I did end up DNFing the anthology I was reading.
What I'm Reading Right Now: I'm almost done Stinger by Robert McCammon, one of a few McCammon books that came available on KU, and it's fun delving into a bit of the pulpy fiction of the '80s.
What I'm Planning on Reading Next: Next up for sure will be Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff. Looking forward to it.
118. Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell
A used bookseller in a small Scottish town decided to journal his day for a year, and this is the result. A very interesting and often amusing look at his life, including the sometimes irritating and occasionally heartwarming interactions with the customers. However, if I had a staff member like NIcky who regularly lost me sales due to her eccentricities, she would not be a staff member for long despite any of her other positive qualities.
I learned some very interesting things though, like the fact that railway books and books on trains are the biggest used bookstore sellers. Who knew?
Dates Read: October 09 to 10, 2024
Page Count: 312
5 out of 5 stars
+ Lost Challenge BINGO - B4 (18/25)
+ Challenge Factory Save The Bees 6A - character waits to do something
119. Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher
I understand why I’ve been on hold forEVER at the library for this book. Because it’s super fun.
I’m glad I gave up waiting and just bought it!
When the third daughter of a royal family, consigned to a nunnery (though not a nun), discovers that her sister is being brutalized by her husband, whom she had to marry to ally their lands, she determines to free her even if it means killing her husband.
I love books with strong heroines, especially ones like Marra, who know they have to do the heroic thing but don’t quite know how, and are still dealing with their own insecurities. She manages to assemble a fantastic cast of characters, including a disgraced warrior, a dog made of bones (LOVE), and two more powerful women, one of whom really comes into her strength throughout the story. There’s a nice mix of humour and fantasy, a visit to a goblin market, and a growing love between the crew as they work together to defeat the evil king. What’s not to love?
Dates Read: October 10 to 11, 2024
Page Count: 262
5 out of 5 stars
+ Lost Challenges Bingo - B11 (19/25)
120. Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander
A traumatized woman takes refuge in her home, having panic attacks whenever she tries to leave.
This was certainly a page-turner. Meredith works from home and fills her days with baking, a self-help group, and jigsaws. She’s coping as best she can, and making the most of her days. But with the help of some new friends she slowly begins to test her boundaries in an attempt to get her full life back.
I thought the pace really worked here and helped the reader grow to like and understand Meredith. There was nothing surprising about her past trauma when it’s revealed, but the use of flashbacks throughout was effective. My only criticism would be that her friends group was simply TOO good. Everyone said and did the right thing, and in reality people are messy and awkward and put their foot in their mouth more often than not. Some variety would have been nice.
Date Read: October 12, 2024
Page Count: 320
4 out of 5 stars
+ Challenge Factory Save The Bees 6B - author initials in CAVITY
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