[TBR Check-In] What Are You Reading?

February 13, 2017Julia 6 Comments

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? Is hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date, a great place to meet up and share your reading plans for the week. I love finding new blogs and new books – so a link-up that helps me do both? Sign me up!

The first week of February was not my favorite. Work is busier than usual and so is everything at home, meaning less reading and more chores (when we can fit them in). I’m definitely not a read-to-relax kind of person, but still, I managed to find a few escapes during the week, starting with the audio version of Stars Above by Marissa Meyer. The Lunar Chronicles will always be a favorite audio series, and the final collection of stories is no exception! Complete with a long awaited wedding and surprising proposal! Next up, I finally got my hands on a copy of Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin – a fast paced novella following a woman in the midst of a fever-dream spurred by an unknown ailment. All the while she’s trying to backtrack, to finally place the moment it all went wrong, when she lost trace of her daughter. An emotional high from the get-go with an even more heart wrenching ending, it was the perfect read to end my week!

Luckily, my week ended happily, all thanks to a special meet and greet hosted by Houston’s own Blue Willow Bookshop. I got to meet the very charming Amor Towles, author of A Gentleman in Moscow!! Easily one of my favorite reads from 2016, the signing was even more amazing than expected. He started the event by sharing his inspiration for the book, stemmed by all his travels as a financer, and giving a mini history lesson on the Metropol Hotel. Did you know Nina and Sophia are loosely based on his daughter? A young spit-fire herself, she’ll be the first one to correct her being referred to as “the baby”. A delightful speaker, and even more esteemed author, I can’t wait to see what he writes next! A hint: it involves three teens traveling from the Midwest to New York City.

Currently, I’m reading The Man Who Never Stopped Sleeping by Aharon Appelfeld following a young refugee who’s traveled from Eastern Europe to Israel in hopes of finding his family and to make a new home for himself. Throughout the story, he struggles to accept the changes in his life, finding a new language and a new country more overbearing than a grieving teen can bear. I’m also listening to Hausfrau by Jill Alexander Essbaum. So far so good – the story is definitely different from anything I’ve read lately. Following a woman trying to find her place in a new country with her newly formed family, a new string of affairs threatens to change the tides beyond repair. Intimate and intense, I’m intrigued to see how this one ends.

What are you reading?

Ten Books That Could Use More Hope (or Tiny Woodland Creatures)

February 8, 2017Julia 3 Comments

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by Broke and the Bookish, is all about the X-Factor. What is it we love most about reading? Is it the characters, the page-turning plot-twist… or the mysterious woodland creature that protects a character from afar? If you’ve visited my blog before, you probably know The Trees by Ali Shaw was my favorite read in 2016, a fairy tale twist on a forest’s revenge on modern-day men, complete with unicorns and ancient woodland creatures made of twigs. Their mysterious appearance guides the main characters to safety, steering them away from a pack of wolves or towards a stream of water, but even more so, they signify hope.

** A little belated, but I hope you enjoy. Yesterday was too crazy, I could use a little more cuteness myself! **

The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro: A despairing quest for a long lost son across a land swallowed whole by a magical, memory-eating cloud. They most definitely could have used the steadying presence of a stag in this one, or at least a blue bird to lessen the strain of their journey.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel: Same goes for Station Eleven. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE this novel – it’s one of my favorites! But just imagine Kirsten strolling along, desperate to find her lost troupe, to cross paths with a unicorn, or just a glance – quick enough to plant a seed of hope.

The Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee:Too many times did Lilliete Berne fall to the trickery of others. If only a mysterious black stallion could come to the rescue, permitting a perfectly executed escape from the tenuous Tenor and into the arms of her Composer.

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys:In the midst of World War II, four teenagers cross the wintery expanse of East Prussia to join thousands of refugees at the coast, hoping to board one of the last of the evacuating ships. While the framing of the novel is, in itself, foreboding, the novel’s setting is the perfect set-up for a tailing raven or owl.

Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke: Besides being overly dramatic, Wink Poppy Midnight is essentially a novel of teenage freedom, with pretty much every character running to the woods for some reason or other. The perfect set-up for a white rabbit situation if you ask me.

Never Ever by Sara Saedi: What’s Peter Pan without a creepy crocodile?

Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson: With her loyal mare Peony at her side, Lee can’t go wrong, but for much of the story the two are heartbreakingly kept apart. The novel is highly dramatic, constantly moving from one blow to the next – I definitely could have used an interlude of wild horses or scampering bunnies to break up the villainy.

Some Kind of Happiness by Claire Legrand: A beautifully written novel discussing the woes of childhood depression, Some Kind of Happiness follows a young girl who finds refuge in the woods behind her grandparents’ house. Her story deserves all the cuteness of all the woodland creatures combined!

And Two That Have It All:

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows: If you’re in need of adorably tiny woodland creatures, My Lady Jane is the book for you!

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill: Winner of the 2017 Newbery Medal, The Girl Who Drank the Moon is chalk-full of hope (and cuteness). Following a young girl raised by a witch, a tiny dragon, and a grouchy bog monster, it’s no wonder why so many hold it so dear.

What’s your x-factor?

[TBR Check-In] What Are You Reading?

February 6, 2017Julia 4 Comments

I might be a little biased, but Houston puts on a great Super Bowl! I’m not the biggest football fan, but I can’t help but love the fan fair, especially having front row seats to the National Anthem fly-over. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds passed right by our apartment in route to NRG Stadium! We missed the half-time fireworks, but wow! I can’t imagine anyone topping Lady Gaga – her performance was amazing!!

As exciting as the Super Bowl is, the highlight of my week was reading The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden, one of my most anticipated reads of 2017! A beautifully written mix of captivating imagery and Russian folk lore, Vasilisa’s story is un-put-downable as you enter the snowy-white of the Russian wilderness. I’m hoping to have a review soon, but trust me, you’ll want to read this one!

Finishing The Bear and the Nightingale, I fell back into the Tearling with Erika Johansen’s concluding novel, The Fate of the Tearling. While she finally answers the mystery behind the Fetch and even who Kelsea’s father is, I still have plenty of unanswered questions: why are the sapphires magical, how did Row do what he did, how did William Tearling even know he could take everyone to the Tearling… there’s so much I want to know, or know even more about! And how could she end Lily’s story like that? There’s so much I want to say, but it’s impossible to avoid spoilers! TDLR: there was a lot I didn’t like, but overall the series’ conclusion is satisfying, happy ending included.

And, according to tradition, I have a brand new library haul to share for the start of the new month. January was a great reading month, and I’m hoping February will be even better! Surprisingly, I have quite a few nonfiction titles this month, including Sarah Gristwood’s Game of Queens: The Women Who Made Sixteenth-Century Europe. I’ve always been fascinated by the intricate history of royalties, especially the Medicis, so I’m very excited to dive into this one! I also have The Dry by Jane Harper and Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente on audio this week. I’m not quite sure what I’ll read next, but at least I have plenty of options!

What are you reading?

[Short Reviews] January 2017 Recap

February 3, 2017Julia 7 Comments

Hands down, this has been my best reading month yet. Going into the holidays, I fell into a massive slump, often picking TV and a nap over reading. It took ages to get back into reading, but with a week left to 2016, I decided to strive for 250 books for the year – and I haven’t stopped since. I couldn’t believe I actually pulled it off, and I had to keep reading! So, for the month of January I read 31 books!

My library pile from the beginning of the month. Sadly it’s only gotten ~~worse~~ better!

Breaking it down, I read 16 books in print and 15 audiobooks. A lot of people ask how I read, and my answer is always AUDIOBOOKS! I listen while at work or while I’m cooking dinner (a guaranteed hour each day) and sometimes while I’m driving (thank you Houston traffic!) – there are so many opportunities to read an audiobook vs. a printed book, even if it’s in 10 minute increments. I also keep a book in my purse at all times, and if I don’t have one with me, chances are I have the same book in print AND as an E-Book – this is my best trick yet. It may take a minute to find your place, especially when you’re in a middle of a chapter, but it’s well worth the effort. Switching back and forth from print to E-Book or audio to E-Book gives me the freedom to read whenever, wherever, so whether it’s waiting in line at the grocery (always) or my lunch hour, I always have a book at the ready!

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate: Crenshaw is a heartbreaking look into the everyday reality for kids across the country. Jackson’s family has fallen on hard times. With not enough money for rent and even less for food, it’s only a matter of time before they move back to the minivan, but luckily for him, his imaginary friend Crenshaw, a larger-than-life, skateboarding cat, is there to help. A difficult story to swallow, Crenshaw is beautifully written and shares the ever-growing importance of communication between parents and children as they age. (4 Stars)

Schlump: The Story of an Unknown Soldier by Hans Herbert Grimm: Autobiographic in nature, Schlump follows a young German soldier during World War I, who, at 17, defies his parents and volunteers for military service hoping to impress a girl. Naïve and undeniably lucky, Schlump experiences both occupied France and the depths of the trenches, all the while trying his best to live honorably in a time of perpetual turmoil. An absolute must read for any history buff. (4 Stars)

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead: What is there to say that hasn’t already been said? Filled with strong-minded characters, the novel unveils the mysticism surrounding the real underground railroad, as well as the complicated patchwork of conductors and riders alike. (5 Stars)

The Comet Seekers by Helen Sedgwick: Much more than a romance, The Comet Seekers is an exploration of the human spirit. A love written by the stars, Roisin and Francois are drawn together after years of crossing paths, but their story is as much the story of their ancestors, blurring the line between past and present, comet and star. See my full review here. (4 Stars)

Wolf by Wolf & Blood for Blood by Ryan Graudin: A thrilling duology set in an alternate history in which Hitler reigns superior. Yael, a former death camp prisoner and survivor of experimentation, plans to use her shape-shifting abilities to infiltrate the annual Axis Tour, a motorcycle race across Europe and into Asia. At the start, Yael has only one goal: to kill Hitler, but as she grows closer to other competitors, her faith in humanity restores, complicating her mission in ways she never expected. Non-stop action paired with the talents of voice actor Christa Lewis, the audiobooks are definitely the way to go for this one! (4 Stars)

Black Water by Louise Doughty: As a young spy, John Harper’s first mission abroad in Indonesia crumbled before it even began, leading to the singular most disturbing moment of his life. Now, in his fifties and back in Indonesia, he’s consumed by guilt as he recollects the 1965 massacres and his part in the subsequent military dictatorship. Black Water is not for the feint of heart. Though the novel leads up to one particular admission, the rest of John Harper’s life is anything but sunshine and daisies. (4 Stars)

Ever the Hunted by Erin Summerill: Britta Flannery is a badass. Daughter of the kingdom’s bounty hunter, she soon finds herself hunting down her father’s killer – the only there’s a catch, the presumed murderer was her father’s apprentice, her best friend. Britta’s constantly getting herself into trouble, but she always finds a way to save herself – yes, herself! I only wish there was a little less romance and a little more world building. Oh well, there’s always hope for the next one! (3 Stars)

In the House Upon the Dirt Between the Lake and the Woods by Matt Bell: An epic, mythical debut exploring the difficulties of marriage and the pressures of parenthood. After a string of miscarriages, husband and wife no longer speak, leading their own lives in the dirt between the lake and the woods, forming a divide built by miscommunications and pressure to conceive. The novel was a slow start as it mainly follows the husband as he lists his wife’s misgivings, but just as you lose all hope, he finally, FINALLY, gets it! And he’ll battle bears and lake monsters alike to fix it. (4 Stars)

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco: I know, I know… I’m a walking hypocrite, but where Ever the Hunted disappointed, Stalking Jack the Ripper shined – I loved every minute of the romance between Audrey and Creswell, especially considering he’s a main suspect. Loved, loved, LOVED the audiobook! (4 Stars)

White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi: A modern day Gothic horror novel of epic proportions – I’ve never been so mystified by an ending. Miri is haunted by her family’s home, creating a change so startling that it almost goes un-noticed. Her pica, the dresses, her speech, even her handwriting, even going away for school does little to save her, but from who? I’m still not sure… (4 Stars)

Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy: Life is anything but simple for Willowdean. On the heavy side, she accepts who she is, but that doesn’t mean she’s accepted the daily judgments, coming from everyone and anyone: friends, family, perfect strangers… why should they have a right to comment on her body? With a Texan attitude and the power of Dolly Parton at her side, Willowdean makes waves in her small town by entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant, shocking even herself as she pushes traditional boundaries and demands the acceptance we all deserve. Hands down, best audiobook of the month! (5 Stars)

The Ballroom by Anna Hope: An atmospheric romance set in the Yorkshire moors during the Edwardian era. Promising a quiet romance between two patients of an asylum, The Ballroom packs a powerful punch. From the constant dread of being admitted for a simple misgiving, to one doctor’s horrifying obsession with eugenics, the letters between lovers serve a simple distraction from a larger discussion. (4 Stars)

Elon Musk: Inventing the Future by Ashlee Vance: A fascinating biography on one of the most ambitious innovators of our time: Elon Musk, the force behind SpaceX, Tesla, SolarCity and Paypal. While fan-girling over his successes, journalish Ashlee Vance still manages to paint a complete picture of Musk’s genius, from his early childhood to his failures as a leader to his unbelievable successes. (4 Stars)

The Lightless Sky by Gulwali Passarlay: The true story of a twelve-year-old refugee’s escape from Afghanistan. His journey leaves a remarkable impression: the endless months spent hungry, the constant threat of imprisonment, cruelty, and the sheer terror of not knowing what was next, if he’d ever find his brother, or reach England, and above all, if he’d be allowed to stay. From Afghanistan through Iran, from Turkey to the Calais Jungle, his story is only one of thousands of refugees. (5 Stars)

History of Wolves by Emily Fridlund: After weeks and weeks of seeing it’s gorgeous, understated cover grace my Instagram feed, I finally picked up a copy from the library. And boy, did it tear me apart! Straying from a peculiar home life (i.e. hippie parents who are WAY too hands off and live off the grid in the backwoods of Minnesota), Linda stumbles on the new family living next door: a mysterious husband never at home, and his young wife and child. She soon becomes the trusted babysitter, but things take a shocking turn when the child shows signs of a serious illness. The story is intriguing, but an accumulation of wayward characters and an untidy ending leaves the novel drastically incomplete. (3 Stars)

Under Rose Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall: Seventeen-year-old Norah hasn’t left the house for four years, suffering from debilitating anxiety attacks that stem from an uncontrollable obsession with disaster, but after being caught fishing for the groceries (mistakenly left on the porch) she wonders what it’d be like to have a friend in the outside world. What you’d expect is love conquer all, a happy ending where her mental illness suddenly dissolves itself because she’s been rescued by a drop-dead-gorgeous guy who’s only role is to save her, but instead, we actually get a realistic story about mental illness, written by an author who actually suffers from agoraphobia. Sure, she may get a tad bit better after meeting Luke, but it’s got nothing to with him – it’s all her, nothing but hard sweat and tears after battling her want for human connection while also fearing it. The romance is just a bonus.(4 Stars)

What books did you love in January?

Visual Aids: A Guide to Helpful Cookbooks

January 31, 2017Julia 14 Comments

I’m quite the newbie when it comes to graphic novels, so you can imagine my struggle when this week’s topic was chosen, but after mulling it over I realized, what’s more visual than a cookbook!? From full-page photographs to detailed diagrams, there’s not a single cookbook that doesn’t have at least one visual aid. So, for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by Broke and the Bookish), I decided to share my favorite books on almost everyone’s favorite topic: food!

But first, do you have a graphic novel you’d recommend reading? I can’t wait to see everyone’s TTT this week – my TBR needs help!

Food Anatomy: The Curious Pars & Pieces of Our Edible World by Julia Rothman: A beautifully illustrated fact book on the history of food and the different types of food we eat. From the various ways of cooking an egg to the different types of cabbage… her book is as gorgeous as it is informative!

Appetites: A Cookbook by Anthony Bourdain: In his latest cookbook, Bourdain shares his favorite recipes to make for the family. Between lengthy discussions on the ins-and-outs on burger making and whether or not you should use a fork to make scrambled eggs, there’s an amazing how-to on Thanksgiving, complete with photographs and step-by-step instructions from pre-cooking to scheduling to gravy to presentation… he has it all!

The Artists’ and Writers’ Cookbook by Natalie Eve Garrett: An illustrated collection of personal, food related stories, illustrations, poems, cartoons and more from favorite artists and writers around the globe. This was such a treat to read!

Cooking for Jeffrey: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten: Ina Garten is one of my favorites, and even though I rarely cook one of her recipes, her cookbooks are a wealth of knowledge. In her latest, Garten shares her favorite meals to make for her family along with an intimate look at their relationship – they have such an adorable meet-cute!

One to Five: One Shortcut Recipe Transformed into Five Easy Dishes by Ryan Scott: A great guide to mastering one simple recipe, like roasted chicken, and turning it into five different meals. From Chicken-and-Cornbread Tamale Pie to Lesley’s Biscuit Chicken Turnovers, his recipes will leave you hungry for more!

Cooking with Mary Berry by Mary Berry: If you consider yourself a novice or intermediate cook, then this is the book for you. Complete with full-color photographs and step-by-step how-tos from egg basics to different techniques for cooking meat, her book makes it easy-peasy to learn and put new skill into practice. Oh, and the desserts!

Cake Magic!: Mix and Match Your Way to 100 Amazing Combinations by Caroline Wright: Speaking of dessert, my list wouldn’t be complete without a book on cake! Cake Magic is your complete guide to the art of cake, from simple layers to rich fillings to sweet frostings, you’ll see just how easy it is to pair up and switch up your layers.

Scandinavian Comfort Food: Embracing the Art of Hygge by Trine Hahnemann: Hygge is more than just a word or a feeling, it’s a complete lifestyle, making comfort a priority in your everyday life be it by lighting a candle or preparing a traditional home cooked meal. Scandinavian Comfort Food is more than a study on traditional Scandinavian recipes – it’s a collection of the author’s favorite recipes, passed down from one generation to the next, emoting a feeling of family and comfort.

Cook’s Science: How to Unlock Flavor in 50 of Our Favorite Ingredients by The Editors at Cook’s Illustrated: From pork shoulder to whole chickens to quinoa, this book covers it all! Each chapter highlights a specific ingredient, revealing the science behind popular cooking techniques as well as tips to unlock even more flavor – complete with diagrams and full-color photographs.

The Tea Book: All Things Tea by Louise Cheadle: If you’ve ever wondered who drinks the most tea or about all the different types of tea, or even the different ways to make tea, this is the book for you. Complete with full-page infographics, illustrations, maps, tealicious photographs, recipes, and travel guides, The Tea Book covers it all!

What are your favorite cookbooks? Do you have a graphic novel to recommend!?

[TBR Check-In] What Are You Reading?

January 30, 2017Julia Leave a comment

The past week has been a difficult one to swallow. Personally, I strive to keep my opinions to myself, be that political or religious, but after recent events, it’s near impossible to stay quiet. While not an expert on immigration, I understand the difficulties involved, especially when considering the safety of an entire country, but to ban entrance when refugees already face a rigorous vetting process is extreme. It’s especially hard-hitting after reading The Lightless Sky by Gulwali Passarlay, a true story of a twelve-year-old refugee’s escape from Afghanistan. His story leaves a remarkable impression: the endless months spent hungry, facing imprisonment, cruelty, and the sheer terror of not knowing what was next, if he’d finally find a way to reach England, and above all, be allowed to stay, to start over. His story isn’t singular, in fact he’s one of millions searching for safety, risking it all for a life without persecution. Considering the numbers, The United States admits such a small percentage of all refugees, unlike Turkey, Germany, or France – where so many live below the poverty line in camps such as the Calais Jungle. As a country of immigrants, it’s our responsibility to help as many as we can, and as safely as we can – surely, there’s an answer to our security woes, but ordering an immigration ban isn’t it.

This week I’ll be seeking comfort from a suite of audiobooks including Blood for Blood by Ryan Graudin and The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden – both perfectly timed library holds! I’ve already started The Bear and the Nightingale in print, but I can’t resist such a promising audiobook. In print, I’m still working on Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeliene Thien – the story slowed around the halfway mark, but hopefully it’ll pick up soon!

What are you reading?

[Recently Read] A Battle of the Cookbooks

January 25, 2017Julia Leave a comment

I love to cook. It’s more than just a necessity – cooking to me is meditation, a time to zen out and relax, and more than anything, a time to play! Especially when trying out a new recipe. Whether a new take on an old classic, or a new recipe entirely, the best way to make the most of your meals is by a little research. If I’m not cooking (or reading), I’m most likely watching the Food Channel or perusing a cookbook. There’s always more to learn – it’s amazing how even the smallest tips make a huge impact on your final dish. Here are a few I’ve read lately:

Cooking for Jeffrey: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten

Ina Garten is one of my favorites, and even though I rarely cook one of her recipes, her cookbooks are a wealth of knowledge. A huge trend in the cooking world lately is a focus on home cooking, revealing the recipes some of the most famed chefs like to make for their families, and Ina Garten is no exception. In Cooking for Jeffrey, Garten shares some of Jeffrey’s favorite meals along with a more intimate look at their relationship – they have the most adorable meet-cute! As a woman, this book is especially important. Cooking is often viewed as a wifely duty, but in Cooking for Jeffrey, Garten is able to escape the usual trope by focusing on her love for others. Garten cooks for her family not because it’s her domestic role, but because it’s her passion, and why not share that with the person she loves most? I particularly loved her recipes for “16 bean” pasta e fagioli and dark rum southsides (what’s a cookbook without a cocktail recipe?).

Cooking with Mary Berry by Mary Berry

Over the holidays, I got obsessively hooked on The Great American Baking Show, judged by longtime food writer and TV presenter Mary Berry. So when I noticed a new cookbook on my library’s listing by Mary Berry – I knew I had to read it! If you consider yourself a novice, or intermediate, this is the book for you. Complete with full-color photographs and step-by-step how-tos from egg basics to different techniques for cooking meat, her book makes it easy to learn and put your new skills into practice with classic recipes such as beef pot roast and chicken cacciatore. But what would a cookbook by Mary Berry be without a section on deserts!? I, for one, can’t wait to try out her recipe for poached pears with blackberry sauce. Yum!

Scandinavian Comfort Food: Embracing the Art of Hygge by Trine Hahnemann and Columbus Leth

Hygge is all the rage these days. More than just a word or a simple feeling, hygge is a way of life, bringing relaxation to the forefront of your days in something so small as lighting a few candles or reading the newspaper… or cooking a traditional dish you’ve eaten all your life. Similar to the art of hygge, Scandinavian Comfort Food is more than a study on traditional Scandinavian recipes. It’s a collection of the writers’ favorite recipes, dishes that have been passed from generation to generation, emoting a feeling of family and comfort. Reading the book is an experience of hygge in itself. The writers’ love for their family easily slips from the page like a warm hug, and even though I saved only a handful of their recipes, it was truly enriching to learn about the Scandinavian culture.

What cookbooks have you read lately?

[TBR List] 10 Short Picks You Can Read In A Day

January 24, 2017Julia 14 Comments

Sometimes when you’re facing a reading slump or in the midst of a long read, there’s nothing better than a short story or novella to jumpstart your batteries. Short and often fast paced, novellas pack a fast punch to the gut, tugging your emotions in the most unexpected ways. And, since this week’s Top Ten Tuesday is a freebie (hosted by the Broke and the Bookish), there’s no better time to share my novella TBR list!

Grief is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter: A lyrical, atmospheric look at grief in the form of a pesky Crow, threatening not to leave until two brothers have come to terms with the unexpected loss of their mother. (114 Pages)

The Peculiar Life of a Lonely Postman by Denis Theriault: Bilodo lives for his schedule – he delivers his postal rounds and returns home for a solitary dinner, and to steam open undelivered letters for his own reading. Through this, he stumbles on a poetic exchange between the lovely Segolene and Gaston, a master poet, but when Bilodo witnesses Gaston’s death, he takes the chance to write to Segolene himself, impersonating Gaston without hesitation. (128 Pages)

The Trouble with Women by Jacky Fleming: A witty collection of cartoons revealing the buffaloed ideas some of the greatest men in history believed about women. (128 Pages)

In the Orchard, the Swallows by Peter Hobbs: In the foothills of the mountains in northern Pakistan, there is a beautiful orchard, full of swallows and the mesmerizing scent of jasmine, an image that’s sustained a young prisoner for fifteen years, all the while hoping to see the orchard again, or per chance a glance of a swallow. (139 Pages)

Beast by Paul Kingsnorth: Isolated and alone in a west-country moor, Edward Buckmaster faces the elements and himself, both equal adversaries, but unawares, he’s also tracked by an unknown creature. (168 Pages)

Eleven Hours by Pamela Erens: As Lore is about to give birth, after refusing an epidural or any modern assistance, her mysterious past is revealed, creating a vivid portrait of childbirth and the emotional turmoil brought with motherhood. (176 Pages)

Mother Sunday by Graham Swift: A dazzling emotional novella flowing back and forth through time as Jane recalls her torrid, seven-year affair with an heir to a neighboring estate. (177 Pages)

Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin: An affecting nightmare come to life, Amanda lies dying in a rural hospital clinic with a mysterious young boy by her side, a stranger, a child not her own, and yet he’s earnest to provide comfort as she desperately traces every last memory of her daughter. (183 Pages)

Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer: Area X is an unexplainable, pristine forest that sprang into existence almost overnight and studied by the Southern Reach, a government agency, for years without any clue to its origin or intent. Now, on the twelfth expedition, four women travel into the unknown, uncovering a poignant and heartbreaking look at humanity’s relationship with the wider world and each other. (195 Pages)

The Solace of Monsters by Laurie Blauner: Created by a grieving father, Mara is just the latest in a series of Maras he’s made. After making her escape, she discovers the world outside, from the forest to the city, hoping to find her own bit of solace in life, her own meaning to life itself. (200 Pages)

What novellas would you recommend?

[TBR Check-In] What Are You Reading?

January 23, 2017Julia 3 Comments

Happy Monday, friends! Living in Houston, TX, the last week has been a crazy ride. Between constant rain followed by flooding, followed by sunshine, and then even MORE rain… why can’t the weather just pick a theme and stick with it? Oh well, it gave me a great excuse to stay in this weekend, cooking up a storm and finishing some long overdue reading. At the end of the day Sunday, I probably spent a total of 6 hours in the kitchen after slow cooking BBQ ribs, making pasta salad, and meal prepping for the week – it was the most fun I’ve had in a long time!

I also had plenty of time to finish reading The Ballroom by Anna Hope, be it a little forced. I was so excited for this one! A romance set in an insane asylum during the Edwardian Era on the moors of England, it couldn’t be more intriguing, but instead I found an improbable romance between two under developed characters, both controlled by a doctor slowly going insane over his obsession with eugenics. Quite a different story, indeed. Nonetheless, the novel raised some interesting questions over an often overlooked topic of history. I also finished several audio books over the week, including Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy and Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. I loved the narrators for both, but especially Eileen Stevens for Dumplin‘! She really brought the character to life for me.

This week I’ll be reading Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien and The Solace of Monsters by Laurie Blauner. I haven’t read a summary for either yet, but I’ve heard nothing but good reviews for Thien’s novel – which no surprise there, as it was long listed for the Man Booker Prize last year.

What are you reading?

[Filling the Shelves] A Winter Book Haul

January 20, 2017Julia 6 Comments

This winter’s book haul is a combination of Christmas gifts, gift card purchases, and of course a few titles bought on a whim, because why not? Just before Christmas, I listed the Top Ten Books I Wouldn’t Mind Santa Leaving Under the Tree for me, and amazingly, I got almost all of them!!

Swing Time by Zadie Smith: I picked up a copy of Swing Time as part of a ticket purchase to her recent reading in Houston. I had high expectations for her going in, and, no shocker her, she exceeded all of them! Zadie Smith is a superb human being aside from being a talented writer – if you don’t have the time for a novel, definitely check out her essays and short stories (all available via internet, for free).

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah: Ok, so I might have this on my Kindle, but I still have yet to read it. Hopefully having the hardcover will be the right push!

The Trees by Ali Shaw: I finally have my own copy!! Check out my review, here!

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi: A beautifully written tale of two sisters who follow two very different paths in life. I started listening to the audiobook earlier this winter, but I knew from the start that it would be something I’d much prefer to read in print. I’m so glad to add this to my shelves!

Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood: A good old fashioned whim – I saw this on sale at Half Price, and there was no avoiding it. I desperately need some Atwood added into my reading.

The Girl with Glass Feet by Ali Shaw: More Ali Shaw! His latest novel, The Trees is one of my absolute favorites from 2016, and I can’t wait to dive into his debut! It seems the hardcover version is out of print, but I lucked out when I spotted it in Half Price’s clearance section!!

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey: Another author I loved in 2016 was Eowyn Ivey. I’m hoping to see more magical realism than in To the Bright Edge of the World, but even either way, I know it’s one I’ll love!

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel: There’s no stopping the exclamation points this haul! After reading Station Eleven last spring, I knew I’d need to have it among my collection – it’s guaranteed reread. Check out my review here.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling: My AMAZING boyfriend gifted the illustrated version of the first Harry Potter for Christmas this year. I’ve been wanting to reread Harry Potter for a few years now, and the illustrated versions are the perfect opportunity!

The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani: Such a beautiful cover! I’m not sure if I’ll manage a reread anytime soon, but it’s such a lovely romance. See a review here.

Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien: Turn down the alarms, the situation has been rectified! I repeat, Lord of the Rings is back on my shelves, thanks to my amazing parents. Now, all that’s left is a copy of The Hobbit!

The Sellout by Paul Beatty: Winner of the 2016 Man Booker Prize, this was an obvious choice. Especially at only $7 – Half Price never fails!

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness: I might already have a copy of the film edition, but you can never have too many copies of A Monster Calls. Besides, now I have one to lend out, because everyone should read this book! Don’t believe me? Read my review here!

The Master & Margarita by Mikhil Bulgakov: Another whimsical purchase, this time at Houston’s very own Brazos Bookstore (pictured above and host to Zadie Smith’s recent reading). I only went in to pick up my ticket for the event, but silly me – you can’t leave a bookstore without a book!

The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley by Hannah Tinti: You guys, I won an arc copy through Goodreads!!! I’ve seriously never won anything like this before – I’m beyond ecstatic! Never ignore the Goodreads Giveaways, you can actually win!!

4 3 2 1 by Paul Auster: I also pre-purchased a copy of 4 3 2 1 on Amazon, anticipating the book’s release on January 31st! Archibald Isaac Ferguson is born nearly two weeks early on March 3, 1947 in Newark, New Jersey, but from a simple beginning comes a story of four “simultaneous and independent” Fergusons as four copies of the young boy lead very different lives after leaving the hospital that fateful night. An entirely inventive work promising grandiose prose and an unforgettable story of love, heartbreak, and choice itself, 4 3 2 1 is one of my most anticipated reads of 2017. I typically read a book before purchasing, but I’ve clearly already thrown the rule book out the window at this point, and at 880 pages, I’m going to need more than a 2 week lending period to get through this one. I can’t wait to start!

What’s new to your shelves this winter?

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