Monthly Archives: August 2018

Library Loot!

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I had a few unexpected books come in this week; I neglected to freeze the holds when I put them in the system, because I was third or fourth in line, so I didn’t expect to get them anytime soon, and surprise! Oops. I need to get busy reading! Which is unfortunate, because at the same time, Tiger Torre Art is gearing up for Ren Faire, so I’m spending more time helping there, AND World of Warcraft is doing pre-expansion things before Battle For Azeroth releases August 13th, so I’m spending more time there! Ack! The five books that came in this week are How to Find Love in a Bookshop, Mislaid, Eloquent Rage, Snow Like Ashes, and our endless numbered days. I’m actually pretty excited about all five of these.

 

Top Ten Tuesday – Mashups!

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Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, and this week’s topic is an interesting one. Top ten mashups I’d make out of two novels.

  1. A Wrinkle in Time + Voyage of the Dawn Treader
    Because I’d like to see more common sense brought to Narnia and Mrs Whosit et al would fit right in.
  2. Less + The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue
    Because Monty actually knows how to have a good time while touring! He’d show Arthur how to have fun.
  3. The Power + The Handmaid’s Tale
    Because FUCK THOSE GUYS
  4. The Power + Red Clocks
    Because FUCK THOSE GUYS TOO
  5. The Pisces + The Animators
    Because that’s some weird shit that could use the therapeutic acid-trip animation treatment that Mel and Sharon would give to it!
  6. Mortal Engines + Dread Nation
    Because there should totally be zombies in the wasteland that the cities travel on.
  7. Beasts Made of Night + Children of Blood and Bone
    Because Beasts had an amazing concept and Tomi Adeyemi could actually do it justice.
  8. Dividing Eden + Reign of the Fallen
    Because I keep mixing them together in my head anyway.
  9. City of Brass + Rebel of the Sands
    Because Nahri and Amani would be the BEST TEAM UP
  10. Fire and Fury + American War
    Because it might be a history book ten years from now anyway. (*shudder*)

Book Review: The Summer of Jordi Perez

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summer of jordi perez best burger los angelesThe Summer of Jordi Perez (and the Best Burger in Los Angeles)
by Amy Spalding
Young Adult GLBT Romance
274 pages
Published April 2018

This was a great little read. It only took me a couple of hours to read, and I identified with the main character SO HARD. Abby is also a plus size blogger, and while she blogs about fashion instead of books, and her hair is pink instead of purple, a lot of her insecurities about the way people see her (both online and off) are things I share. I even share her trepidation about learning to drive!

It’s a clean romance; no one ever does more than make out. The book focuses far more on friendships than it does on sexual matters. The friendship between Abby and her female friends, between Abby and Jax, and between Abby and her girlfriend. I like that Abby had supportive female friends who didn’t pull the “So are you attracted to me? You’re not?! But why not?!” that so many people try to pull on their queer friends. I also loved how the author flipped the trope of “gay best friend” on its head, and gave us Jax, the straight boy/close friend.

The book is apparently pretty indicative of Amy Spalding’s work, so I might have to look into more of her books. This was an absolute delight to read!

And I have to say how much I love this cover! From the stripey rainbow title font to the rainbow back cover, it’s just gorgeous and summery and positive.

From the cover of The Summer of Jordi Perez:

A summer of first love, fashion, friendship, and cheeseburgers

Seventeen, fashion-obsessed, and gay, Abby Ives has always been content playing the sidekick in other people’s lives. While her friends and sister have plunged headfirst into the world of dating and romances, Abby’s been happy to focus on her plus-size style blog and her dreams of taking the fashion industry by storm. When she lands a great internship at her favorite boutique, she’s thrilled to take the first step toward her dream career. Then she falls for her fellow intern, Jordi Perez. Hard. And now she’s competing against the girl she’s kissing to win the coveted paid job at the end of the internship.

But really, nothing this summer is going as planned. She also unwittingly  becomes friends with Jax, a lacrosse-playing bro-type who wants her help finding the best burger in Los Angeles, and she’s struggling to prove to her mother – the city’s celebrity health nut – that she’s perfectly content with who she is.

Just as Abby starts to feel like she’s no longer the sidekick in her own life, Jordi’s photography surprisingly puts her in the spotlight. Instead of feeling like she’s landed a starring role, Abby feels betrayed. Can Abby find a way to reconcile her positive yet private sense of self with the image others have of her?

Sunday Link Roundup

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Barnes and Noble has a list of 29 awesome Young Adult books coming out in August. If I keep reading their blog I won’t make ANY headway on my TBR list. (Like I’m going to do so anyway?)

This Batman and Superman figurine is ADORABLE. I have two Wonder Woman Q-Figs. (This one and this one.) I just really like the Q-fig style. I think they’re a lot cuter than Funko Pops.

Bookish Lip Balms. Never thought you’d hear that combination, did you?

A list of awesome YA authors of color by Buzzfeed.

50 Dragon Bookends. Yes, please.

A short Superman comic about doing good in the world.

When I get rich and we have our dream house custom built, I’m going to get a conservatory from these guys because UNF.

Poems for the Resistance.

I’ve put holds on all but one of these at my library because they sound amazing!

Warbringers: Jaina because My Lady is BADASS.

Book Review: Trail of Lightning

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trail of lightningTrail of Lightning
by Rebecca Roanhorse
Fantasy/Dystopia
285 pages
Published June 2018

Okay, first off, this cover is AWESOME. I’ve been following the author on Twitter for a few months now, and was extremely disappointed when my library didn’t order this book. But one of the other libraries in the state did, so this showed up recently as an interlibrary loan and MADE. MY. DAY.

The story and writing is EXCELLENT. The reader is thrown into the world of the Diné, with little to no explanation of what the Dinétah words mean. I think that only comes across as weird because it’s a real language; if the words were some made up fantasy language’s words, we wouldn’t think twice about it. I saw someone on Twitter mention that they really enjoyed the book because they spoke the language, so having the Dinétah words meant something to them. I think I like that they’re not explained; so much in this world is created for white people’s consumption. It’s nice that this isn’t. It’s no less understandable to those that don’t understand the Navajo language, it’s just a little extra thrown in for those that do.

I do know a little bit about Native American mythology, so to see Coyote show up made me grin. What we learn about him through the course of the book doesn’t surprise me at all. I knew about Changing Woman and the Sun, but I’d never heard of their son, so I wonder if he was made up for the novel or if he actually exists in the mythology too.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book. It has a sequel, Storm of Locusts, due out next year, and an unnamed third book already planned. I can’t wait!

From the cover of Trail of Lightning:

While most of the world has drowned beneath the sudden rising waters of a climate apocalypse, Dinétah (formerly the Navajo reservation) has been reborn. The gods and heroes of legend walk the land, but so do monsters.

Maggie Hoskie is a Dinétah monster hunter, a supernaturally gifted killer. When a small town needs help finding a missing girl, Maggie is their last—and best—hope. But what Maggie uncovers about the monster is much larger and more terrifying than anything she could imagine.

Maggie reluctantly enlists the aid of Kai Arviso, an unconventional medicine man, and together they travel to the rez to unravel clues from ancient legends, trade favors with tricksters, and battle dark witchcraft in a patchwork world of deteriorating technology.

As Maggie discovers the truth behind the disappearances, she will have to confront her past—if she wants to survive.

Welcome to the Sixth World.

Friday 56 – Well, That Escalated Quickly

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The Friday 56 is hosted by Freda’s Voice. The rules are simple – turn to page 56 in your current read (or 56% in your e-reader) and post a few non-spoilery sentences.

well that escalated quicklyToday’s quote is from Well, That Escalated Quickly by Franchesca Ramsey.

Okay, you’re probably thinking, but the internet is full of prejudice and bigotry. What should I do? How do I know if I should call someone out or take the conversation offline? And what am I even supposed to say? You know I’m addicted to Facebook, so don’t even think about telling me to delete my account and spend more time with my family.

I would never tell you to delete your account. (Though you probably should spend more time with your family.) Instead, I made a guide.

Full review will be up next week!