This dreamy historical fantasy novel features a Puerta Rican metalworking musician who begins working with a sideshow menagerie after helping capture a siren for their new show. Bennie soon regrets the part he played in the siren's capture and vows to help free him. Falling for the siren wasn't part of the plan. Gorgeous and drenched in historical events and atmosphere. I love all the thought and research Vida Kelley put into this.

Get ready for summer with BR's list of the best beach reads of all time!

https://bookriot.com/best-beach-reads

A mountain lion living under the Hollywood Sign observes the strange lives of humans around him. This was a quick and quirky read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Physical book: Open Throat by Henry Hoke
Audiobook: Proto by Laura Spinney
E-book: Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson

#WeekendReads

I loved this thriller romance from the author of The Girls I've Been. PI Mel has a lead on the girl who ran out of her life six years ago, but when she finds her hiding in the Canadian wilderness, it's clear she's on the run from something big. Claire never expected to see Mel again, but when the private plane they're flying home in crashes, the truth about what sent her running all those years ago finally comes out. I couldn't put this one down.

So obsessed with this audiobook already! It feels very much like a grown up version of The Girls I've Been. I just love Tess Sharpe's thriller romances.

This was an adorable foodie NA / YA romance about a food blogger in Saigon and the college freshman studying abroad to try to reconnect with her culture and family. Sweet and full of mouthwatering descriptions of food.

A lot of what I write for Book Riot is fun list posts. Not so much today. Check it out:

https://bookriot.com/a-banned-1920s-book-and-a-nazi-era-filmmaker/

Afternoon reading and bubble tea break

Check out some fun new meet-cute romances over on Book Riot:

https://bookriot.com/new-meet-cute-romances/

A woman who lives her whirlwind of a life by luck and a by-the-book man who left med school to take over his grandfather's donut shop fake a relationship for PR, but soon their feelings become more than show. This was cute. Sybil's difficulties with undiagnosed neurodiversity were super relatable.

A cute YA romance about a trans teen starting at an elite boarding school, only to discover that instead of the single room he paid for he's rooming with the boy who broke his heart a few years earlier. I really appreciated the explorarion of how intense academic environments and pressure (internal or external) to perform very highly can be really hard on teens. The book is just as cute as the cover.

Two romance audiobook holds just came in at the same time 😂

I've got three very different books queued up for this weekend. What are you all reading? #WeekendReads

#WeekendReads

I had two five star reads in April so I decided to use one of my wild cards #BookBracket2025 @CSeydel

What were the best books you read in April?

Urban fantasy meets supernatural romance in this series that started in 2010. It feels a bit like Twilight for grown ups, repressive gender norms & all. (Actually worse with the gender norms. According to the mc "women's liberation" still hasn't gotten to the werewolves. Yoiks.) Despite that I find myself hooked? It's a compelling story, and I want to see where it goes. Basically a coyote shifter among werewolves and lots of supernatural intrigue.

A dark & gothic retelling of Sweeney Todd. It's macabre in the extreme--only right for the story of a woman who infamously baked people into pies. There were twists and turns galore, and I loved how elements of the story were reimagined. I really appreciated that Lovett was allowed to be sympathetic without defanging her. It's a great read, whether you're a fan of horror, historical fiction, or Sweeney Todd.

TWs for so so much in comments.

This cozy fantasy romance follows a plant witch trying to repay her parents' debts and save her town and the heir to the very family threatening her future who runs away to work at her greenhouse. Just pure sweetness. I loved the nonbinary representation and the explorations of different kinds of magic.

After losing her job during the Great Recession of 2008, a middle aged Dominican woman interviews with a job assistance program, talking more about her life than her work experience. I loved the piecemeal form of this book, combining interviews and job applications to great effect. I also loved how the unpaid labor women so often take on was valued as much as paid work.

Controversial take: books set in the early 2000s could be considered historical fiction. Read this article over on Book Riot to see why.

https://bookriot.com/get-a-blast-from-the-recent-past-with-2000s-historical-fict...

This is not your typical science fiction novel. I've seen it described as a "love letter to Earth," and I'd say that's very apt. I kept wondering when the story was going to "start" at first until I realized...this is the story. It's a rumination on Earth and space and humanity from the viewport of a space station. It's slow and maybe sometimes lingers too long on which exact locations the orbit is viewing from space, but lovely overall.

Hoping to make some progress on this one and Orbital during my flight today.

I'm dying over the idea of "national toliets" ?

I've got another travel day so hoping to make some good progress on some of these books #WeekendReads

Early morning flight ready

An aimless woman joins on as a PA for a haunted house TV renovation show that her cousin hosts, helping fabricate supernatural moments behind the scenes. After making a new friend on set, though, she learns not all the hauntings are entirely fake. This was a quick, fun read.

Drama, drama, drama. Imagine Daisy Jones and the Six mixed with the ice skating (or ice dance in this case) intrigue of Tonya Harding. If you enjoy reading about messy interpersonal relationships (both romantic and friendship) and cutthroat athletic competitions, this one is for you. Framed as a documentary transcript, the story of Kat Shaw and Heath Rocha takes you from their Midwest roots all the way to the Olympics.

New library books

How cute is this book return at my library?

A spectacular follow-up to When Among Crows. Dymitr returns to Poland with Ala, hoping to hide his feelings and true nature from his Knight family, but when he realizes Niko is in his hometown too--and there to hunt--that all goes out the window. Roth captures Dymitr's conflicted feelings wonderfully and seems to be setting up the potential for many many more books which I for one am thrilled about.

Suzanne Collins knocks it out of the park once again! It's the second quarter quell and Haymitch's infamous Hunger Games with twice the number of children reaped. It was fascinating to see how the experiences in his teens made Haymitch the man he was when Katniss met him. I also loved the focus on propoganda and questioning why people don't fight back against oppression. Timely.

Mostly been listening to the new Hunger Games prequel this weekend but I might start The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet #WeekendReads

One of my oldest and best childhood friends is on Litsy now! @TorryK has gotten really into romantasy lately. Go give her a follow and a big litsy welcome and enjoy this picture of us as actual babies (8 year olds) doing Destination Imagination together. @LitsyWelcomeWagon

I read a lot of great books in March but Katabasis came out on top #ReadingBracket2025 #BookaBracket2025 @CSeydel

This nonfiction book about women working in propoganda during WWII focuses on the work of 4 remarkable women, including a journalist, an immigrant, and famous German actress Marlene Dietrich. They did remarkable work at home and overseas, often going up against sexism within their own ranks, to help bring an end to the war. A fascinating read.

I didn't get to all the books I wanted to read for the #TransRightsReadathon but I've got a few more I hope to read / finish in April.

A young trans man in Victorian England with violet eyes is sent to an institution for girls with "veil sickness" when he's caught trying to commune with spirits. The institution and being forced to live as the girl he is not would be bad enough, but something even more sinister is going on here--and Silas is determined to find out what. A dark and heartbreaking read, mostly because despite the supernatural elements so much of it is based in truth.

All nonfiction all the time this weekend #WeekendReads

Had a little time at the coffee shop today to start this biography of Marsha P. Johnson

A woman who's never learned to say what she wants goes on what was supposed to be her suprise honeymoon with her best friend. When Ginny tells her Elsie can have whatever she wants as long as she asks for it, Elsie realizes that what she wants is... them. But can several perfect, sex-filled days of vacation lead to a lasting relationship in the real world? The third act relationship drama was WAY overblown imo but I really enjoyed the rest of it.

Finished My Best Friend's Honeymoon this afternoon and started The Spirit Bares Its Teeth. I adored Andrew Joseph White's dystopian religious supernatural horror novel so I'm hoping this one will be just as good. Then I've got a historical fiction book queued up to start after that. #TransRightsReadathon

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to get to all the books I wanted to read during the #TransRightsReadathon but dang if I'm not going to try

Lord Eden needs a wife and a new valet. The problem is, he doesn't want either. But James Harding isn't the valet he was expecting. Sure, he's uptight and handsome and determined to dress Christopher--something he absolutely will not allow--but he's also surprisingly tolerable. The secrets both men are hiding could ruin everything--or lead to something wonderful. A lovely historical trans romance. If you enjoyed A Lady for a Duke, this is for you.

Reading with my new foster kittens 😻

I'm finishing up Propoganda Girls on audio this weekend and reading A Gentleman's Gentleman and My Best Friend's Honeymoon for the #TransRightsReadathon

#WeekendReads

Library haul

I think the tagline pretty much says it all:
https://bookriot.com/banned-historical-fiction-books/

R. F. Kuang's done it again! She sure does know how to craft an unputdownable book. I will say, this is very much a book for and of writers and academia. I think lots of other people will like it regardless, but it's set in academia and clearly heavily influenced by Kuang's experiences with it. But a trip to hell to save your abusive advisor? Now come on, that's a premise! TWs hidden in a comment below.

I'm already loving Katabasis and hoping to start this other two this weekend as well #WeekendReads