It’s Friday, friends, and you know what that means… let’s talk about what we’re reading!
I’ve been looking forward to this weekend for months, because Tuesday, Rebecca Yarrow’s second book in the Empyreum series, IRON FLAME, releases. I was shocked by how much I loved FOURTH WING. Obviously, I wasn’t alone; the book continues to chart the bestseller lists. It feels like Rebecca took every trope I love from all of my favorite fantasy series, merged them into one story, created a truly wonderful main character and an anti-hero who’s drool-worthy, and threw the classic enemies-to-lovers tale into a war college…with dragons. Yeah, I was hooked from the first page. There is something really special about this series. Amazon Studios has already picked it up for a TV show (again, OMG.) I used my Audible credit this month to buy the audio, so that I can experience the story in a new way. I am taking Tuesday off to read the new book. Do you ever do that? Set aside a day for an author’s new book? Diana Gabaldon and J.K. Rowling have been the only ones I’ve done it for in the past, but this series is worth it.
I’m finishing up the divine Tess Gerritsen’s THE SPY COAST, too, and I’m super excited to see her talk about it in person at Poisoned Pen. A bunch of retired spies get into some serious trouble when their past comes back to haunt them, and with Tess’s trademark plotting and wit, it’s excellent.
sent me a surprise package with her two latest titles, NEAR IN THE NIGHT and SURE AS THE SUNRISE, and they are really lovely, meditative books. The little notebook in it is also perfect for my travel purse.
I popped in a Subscribe button here because starting next week, I’ll be doing some “on-the-ground reporting” for my paid subscribers, talking about my new book as I start building it, and a new short story I’m working on, too. I’ll discuss scene building, outlining, the differences in how I approach a short story versus a novel, where I am in the process, etc., and will do this as I write the book, probably on a bi-weekly basis. It will be my Book Journal come to life. I’ll probably also talk about the Jayne series as well, because building books is building books, regardless of genre. Since these are craft-specific posts, I will keep them behind the paywall. If you’re interested, consider joining up.
How about you? What’s on your reading plate this weekend?
This weekend i am wrapping up ‘Divine Rivals’ by Rebecca Ross. I blocked off time during my work day to read ‘Iron Flame’ on Tuesday. Very excited for that to release. I also have the new ‘Guardians’ to read from Joss, 😉 as well as the new installment of the ‘Shady Hollow’ series releasing next week by Juneau Black plus their Halloween short story from a week or two ago! I have a few arc’s from NetGalley to get into, and another blog tour book from an inquiry on my personal site/blog. 😊
Okay, I guess I better hop on the Rebecca Yarrow bandwagon. I'm just never sure I'm going to like fantasy. But I love that she used to be a women's fiction writer, so I guess I better check her out. I just finished an old title, Goodnight, June, by Sarah Jio and I liked it a lot. I have Ava Glass's most recent female spy thriller, The Traitor, waiting for me at the library so I'm going to pick that up this weekend!
I've read a couple of Yarrows romance books and I think Fourrh Wing is better....but I also really like fantasy as well...so maybe I'm not that impartial...lol
Re-reading All The Light We Cannot See. Looking forward to see if the Book was better. Netflix has a limited series. I’m loving the textures in his writing. I can just picture the setting. This is definitely not a fast read, but one that needs pondering. Not to mention the number of times that I stop to look something up. A great way to learn.
Buzzed through Beirut Station by Paul Vidich this week. So timely since I seem to have forgotten what I once learned about this area. Characters from Russia, America, Israel, and the other Middle East countries. This was a fast read full of double spies, carefully planned murders, senseless random death, big secrets, and names that are still in the news. And I could “feel” Beirut and its losses. Rich with food, culture, religions, climate, and politics of the day. The wartime presence of imminent death in Beirut provided a drumbeat of dread throughout the story. This was a hardback; I’m ready for something on Kindle next. Do you ever change up formats on purpose?
I started Shadow and Bone this week on audio. And on your reco I got Fourth Wing audiobook from the library. Finished it a couple of weeks ago and I’ve already preordered Iron Flame.
Currently reading Before My Actual Heart Breaks by Tish Delaney and it’s destroying me! Also Black Chameleon by Deborah DEEP Mouton for Seventy Years of Books.
This weekend i am wrapping up ‘Divine Rivals’ by Rebecca Ross. I blocked off time during my work day to read ‘Iron Flame’ on Tuesday. Very excited for that to release. I also have the new ‘Guardians’ to read from Joss, 😉 as well as the new installment of the ‘Shady Hollow’ series releasing next week by Juneau Black plus their Halloween short story from a week or two ago! I have a few arc’s from NetGalley to get into, and another blog tour book from an inquiry on my personal site/blog. 😊
I’m looking at that on my shelf... really need to read it! We should have a Tuesday open thread to talk IF...
I think that’s a great idea!
Hope you enjoy GOF too!!!
I can't wait for the Iron Flame. Fourth Wing was amazing!!
I just finished Dirty Thirty by Janet Evanovich and it was super fun as always!
She’s so fun. Can’t wait for Tuesday.
Okay, I guess I better hop on the Rebecca Yarrow bandwagon. I'm just never sure I'm going to like fantasy. But I love that she used to be a women's fiction writer, so I guess I better check her out. I just finished an old title, Goodnight, June, by Sarah Jio and I liked it a lot. I have Ava Glass's most recent female spy thriller, The Traitor, waiting for me at the library so I'm going to pick that up this weekend!
You had me at female spy thriller... there’s a dearth of them!
It's my new favorite genre. I wish there were more!
I've read a couple of Yarrows romance books and I think Fourrh Wing is better....but I also really like fantasy as well...so maybe I'm not that impartial...lol
I have her latest romance but haven’t tried it.
Re-reading All The Light We Cannot See. Looking forward to see if the Book was better. Netflix has a limited series. I’m loving the textures in his writing. I can just picture the setting. This is definitely not a fast read, but one that needs pondering. Not to mention the number of times that I stop to look something up. A great way to learn.
I haven’t read that yet. But want to before I watch the show.
Currently reading The Unmaking of June Farrow. I’m going to and Iron Flame release party at my local bookstore. So excited!
I have that up next! Love Adrienne's work so much.
Buzzed through Beirut Station by Paul Vidich this week. So timely since I seem to have forgotten what I once learned about this area. Characters from Russia, America, Israel, and the other Middle East countries. This was a fast read full of double spies, carefully planned murders, senseless random death, big secrets, and names that are still in the news. And I could “feel” Beirut and its losses. Rich with food, culture, religions, climate, and politics of the day. The wartime presence of imminent death in Beirut provided a drumbeat of dread throughout the story. This was a hardback; I’m ready for something on Kindle next. Do you ever change up formats on purpose?
You know, I started that book and walked away, but in light of current events, I think I'll give it another try!
And yes, I change formats all the time, depending on what room I'm in, what I'm doing, etc. From print to digital to audio and back again...
I started Shadow and Bone this week on audio. And on your reco I got Fourth Wing audiobook from the library. Finished it a couple of weeks ago and I’ve already preordered Iron Flame.
Wasn't it so much fun! I love the Grishaverse, too. Brilliant world building.
I had wanted to read it before watching the Netflix version of it but there are too many books and I'm so behind. :)
I am really enjoying the narration. That always helps me set the scene.
Currently reading Before My Actual Heart Breaks by Tish Delaney and it’s destroying me! Also Black Chameleon by Deborah DEEP Mouton for Seventy Years of Books.
OK Black Chameleon looks so cool! I think we often forget that our mythologies aren't universal. A great reminder.
It’s so good and so interesting. The similarities and differences with The Palm Wine Drinkard will make some great content. 😊
Context! https://open.substack.com/pub/seventyyearsofbooks?r=w3u9&utm_medium=ios