Did I need to go to the thrift store on my lunch hour and buy more books? Well, probably not, but I did have fun! I found some great stuff this trip.
Some mysteries (and a little sci-fi) for me:
And a bunch for my girls:
Have you had any great finds lately?
What are you reading Wednesday – 8/26/15
What Are You Reading Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by It’s A Reading Thing. To participate, open the book you are currently reading to page 34 (or 34% in your ebook) and answer these three questions.
The Questions are:
1. What’s the name of your current read?
2. Go to page 34 in your book or 34% in your eBook and share a complete sentence. (or two!)
3. Would you like to live in the world that exists within your book? Why or why not?
Now for my answers this week…
So how about you? What are you reading this week? Let me know, or leave a link to your own post in the comments. Happy reading! 🙂
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday they post a new Top Ten list prompt. This week’s list is Top Ten Books That Would Be On Your Syllabus If You Taught “X” 101 (examples: YA fantasy 101, feminist literature 101, magic in YA 101, classic YA lit 101, world-building 101). I read mostly mysteries and thrillers, so my first thought was to do Detecting 101. The more I tried to come up with titles, however, the more I kept thinking of books that would work better at the other end of the spectrum, so here you have it. My required reading for Burgling 101! (All Fiction – no real-life how-to’s here! 🙂 )
Be sure to let me know what books would be on your list this week in the comments, or leave a link back to your own TTT post! Continue reading
The Occasional Diamond Thief by J.A. McLachlan
Genre: YA / SciFi
Rating: **** (4 of 5 stars)
Kia is a 16 year old girl with a troubled family life and a penchant for languages. When her father dies, leaving her with a mother who seems to despise her and a sister who won’t give her the time of day, she leaves home and starts school to become a translator. After being caught stealing to finance her new life, she is sent to Malem to act as a translator for a Select (a religious title, something akin to a nun or priest) named Agatha. This is the same world where her father contracted the illness that eventually killed him. It’s also the world where her father acquired the gem he gave her right before he died – a Malem diamond that it is illegal for anyone who is not Malemese to posses.
I really enjoyed this story. Kia didn’t seem to be able to get a break at all, and even thought being sent to Malem kept her out of prison, it still seemed like punishment for her. Once she and Agatha arrived on Malem, the story kept moving at a pace that kept me reading, wanting to know what was going to happen next. Both Kia and Agatha were well developed, likable characters who learned and grew throughout the story. Sometimes I wanted to shout at Kia for her behavior, but considering her age it was perfectly appropriate.
There was no cliffhanger ending, and it may turn out to be a standalone novel, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see more adventures for Kia in the future.
Visit the author’s website
Disclaimer – I received a free digital copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
What are you reading Wednesday – 8/19/15
What Are You Reading Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by Its A Reading Thing. To participate, open the book you are currently reading to page 34 (or 34% in your ebook) and answer these three questions.
The Questions are:
1. What’s the name of your current read?
2. Go to page 34 in your book or 34% in your eBook and share a complete sentence. (or two!)
3. Would you like to live in the world that exists within your book? Why or why not?
Now for my answers this week…
1. The Occasional Diamond Thief by J.A. McLachlan
2. “Have you ever seen a kind of gem that looks like a diamond but bigger? With colors, all the colors of the rainbow. And a black center.” When I say the last phrase his gaze focuses on me so intently I unconsciously take a step back and bump into the door frame.
3. This is a young adult sci-fi novel. While it might be interesting to visit another world, I think I am happy right here on Earth!
Now tell me – what are you reading this Wednesday?
Booked for Trouble by Eva Gates
Lighthouse Library Mystery #2
Available 9/1/15 from NAL
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Rating **** (4 of 5 stars)
Lucy Richardson lives in and works at a lighthouse that has been converted into the Bodie Island local library. When her mother comes for a visit and tries to get Lucy to move back home to Boston, she has her hands full trying to convince her mother that she is not going to go back and marry her old sweetheart. Then one of her mother’s old high school classmates is murdered after a book club meeting at the library, and Mom becomes suspect number one. Lucy takes it upon herself to investigate in order to clear her mother’s name, and to make sure her mother will be allowed to leave town soon!
This is the second book in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series, but you can jump right in without feeling like you have missed anything. I loved the lighthouse / library setting – it feels cozy and calm, at least until a murder takes place right outside. I also liked the cast of characters in this one. Lucy has believable problems, and the supporting cast are a likable bunch. The mystery itself was fast paced and not too obvious. I will definitely go back and read number one in the series.
With a home perched above a library full of books, a lighthouse, a murder, and a library cat – this was a perfect cozy read!
***NOTE: I received an advanced review copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review***
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday they post a new Top Ten list prompt. This week’s list is Top Ten Auto-Buy Authors. These are authors whose books I pick up without even reading the blurb on the back cover. How about you – are there authors you grab new books by as soon as they are published? Let me know in the comments, or leave a link back to your own TTT post!
House of Thieves by Charles Belfoure
Available September 15th 2015 by Sourcebooks Landmark
***Don’t miss a chance to win a copy in the giveaway hosted by Sourcebooks – ends September 30!***
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating **** (4 of 5 stars)
How far would you go to save the life of a loved one? That’s the question that architect John Cross is forced to ask himself after being confronted with evidence of his son’s gambling problem and subsequent debt. The amount is more than his son, or he himself, could ever hope to repay. To keep his son from being killed by the gang holding the debt, John uses his specialized knowledge of local buildings to help the gang plan burglaries, with the understanding that with each job, some of the debt will be forgiven.
I admit that I was expecting a little more of a mystery element after reading the blurb, but even without the mystery this book takes you on an enjoyable trip to the past. The story takes place in New York, 1886, and is rich with descriptions of society life, rat baiting, etiquette, gambling dens, and almost anything else you might want to know about the time period. I did like the way that almost every member of John’s family, without his knowledge, flaunted tradition and expectations to pursue happiness in their own way, even though to be found out would have meant their ruin and social outcast. It was hard not to root for them even when you knew they were doing wrong.
If you are a fan of historical fiction (or if you enjoyed the movie Gangs of New York 🙂 ), then I highly recommend this one.
Note: I was provided with a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What are you reading Wednesday – 8/12/15
What Are You Reading Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by Its A Reading Thing. To participate, open the book you are currently reading to page 34 (or 34% in your ebook) and answer these three questions.
The Questions are:
1. What’s the name of your current read?
2. Go to page 34 in your book or 34% in your eBook and share a complete sentence. (or two!)
3. Would you like to live in the world that exists within your book? Why or why not?
Now for my answers this week…
I’ve been a little slow this week. I’m still reading House of Thieves by Charles Belfoure, which was my last What Are You Reading Wednesday post. Instead of repeating myself, I’ll leave the link to my previous post in case anyone would like to see it, and share a giveaway for the book instead. I hope you’ll still tell me what you are reading, or leave a link to your post this week!
***GIVEAWAY Ends Wednesday, September 30th***
HOUSE OF THIEVES (ON-SALE: September 15; 978192617891; $25.99; Hardcover)
Sourcebooks Landmark is holding a Rafflecopter giveaway for signed copies of the book and some other great prizes. Click the cover image to go to the entry page.
Grand Prize (1): barware set with everything you need to make a Manhattan cocktail
Second Place (5): set of 4 cocktail glasses
Third Place (10): Copy of House of Thieves, signed by Charles Belfoure
Good luck!!
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday they post a new Top Ten list prompt. This week’s list is Top Ten Authors I’ve Read The Most Books From. I’m sure these aren’t quite in the right order, but here they are. Let me know who your most read authors are, or leave a link back to your list in the comments!
The Book's the Thing 