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Library of Dead

Jul 15, 2021

Library of Dead

An absolute delightful first book in a planned series, THE LIBRARY OF THE DEAD by T.L. Huchu is a perfect, creepy summer read.

The protagonist, Ropa, is a 14 year old teenager living in a dystopian Edinburgh. She can talk to dead people and will communicate the messages to the living, for a fee of course. A particular ghost asks her to look for her missing son, and eventually Ropa decides to take up the mission. Danger ensues, chaos reigns and the city starts to spill a few more secrets.

Ropa is an amazing character and I loved following her around in the city on her different jobs. I also really liked the world building in this one. It happens slowly and you pick up tiny snippets of what happened in the past. Clearly there was a kind of disaster that shaped Ropa’s world, but we don’t know yet what happened, just that something catastrophic certainly did. We also have barely scratched the surface of what the Library of the Dead even is, but I’m sure these mysteries will unfold in the next books. I’m excited because I also loved her friends and family and can’t wait to get to know them better. The groundwork here has been laid for a fantastic series, and I will definitely check out book 2.

If you’re into science fiction/fantasy books that feature ghosts and magic, with a funny and loving main character and an A plus supporting cast you will probably enjoy this one.

[ID: The book The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu resting on a library shelf with many books.]

#TheLibraryoftheDead #TLHuchu #ScienceFiction #Fantasy #SFF #BookSeries

amari and the night brothers by b.b. alston

Amari and The Night Brothers by B.B Alston

May 30, 2021

Amari and The Night Brothers

B.B Alston

I was feeling pretty unmotivated to read this month. So when I cracked open Amari and the Night Brothers it was the perfect time. A comfortable, fast paced read filled with magic and mystery, Amari must navigate several trials in order to become a Junior Agent at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. It’s the only way she can find out what happened to her brother, Quinton, who disappeared.

Readers of all ages will enjoy this wild ride, especially those who have a particular love for science fiction and fantasy. As a teacher I loved this because it was so readable and I thought of my readers that sometimes have difficulty reading being able to pick this one up and get sucked in. I know some other series featuring magic can sometimes feel too complicated and the language hard to follow. It can be discouraging. I can’t wait to put this book into my class library (now I apologize to my current class because they’ve been waiting for me to finish, hehe, don’t worry y’all I’ll get a few more copies).

If you know a young reader in your life definitely get this for them, if you’re looking to rediscover some magic from your childhood, I hope you pick this up too. It deserves all the attention. Also can we talk about this cover? Because holy moly it is beautiful.

[ID: The book AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS resting on a cream colored blanket]

#MiddleGradeLit #ITeachFourth #AmariandtheNightBrothers #WeLoveMGLit #bookstagram #teachergram #fantasybooks

amari and the night brothers by b.b. alston

DNF’ed Books

May 6, 2021

DNF’ed Books

CW: Anti-fat bias, fatphobia

I recently DNF’ed these two books for VERY different reasons.

Infinite country is beautifully written. Because of the short chapters I flew through half the book in one night. But I just haven’t had the energy to pick it up again. I think going back to hybrid so late in the year has fried my brain even further than I thought it could go. I’ll probably come back to it, but maybe I won’t. I just know right now given the subject matter I need to give this my all but I just don’t have the mental capacity. In other words INFINITE COUNTRY, it’s not you, it’s me.

But on the other hand I had to DNF THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA because of the anti-fat comments literally everywhere. I want to acknowledge it is because of @bookishbluebird I was able to catch it in the first place and I am so grateful to her. I tried to keep going thinking maybe it’ll stop but every time the MC mentions his intensely restrictive diet “or the tire around his middle” and how it makes it difficult for him to get around, it took me out of the story. It’s a pretty constant stream of tiny comments here and there. The last straw was when the kids were in the middle of the forest and talking about cannibals. One of the kids makes an offhand remark how they’re glad the MC is there because surely he’ll get eaten first because of his size. Cue eye roll and me slamming the book shut in frustration. It served no purpose to the characters development or plot and definitely contributes to anti-fat bias that is so pervasive in our culture. Listen. Before I probably would not have noticed it, but now that I know better I have to do better. This book was a huge disappointment. And honestly a lesson for me. I should’ve stopped it way earlier and I should’ve just listened to Hayle to begin with. Shoutout to the other bookstagrammers that helped me out with this one too. Also want to acknowledge I’m not trying to call anyone out but if this is on your TBR I hope you reflect, my DMs are open. and if it’s one you loved. We’ve all been there.

What book have you recently DNF’ed? Why did you choose not to continue? #bookstagram #libraryglaredontcare

dnf-ed books

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin

Feb 15, 2021

The City We Became

N.K. Jemisin

Anyone else reading a ton but finding it hard to write a reflection? My brain feels like soup. It’s like I can feel things starting to form but I can’t quite grab the words I want to say. I’m probably overthinking it, but no matter! Alas. A reflection!

The City We Became is NK Jemisin’s love letter to New York. And it shines through. Although this book didn’t quite grab me, I still think NK Jemisin’s creativity in speculative fiction is unmatched and she is one of the very best out there right now. I’ve read a lot of her work and nothing is the same and they are all so good. You get lost in her worlds. I did appreciate this story very much because it was just straight up entertaining. I found myself chuckling at NK Jemisin’s sharp commentary on the ills of white supremacy and gentrification. I also loved reading a science fiction, fantasy book about a city. Reading it really felt like being in the city too, it was loud, messy, beautiful, and weird. But there were times I felt like the story got bogged down, as @becksisreading said sometimes it felt like there was too much telling. But then I read @librosconleet and @ellehaunter thoughts and they said the audiobook was absolutely fantastic, making me think that perhaps that is the superior format to engage with this story. I’ll probably give it a listen at some point to compare.

Although this isn’t my favorite NK Jemisin I still think this was a fun ride, especially if you live or have lived in New York. It definitely made me want to visit and discover more about each of the boroughs. In our buddy read we also discussed which city book 2 could be about or if she will continue with New York. With Jemisin who knows? I just know I’ll read it no matter what.

#TheCityWeBecame #Bookstagram #NKJemisin #AlwaysReading #ReadWomeninSFF #ScienceFiction #Fantasy #AlwaysReading #SFF

The city we became by N.K. Jemisin

Legendborn

Jan 10, 2021

Legendborn

Tracy Deonn

“From buried lives to beaten ones. From blood stolen to blood hidden. I map this terrain’s sins, the invisible, and the many, and hold them close. Because even if the pain of those sins takes my breath away, the pain feels like belonging. And ignoring it, after all I’ve just witnessed, would be loss.”

It’s not at all surprising to me that this book made its way back to the bestsellers list five weeks after its debut. It is good. Very good. It was a really refreshing YA fantasy in a genre that can sometimes feel a bit repetitive. Tracy Deonn’s twist on the Arthurian legend had my jaw to the floor when it reaches the conclusion. But this book is about so much more than the Knights of the Round Table. It’s also about grieving a parent gone too soon and inter generational trauma. Although I had trouble getting settled, once I let the plot wash over me and stopped worrying about the details of the different lineages I was firmly buckled in and along for the ride. I also felt the love story was a bit fast, but again I’m probably forgetting what it’s like to be 16 so that’s probably my fault (but team Selwyn, IYKYK). Bree is a welcome hero in these times and I’m excited for book two.

Thanks @ibingebooks and @nerdtasticnoms for pushing me to read this gem. I’ll post their reviews and more in my stories.

#BIPOCbookstagram #bookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #ReadBlackAuthors #ReadBlackWomen #YAFantasy #BestBooksof2020 #alwaysreading

tracy deonn's Legendborn book

Bookish Gifts and Exchanges

Dec 28, 2020

Bookish Gifts and Exchanges

Some bookish gifts and exchanges thanks to my spouse and bookish cuz. I have so many reflections to post but zero motivation. Not because of anything bad, break has been quite lovely and low stress. I hope you all are having the same experience. See any here you’ve read already? Let me know your thoughts!
(And why yes that is a novel written by Nicky Drayden about my favorite video game, Overwatch)

#bookstagram #booklover #ilovebooks #bookexchange #alwaysreading #losangelesreaders #readersofinstagram

books on white bedsheet