Well, after moving to Texas three years ago, I finally joined the library!
Our local library is small, as in it only has about 5 shelves for books that aren’t in the children’s section. Of course, having a library that small means I mostly joined for the online books, of which I have several I am waiting on right now!
By the by, did you know that most libraries participate in the Overdrive program? You can check out books (or audiobooks) with the Libby app on your phone or tablet for reading on those devices.
The only downside it that you do have to wait a little while for the books you want. But still, free books!
I was able to check out three books when I went for the first time. But this was in no reading March so, yeah, that didn’t work out so well for me.
It’s okay though, I can always check them out again later, cause library!
Well, I was doing okay on my book buying ban. What isn’t helping is all the great books that are coming out! I want all the pretties!
I feel a little bit like Gollum when I say that. But who doesn’t feel that way about their books?
Anywho, on to all the books I want in May!
The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne-May 4th
After the old gods warred and drove themselves to extinction, the cataclysm of their fall shattered the land of Vigrio.
Now, power-hungry jarls carve out petty kingdoms, and monsters stalk the shadow-haunted woods and mountains. A world where the bones of the dead gods still hold great power, promising fame and fortune for those brave – or desperate – enough to seek them out.
As whispers of war echo over the plains and across the fjords, fate follows the footsteps of three people: a huntress searching for her missing son, a jarl’s daughter who has rejected privilege in pursuit of battle fame, and a thrall who has cast off his chains and now fights alongside the famed mercenaries known as the Bloodsworn.
All three will shape the fate of the world, as it once more teeters on the edge of chaos.
I’m not gonna lie, I picked this one solely on the basis of it’s cover. Did you see how big that dragon was? The premise does sound pretty good too.
The Shadow in the Glass by JJA Harwood-May 4th
Once upon a time Ella had wished for more than her life as a lowly maid.
Now forced to work hard under the unforgiving, lecherous gaze of the man she once called stepfather, Ella’s only refuge is in the books she reads by candlelight, secreted away in the library she isn’t permitted to enter.
One night, among her beloved books of far-off lands, Ella’s wishes are answered. At the stroke of midnight, a fairy godmother makes her an offer that will change her life: seven wishes, hers to make as she pleases. But each wish comes at a price and Ella must decide whether it’s one she’s willing to pay…
I love the story of Cinderella, so this sounds great to me.
The Ruby’s Curse by Alex Kingston-May 20th
She’s got ice in her heart and a kiss on her lips…
1939, New York. Private Eye, Melody Malone, is hired to find a stolen ruby, the Eye of Horus. The ruby might hold the secret to the location of Cleopatra’s tomb – but everyone who comes into contact with it dies. Can Melody escape the ruby’s curse?
1939, New York. River Song, author of the Melody Malone Mysteries, is forced to find a reality-altering weapon, the Eye of Horus – but everyone who comes into contact with it dies. River doesn’t believe in curses – but is she wrong?
From the top-security confines of Stormcage to the barbarism of first-century Egypt, River battles to find the Eye of Horus before its powers are used to transform the universe. To succeed, she must team up with a most unlikely ally – her own fictional alter ego, Melody. And together they must solve another mystery: Is fiction changing into fact – or is fact changing into fiction?
It’s no secret to anyone that knows me that I love Doctor Who. The first gift the hubs ever gave me was a Tardis. So imagine my surprise when I discovered that River Song herself was writing a book! I want this one!
The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Beuhlman-May 25th
Kinch Na Shannack owes the Takers Guild a small fortune for his education as a thief, which includes (but is not limited to) lock-picking, knife-fighting, wall-scaling, fall-breaking, lie-weaving, trap-making, plus a few small magics. His debt has driven him to lie in wait by the old forest road, planning to rob the next traveler that crosses his path.
But today, Kinch Na Shannack has picked the wrong mark.
Galva is a knight, a survivor of the brutal goblin wars, and handmaiden of the goddess of death. She is searching for her queen, missing since a distant northern city fell to giants.
Unsuccessful in his robbery and lucky to escape with his life, Kinch now finds his fate entangled with Galva’s. Common enemies and uncommon dangers force thief and knight on an epic journey where goblins hunger for human flesh, krakens hunt in dark waters, and honor is a luxury few can afford.
Goblin wars? Goblin wars! I like a good Goblin war.
Son of the Storm by Suyi Davies Okungbowa-May 11th
In the ancient. city of Bassa, Danso is a clever scholar on the cusp of achieving greatness—only he doesn’t want it. Instead, he prefers to chase forbidden stories about what lies outside the city walls. The Bassai elite claim there is nothing of interest. The city’s immigrants are sworn to secrecy.
But when Danso stumbles across a warrior wielding magic that shouldn’t exist, he’s put on a collision course with Bassa’s darkest secrets. Drawn into the city’s hidden history, he sets out on a journey beyond its borders. And the chaos left in the wake of his discovery threatens to destroy the empire.
This just sounds good! Greatness that isn’t wanted is always a fun twist.
The Betrayals by Bridget Collins-May 18th
If your life was based on a lie, would you risk it all to tell the truth?
At Montverre, an ancient and elite academy hidden high in the mountains, society’s best and brightest are trained for excellence in the grand jeu—the great game—an arcane and mysterious competition that combines music, art, math, poetry, and philosophy. Léo Martin once excelled at Montverre but lost his passion for scholarly pursuits after a violent tragedy. He turned to politics instead and became a rising star in the ruling party, until a small act of conscience cost him his career. Now he has been exiled back to Montverre, his fate uncertain.
But this rarified world of learning Léo once loved is not the same place he remembers. Once the exclusive bastion of men, Montverre’s most prestigious post is now held by a woman: Claire Dryden, also known as the Magister Ludi, the head of the great game. At first, Léo feels an odd attraction to the magister—a mysterious, eerily familiar connection—though he’s sure they’ve never met before.
As the legendary Midsummer Game approaches—the climax of the academy’s year—long-buried secrets rise to the surface and centuries-old traditions are shockingly overturned.
This sounds interesting. I like the idea of a politician being banished back to a school.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir-May 4th
Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission—and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish.
Except that right now, he doesn’t know that. He can’t even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it.
All he knows is that he’s been asleep for a very, very long time. And he’s just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.
His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, Ryland realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Hurtling through space on this tiny ship, it’s up to him to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery—and conquer an extinction-level threat to our species.
And with the clock ticking down and the nearest human being light-years away, he’s got to do it all alone.
Or does he?
I’ve loved everything Andy Weir has come out with, so here’s hoping!
Dark One by Brandon Sanderson & more-May 18th
Visions of a dark and fantastic world haunt Paul Tanasin, but when he discovers they are prophecies from Mirandus–a world in which he’s destined to become a fearsome destroyer–He’ll have to embrace the fear, rise up as The Dark One, and shatter everything.
I love the idea of telling the story from the perspective of the villain. Also, it being told in graphic novel form sound fun.
Well, how did I do on my book buying ban this month?
I bought books, that’s how I did.
Welp. Here is the damage.
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Young Hiram Walker was born into bondage. When his mother was sold away, Hiram was robbed of all memory of her—but was gifted with a mysterious power. Years later, when Hiram almost drowns in a river, that same power saves his life. This brush with death births an urgency in Hiram and a daring scheme: to escape from the only home he’s ever known.
Just the first couple of lines of the description had me sold on this book. That’s not the full description mind you. I do fully expect this book to wreck me.
The Black Gryphon by Mercedes Lackey
The story of Skandranon, the titular black gryphon, and his human best friend Amberdrake. Did I mention the Mage War? I already own this book, but I had read it so much it was falling apart, so I picked up a new copy at my local used book store. It’s in pretty good condition too!
The Return of Nightfall by Mickey Zucker Reichert
The story of the Nightfall continues. I’ll be honest, I’m not really sure what this is all about, but I bought it, because I have the first on, which I haven’t read yet. But I needed the second one before I could read the first one. That makes sense, right?
This Alien Shore by C.S. Friedman
A powerful guild has control over space travel, and the rest of the planets want to topple them. I love C.S. Friedman’s books. Well, the three I have read anyway. The Coldfire trilogy was amazing, so I have high hopes for this one.
Broken (in the best possible way) by Jenny Lawson
Jenny Lawson writes about mental illness amazingly and I have never felt so seen. This is her newest autobiography and I can’t wait to read it. In fact, I may start it to today!
So It’s not’s so bad. Could be worse. I say as I made it worse during May. You’ll see.
The story of Angrboda, who bears Loki three children, among other things. I didn’t finish this one. In fact, you can read all about it here.
I started two other books this month, but one of them got returned to the library before I could finish it. And the other I finished on May first, so I’m not counting that one.
On the plus side, I have already started anther book. No spoilers!
As always, it’s that time of the month when we look back at all the things that have been and we make a blog post about them! Which this month, is apparently not a lot. It seems I only wrote a few blog posts. Hey, at least I wrote.
Everything I Read in March2021: This was a very short list of no books. I failed as a book blogger. Oh well.
Book Haul March 2021: The one where I haul some books for you. I may have bought over my self imposed limit.
Every New Release I Want- April 2021: A complete list of the books I may or may not buy eventually. I want the pretties!
The Witch’s Heart-A Book Review: In which I reviewed a book! Big shocker, I know.
And there it is, my shame. I only posted four things. Oh well. I posted, so it’s a win!
Well, it’s been a while since I’ve written one of these hasn’t it! Two months, at least!
I thought I’d dip my toe back in the reviewing pool by reading The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec.
It’s the story of Angrboda, a witch who was burned by Odin because she wouldn’t give him what he wanted, and who falls in love with Loki.
Here’s the thing, I didn’t like this book. I didn’t even finish it, but I think it may be that it’s a case of right book, wrong time.
See, I understand that Angrboda had been put through the ringer by Odin, but I just couldn’t connect with her. Don’t get me wrong, I love a heroine who has suffered just as much as the next person, but this character just didn’t resonate with me for some reason. And characters like this usually always resonate with me.
The writing style was fine, I have no problems with it. It wasn’t overly lyrical or particular forced, it was just there. Solid recommendation, I know.
I just, I don’t know. I struggled for two weeks to read the first one hundred pages before I finally just said “self, don’t do this, put it down and walk away.” And by “it” I mean my phone because I picked this book up through the Libby app. Thank you library.
I’m sad, because I really wanted to like this book. And I just didn’t.
What do you think, should I give this book a second chance?
Another month, another spate of new releases to add to the ever growing TBR that I’m not supposed to buy any books for.
Like that’s actually going to happen.
On to the list!
Hummingbird Salamander by Jeff VanderMeer-April 6th
Security consultant “Jane Smith” receives an envelope with a key to a storage unit that holds a taxidermied hummingbird and clues leading her to a taxidermied salamander. Silvina, the dead woman who left the note, is a reputed ecoterrorist and the daughter of an Argentine industrialist. By taking the hummingbird from the storage unit, Jane sets in motion a series of events that quickly spin beyond her control.
Soon, Jane and her family are in danger, with few allies to help her make sense of the true scope of the peril. Is the only way to safety to follow in Silvina’s footsteps? Is it too late to stop? As she desperately seeks answers about why Silvina contacted her, time is running out—for her and possibly for the world.
I’m not usually drawn to big tech thrillers, but this one sounds good.
Broken (in the best possible way) by Jenny Lawson-April 6th
As Jenny Lawson’s hundreds of thousands of fans know, she suffers from depression. In Broken, Jenny brings readers along on her mental and physical health journey, offering heartbreaking and hilarious anecdotes along the way.
With people experiencing anxiety and depression now more than ever, Jenny humanizes what we all face in an all-too-real way, reassuring us that we’re not alone and making us laugh while doing it. From the business ideas that she wants to pitch to Shark Tank to the reason why Jenny can never go back to the post office, Broken leaves nothing to the imagination in the most satisfying way. And of course, Jenny’s long-suffering husband Victor―the Ricky to Jenny’s Lucille Ball―is present throughout.
I love Jenny Lawson and have all of her books, even the coloring book! I pre-ordered this one the day it was announced. I have much excite!
Malice: A Novel by Heather Walter-April 13th
Once upon a time, there was a wicked fairy who, in an act of vengeance, cursed a line of princesses to die. A curse that could only be broken by true love’s kiss.
You’ve heard this before, haven’t you? The handsome prince. The happily ever after.
Utter nonsense.
Let me tell you, no one in Briar actually cares about what happens to its princesses. Not the way they care about their jewels and elaborate parties and charm-granting elixirs. I thought I didn’t care, either.
Until I met her.
Princess Aurora. The last heir to Briar’s throne. Kind. Gracious. The future queen her realm needs. One who isn’t bothered that I am Alyce, the Dark Grace, abhorred and feared for the mysterious dark magic that runs in my veins. Humiliated and shamed by the same nobles who pay me to bottle hexes and then brand me a monster. Aurora says I should be proud of my gifts. That she . . . cares for me. Even though a power like mine was responsible for her curse.
But with less than a year until that curse will kill her, any future I might see with Aurora is swiftly disintegrating—and she can’t stand to kiss yet another insipid prince. I want to help her. If my power began her curse, perhaps it’s what can lift it. Perhaps together we could forge a new world.
Nonsense again. Because we all know how this story ends, don’t we? Aurora is the beautiful princess. And I—
I am the villain.
Well this sounds utterly delightful.
The Beautiful Ones by Silivia Moreno-Garcia-April 27th
They are the Beautiful Ones, Loisail’s most notable socialites, and this spring is Nina’s chance to join their ranks, courtesy of her well-connected cousin and his calculating wife. But the Grand Season has just begun, and already Nina’s debut has gone disastrously awry. She has always struggled to control her telekinesis—neighbors call her the Witch of Oldhouse—and the haphazard manifestations of her powers make her the subject of malicious gossip.
When entertainer Hector Auvray arrives to town, Nina is dazzled. A telekinetic like her, he has traveled the world performing his talents for admiring audiences. He sees Nina not as a witch, but ripe with potential to master her power under his tutelage. With Hector’s help, Nina’s talent blossoms, as does her love for him.
But great romances are for fairytales, and Hector is hiding a truth from Nina — and himself—that threatens to end their courtship before it truly begins.
I’m sorry, but a love story about two telekinetics? I’m in!
Meet Me In Another Life by Catriona Silvey-April 20th
Thora and Santi are strangers in a foreign city when a chance encounter intertwines their fates. At once, they recognize in each other a kindred spirit—someone who shares their insatiable curiosity, who is longing for more in life than the cards they’ve been dealt. Only days later, though, a tragic accident cuts their story short.
But this is only one of the many connections they share. Like satellites trapped in orbit around each other, Thora and Santi are destined to meet again: as a teacher and brilliant student; a caretaker and dying patient; a cynic and believer. In numerous lives they become friends, colleagues, lovers, and enemies. As blurred memories and strange patterns compound, Thora and Santi come to a shocking revelation—they must discover the truth of their mysterious attachment before their many lives come to one, final end.
Aww, a reincarnation love story! I’ll read that.
The Cleveland Heights LGBTQ Sci-Fi and Fantasy Role Playing Club by Doug Henderson-April 15th
On Thursday nights, the players assemble in the back of Readmore Comix and Games. Celeste is the dungeon master; Valerie, who works at the store, was roped in by default; Mooneyham, the banker, likes to argue; and Ben, sensitive, unemployed, and living at home, is still recovering from an unrequited love. In the real world they go about their days falling in love, coming out at work, and dealing with their family lives all with varying degrees of success. But in the world of their fantasy game, they are heroes and wizards fighting to stop an evil cult from waking a sleeping god.
But then a sexy new guy, Albert, joins the club, Ben’s character is killed, and Mooneyham’s boyfriend is accosted on the street. The connections and parallels between the real world and the fantasy one become stronger and more important than ever as Ben struggles to bring his character back to life and win Albert’s affection, and the group unites to organize a protest at a neighborhood bar. All the while the slighted and competing vampire role playing club, working secretly in the shadows, begins to make its move.
Just based on the title this book is a yes for me. Cause yeah, nerd things.
And there you have it, the six books I am looking forward to this month. What books are you most looking forward to?
Well, I may not have read anything in March, but I did buy some books! Cause I’m me and that’s how I roll.
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
An eighteenth century apothecary who makes poisons to help women with the men in their lives and a modern woman who stumbles across a mysterious bottle that unlocks the mystery of said apothecary. This was my Book of the Month pick in March.
Once & Future by Cori McCarthy and Ami Rose Capetta
Ari crash lands on old Earth and pulls an old sword from it’s resting place. This reveals her to be the newest reincarnation of the legendary king, Arthur. Y’all know I love my King Arthur retellings, so I had to pick this one up.
A Peculiar Peril by Jeff VanderMeer
Jonathan looks to inherit his grandfathers sprawling estate, once he and his friends catalog all of the curiosities that lie within. They soon discover it holds the way to an alt earth were a once deceased villain now lives. I’ve had this in my Amazon cart for months, so when I found it on Book Outlet I had to snatch it up.
The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guinn
This heartwarming story is exactly what it says on the cover, the story of Santa. I reviewed it last year and absolutely loved it. Of course, I already own an e-book version of this, but when I saw the paperback was only $4 on Book Outlet I snatched it up.
30 Second Mythology by Robert A. Segal
This little book contains 50 of the most interesting Greek and Roman myths told in very short snip-its. I love the 30-Second series and am always excited to add new titles to my collection.
The Sign of Seven Trilogy by Nora Roberts
In the town of Hawkins Hollow, it’s called The Seven. Every seven years, on the seventh day of the seventh month, strange things happen. It began when three young boys—Caleb, Fox, and Gage—went on a camping trip to The Pagan Stone…
I love the books Nora Roberts writes as J.D. Robb, so i thought I would give some of her fantasy novels a chance. I have heard good things!
Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas
This modern day retelling of the Peter Pan story sounded very interesting. Also, I loved Cemetery Boys, so I had to pick this one up!
Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs
An entire town has disappeared, and it’s up to werewolves Charles and Anna to uncover what happened. This is book six set in this universe and what a great universe it is.
Also, I know I said I wasn’t going to buy more than three books, but I was weak. It happens. I mean, 10 isn’t a lot, is it?
I read didly squat. Instead, I spent the entire month watching Bones on Amazon Prime.
I love that show. Even with all it’s terrible science and it’s cheesy everything. It always manages to bring a smile to my face.
The downside of spending an entire month trying to watch 12 seasons of a tv show is it doesn’t really leave time to read a whole lot of books. So I didn’t. I sacrificed book reading to the TV gods this month. Next month I plan to do better.
Well, what a month huh? It went by fast. Not real sure how that happened, but it did. I mean, one minute March was there, the next minute, it was April first!
Anyhoo…on to the wrap-up!
Everything I Read in February 2021: Well, that was a short list, wasn’t it?
Book Haul-February 2021: Speaking of short lists! I actually stuck to my book buying goals!
Every New Release I Want in March 2021: It might surprise you to learn this, but this is a list of the new releases that I want. Big shocker, I know.
We Got It!: This is the one where I exclaim our joy at the fact that the hubs and I got our vaccine!
Well, Here We Go Again: We’re going to Disney! Sorry, was that to loud? I’m just excited.
And there you have it. All the blog posts from the month of March! Huzzah!
Lauren Corcur 