Books from the Backlog #23

Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread.  If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks. This meme is hosted by Carole's Random Life in Books!

 

From bestselling author Christine Warren comes a thrilling new series about a young woman caught between a rock and a hard place—between gargoyles and demons…

Ella Harrow is trying to carve out a normal life for herself. Well, as normal as an art geek with psychic abilities can hope for. As museum docent and gift-shop manager, Ella is able to keep her distance from people—and her powers in check—while surrounding herself with the artifacts she loves. But how on earth is she supposed to act normal when a thousand-year-old statue on the museum's terrace suddenly comes to life?

Heart of Stone

Not your ordinary gargoyle, Kees has been asleep for eons, waiting for a portent of evil to wake him from his slumber. Kees isn't a vision; he's a bat-winged guardian created to protect the world from the seven demons of the Dark. Somehow, Ella triggered his reawakening. Maybe the demons have been unleashed? Maybe his heart is finally ready to be chiseled open? The fate of the world isn't carved in stone…yet.

 

So when Christine Warren started a new gargoyle series in January of 2014, I was all for reading it! I bought Heart of Stone right away...but then, I got into that mindset of maybe I shouldn't buy the rest until I read the first book, but I realized later on what a terrible mistake that was because the books are not in print anymore and the ebooks are outrageously priced for what was once an $8 paperback. I've managed to track down a few of the copies I need and I just need to go ahead and buy the last one. I was hoping to find them in stores so I could examine them since I have to buy used anyway. But after many HPB trips, I've had no luck so I keep telling myself to just order them online. Hopefully I will by the time this post goes live...but who knows!

 

Also, as a side note, how cool is it that my 23 post of this meme landed on March 23, 2023?!

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

Can't Wait Wednesday

 

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine.

 

From New York Times–bestselling author Caroline Kepnes comes the next novel in her hit You series, which follows Joe Goldberg to the hallowed halls of Harvard University where he earns a coveted place in a writing fellowship...and leaves crimson in his wake.

Joe Goldberg is ready for a change. Instead of selling books, he’s writing them. And he's off to a good start. Glenn Shoddy, an acclaimed literary author, recognizes Joe's genius and invites him to join a tight-knit writing fellowship at Harvard. Finally, Joe will be in a place where talent matters more than pedigree, where intellect is the great equalizer and anything is possible--even happy endings. Or so he thinks, until he meets his already-published, already-distinguished peers, who all seem to be cut from the same privileged cloth.

Thankfully, Wonder enters the picture. They have so much in common. No college degrees, no pretensions, no stories from prep school or grad school. Just a love for literature. If only Wonder could commit herself to the writing life they could be those rare literary soulmates who never fall prey to their demons. There is so much they’re up against, but Joe has faith in Wonder. He will sacrifice his art for hers. And if he has to, he will kill her darlings for her.

With her trademark satirical, biting wit, Caroline Kepnes explores why vulnerable people bring out the worst in others as Joe sets out to make this small, elite world a fairer place. And if a little crimson runs in the streets of Cambridge who can blame him? Love doesn't conquer all. Often, it needs a little push.

 

So last time around I was eager to read book 3 before season 3 just for comparisons sake, but now I feel like we know an entirely different path has been forged. Still very curious to see how far this series will go. Will Joe ever find his "perfect" mate or will he be caught for good by police? I can't figure out which version I'd prefer...lol. The series is definitely addicting!

 

TITLE: For You and Only You
AUTHOR: Caroline Kepnes
PUBLISHER: Random House
GENRE: Thriller
RELEASE DATE: April 25, 2023

 

 

Fierce, determined, dangerous. No wonder her soul called to his.

As Chief of Security of Ixia, Valek has spent the last fifteen years keeping Commander Ambrose and his citizens safe. With his complex network of spies, informers, and soldiers, it’s his job to hunt down and capture criminals, including the intriguing Yelena.

Sensing there is more to the story of why she killed a general’s son, Valek arranges for Yelena to become the Commander’s new food taster, training her in the delicate art of detecting poisons. As mysteries and a devious plot to harm the Commander unravel, Yelena’s presence becomes crucial. Will her intelligence, stubbornness, and survivor instincts be a help to Valek’s investigation, or a hinderance?

A companion novel to Poison Study, The Study of Poisons reveals Valek’s side of the story. Return to the world of Ixia and discover just how the lovely Yelena got Valek’s cold heart pumping!

 

 

OOOOMG! I've been waiting for this book ever since Maria teased about it in one of her newsletters! I always wandered what Valek was thinking in those early days and now that day is almost here!!! I cannot wait to read this one!! I only wish that the book could be a lovely naked leather hardcover! Since the cover art has that feel to it...but it's what's in the inside that counts! Still a beautiful cover though!

 

TITLE: The Study of Poisons
AUTHOR: Maria V. Snyder
PUBLISHER: Self
GENRE: Fantasy
RELEASE DATE: April 15, 2023

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

Teaser & Top Ten Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by Purple Princess of The Purple Booker. 

Here are the rules:

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a page
3. Pick out 2 lines that are SPOILER FREE
4. Name the title, author, etc.

 

"Grimalkin gave a lesiurely stretch, leaving white claw marks in Leanansidhe's polished wood, and hopped off the table. 'Follow me, then. The trod to the human world is in the basement. Do be wary of the boggart that lives under the stairs.'" p 70

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TITLE: The Iron Sword
AUTHOR: Julie Kagawa
PUBLISHER: Inkyard Press
GENRE: YA Fantasy
RELEASE DATE: February 1, 2022

 

 

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and The Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

 

This week's topic is: TTT Rewind: Top 10 Books I Could ReRead Forever (Feb. 26, 2018)

 

*in no particular order
**not a big re-reader, but if I was left with only these 10 books, I totally could re-read these for the rest of time!

10. OLD MAGIC by Marianne Curley
9. POISON STUDY by Maria V. Snyder
8. OBSIDIAN by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

7. DEMON IN MY VIEW by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
6. CARAVAL by Stephanie Garber
5. LEGENDARY by Stephanie Garber

4. FINALE by Stephanie Garber
3. ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART by Stephanie Garber
2. THE BALLAD OF NEVER AFTER by Stephanie Garber

 

 

1. A CURSE FOR TRUE LOVE by Stephanie Garber--true, it's not out yet, I haven't read it once...but I could totally reread it forever!