Trying out the Book Oracle at my Library

 My library has started a new service where you can fill out a short reading survey, and in 1 week, they will curate a list of 8-10 books for you to read. I already have so many on my TBR but was hoping it might overlap with my current TBR to let me know what to prioritize. Even if it's all new books, that's fun too! Here's the info I put in, and here's what they recommended.

I liked fantasy, science fiction, and literary fiction. I mentioned I do not like stream of consciousness, war, or romance. I also included some favorite books and authors. I wanted strong friendships and inclusive writing.

Here's what I was recommended:

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik- This wasn't on my list but I recently read another book by Novik that I really enjoyed so I'll add it to my ever-expanding TBR.

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong- Also not on my list but definitely fits a lot of my criteria.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune- An absolute favorite. I wish I could read it again for the first time.

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab- I've read it but didn't want to continue on.

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee- On my TBR. Probably will move it up.

All Systems Red by Martha Wells- I've also read this and enjoyed it. Perhaps I should continue on in the series.

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi- Also read and really enjoyed

Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson- Another I've already read but thought was "meh"

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams- Another I've read and enjoyed.

Of these 9, I've read 6 so they were pretty spot-on with my tastes. I'll try it again in a few months and with different criteria to see what else I'm recommended. Maybe I should link my goodreads account next time so they don't duplicate books I've already read. 

ARC Review of The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

 The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner is a debut novel that includes two timelines. The past timeline focuses on an apothecary woman named Nella who creates poisons for women who want to kill their abusive or adulterous husbands, in addition to making remedies that help women's medical issues. In the present timeline, a woman named Caroline flies to London for what is supposed to be an anniversary trip, but ends up traveling alone after finding out her husband cheated on her. She goes mudlarking in the Thames and finds a vial which leads her to research the apothecary. The stories eventually come together.

Overall, I really liked this story. In the beginning, I was definitely favoring the past timeline and was less interested in Caroline but as the story proceeded, I became interested in them both. Both women have been wronged by the men in their life. The character development was really well fleshed out, especially for a debut novel. There is a little twist at the end which I found enjoyable and did not anticipate. I listened to the audiobook which was well done and I would recommend it. I gave it 4 stars.

This book comes out March 2, 2021. Thanks to Netgalley for an early audio proof.

February Wrap Up

Well, I guess my February TBR was too ambitious knowing that the new Mario game was coming out too.

I only read 4 books this month but they were all enjoyable so that's great.

First I read Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker. This was a fascinating look at a family with 12 children, in which half were diagnosed with schizophrenia. Their DNA helped advanced research into schizophrenia and also gave a look at how the healthy siblings were affected. I gave it 5 stars. 

Next I picked up The Second Mango by Shira Glassman. This was a fun fantasy book I found out about from a list saying it was similar to TJ Klune's writing. This was a fun romp about a lesbian princess looking for her love with the help of a cross-dressing knight and her dragon/horse. It was fun, hilarious, touching, and even surprising. I gave it 4 stars.

Because I was in a slump, I wanted a page-turner so I chose No Exit by Taylor Adams. This follows a college student who is on her way to visit her mother when a snow storm forces her to pull off at a rest stop. She discovers a child being held in a cage in one of the other cars and tries to figure out who is the kidnapper. I liked it but felt it went on a bit too long and became unrealistic. I gave it 3 stars.

Lastly, I picked up our book club pick which was The Prettiest Star by Carter Sickels. I fell in love with this book and the main character Brian who is dying of AIDS. It is set in the 1980s and a young gay man who has AIDS goes back to his rural conservative home in Ohio to die. He faces all sorts of criticism, rejection, and downright hate. It was incredibly moving and I gave it 5 stars.

So, two 5 star reads in a month is really great. I think it helps make up for the fact that I read so little.

March TBR

 Well, February was a bit of a slumpy month for me so I'm a bit apprehensive putting up such an ambitious TBR. However, that's what I do. Here's what I'd love to read in March.

These first three are for the readathon "Middle Grade March"

1. Where the Mountains Meet the Moon by Grace Lin

2. Song of a Whale by Lynne Kelley

3. Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris

4. Abaddon's Gate by James S.A. Corey

5. The Push by Ashley Audrain

6. Caste by Isabel Wilkerson

7.  Child of the Dark by Carolina Maria de Jesus 

8. The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

Februrary TBR

 I've had a lot of library holds come in so I'll be focusing on them more than my owned shelf this month. I'm still picking books that will fulfill my goals and challenges.

1. Habibi by Craig Thompson

2. The Second Mango by Shira Glassman

3. Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker

4. Child of the Dark by Carolina Maria de Jesus 

5. No Exit by Taylor Adams

6. The Prettiest Star by Carter Sickels

7. Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson

8. The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner (ARC for March)

January Wrap Up #2

Since I last updated you, I've read three more books.

I picked up a graphic memoir called A Puff of Smoke by Sarah Lippett. This was her story of growing up with a mysterious medical condition and how it shaped her childhood. She focused on feeling like an outsider and how it affected her relationships with others. I thought it was inspiring and I really related to it. I gave it 5 stars.

For my classic, I read One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey. I'd never read this or seen the movie but have a real interest in psychology so I was eager to pick it up. There were a lot of outdated terms, slurs, and misogyny but I felt like the story was very compelling. I gave it 3.5 stars and watched the movie adaptation shortly after.

Finally, I read The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden. I was nervous about this book because I knew it was a slow, character-driven story which I wasn't sure I was in the mood for. However, I loved it. The atmosphere was incredible, the folklore incredibly interesting, and a strong independent female character! I can't wait for the sequel. I gave it 4 stars.

I also DNF'd 1 book but I think I'll talk about all my DNFs together in a few months.

Series I've started and intend to finish

I mostly read stand alone books but as I've gotten a bit more into science fiction and fantasy, I've started to read more series. As one of my goals is to continue making progress in series I've started, I decided to compile a list to help me keep myself focused. Here are the series I've started and intend to continue. 

1. The Expanse series by James S.A. Corey

I've read the first two books in the 9 book series.

2. The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher

I've also read the first two and love them on audiobook. This is a long series though so I won't finish it this year.

3. The Mirror Visitor Quartet by Christelle Dabos

I've read the first three and I'm waiting for the fourth to be published in English.

4. The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud

I've read 2 out of the 3.

5. The Scholomance by Naomi Novik

I've read the first. I'm not sure how many will be in this series but intend to keep reading.

6. The Brown Sisters Trilogy by Talia Hibbert

This is more companion novels than an actual series but I intend to read the third one when it comes out this year.

7. The Wayfarers by Becky Chambers

Again, companion novels but I intend to read the fourth and last one this year.