandra Clare's The Last Hours trilogy. Thomas is often the voice of reason in his friend group, the merry thieves, he is also empathetic and often sees the good in people even if they do not have greatest reputation. Thomas can also be quite sarcastic which I always enjoy in a character. He is also a character who has to come to terms with his sexuality and he eventually realizes he is gay and as a gay man myself, I can relate to him on that level. The combination of the physical description of him, which is tall and a broad physique, and his personality, he checks off all of the boxes for a great fictional boyfriend.

9. Newest favorite character.

Cordelia Corsairs is one of the main characters from Cassandra Clare's The Last Hours. trilogy. We meet her in the first book Chain of Gold, when she moves to the London Institute. Cordelia is a fierce warrior and wields the legendary Carstairs sword, Cortana. I love a strong heroine! As a gay man, I feel I relate to female heroes more because it seems in every realm that they're in, they still have to prove themselves as a force to be reckoned with because they're female. I love when a strong female character can put her male counterparts to shame and show that they should not have underestimated her. Although, it is refreshing in Clare's books how the female shadowhunters are just s respected and seen as formidable as the male shadowhunters. While Cordelia is a strong fighter, there are aspects of her where she is not as confident at the beginning of the series, but over the course of the books she grows into a force to be reckoned with.

10. Book that made you cry.

**Spoiler Alert**

One of the things that Cassandra Clare does best is to get her readers invested in her characters and then kill them off and usually without warning! One of the main characters in this series was Christopher (Kit) Lightwood, he was killed in battle by a poisoned dagger thrown by Tatiana Blackthorn, one of the main villains of the series. Christopher was very an unassuming but prominent character. I was growing really attached to him which is what made his death all the more sad. I shouldn't be surprised but that is Clare's MO, and I'll most likely fall for it again.

11. Book that made you happy.

Is anyone else surprised I picked this one again...cuz I'm not! I've been reading these books for so long that are in a sense my comfort books. With this being the last book in the trilogy, you know it's gonna be good! I loved reading The Infernal Devices and this series is a direct sequel and follows the children of the characters from The Infernal Devices. Even though the book had some tense moments in the plot, as expected, everything worked out in the end for the band of heroes.

12. Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year (or received)

So I completely bought this book based entirely on the cover and title alone. To me, it looks like an older leather hand-bound book, which I think adds to the charm of the cover. The premise sounds good too. I'll link to Goodreads so whomever wants to read the synopsis can!

13. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

I have a lot of books on my TBR, but the ones I'll be listing are the top books I hope to finish by the end of the year!

Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare

Attached At The Hip by Christine Riccio

The Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan

Wrath of the Triple Goddess by Rick Riordan

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

Children of Aguish and Anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Circe by Madeline Miller

If you made it to the end, then thank you for reading the whole thing! Below I'll list all the books from first 12 questions with links to their Goodreads page! Also this is an open tag so feel free to participate!

Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare

The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown

Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Wrath of the Triple Goddess by Rick Riordan

Why I Read: The Serious Pleasure of Books by Wendy Lesser

The Woman In Me by Britney Spears

Galatea by Madeline Miller

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

[summersfirstsnow]

Mid-Year Book Meme (2023)

@sixappleseeds said that anyone who wanted to could do this so I have decided that includes me

1. Best Book You’ve Read So Far in 2023? I've read a lot of good books this year! Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh was a good read, the Will Darling trilogy by KJ Charles was also really good. My favourite debut so far is To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose. Some others will be used later but have a right to be here too.

2. Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far in 2023? The Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson! Nice fun sequel novella that ties up some loose ends and lets readers spend more time with the characters (and the house, which has Opinions).

3. New Release You Haven’t Read Yet, But Want To? The Archive Undying by Emma Mieko Candon is next on my list. And on my library borrows pile.

4. Most Anticipated Release For Second Half of 2023? Moon of the Turning Snow by Waubgeshig Rice is definitely up there, as are A Power Unbound by Freya Marske and The Salvation Gambit by Emily Strutskie.

5. Biggest Disappointment? Mortal Follies by Alexis Hall, which made me feel like my brain was being eaten by gummy worms. In a bad way.

6. Biggest Surprise? A Half-built Garden by Ruthanna Emrys! I was expecting to like it, but I wasn't expecting how often I just... think about it apropos of nothing now. It's one of the first cli-fi stories that is optimistic but avoids becoming too saccharine for my taste.

7. Favorite New Author? Terry Pratchett is kind of new to me, I had read Nation but this was my first time picking up Discworld books. KJ Charles is the other new author whose work I've read quite a bit of this year.

8. Newest Favorite Character? I don't have that many characters that I'm WILDLY attached to any characters that I read about this year. Emily Wilde from Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries is very good. I like that she's better at relating to fae than humans due to autism social awkwardness of no particular diagnosis I'm sure.

9. Newest Fictional Crush? *flashback to that time everyone thought I was lying when I said I didn't have a crush on anyone during an icebreaker due to my brain going completely blank* Uhhh...

10. Book That Made You Cry? And This is How to Stay Alive by Shingai Njeri Kagunda, in the The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2021 collection definitely brought tears to my eyes (older sibling FEELINGSSSSS etc), but the last book had me an utter wreck was last year when I read Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir.

11. Book That Made You Happy? The Luminaries by Sarah Dennard was fun and made me laugh as I liveblogged it for my friends. A Half-built Garden also merits a second mention because it was nice to find a book in the genre that didn't make me either deeply despairing or violently annoyed.

12. Favorite Book Adaptation You Saw This Year? I guess Nimona wins by default, I don't think I've watched any other adaptations.

13. Favorite Review You’ve Written This Year? I guess my June reading list wins by default also because I don't think I've written any other reviews.

14. Most Beautiful Cover? The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty has a gorgeous cover, I like that it looks kind like it's printed from woodcuts almost.

15. What Books Do You Need To Read By The End of The Year? The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill is on my list.

And I'm tagging: @lloonlloon, @notpuckconnolly, and whoever else wants to do it!

[elizmanderson]

Henlo :3

I'm currently reading the Remarkable Retirement of Edna Fisher, and it was bugging me that I didn't know why Amir was flinching when Edna touched him, so (based on Akida's hijab and Amir's prayer rug) I looked into customs of Islam and learned some stuff and I just want to say thanks for having so many different kinds of lives in this book (: I always appreciate learning real world stuff in fun ways.

thank you so much for reading! I had a lot of help with Amir's character from Muslim friends who kindly answered my questions and/or read early drafts and gave me feedback. I'd like to take this opportunity to recommend a couple Muslim authors and their books*!

Adiba Jaigirdar is an auto-buy author for me! three of her books are queer YA romance - The Henna Wars, Hani & Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating, and The Dos and Donuts of Love (the last one is coming out in June) - but she also has A Million to One, which is a heist story set on the Titanic. that one just released in December, so I haven't read it yet, but I'm SO EXCITED for it. check out Adiba's books on her website.

Priyanka Taslim is a fellow 2023 debut whose book I looked forward to for ages, and it did not disappoint! The Love Match is pitched as a Bangladeshi-American YA romance that will appeal to fans of Jane Austen (and also it will appeal to tea-lovers everywhere). it has fake dating, complicated family dynamics, and a love triangle that really kept me guessing. Priyanka also has an adult novel, From Mumbai With Love, anticipated to release early in 2024, so add it on GoodReads now. check out Priyanka's website here.

Kataru Yahya is another fellow debut whose book is alas not out yet, but I can't wait to read it! Home Is a Silhouette is a loose, contemporary retelling of Beauty & the Beast that is set in Ghana. If you haven't seen the cover yet, be sure to take a look, because it's ridiculously gorgeous. add the book on GoodReads now, and check out Kataru's Linktree here. (she is also a poet, and some of her poetry is linked on Linktree if you're interested!)

Aamna Qureshi is the definition of "it's about the range": if you're looking for an author who can do contemporary, fantasy, long-form, short-form - look no further. The Lady or the Lion and The Man or the Monster (a YA fantasy duology retelling of the story "The Lady or the Tiger") are out now. keep an eye out for When a Brown Girl Flees (2023), If I Loved You Less (2024), and My Big, Fat, Desi Wedding (edited by Prerna Pickett, 2024) if you prefer contemporary! see more details on Aamna's website.

Khadijah VanBrakle is another fellow debut, and her book comes out next month! Fatima Tate Takes the Cake is recommended for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo and Ibi Zoboi (um, YES) and is yet another debut with an absolutely gorgeous cover that I'm obsessed with. if you like coming-of-age stories that are gritty yet hopeful, be sure to give this one a look. see more details on Khadijah's website!

*I write adult contemporary fantasy, and you'll notice this list is like. mostly YA contemporary/YA romance with a sprinkling of YA fantasy. that is because, as much as I love adult fantasy and writing in the adult fantasy space, most of what I read in general tends to be YA, and most of what I've read since the pandemic started leans romance (because low stakes and a guaranteed HEA are exactly what I have needed since the pandemic started).

[bookcub]

Mid-Year Book Freakout 2023

@readingbooksinisrael and @logarithmicpanda tagged me!!

1. Best book you’ve read so far this year.

this is very hard because ive read so so so many good books this year, but since this says best and not favorite so either kindred by octavia butler or spinning silver by naomi novik. expertly crafted, beautifully written, compelling characters. . . i highly recommend both of these books

(im also excluding rereads because then i would be here all day)

2. Best sequel you’ve read so far this year

ive only read a few sequels but they were fantastic. i will go with kingdom of copper and empire of gold by sa chakraborty. i binged this whole series in two weeks. some of the best worldbuilding, and one of the only political fantasies i have gotten invested in. im sad i didnt read it sooner but im delighted i have it in my life now!

3. New release you haven’t read yet

mmmm the witch and the vampire is a queer rapunzel and that could be sooooo fun, i love a queer fairy tale retelling. godkiller also looks very good.

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year

you would think it would be the new pat rothfuss book but bast is not my fave so im more pumped for the ashfire king by chelsea abdullah. another high fantasy that is very compelling and quite fun!!

5. Biggest disappointment

gotta be legends and lattes by travis baldree, which i heard fantastic things about but my expectations were all wrong. i found it quite boring unfortunately. i expected it to be funnier and for more character depth. i don't think the book is bad i just dont find it very special.

6. Biggest surprise

seven days in june by tia williams

7. Favorite new author (debut or new to you)

MARGARET OWEN!!! little thieves and painted devils were marvelous, and i am absolutely her target audience!! fairy tale retelling with a twist ft an aspec main character??? how could i hate this book?? anyways, shes on my automatic read list and i follow her now! i need to read her earlier duology soon!!

8. Newest fictional crush/newest favorite character

vanya from little thieves is my absolute favorite, i adore her, she has a fantasticly distinct voice and filled with such relatable emotions. i am obsessed with her

9. Book that made you cry

i cry a LOT in books. most recently, the magic fish by trung le nguyen and my reread of the lunar chronicles but i cried at a lot of these previously mentioned books.

10. Book that made you happy

the magic fish also made me so happy, i cried with happy tears but also as previously stated, little thieves 🥰🥰🥰

tagging: @druggeddraccus @flyingcrowbar @aliteraryprincess @corvidaedream (no pressure!!)

[viscountessevie]

ARC/Reviews Masterlist

ARCs

Reviews can also be found on my StoryGraph

COMING SOON: Unladylike Rules of Attractions by Amita Murray In the highly anticipated sequel for Unladylike Lessons, comes Anya Marleigh's book! Anya is Lila Marleigh's second sister and the musically inclined heroine of this book. She is a court singer and sitar player in Queen Charlotte's royal court. Anya soon comes into a large inheritance which has her involved with the executor of her new fortune, Lord Damian Ashton. Lord Ashton's banter with her is the least of her problems when she becomes embroiled in a murder case.

2023 ARCs

Unladylike Lessons in Love by Amita Murray Release Date: 30th May 2023 A realistic historical women's fiction centred on a really cool Indian heroine who runs a gambling hall. The book gives a deep dive into the working class and immigrants of the Regency era with a side of romance

Clytemnestra's Bind by Susan C. Wilson Release Date: 15th June 2023 A Greek Tragedy in every sense of the word that will have you sobbing - a prequel to Clytemnestra's story in the Trojan War.

A Most Agreeable Murder by Julia Seales Release Date: 27th June 2023 A murder mystery set in the Regency era that's a parody of itself and the Austen-universe, so much so that you can match each character to their Austen counterpart. It has a side of romance with a dashing Indian detective.

An Upper West Side Story by Rachel Cullen Release Date: 6th July 2023 A modern chick-lit/coming of age for 20-somethings set in 2004 and follows a group of four neighbours whose lives intersect together in various ways.

I Do, I Don't by Joy Argento Release Date: 11th July 2023 A contemporary sapphic romance novel about a reality show producer and her programmer for the show who unexpectedly has to step in as a lead.

The Wrong Family by Ellery Kane Release Date: 30th August 2023 A mystery novel a 30-something orphan woman gets involved with a rich family in Lake Tahoe after trying to find her father. Things start to go awry as soon as she arrives and the family's fingers start pointing to her.

Roomates by Ola Tundun Release Date: 20th September 2023 A debut novel about a roommates to lovers pairing with a seemingly perfect girl whose life is really a mess and a playboy who has to change his ways when the perfect girl comes crashing into his apartment with an offer he can't refuse.

Hunt on Dark Water by Katee Robert Release Date: 7th November 2023 A contemporary romance novel set in the fantasy world of Threshold. Tensions rise between a witch named Evelyn and sea Captain Bowen as they journey across realms and find out secrets that have them questioning everything.

2024 ARCs

The Boyfriend Subscription by Steven Salvatore Release Date: 26th March 2024 A contemporary queer retelling of Pretty Woman involving Cole Vivien, the CEO of their version of OnlyFans and Teddy Hughes, a botanist who has lost both his husband and his business. The two meet on a fateful night in New York and come up with a proposition to be a faux couple to satisfy what they each need.

Reviews

Paused: The Dark Olympus by Katee Robert [Edited: 28th Dec 2023 - Paused indefinitely for the time being]

Stone Heart - Medusa/Calypso Neon Gods - Persephone/Hades Electric Idol - Psyche/Eros Wicked Beauty - Helen/Patroclus/Achilles Radiant Sin - Cassandra/Apollo

[tm-trx]

currents.24/2023

selections from my week in media [11-17 june 2023]

[anticipating]

The SHINee comeback is so close I can taste it. The skirt suits in the teaser photos they dropped this past week killed me dead. They all look gorgeous.

[listening]

Bouncy / ATEEZ - I’m not sure what I love most about it. Hongjoong’s electric blue hair? The goat? Conga line choreo? Chipmunk effect? Mingi in that hat? Yes to all of it. (But especially the goat.)

[reading]

Heart of the River by meyari - Jiang Yanli pov MDZS elementals fix-it AU - Stayed up way too late reading, but boy was it worth it.

Horns of Light by Morlin Lorenz - A darling little graphic novel about a young cow and her quest for horns. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is very sweet, with a touch of fantasy. I have the Kickstarter book, but I’ve linked the webtoon comic.

Old-Fashioned Cupcake by Sagan Sagan - The English language edition of the manga was released this week.

[watching]

Big Dragon - A quick and easy rewatch for when I couldn’t concentrate on new stuff. It was so much better the second time, without the expectations I had going into it and knowing in advance the general tone and quality I was in for. This is why I rewatch shows. They are almost always better the second time through (especially if I originally watched week to week.) I don’t know if we’ll be getting a season two, but I’d love to see the two leads do another project together.

Bokura no Shokutaku, ep 10.5 - I am a bit disappointed we didn’t get the epilogue from the manga. They followed the rest of the book so closely, that I was sure we’d get that last glimpse of the future. Other than that, I liked it as much as the rest of the show. I’m going to miss this little family.

King the Land - Lee Junho! Yoona! Together in a chaebol kdrama! I’ve been looking forward to this since it was announced last year and the first episode did not disappoint. The first ep covered a lot of groundwork, but I think it did it well. We’ve got a good sense of who Yoona’s character is (less so with Junho’s - I have so many questions) and an even better idea of the worlds that they inhabit and how they will intersect. I’m going to really enjoy watching it this summer.

Love Tractor - I’m enjoying it, despite the uneven tone. This might be another one I like better on rewatch when I can run through the episodes all at once.

Shigatsu no Tokyo wa (April in Tokyo is) - I love this show so far. My first impression is that it’s beautifully filmed and the two leads are very comfortable with each other. They’re so easy with each other, it’s a joy to watch them. And the young actors in the flashbacks are also very good. I’m excited to see where the story goes and am resisting looking up the manga it’s based on to see what I’m in for.

Step By Step - Episode 8 was a rollercoaster: a painful break-up; a delightful “not date-date”; moody sunbathing; drunken crying in a bar; and the best lightbulb moment to cap it all off.

previous Currents posts

[novelstorian]

June 2023 Upcoming Book Releases | Most Anticipated Books

Hey, friends! A new month = new book releases!  This month’s Most Anticipated list might be the shortest list of book releases that I have ever had on this blog– which might be a good thing, considering I still have a mile long TBR (to-be-read) list.  That being said, I am so excited for lot’s of the titles featured on this list. I cannot wait to hopefully discover some new favourite books or…

[mydarlinginej]

2023 is on the horizon, and with it, comes new books! check out my most anticipated 2023 releases (january - june) in my latest blog post!!

[thetrial]

hiii bee 💙 20 (/ any upcoming releases you're looking forward to?) & 6 & which russian brick is up next?

hey ve <3

20. What was your most anticipated release? Did it meet your expectations?

my most anticipated book was definitely the spear cuts through water by simon jimenez, who wrote perhaps my favourite book of 2021, the vanished birds. it was published in august, but i have not read it yet for silly reasons so i can't say how it stands up to my expectations which i think are modest (enjoy myself while reading)

bonus book i was looking forward to (a lot less than the spear cuts through water, it has to be said) and did actually read (upon release!) which is babel by rf kuang but you know how i feel about it.

anticipated releases in 2023: i think for the first time in my life i am very out of tune with the current literary world & new releases. if there is a book i am looking forward to can't remember. i read so much this year and perhaps more than ever balanced contemporary with 'classics' and i guess i overwhelmingly enjoyed those more (or stuck with them more often). so i will read books as i come across them but i am mostly on the lookout for the old and bridging gaps in my knowledge.

6. Was there anything you meant to read, but never got to?

i'll skip the banal answers you probably know very well to books i distantly planned to read 'soon' and didn't: long live the post horn (vigdis hjorth), sorrowland (rivers solomon; author of my favourite book of 2018), vile bodies (evelyn waugh), all the horses of iceland (sarah tolmie), parable of the sower (octavia e butler), tears of the trufflepig (fernando a flores) and breakfast for champions (kurt vonnegut) + to the lighthouse (virginia woolf) which i hoped to reread at this juncture in my life. also everything on my nonfiction shelf (most of which i at least tried to read), perhaps in particular the climate change section as well as ghosts of my life and wanderers a history of women walking.

i don't think the next brick will be russian per se. besides la vie mode d'emploi which is a bulgakov 2020 nominee [books i vaguely wish to read but never remember, mostly 'classics', named for my intention to read the master & margarita in 2020. recent winners include in de ban van de ring, the brothers karamazov and the book the endeavour is named for], i think ulysses daily (ulysses om 't uur?) is perhaps the funniest possible outcome of the serialised email format, something that occured to me about a week too late this june. so maybe this year i finally read ulysses. if we're doing strictly russian: doctor zhivago but it's not very high on my list. oh i heard such high praise of against the day namely that it's disco elysium adjacent. the people on r/discoelysium book recommendations are NEVER wrong

some lighter/more recent long books (600+ pages) i hope to get to: the secret commnwealth (sequel to book of dust), jonathan strange & mr norell, perdido street station, the books of jacob, utopia avenue. how many pages is the silarmilion. 300 something pages. well it's an honourary brick. 2023 i sprout a whole new set of issues that can be related to the sirmamillion