4/5

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook with my family. Each story really brought the ocean animals to life. It was a lot like listening to a nature documentary. And I loved that each story also included scientific facts at the end. I thought each story was the perfect length for young kids to focus.

3/5

A post-apocalyptic story told from the perspective of someone who didn't realize he was witnessing the end of the world until it was too late.

It's a strange book. I had a tough time reading it.

4/5

This was such a fun series to read. I'm going to keep working my way through Kleypas's backlog starting with the Wallflowers since there's so much overlap with The Ravenels.

ebook: Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
audiobook: Devil in Disguise by Lisa Kleypas
print book: Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

4/5

Ada is back for a museum heist where she has multiple agendas, including a reunion with Rian. It was another fun read that left me guessing at what Ada's goals really were. I cannot wait to read the next novella to see where this story is going.

4/5

Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy have been summoned by Lady Catherine after three attempts on her life are made. They must solve the mystery before the murderer is successful.

I thought the addition of Lady Catherine as the potential victim who has many opinions on the subject of her own murder was a very fun twist. I was frustrated by Juliet and Jonathan's lack of communication about their feelings for one another.

4.5/5

A prince and his guard work to uncover a conspiracy involving a shipyard break in and counterfeit coins.

I really enjoyed it and want to read more of Rowland's books in this world, especially Running Close to the Wind.

ebook: The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Gray
audiobook: A Taste of Gold and Iron

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

4.5/5

When a top of the line robot valet inexplicably murders his owner, he begins a journey across a post-apocalyptic landscape to fulfill his purpose.

I thought this was such an interesting post-apocalyptic scenario as it's slowly revealed through the eyes of a robot how humanity reached this point. I thought the ending of the novel was particularly satisfying.

ebook: The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Gray
audiobook: Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

5/5

This book chronicles the rise and fall of the fictional band Daisy Jones and the Six through interview transcripts. This was such an interesting and fun read.

Managed an #ispybingo in June

4/5

Twyla is a middle aged mom, widow, and Tanrian Marshall. Now that Tanria is free of drudges, her job along with her partner and best friend Frank, is a lot less dangerous until they make the discovery of a lifetime.

I had a little trouble jumping back into the world of Tanria, but I really enjoyed Twyla's perspective as a middle aged mom who doesn't feel very appreciated by her family. I also loved the updates on Hart and Mercy.

#bookspin: Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
#doublebookspin: The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Gray

#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

Three bingos in June! It was a great reading month for me, but I imagine I'll do less in July since my maternity leave is ending.

#bookspin #doublebookspin #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

I loved both When Among Crows by Veronica Roth and Running Close to the Wind by Alexandra Rowland, so my bracket ended up coming down to those two.

#readingbracket2024 #bookbracket2024 @CSeydel

July #bookspin list

#doublebookspin #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

5/5

Avra stole the most heavily guarded secret in the world when he's unexpectedly reunited with his ex. Now they have to figure out how to make sense of this secret and not get killed for the knowledge they now possess.

I loved Avra. He's the worst, in the best possible way. It was my first introduction to this fantasy world, and I can't wait to read more. I honestly wish this book had been longer, I happily would have continued to read more of

ebook: The Undermining of Twyla and Frank by Megan Bannen
audiobook: Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

4/5

Theo and Kit broke up right before going on a European bus tour, but now with their vouchers for a free bus tour about to expire, they both unexpectedly end up on the same bus tour. It's told first from Theo's perspective then Kit's as they travel through France, Spain, and Italy discovering both food and all the ways they've changed over the past four years.

4.5/5

Sera and Galina are ready to take down the Empress and the rest of the ruling class after years first of being used as pawns in their mother's schemes and then on the run using political intrigue.

I really love fantasy inspired by revolutionary/imperial Russia. I thought the magic system where the ruling class gains magic by trapping gods within their bodies was really unique, and I really loved the romantic plot lines.

ebook: To Cage a God by Elizabeth May
audiobook: The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
nonfiction: The Fifth Trimester by Lauren Smith Brody

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

The god caged in Sera's body hater her.

#firstlinefridays @shybookowl

4/5

Between Beijing and Moscow, there is a wasteland full of rapidly mutating flora and fauna that is as strange as it is terrifying. And there is a train that is the only way to safely traverse the wasteland without becoming infected by it. The story follows Weiwei, Marya, and Henry as they uncover the secrets of the train and wasteland.

I thought it was a wonderful book about how we can both change and be changed by the world around us.

4.5/5

Pandora Ravenel never planned to get married, but after getting caught alone with Lord St. Vincent, she finds her future dramatically changed.

I love all the characters and historical detail in this series.

📖 ebook: Devil in Spring by Lisa Kleypas
📗 non-fiction: The Fifth Trimester by Lauren Smith Brody
🎧 audiobook: The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands by Sarah Brooks

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

4/5

Ten years ago, Jess Greene's mother ran off with the subject of a popular true crime podcast and left Jess to raise her little sister. Now, the host of the podcast, and her intern Adam have come into their lives to try to find Jess's mother and wrap up the story that began a decade ago.

I really enjoyed the true crime aspect of the book, as well as Jess's journey to better understanding herself as she reluctantly goes to find her mother.

I had some trouble deciding between Swordheart and Twelth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth, but it's hard to beat T. Kingfisher, especially when there are gnolls.

#readingbracket2024 #bookbracket2024 @CSeydel

5/5

Kathleen is widowed after only three days of marriage, and the new Lord Trenear, Devon, has every intention of selling the family home that she and her three sister-in-laws live as soon as possible. They find themselves constantly at odds with each other.

It took me way to long to start reading this series after hearing so many good things about it. I love the historical detail, the characters, and the romance so much.

5/5

Ala, Dymitr, and Nico are taken on a journey through Chicago's supernatural underworld together to seek Baba Jaga and defeat the curse that is killing Ala.

I loved the strong Polish folklore elements of the novel. I found the magic and world fascinating, and I really hope this becomes a series because I want to read more about Dymitr, Ala, and Nico as well as the different factions of this world.

#bookspin: Mistlefoe by Kimberly Lemming
#doublebookspin: The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clay born

#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

Two bingos in May.

#bookspin #doublebookspin #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

audiobook: When Among Crows by Veronica Roth
ebook: Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

4/5

This started off a little slow for me, and I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this pirate romance set on in a realm between realms and ruled by the Cŵn Annwn pirates, but I ended up loving where the story went. I can't wait to read the rest of the series and learn more about what's really going on in this realm.

June #bookspin list

#doubebookspin #bookspinbingo

4.5/5

When Jack “Duke“ Orsino tears his ACL, he's forced to sit out his senior year football season and instead starts playing the game Twelfth Knight. Viola also plays Twelfth Knight, but when she ends up playing with her school rival Duke, she pretends to be her brother Bast, so that Duke doesn't realize who he's really playing with.

I loved this twelfth night retelling.

4/5

Charlie's billionaire uncle has left him with an inheritance that turns out not to be a parking garage empire, but instead a villain operation complete with a volcanic island as the headquarters. Charlie's thrown into the deep end dealing with his new employees and the other villains of the world.

This was a super fun read. I especially loved the hyper-intelligent cats and dolphins.

4/5

After Katherine gets a concussion, she wakes up to learn that not only does she need to be monitored for 48 hours, but she forgot to remove her ex, Tom, as her emergency contact. Now she and Tom are on their way to celebrate Christmas in Chicago so Tom can propose to his new girlfriend.

Katherine was such an unlikable character, and yet I was quickly rooting for her and Tom to make it to Chicago and figure out their relationship.

4/5

After finding out her coworkers don't take her seriously and a crush on bartender Sadie that's going nowhere, Max is ready for some big changes. When her roommate offers Max the chance to try out a self improvement app, that seems like a perfect opportunity.

I loved the journey Max went on figuring out how to get what she wanted out of her life, and I loved that part of the romance with Sadie was about exploring Los Angeles together.

4.5/5

I love Kingfisher's fantasy world, and this was such a fun read within it. I loved the characters, and would love to read more books about the other two servants of the sword.

ebook: At Her Service by Amy Spalding
audiobook: Swordheart by T. Kingfisher

@rachelsbrittain #weekendreads

4/5

When Madeline invents a fiancé in Captain Logan Mackenzie to get out of social engagements, she certainly doesn't expect him to appear on her doorstep 10 years later demanding that she marry him.

This was a very fun, marriage of convenience romance.

4/5

Lillian and Blue both have their own reasons for entering their groups into a dance competition, but the connection they feel for each other is only going to make things complicated.

I thought the competition aspect of the book was fun, but it was mostly just a backdrop to relationship that slowly grows from just physical to something more between Lillian and Blue, as well as their complicated relationships with their respective mothers.

4/5

Jeff Babauta goes undercover into a ring of alligator poachers. His fascinating story is about nature and humanity and what it takes to truly protect the environment. It was an interesting look into the world of alligator farming and poaching.

I thought the audiobook really brought the story to life.

e-book: Second Night Stand by Karelia Stetz-Waters and Fay Stetz-Waters
audiobook: Gator Country by Rebecca Renner

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

4/5

This fascinating books traces the history of the word OK from it's invention to how it become a common and essential part of everyday communication.

#bookspin: Second Night Stand by Karelia Stetz-Waters and Fay Stetz-Waters
#doublebookspin: At Her Service by Amy Spalding

#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

My strategy of focusing on novellas and audiobooks paid off because I had a great reading month, despite welcoming the newest member of my family in April and all the sleep deprivation that comes with it.

#bookspin #doublebookspin #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

Got close, but didn't quite manage an #ispybingo this month.

My best read of April was also my first read of April.

readingbracket2024 #bookbracket2024 @CSeydel