Yes!! The next story of Vasya lives up to, if not surpasses, its predecessor, and is perfect for fans of #Uprooted, #Deathless, or #Wintersong. Love the lyrical prose, the atmosphere... Full review- https://springtimelibrarian.wordpress.com/2017/11/30/review-the-girl-in-the-towe...

Easily one of the best #fantasy books this year. Loved Nahri, loved the use of myth, and eagerly awaiting more! There's good reason it's showing up on many "Best Of" lists. Fulliew: https://springtimelibrarian.wordpress.com/2017/11/12/review-city-of-brass/

A highly-anticipated new book that didn‘t quite live up to the hype, but still a quick SF romp. Maybe it‘s my love of The Moon is a Harsh Mistress casting a shadow, but many of the dynamics of the colony‘s workings seem a little underdeveloped or glossed over.
Full review-https://springtimelibrarian.wordpress.com/2017/10/30/artemis/

New #audiobook for the commute.

Teens + alien invasion + survival skills = awesome new YA SF.

While similarities to other SF/Survival YA fiction can be drawn, Zero Repeat Forever at least stands out for its unique vision of the aliens and for its very messy, very realistic character relationships.

Full review - springtimelibrarian.wordpress.com/2017/11/01/zero-repeat-forever/

Re-listening to Ready Player One on my commute (and while doing laundry, on my lunch break, etc) makes me happy.

Started off a little promising, but quickly turned lackluster. I'm sure some people will love it, but I'm not one of them. Full review - https://springtimelibrarian.wordpress.com/2017/10/30/the-glass-spare/

A little slow to start, this #steampunk novel is as finely crafted as the mechanical beings at its heart. Find my full review - https://springtimelibrarian.wordpress.com/2017/11/03/the-clockwork-dynasty/

Only a quarter in, and so far not too bad.

Teens in a competition hosted by a mysterious corporation set on a spaceship...Scott Reintgen took the best elements of adventure SF and made an excellent first book of a promising new series. See my full review- bit.ly/2fxunji

Humanity breathes through Cargill's robots in this Mad Max-esque post-apocalyptic -and post-human - novel. See my full review- bit.ly/2xDJXzR

This new YA SF is hard to put down!

Finally gave up on this one. I don't know why, but I just couldn't get into it. Not awful, but not engaging for me.

Trying to find more time to read, especially with an #arc that I'm enjoying so much!

A retelling of Othello at a 1970s DC suburbs elementary school, a suspension of belief is required when reading this Shakespearean tragedy placed on a 6th grade playground. Told in five parts over the course of one day, the 6th grade drama is too unrealistic to take literally and instead has to be accepted with a similar belief suspension as seeing the original play onstage, but ultimately it is lacks the same magic of performance.

A new, longer commute to work means #audiobooks! Trying out the #Libby app from #Overdrive. Loving this #Othello #retelling

The best way I can describe this books is it's more - more violence and revenge, more explicit sex, and more figures from mythology and fairy tales being woven in. Some of the visceral, violent descriptions are close to being overused - baring teeth, snarling, rude gestures - but by the third book, it becomes more of an investment in these characters, to see what ultimately happens, that any irksome aspects of the writing are easy to overlook.

Getting ready to move has me thinking about my book collection. What sparks joy? How do I organize my books? What do I keep or give away?

That feeing when you read great science fiction - unsettled but still feeling the gears grinding.

My #MusicalTitle pick for #MayBookFlowers is the lyrical, magical Wintersong. Music is at the heart of this fantasy about the talented Liesel who gets ensnared by the seemingly wicked Goblin King.

What am I reading? Oh, just the conclusion to this trilogy. Rare is the series, especially YA series, that I actually finish all the way.

Ready for the weekend so i can continue re-reading the series and start on #ACourtOfWingsAndRuin

Sometimes a little unnerving and uncomfortable, but in the way that great science fiction challenges you. #MayBookFlowers #InAGalaxyFarFarAway
@RealLifeReading

Digging all the art and the attention to detail in the backgrounds

A more literary bend on the post-apocalyptic/survival novel, this novel focuses on Jamie, who, with a group of survivors, journeys from outer colonized planets back to Earth. Through this journey, Jamie has to finally face her own personal shortcomings; she misplaces anger and blame to those around her to avoid her own grief and struggle. This is an end-of-the-world book that‘s not about the end of the world, but rather about how to continue on.

Heartless is a captivating origin story for the Queen of Hearts, telling the story of Catherine who dreams of opening a bakery rather than marrying the King of Hearts. When a new court joker appears, Cath‘s world is turned topsy-turvy. With seamless oscillation between brilliant humor and tragedy, Heartless is a standout among fairytale retellings. Clever wordplay, attention to detail, and well-paced action make this a very enjoyable read.

Nearly done. Maybe not what I expected, but a lot of little gems like these #quotes.

A rather awkward and weakly-structured fantasy novel, it follows Elanna, a rebellious noble‘s daughter that is raised a hostage who returns home to be the figurehead of a revolution. Awkward expository paragraphs and weak descriptions make the plot difficult to follow. A challenging book to finish.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Had the pleasure of hosting Emily B. Martin for the launch of Ashes to Fire - now I'm ready to start reading! Fantastic to hear her speak!

An approachable and immensely readable story, with a surprise end, Woodwalker is a great fantasy adventure and start to the Creatures of Light series. Particularly notable is the author's feminism-Mae and Mona are strong female characters that stand out not for the fact they're female but for their skills and personalities.

Written in Tyson‘s very conversational tone, reading this slim book is much like watching Cosmos. This book takes much of the more complex and even unexplainable aspects of our universe and makes them more understandable and easy to digest.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Trying -and struggling- to get into this #arc

I appreciate that the title is "For People in a Hurry" instead of "For People Who Don't Understand," even though it is very good for people, like me, who don't really understand ?

Reading and pie, yummm.....Overdrive's Big Library Read started yesterday. See if your local library uses Overdrive and get started!

#libraries
#BigLibraryRead #blr
#Overdrive
#librarians

At its core, it is about storytelling. Kvothe has retired into obscurity, and now tells his story to the Chronicler. Set in a Renaissance-like era, this first book establishes the world, its history, its system of magic, and Kvothe. As brilliant and unique Kvothe is, he still struggles through extreme tragedy, poverty, and his own foolishness. Not a light read, The Name of the Wind is an investment into Kvothe‘s world and Rothfuss‘s storytelling.

An enticing beginning to a fantasy series, A Court of Thorns and Roses is a literal faerie tale with elements of a Beauty and the Beast retelling. I lived that the central romance shies away from kitchy tropes, and the world building is excellent. Definitely a series to continue.

Told with very little dialogue and constantly shifting points of view, this family drama explores issues of race and normative gender roles. It also explores the ways in which parents shape the lives of their children, for better or worse. While characters‘ motivations are often simplified to one defining quality, this is nevertheless a compelling social drama and a close look into the myth of the “all-American” family.

Ted Chiang‘s collection of short stories is some of the best new short science fiction available today. The eight stories in this anthology range widely in theme, narrative style, and setting, but all reexamine the world and technology around us. All the short stories exemplify what great science fiction does; though they can be devoured in one sitting, the ideas will stay with you long after you close the cover.

I've got a long way to go with this one.

Elinor's adventures on the Athena and her relationship with captain amd crew drive this novel's action while simultaneously building the alternate history world of Regency England. Much of this novel is well-paced, though the climax and conclusion come in quick succession and leave little time for satisfaction. A fun read, but I look forward more to the companion novels in the series.

Wry, coversational, and endearing, I loved reading this book. Told from Dylan's point of view, I was rooting and hoping for his friendship and relationship with Jamie from the start. Spangler's writing and storytelling kept me reading late. It was a joy and a treat to read this novel.

At times this book had an unclear timeline and seemed to halt and sputter before probing deeper into the central conflicts. While the fairy tale that Vasya seems to be living -a magical pendant, close ties with a fantasy world- is compelling and enjoyable, the novel at times seems like it tries to do more, but falls a little short. It doesn't stop it from being an enjoyable read; it just keeps it from being something more.

Brief, but visceral and unnerving. Thr Vegetarian is a look into one woman's unraveling through the eyes of her husband, her brother-in-law, and her sister. Worth its accolades, Han Kang is an author to be reckoned with.

Valente reinterprets Russian/Slavic folktales by placing them side by side with the horror, poverty, and suffering of the Russian Revolution, making Deathless an eerily magical historical fantasy - a beautiful blend of 20th century Russian history and Slavic folklore and an exploration of love, life, power, and immortality.

Read this after Death With Interruptions and was not disappointed. A bit more levity and humor, its an inventive, thought-provoking retelling of the story of Cain.

This is a sumptuous adventure for YA and Fantasy fans-delicate touches of magic, lush descriptions, reality-questioning twists, and a protagonist to cheer for.

Fun, quirky, and fast-paced, I enjoyed this quick dive into the steampunk-fantasy hybrid world that Gail Carriger has built, though I doubt I will continue with the series.

Ready to get into this newest James Gleick. It definitely has a promising start.

Instead of Christmas shopping, all I want to do is finish Caraval.

Just finished this arc-thanks Negalley! Im not really a fan of switching narrators each chapter. The novel's political machinations and intrigue really seem to be its strongest points.