Fiction, Historical, Young Adult

The Montmaray Journals by Michelle Cooper

A Brief History of Montmaray, The FitzOsbornes in Exile, The FitzOsbornes at War My sister told me I absolutely had to read these books, and while being told to read something is not usually a good incentive, this time I am so happy that she introduced me to these books. These are three of my… Continue reading The Montmaray Journals by Michelle Cooper

Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone #1 / Grishaverse #1 I just realized I'm reviewing the Leigh Bardugo books I've read in the opposite order in which I read them! It you have any interest in reading any of the books in her Grisha-verse, I recommend starting with this one and reading them in the order they were… Continue reading Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Biography, Nonfiction

Kick Kennedy by Barbara Leaming

The Charmed Life and Tragic Death of the Favorite Kennedy Daughter Ever since I was introduced to Kick Kennedy as a character in theย Montmaray Journalsย (review to come!), I have been fascinated by her life and her experiences as an American in England during the Second World War. When the ARC for this biography arrived at… Continue reading Kick Kennedy by Barbara Leaming

Book Club, Graphic Novel, Memoir/Autobiography, Nonfiction

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Persepolis had been on my TBR list for a very long time, probably since I first saw the trailer for the film adaptation (which I still haven't seen) at an art theater in the town I grew up in. When Emma Watson, one of my personal heroes, decided to make it a selection for her Goodreads'… Continue reading Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Book Club, Fiction, Historical, Young Adult

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Salt to the Sea first came into my hands as an ARC (advanced reader copy) shortly after I was introduced to Ruta Sepetys' writing when I picked up a copy of Between Shades of Gray at a not-so-little hidden gem of a used book store in center city Philadelphia. When I met Ruta at Winter Institute in 2016,… Continue reading Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Book Club, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror

The Vorrh by Brian Catling

Vorrh #1 Today my husband and I are celebrating the 7th anniversary of our first date so I figured I would review one of his favorite books, that I also read for our book club, The Modern Readers.  This is the original graphic used to promote the book club. Synopsis Outside the colonial town of… Continue reading The Vorrh by Brian Catling

Fiction, Historical, Young Adult

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Verity #1 Over the past few years I have read my fair share of novels set during World War II including my absolute favorite Montmaray Journals, the splendid Salt to the Sea, and the โ€œpull-on-your-heartstringsโ€ Letters to the Lost. So when Sarah told me that if I read Code Name Verity it would break my… Continue reading Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult

Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Days of Blood & Starlight, Dreams of Gods & Monsters When I first saw the cover of Daughter of Smoke and Bone, I fell head over heels โ€“ love at first sight. Blue hair, dynamic fonts, intriguing synopsis, Prague as a setting, fantasy world. I was just coming off the… Continue reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy by Laini Taylor

Fiction, Historical

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

I enjoy a well written WWII narrative as much as the next person - there's a reason there is a whole sub-genre of historical fiction dedicated to the time period - 70+ years later it still holds the world's attention, particular in the current world climate that seems to threaten WWIII. I picked up The Nightingale not… Continue reading The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Contemporary, Fiction, New Adult

Royally Matched by Emma Chase

Royally #2 I'm a hopeless royalist, so when the sequel to Royally Screwed was announced, and that the main female lead would be named Sarah and the prince, Henry (FYI, did you know Prince Harry's real name is Henry?), my seventeen year old self emerged after a decade to jump up and down excitedly. Synopsis Some men… Continue reading Royally Matched by Emma Chase