Contemporary, Fiction

The Ex-Debutante by Linda Francis Lee

This was one of the first "adult" fiction books I read after graduating high school and deciding I needed to branch out from the young adult section. And while I’m a northern at heart, when presented with the opportunity to read about southern debutantes, I usually do so in order to mock them later. But… Continue reading The Ex-Debutante by Linda Francis Lee

Fantasy, Fiction, Historical, Young Adult

Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, Clockwork Princess While an undergrad at Pitt, I was book browsing before seeing a movie with a friend, I saw Clockwork Angel sitting on the shelf at the Waterfront Barnes & Noble. Not knowing anything about the vast popularity of the Mortal Instruments series, I picked it up as I was… Continue reading Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare

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

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Seraphina #1 There aren't many books that I can say I jumped on when they were first released in hardcover, but I'm very proud to own a first edition of Seraphina. It is one of my favorite books (I know, I say that a lot), but this one I love specifically to recommend to people. Seraphina,… Continue reading Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Book Club, Classics, Fiction, Mystery

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

Hercule Poirot #10 Just like A Study in Scarlet, Murder on the Orient Express was one of the Modern Readers' Magical Mystery Tour books from last summer. Every since I saw The Mousetrap, one of Agatha Christie's plays, and watched the Doctor Who episode that includes Agatha as part of the storyline, I've wanted to read one of her famed… Continue reading Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

Fantasy, Fiction

The Magicians trilogy by Lev Grossman

The Magicians, The Magician King, The Magician's Land Happy Halloween! Since I don't read a lot of horror, I figured a fantasy series was the next best pick for Halloween. The Magicians Synopsis Intellectually precocious high school senior Quentin Coldwater escapes the boredom of his daily life by reading and rereading a series of beloved… Continue reading The Magicians trilogy by Lev Grossman

Fantasy, Fiction, Historical, Young Adult

Gemma Doyle trilogy by Libba Bray

A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, The Sweet Far Thing I first read A Great and Terrible Beauty shortly after it was first released many moons ago... in 2003 when I was a freshman in high school. I loved it from the very beginning - it was one of the first young adult fantasy books that… Continue reading Gemma Doyle trilogy by Libba Bray

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

Fantasy, Fiction, Historical, Young Adult

The Falconer by Elizabeth May

The Falconer #1 The Falconer came into the bookstore one day with a blurb from Sarah J. Maas on the cover and it was a pretty quick decision about whether or not I would be taking it home to read it. Synopsis She's a stunner. Edinburgh, 1844. Eighteen-year-old Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the… Continue reading The Falconer by Elizabeth May

Book Club, Contemporary, Fiction, New Adult

The Royal We by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan

Royal We #1 Yesterday a book came into the bookstore that I could not believe my coworkers did not show me immediately - a new biography of Prince Harry! I freaked out so much my boss just gave it to me... I should probably tone down my royalist tendencies. But it reminded me of another… Continue reading The Royal We by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan