#5OnMyTBR

#5OnMyTBR | Planned to Read in 2022

December 22, 2021December 21, 2021 ChapterMalliumpkin1 Comment

#5OnMyTBR is a bookish meme hosted by E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook
You can learn more about it here or in the post announcing it.

Salutations lovelies! I’m back with a ‘five on my tbr’ for everyone! I haven’t done one of these in a hot minute either and I thought this would be a really good one to kick off on since we’re talking 2022. Yes, it’s true, I’m already planning a 2022 tbr with some 2022 releases that are just around the corner. Now, most of these books are arcs, but I’m hoping to knock out my arc list in hopes to have them read by their respected release dates. Except for one, one book on this list is coming out literally right in the new year, but I’m still mentioning it because I’m so excited for it. Anyway, without further delays, here are some of the books I want to read in 2022.

🎄 Tiger Honor (Thousand Worlds #2) by Yoon Ha Lee 🎄

“Sebin, a young tiger spirit from the Juhwang Clan, wants nothing more than to join the Thousand World Space Forces and, like their Uncle Hwan, captain a battle cruiser someday. But when Sebin’s acceptance letter finally arrives, it’s accompanied by the shocking news that Hwan has been declared a traitor. Apparently the captain abandoned his duty to steal a magical artifact, the Dragon Pearl, and his whereabouts are still unknown. Sebin hopes to help clear their hero’s name and restore honor to the clan.

Nothing goes according to plan, however. As soon as Sebin arrives for orientation, they are met by a special investigator named Yi and his assistant, a girl named Min. Yi informs Sebin that they must immediately report to the ship Haetae and await further instructions. Sebin finds this highly unusual, but soon all protocol is forgotten when there’s an explosion on the ship, the crew is knocked out, and the communication system goes down. It’s up to Sebin, three other cadets, and Yi and Min to determine who is sabotaging the battle cruiser. When Sebin is suddenly accused of collaborating with the enemy, the cadet realizes that Min is the most dangerous foe of all…”

🎄 Reclaim the Stars: 17 Tales Across Realms & Space by Zoraida Cordova 🎄

“Reclaim the Stars is a collection of bestselling and acclaimed YA authors that take the Latin American diaspora to places fantastical and out of this world. From princesses warring in space, to the all too-near devastation of climate change, to haunting ghost stories in Argentina, and mermaids off the coast of the Caribbean. This is science fiction and fantasy that breaks borders and realms, and proves that stories are truly universal.

Authors include Vita Ayala, David Bowles, Daniel José Older, J.C. Cervantes, Sara Faring, Romina Garber, Isabel Ibañez, Anna-Marie McLemore, Yamile Saied Méndez, Nina Moreno, Circe Moskowitz, Maya Motayne, Linda Raquel Nieves Pérez, Claribel A. Ortega, Mark Oshiro, Lilliam Rivera and Zoraida Córdova.”

🎄 Belle Morte by Bella Higgin 🎄

“There’s only one way out

Belle Morte. One of five houses where vampires reside as celebrities and humans are paid to be their living donors. While others came here seeking fortune, I came in search of my sister who walked into Belle Morte five months ago . . . and never walked back out.

Now that I’m here, the secrets about this world have proven to be much bigger than I ever anticipated. And lurking around every corner are shocking insinuations of what happened to my sister.

There’s only one person who might have the answers I need, and the undeniable pull I feel toward him is terrifying: Edmond Dantès―a vampire, and my mortal enemy.

The harder I try to resist him, the further I fall under his spell. And in one instant my life is irrevocably changed. My past becomes prologue and my fate becomes sealed behind these doors. Belle Morte has spoken. And it may never let me go.”

🎄 The Vicious Grace (The Last Finestra, #1) by Emily Thiede 🎄

“Three weddings. Three funerals. Alessa’s gift from the gods is supposed to magnify a partner’s magic, not kill every suitor she touches.

Now, with only weeks left until a hungry swarm of demons devours everything on her island home, Alessa is running out of time to find a partner and stop the invasion. When a powerful priest convinces the faithful that killing Alessa is the island’s only hope, her own soldiers try to assassinate her.

Desperate to survive, Alessa hires Dante, a cynical outcast marked as a killer, to become her personal bodyguard. But as rebellion explodes outside the gates, Dante’s dark secrets may be the biggest betrayal. He holds the key to her survival and her heart, but is he the one person who can help her master her gift or destroy her once and for all?”

🎄An Unreliable Magic (A Hundred Names for Magic #2) by Rin Chupeco 🎄

“Tala, Alex, and the rest of their friends are safe for now, but know the Snow Queen is still out there. They have to be prepared for when she eventually attacks—and all decide to do so in their own way.

When Ryker comes out of the woodwork, showing himself when he starts attacking American detention facilities and freeing refugees. And the Nameless Sword, a legendary weapon that according to Avalon legend, will make its wielder the most powerful warrior of their time turns up with her name on it, Tala’s life gets messier…But when the Snow Queen arrives with an unlikely ally, the group will have to work together.”

Okay, friends! I those are the top five books I have at the top of my 2022 reading list thus far! These are some of my most anticipated reads of 2022 and I can’t wait for them to release! What are some of the books you’re hoping to read in 2022? Come chat with me in the comments below! Until next time friends, stay safe and cozy! I love you! 💚

#5OnMyTBR

#5OnMyTBR | Animals

December 14, 2020December 12, 2020 ChapterMalliumpkinLeave a comment

#5OnMyTBR is a bookish meme hosted by E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook
You can learn more about it here or in the post announcing it.

Salutation friends! I know I’ve been a bit absent and haven’t put out as much content as I’d like, but I do have a new #5OnMyTBR post for all of you. I can’t begin to express how happy this prompt makes me. Animals has always been a HUGE part of my life and if I’m being honest, I feel like that’s a part of myself that I greatly suppress within the book community. There are times where I talk about my corgi or maybe one of my cats, but it’s a part of my life that I keep in a box and keep it tucked in the back of the closet (if you get my drift). And I don’t want to do that anymore… It’s a part of who I am, it’s a huge part of my every day life, and animals are a heavy influence in some of the things I read and watch on media platforms. So I’m really excited to open this side up to all of you and I hope you find a new book within these books that might interest you!

❄️When Dogs Heal Powerful Stories of People Living with HIV and the Dogs That Saved Them by Jesse Freidin❄️

“The best medicine may not always be found at a pharmacy or in a doctor’s office. Sometimes it comes in the form of a four-legged friend.

Three well-known leaders in their fields—award-winning dog photographer Jesse Freidin, adolescent HIV+ specialist Dr. Robert Garofalo, and LGBTQ advocate and journalist Zach Stafford—offer a refreshing, beautiful, and unique portrait of HIV infused with a deep message of hope. Each extraordinary profile shows the power of the incredible bonds between humans and their canine companions, whether that means combating loneliness and stigma, discovering the importance of unconditional love, overcoming addiction, or simply having a best friend in a time of need.

When Dogs Heal shares the stories of a diverse set of people who are thriving and celebrating life thanks to the compassion and unconditional love of their dogs.

A portion of the proceeds from this book benefits Fred Says, an organization dedicated to financially supporting HIV+ teen health care.”

❄️Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton❄️

“S.T., a domesticated crow, is a bird of simple pleasures: hanging out with his owner Big Jim, trading insults with Seattle’s wild crows (those idiots), and enjoying the finest food humankind has to offer: Cheetos ®.

Then Big Jim’s eyeball falls out of his head, and S.T. starts to feel like something isn’t quite right. His most tried-and-true remedies–from beak-delivered beer to the slobbering affection of Big Jim’s loyal but dim-witted dog, Dennis–fail to cure Big Jim’s debilitating malady. S.T. is left with no choice but to abandon his old life and venture out into a wild and frightening new world with his trusty steed Dennis, where he discovers that the neighbors are devouring each other and the local wildlife is abuzz with rumors of dangerous new predators roaming Seattle. Humanity’s extinction has seemingly arrived, and the only one determined to save it is a foul-mouthed crow whose knowledge of the world around him comes from his TV-watching education.”

❄️Wild on My Mind (Where the Wild Hearts Are #1) by Laurel Kerr❄️

“When Katie Underwood discovers a litter of newborn cougar cubs, the last person she expects to come to the rescue is her former crush―and high school nemesis―Bowie Wilson. The worst part? He doesn’t seem to remember the trouble he caused her.

As a single father and owner of a cash-strapped zoo, Bowie struggles to balance budgets while raising his pre-teen daughter and a host of rascally animals. He considers himself lucky when Katie agrees to lend her talents to a publicity campaign in support of the zoo’s animal rehabilitation programs―until he learns just what she’s planning…

This time, Katie is determined to resist Bowie’s charm. But a lovelorn camel, a matchmaking honey badger, and a nursemaid capybara have different plans. Can they and the rest of the zoo’s menagerie help Bowie break through the barriers surrounding Katie’s heart?”

❄️Steve and Me by Terri Irwin❄️

“When Terri Raines was twenty-seven years old, she took a vacation that changed her life. Leaving behind her wildlife rescue work in Oregon, Terri traveled to Australia, and there, at a small wildlife park, she met and fell in love with a tall, blond force of nature named Steve Irwin. They were married in less than a year, and Terri eagerly joined in Steve’s conservation work. The footage filmed on their crocodile-trapping honeymoon became the first episode of T”he Crocodile Hunter, ” and together, Steve and Terri began to change the world. In “Steve & Me, ” Terri recounts the unforgettable adventures they shared — wrangling venomous snakes, saving deadly crocodiles from poachers, swimming among humpback whales. A uniquely gifted naturalist, Steve was first and foremost a wildlife warrior dedicated to rescuing endangered animals — especially his beloved crocs — and educating everyone he could reach about the importance of conservation. In the hit TV shows that continue to be broadcast worldwide, Steve’s enthusiasm lives on, bringing little-known and often-feared species to light as he reveals and revels in the wonders of our planet.

With grace, wit, and candor, Terri Irwin portrays her husband as he really was — a devoted family man, a fervently dedicated environmentalist, a modest bloke who spoke to millions on behalf of those who could not speak for themselves. “Steve & Me” is a nonstop adventure, a real-life love story, and a fitting tribute to a man adored by all those whose lives he touched, written by the woman who knew and loved him best of all.”

❄️The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery❄️

“In pursuit of the wild, solitary, predatory octopus, popular naturalist Sy Montgomery has practiced true immersion journalism. From New England aquarium tanks to the reefs of French Polynesia and the Gulf of Mexico, she has befriended octopuses with strikingly different personalities—gentle Athena, assertive Octavia, curious Kali, and joyful Karma. Each creature shows her cleverness in myriad ways: escaping enclosures like an orangutan; jetting water to bounce balls; and endlessly tricking companions with multiple “sleights of hand” to get food.

Scientists have only recently accepted the intelligence of dogs, birds, and chimpanzees but now are watching octopuses solve problems and are trying to decipher the meaning of the animal’s color-changing techniques. With her “joyful passion for these intelligent and fascinating creatures” (Library Journal Editors’ Spring Pick), Montgomery chronicles the growing appreciation of this mollusk as she tells a unique love story. By turns funny, entertaining, touching, and profound, The Soul of an Octopus reveals what octopuses can teach us about the meeting of two very different minds.”

Whew! It feels like I’ve been holding my breath for such a long time and finally came up for air! I’m hoping in the future that you’ll see this side of me often and maybe I’ll do a animal book recommendation post in the future. Truly, I hope you enjoyed this and some of these books caught your interest. I’m excited about these books and I’m so happy I could share them with you. Do you have any books with animals that you love? Please let me know! I love reading books with animals or educational books about animals. Until next time, I hope you’re staying safe and cozy! I love you! 💙

#5OnMyTBR

#5OnMyTBR | Nonfiction

November 23, 2020November 23, 2020 ChapterMalliumpkinLeave a comment

#5OnMyTBR is a bookish meme hosted by E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook
You can learn more about it here or in the post announcing it.

Let me be honest, I’m not the best at reading nonfiction, actually I’m terrible at reading nonfiction. However, I don’t read a lot of nonfiction, autobiographies, etc… because it feels like I’m reading someone’s life diary and for myself, personally, I try not to pry into other’s lives and nonfiction sometimes has a way of making me feel like I’m doing just that. So, I don’t usually read nonfiction. However, there are a few nonfictional pieces that I would like to read at some point (most likely in 2021 because 2020 has made me super long-winded) and fall in love with them.

🍂 Apple Skin to the Core by Eric Gansworth 🍂

“Apple: Skin to the Core, is a YA memoir-in-verse. Eric Gansworth tells the story of his life, of an Onondaga family living among Tuscaroras, and of Native people in America, including the damaging legacy of government boarding schools—and in doing so grapples with the slur common in Native communities, for someone “red on the outside, white on the inside,” and reclaims it.”

🍂 Karamo My Story of Embracing Purpose, Healing, & Hope by Karamo Brown 🍂

“When Karamo Brown first auditioned for the casting directors of Netflix’s Queer Eye, he knew he wouldn’t win the role of culture expert by discussing art and theater. Instead he decided to redefine what ‘culture’ could — and should — mean for the show. He took a risk and declared, ‘I am culture.’

Karamo believes that culture is so much more than art museums and the ballet — it’s how people feel about themselves and others, how they relate to the world around them, and how their shared labels, burdens, and experiences affect their daily lives in ways both subtle and profound. Seen through this lens, Karamo is culture: His family is Jamaican and Cuban; he was raised in the South in predominantly white neighborhoods and attended a HBCU (Historically Black College/University); he was trained as a social worker and psychotherapist; he overcame personal issues of colorism, physical and emotional abuse, alcohol and drug addiction, and public infamy; he is a proud and dedicated gay single father of two boys, one biological and one adopted. It is by discussing deep subjects like these, he feels, that the makeovers on the show can attain their full, lasting meaning. Styling your hair is important, but so is figuring out why you haven’t done so in 20 years!

In this eye-opening and moving memoir, Karamo reflects on his lifelong education. It comprises every adversity he has overcome, as well as the lessons he has learned along the way. It is only by exploring our difficulties and having the hard conversations—with ourselves and one another—that we are able to adjust our mind-sets, heal emotionally, and move forward to live our best lives.

Karamo shows us the way.”

🍂 The Sea-Ringed World: Sacred Stories of the Americas by María García Esperón 🍂

“Fifteen thousand years before Europeans stepped foot in the Americas, people had already spread from tip to tip and coast to coast. Like all humans, these Native Americans sought to understand their place in the universe, the nature of their relationship with the divine, and the origin of the world into which their ancestors had emerged.

The answers lay in their sacred stories.

Author María García Esperón, illustrator Amanda Mijangos, and translator David Bowles have gifted us a treasure. Their talents have woven this collection of stories from nations and cultures across our two continents—the Sea-Ringed World, as the Aztecs called it—from the edge of Argentina all the way up to Alaska.

The Em Querido list seeks to introduce the finest books in translation from around the world to an American audience. We feel lucky to be bringing you this book on our inaugural list, which we hope will be a true window and mirror.”

🍂 #Notyourprincess: Voices of Native American Women by Lisa Charleyboy 🍂

“Whether looking back to a troubled past or welcoming a hopeful future, the powerful voices of Indigenous women across North America resound in this book. In the same style as the best-selling Dreaming in Indian, #NotYourPrincess presents an eclectic collection of poems, essays, interviews, and art that combine to express the experience of being a Native woman. Stories of abuse, humiliation, and stereotyping are countered by the voices of passionate women making themselves heard and demanding change. Sometimes angry, often reflective, but always strong, the women in this book will give teen readers insight into the lives of women who, for so long, have been virtually invisible.”

🍂 Know My Name by Chanel Miller 🍂

“She was known to the world as Emily Doe when she stunned millions with a letter. Brock Turner had been sentenced to just six months in county jail after he was found sexually assaulting her on Stanford’s campus. Her victim impact statement was posted on BuzzFeed, where it instantly went viral–viewed by eleven million people within four days, it was translated globally and read on the floor of Congress; it inspired changes in California law and the recall of the judge in the case. Thousands wrote to say that she had given them the courage to share their own experiences of assault for the first time.

Now she reclaims her identity to tell her story of trauma, transcendence, and the power of words. It was the perfect case, in many ways–there were eyewitnesses, Turner ran away, physical evidence was immediately secured. But her struggles with isolation and shame during the aftermath and the trial reveal the oppression victims face in even the best-case scenarios. Her story illuminates a culture biased to protect perpetrators, indicts a criminal justice system designed to fail the most vulnerable, and, ultimately, shines with the courage required to move through suffering and live a full and beautiful life.

Know My Name will forever transform the way we think about sexual assault, challenging our beliefs about what is acceptable and speaking truth to the tumultuous reality of healing. It also introduces readers to an extraordinary writer, one whose words have already changed our world. Entwining pain, resilience, and humor, this memoir will stand as a modern classic.”

Do you have any favorite nonfiction books? What was a nonfiction book you really want to read? Please feel free to share in the comments! And be fore I wrap up, I wanted to share the most recent nonfiction piece that I read in 2020 and it’s While the Earth Sleeps, We Travel by Ahmed M. Badr. I think this is a beautiful piece that everyone needs to read at least once in their life and truly, I wept for the majority of this book from how heart-breakingly beautiful this book is. So please give it a chance! It would fill my heart with so much warmth and it would me so, so much! Until next time, I hope you continue to stay safe and healthy. I love you! 💛

#5OnMyTBR

#5OnMyTBR | Black Covers

November 16, 2020November 15, 2020 ChapterMalliumpkin2 Comments

#5OnMyTBR is a bookish meme hosted by E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook
You can learn more about it here or in the post announcing it.

Salutations and welcome! I hope you all are doing well, that your reading has been filled with many books you love. With the end of the year slowly approaching, I can’t help feeling a bit long-winded right now. November and December are always very hectic months for me. So I feel that this post many be a bit rushed or doesn’t hold up to my own personal standards. Also, I thought I had more black covered books, but I was very wrong. I only found ten black covered books and I thought for sure I had more that were unread. Anyway, these are just five of those books that I would like to read, whether it’s this year or in 2021, but I have high hopes for them and I hope you enjoy this list!

🍁 Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco 🍁

“Emilia and her twin sister Victoria are streghe – witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Victoria misses dinner service at the family’s renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin…desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to discover who did this, and to seek vengeance at any cost—even if it means using dark magic that’s been long forbidden.

Then Emilia meets Wrath, the outlier among the seven demon brethren, always choosing duty over pleasure. He’s been tasked by his master with investigating a series of women’s murders on the island. When Emilia and Wrath’s fates collide, it’s clear this disturbing mystery will take a bewitching turn…”

🍁 A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology by Dhonielle Clayton 🍁

“In the fourth collaboration with We Need Diverse Books, fifteen award-winning and celebrated diverse authors deliver stories about a princess without need of a prince, a monster long misunderstood, memories that vanish with a spell, and voices that refuse to stay silent in the face of injustice. This powerful and inclusive collection contains a universe of wishes for a braver and more beautiful world.

AUTHORS INCLUDE: Samira Ahmed, Libba Bray, Dhonielle Clayton, Zoraida Córdova, Tessa Gratton, Kwame Mbalia, Anna-Marie McLemore, Tochi Onyebuchi, Mark Oshiro, Natalie C. Parker, Rebecca Roanhorse, Victoria Schwab, Tara Sim, Nic Stone, and a to-be-announced debut author/short-story contest winner.”

🍁 Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar 🍁

“If the night sky holds many secrets, it holds Sheetal Mistry’s secret the closest. A secret that explains why her hair is the silver of starlight, or why some nights the stars call Sheetal by name.

Stars like her mother, who returned to her place in the constellation Pushya years ago. Since that day, Sheetal has been forced to hide.

But as her seventeenth birthday draws near, the pull from the sky is growing stronger. So strong that Sheetal loses control, and a flare of starfire burns her human father—an injury only a full star’s blood can heal.

Sheetal has no choice but to answer the starsong and ascend to the sky. But her celestial family has summoned her for a reason: to act as their human champion in a competition to decide the next ruling house of heavens.

Desperate to save her father, Sheetal agrees. But nothing could have prepared Sheetal to face the stars’ dark history—or the forces that are working to shut the gate between the realms for good.”

🍁 The Project by Courtney Summers 🍁

“Lo Denham is used to being on her own. After her parents died, Lo’s sister, Bea, joined The Unity Project, leaving Lo in the care of their great aunt. Thanks to its extensive charitable work and community outreach, The Unity Project has won the hearts and minds of most in the Upstate New York region, but Lo knows there’s more to the group than meets the eye. She’s spent the last six years of her life trying–and failing–to prove it.

“The Unity Project murdered my son.”

When a man shows up at the magazine Lo works for claiming The Unity Project killed his son, Lo sees the perfect opportunity to expose the group and reunite with Bea once and for all. When her investigation puts her in the direct path of its charismatic and mysterious leader, Lev Warren, he proposes a deal: if she can prove the worst of her suspicions about The Unity Project, she may expose them. If she can’t, she must finally leave them alone.

But as Lo delves deeper into The Project, the lives of its members, and spends more time with Lev, it upends everything she thought she knew about her sister, herself, cults, and the world around her–to the point she can no longer tell what’s real or true. Lo never thought she could afford to believe in Lev Warren . . . but now she doesn’t know if she can afford not to.

Welcome to The Unity Project.”

🍁 Desperate Measures (Wicked Villains, #1) by Katee Robert 🍁

“My Savior… Or My Ruin?

One night, and my entire life went up in flames. All because of him. Jafar. As my world burned down around me, he offered me a choice. Walk away with nothing but my freedom… Or rise to his challenge and win my fortune back.

I bargained.

I lost.

Now Jafar owns me, and even as my mind rails against his rules, my body loves the punishments he deals out when I break them.

But a gilded cage is still a prison, I’ll do anything to obtain my freedom.

Even betray the man I’m falling for.”

Whew! I definitely feel long-winded, but I’m really glad I could share these books with you. The last one I was a bit hesitant on, but I’m proud for sharing. I’m trying to be more unapologetically myself when it comes to books I’m interested in. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this list as much as I did putting it together. Do you have some black covered books you’re eager to read? Let’s talk about it! Until next time, I hope you have nothing but five stars reads! I love you! 💛

#5OnMyTBR

#5OnMyTBR | Friendship

November 9, 2020November 9, 2020 ChapterMalliumpkinLeave a comment

#5OnMyTBR is a bookish meme hosted by E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook
You can learn more about it here or in the post announcing it.

Salutations my friends! To all those who are new here, welcome! I’m happy to say that I’m feeling a bit better and will hopefully be getting back to a regular posting schedule. Starting with another 5OnMyTBR post! This took me forever to kind of figure out and I’m kind of guessing a bit with some of these picks. I wanted to make sure there was at least some form of friendship within these books, but I’m not completely sure. So, take this post with a grain of salt. However, I’m still very excited for some of these books! And I see you, all you lovely readers who have read that Leigh Bardugo book, shouting at your screen, saying, “Why haven’t you read this yet?!” I know, but to be fair it hasn’t been at the top of my list, sorry! Regardless, I hope you still enjoy this list and I’m always here for books with friendships!

🍂 The Beauty That Remains by Ashley Woodfolk 🍂

“Autumn always knew exactly who she was—a talented artist and a loyal friend. Shay was defined by two things: her bond with her twin sister, Sasha, and her love of music. And Logan always turned to writing love songs when his love life was a little less than perfect.

But when tragedy strikes each of them, somehow music is no longer enough. Now Logan can’t stop watching vlogs of his dead ex-boyfriend. Shay is a music blogger struggling to keep it together. And Autumn sends messages that she knows can never be answered.

Despite the odds, one band’s music will reunite them and prove that after grief, beauty thrives in the people left behind.”

🍂 Six of Crows (The Six of Crows Trilogy #1) by Leigh Bardugo 🍂

“Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone. . . .

A convict with a thirst for revenge
A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager
A runaway with a privileged past
A spy known as the Wraith
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes

Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.”

🍂 The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin 🍂

“After her best friend dies in a drowning accident, Suzy is convinced that the true cause of the tragedy must have been a rare jellyfish sting–things don’t just happen for no reason. Retreating into a silent world of imagination, she crafts a plan to prove her theory–even if it means traveling the globe, alone. Suzy’s achingly heartfelt journey explores life, death, the astonishing wonder of the universe…and the potential for love and hope right next door.”

“Oddlot Entertainment has acquired the screen rights to The Thing About Jellyfish, with Gigi Pritzker set to produce with Bruna Papandrea and Reese Witherspoon.”

🍂 Night of the Dragon (Shadow of the Fox #3) by Julie Kagawa 🍂

“Kitsune shapeshifter Yumeko has given up the final piece of the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers in order to save everyone she loves from imminent death. Now she and her ragtag band of companions must journey to the wild sea cliffs of Iwagoto in a desperate last-chance effort to stop the Master of Demons from calling upon the Great Kami dragon and making the wish that will plunge the empire into destruction and darkness.

Shadow clan assassin Kage Tatsumi has regained control of his body and agreed to a true deal with the devil—the demon inside him, Hakaimono. They will share his body and work with Yumeko and their companions to stop a madman and separate Hakaimono from Tatsumi and the cursed sword that had trapped the demon for nearly a millennium.

But even with their combined skills and powers, this most unlikely team of heroes knows the forces of evil may be impossible to overcome. And there is another player in the battle for the scroll, a player who has been watching, waiting for the right moment to pull strings that no one even realized existed…until now.”

🍂 Running with Lions by Julian Winters 🍂

“Bloomington High School Lions’ star goalie, Sebastian Hughes, should be excited about his senior year: His teammates are amazing and he’s got a coach who doesn’t ask anyone to hide their sexuality. But when his estranged childhood best friend Emir Shah shows up to summer training camp, Sebastian realizes the team’s success may end up in the hands of the one guy who hates him. Determined to reconnect with Emir for the sake of the Lions, he sets out to regain Emir’s trust. But to Sebastian’s surprise, sweaty days on the pitch, wandering the town’s streets, and bonding on the weekends sparks more than just friendship between them.”

As I mentioned, take this post with a grain of salt. Aside from two books on this list, I’m not sure if the rest counts. However, I’ve read quite a few books with friendship themes that I want to recommend to all of you. So please check them out if these books capture your attention!

➸ The Weight of the Stars by K. Ancrum

➸ Pax by Sara Pennypacker

➸ The Adventure Zone: Murder on the Rockport Limited by Clint McElroy

➸ Watakoi Love is Hard for Otaku by Fujita

➸ There Are Things I Can’t Tell You by Edako Mofumofu

➸ Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega

➸ Alaskan Christmas Redemption (Home to Owl Creek Book 3) by Belle Calhoune

➸ The Inn Boonsboro Trilogy by Nora Roberts

➸ In An Absent Dream (Wayward Children, #4) by Seanan McGuire

These are just a few of the books that have friendships that filled my heart with so much love and many feelings. I hope you check them out and give them a chance. Do you have a favorite book that has a friendship in it? Come chat about it with me! Until next time, happy reading on this Monday, I love you! 💛

#5OnMyTBR

#5OnMyTBR | Halloween Freebie

October 26, 2020October 26, 2020 ChapterMalliumpkinLeave a comment

#5OnMyTBR is a bookish meme hosted by E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook
You can learn more about it here or in the post announcing it.

Welcome back my friends! I know I said I would have more posts over the last couple of days, but my body decided to get sick. So I’m currently still sick, trying to rest and recover the best that I can, and hopefully once I feel more up to snuff I’ll be able to start getting back into the swing of things. However, I do have my #5OnMyTBR for you today. Now most of these aren’t centered around Halloween. For a lot of these, I wanted to go with atmosphere reads or ones that I assume would be very atmospheric to read during Halloween. There is one Halloween novella on here and I’m a little disappointed I haven’t had the chance to read it yet, but cie la vie! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the books I picked out and of course, I hope you’re ready to get your spooky on this week! 🎃

🎃 The Guest List by Lucy Foley 🎃

“The bride ‧ The plus one ‧ The best man ‧ The wedding planner ‧ The bridesmaid ‧ The body

On an island off the coast of Ireland, guests gather to celebrate two people joining their lives together as one. The groom: handsome and charming, a rising television star. The bride: smart and ambitious, a magazine publisher. It’s a wedding for a magazine, or for a celebrity: the designer dress, the remote location, the luxe party favors, the boutique whiskey. The cell phone service may be spotty and the waves may be rough, but every detail has been expertly planned and will be expertly executed. But perfection is for plans, and people are all too human. As the champagne is popped and the festivities begin, resentments and petty jealousies begin to mingle with the reminiscences and well wishes. The groomsmen begin the drinking game from their school days. The bridesmaid not-so-accidentally ruins her dress. The bride’s oldest (male) friend gives an uncomfortably caring toast. And then someone turns up dead. Who didn’t wish the happy couple well? And perhaps more important, why?”

🎃 Pan’s Labyrinth The Labyrinth of the Faun by Guillermo del Toro 🎃

“Fans of dark fairy-tales like The Hazel Wood and The Cruel Prince will relish this atmospheric and absorbing book based on Guillermo del Toro’s critically acclaimed movie.

Oscar winning writer-director Guillermo del Toro and New York Times bestselling author Cornelia Funke have come together to transform del Toro’s hit movie Pan’s Labyrinth into an epic and dark fantasy novel for readers of all ages, complete with haunting illustrations and enchanting short stories that flesh out the folklore of this fascinating world.

This spellbinding tale takes readers to a sinister, magical, and war-torn world filled with richly drawn characters like trickster fauns, murderous soldiers, child-eating monsters, courageous rebels, and a long-lost princess hoping to be reunited with her family.

A brilliant collaboration between masterful storytellers that’s not to be missed.”

🎃 Mating the Huntress (Monsters and Mates #1) by Talia Hibbert 🎃

“This Halloween, love bites back… hard.

Chastity Adofo knows a monster when she sees one. As soon as Luke Anthony wanders into her family’s coffee shop, she recognises the evil lurking beneath his charming smile and fantastic arse. The handsome werewolf is determined to have her—but she’s determined to cut out his heart.

Little does she know, Luke’s plans for her are far more pleasurable than murder. And when the full moon rises, all bets are off…

Mating the Huntress is 30,000 words of red-hot, Halloween-themed romance. This novella contains one flirtatious, cursed creature of the night, one badass, knife-happy heroine, and forbidden lust at first sight. Please read responsibly!”

🎃 Delicates (Sheets, #2) by Brenna Thummler 🎃

➳ Publication: March 16th 2021 by Lion Forge/Caracal
ARC was provided by NetGalley and Oni Press in exchange for an honest review.

➳ Sheets by Brenna Thummler Review

“Marjorie Glatt’s life hasn’t been the same ever since she discovered a group of ghosts hiding in her family’s laundromat. Wendell, who died young and now must wander Earth as a ghost with nothing more than a sheet for a body, soon became one of Marjorie’s only friends. But when Marjorie finally gets accepted by the popular kids at school, she begins to worry that if anyone learns about her secret ghost friends, she’ll be labeled as a freak who sees dead people. With Marjorie’s insistence on keeping Wendell’s ghost identity a secret from her new friends, Wendell begins to feel even more invisible than he already is.

Eliza Duncan feels invisible too. She’s an avid photographer, and her zealous interest in finding and photographing ghosts gets her labeled as “different” by all the other kids in school. Constantly feeling on the outside, Eliza begins to feel like a ghost herself. Marjorie must soon come to terms with the price she pays to be accepted by the popular kids. Is it worth losing her friend, Wendell? Is she partially to blame for the bullying Eliza endures?

Delicates tells a powerful story about what it means to fit in, and those left on the outside. It shows what it’s like to feel invisible, and the importance of feeling seen. Above all, it is a story of asking for help when all seems dark, and bringing help and light to those who need it most.”

🎃 The Boy in the Red Dress by Kristin Lambert 🎃

“New Year’s Eve, 1929.

Millie is running the show at the Cloak & Dagger, a swinging speakeasy in the French Quarter, while her aunt is out of town. The new year is just around the corner, and all of New Orleans is out to celebrate, but even wealthy partiers’ diamond earrings can’t outshine the real star of the night: the boy in the red dress. Marion is the club’s star performer and his fans are legion–if mostly underground.

When a young socialite wielding a photograph of Marion starts asking questions, Millie wonders if she’s just another fan. But then her body is found crumpled in the courtyard, dead from an apparent fall off the club’s balcony, and all signs point to Marion as the murderer. Millie knows he’s innocent, but local detectives aren’t so easily convinced.

As she chases clues that lead to cemeteries and dead ends, Millie’s attention is divided between the wry and beautiful Olive, a waitress at the Cloak & Dagger, and Bennie, the charming bootlegger who’s offered to help her solve the case. The clock is ticking for the fugitive Marion, but the truth of who the killer is might be closer than Millie thinks.”

I’m really happy with my choices. I think I picked some really good or interesting books. I do know that one of these books has been polarizing in the book community, but I would still like to read it to form my own opinions. I hope you enjoy my picks. Did any of these catch your interest? Do you want to see a review for any of these books? Come chat with me in the comments below! Until next time, I hope you’re staying safe, and have a spooky week! I love you! 🧡

#5OnMyTBR

#5OnMy TBR | Magic

October 5, 2020October 4, 2020 ChapterMalliumpkin1 Comment

#5OnMyTBR is a bookish meme hosted by E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook
You can learn more about it here or in the post announcing it.

Salutations Chapterlings! I hope your Monday brings you good reading and lots of love. This is probably going to seem like a really fast post and in a way, it sort of is. My schedule is jammed packed this week due to a lot of things happening this up coming week. Usually I would share my thoughts, express the things I’m excited for, but I wanted to do something a little different. I promise I’ll be back to my usual details for these posts soon! Regardless, I hope you still enjoy this post and the books that I chose! P.S. Tell me in the comments below which you’d love to see a review for or hear my thoughts on! 🧡

🎃 Incendiary (Hollow Crown #1) by Zoraida Cordova 🎃

“I am Renata Convida.
I have lived a hundred stolen lives.
Now I live my own.

Renata Convida was only a child when she was kidnapped by the King’s Justice and brought to the luxurious palace of Andalucia. As a Robari, the rarest and most feared of the magical Moria, Renata’s ability to steal memories from royal enemies enabled the King’s Wrath, a siege that resulted in the deaths of thousands of her own people.

Now Renata is one of the Whispers, rebel spies working against the crown and helping the remaining Moria escape the kingdom bent on their destruction. The Whispers may have rescued Renata from the palace years ago, but she cannot escape their mistrust and hatred–or the overpowering memories of the hundreds of souls she turned “hollow” during her time in the palace.“

🎃 Night of the Dragon (Shadow of the Fox #3) by Julie Kagawa 🎃

Shadow clan assassin Kage Tatsumi has regained control of his body and agreed to a true deal with the devil — the demon inside him, Hakaimono. They will share his body and work with Yumeko and their companions to stop a madman and separate Hakaimono from Tatsumi and the cursed sword that had trapped the demon for nearly a millennium.

🎃 The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy #1) by S.A. Chakraborty 🎃

“Nahri has never believed in magic. Certainly, she has power; on the streets of 18th century Cairo, she’s a con woman of unsurpassed talent. But she knows better than anyone that the trade she uses to get by—palm readings, zars, healings—are all tricks, sleights of hand, learned skills; a means to the delightful end of swindling Ottoman nobles.

But when Nahri accidentally summons an equally sly, darkly mysterious djinn warrior to her side during one of her cons, she’s forced to accept that the magical world she thought only existed in childhood stories is real. For the warrior tells her a new tale: across hot, windswept sands teeming with creatures of fire, and rivers where the mythical marid sleep; past ruins of once-magnificent human metropolises, and mountains where the circling hawks are not what they seem, lies Daevabad, the legendary city of brass, a city to which Nahri is irrevocably bound.”

🎃 Tigers, Not Daughters by Samantha Mabry 🎃

“The Torres sisters dream of escape. Escape from their needy and despotic widowed father, and from their San Antonio neighborhood, full of old San Antonio families and all the traditions and expectations that go along with them. In the summer after her senior year of high school, Ana, the oldest sister, falls to her death from her bedroom window. A year later, her three younger sisters, Jessica, Iridian, and Rosa, are still consumed by grief and haunted by their sister’s memory. Their dream of leaving Southtown now seems out of reach. But then strange things start happening around the house: mysterious laughter, mysterious shadows, mysterious writing on the walls. The sisters begin to wonder if Ana really is haunting them, trying to send them a message—and what exactly she’s trying to say.

In a stunning follow-up to her National Book Award–longlisted novel All the Wind in the World, Samantha Mabry weaves an aching, magical novel that is one part family drama, one part ghost story, and one part love story.”

🎃 A Deadly Education (Scholomance #1) by Naomi Novik 🎃

“Lesson One of the Scholomance

Learning has never been this deadly

A Deadly Education is set at Scholomance, a school for the magically gifted where failure means certain death (for real) — until one girl, El, begins to unlock its many secrets. There are no teachers, no holidays, and no friendships, save strategic ones. Survival is more important than any letter grade, for the school won’t allow its students to leave until they graduate… or die! The rules are deceptively simple: Don’t walk the halls alone. And beware of the monsters who lurk everywhere. El is uniquely prepared for the school’s dangers. She may be without allies, but she possesses a dark power strong enough to level mountains and wipe out millions. It would be easy enough for El to defeat the monsters that prowl the school. The problem? Her powerful dark magic might also kill all the other students.”

#5OnMyTBR

#5OnMyTBR | Red Covers

September 14, 2020September 12, 2020 ChapterMalliumpkinLeave a comment

#5OnMyTBR is a bookish meme hosted by E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook
You can learn more about it here or in the post announcing it.

Salutations Chapterlings! This might be the hardest list that I’ve ever put together. I don’t own a lot of red covered books in my personal library. In fact, I think I have more neutral and pastel covers for books than I do more brightly colored covers. However, I have scrounged around and after a hot minute, setting Where Dreams Descend aside, I might have found five red cover books! Without further delays, I hope you enjoy these five books!

🍁 Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore 🍁

“The biggest lie of all is the story you think you already know. The del Cisne girls have never just been sisters; they’re also rivals, Blanca as obedient and graceful as Roja is vicious and manipulative. They know that, because of a generations-old spell, their family is bound to a bevy of swans deep in the woods. They know that, one day, the swans will pull them into a dangerous game that will leave one of them a girl, and trap the other in the body of a swan.”

I’m so excited to read this book! As you know, Latinx Heritage Month starts on September 15th and runs till October 24th, and I really wanted to participate in some readathons happening during that time. I do have a separate list of books I’d really love to read, but this book in particular is at the top of the list. I’ve been told this is a Swan Lake retelling and that I need to read soon rather than later. Plus, this books has been on my tbr for a year or two now. So, I want to make sure I prioritize this book since it’s been here for a hot minute.

🍁 Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden 🍁

“Virgil Wounded Horse is the local enforcer on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. When justice is denied by the American legal system or the tribal council, Virgil is hired to deliver his own punishment, the kind that’s hard to forget. But when heroin makes its way into the reservation and finds Virgil’s nephew, his vigilantism suddenly becomes personal. He enlists the help of his ex-girlfriend and sets out to learn where the drugs are coming from, and how to make them stop.”

I’m so, so grateful to the author who sent me a finished copy. Also, thanks to a mutual acquaintance for putting us in contact with one another. I truly am grateful and just the experience of opening that package meant so much especially as a Native American book reviewer. This is actually on my radar for my November tbr for Native American Heritage Month. Aside from Elatsoe, this book has my top priority for November.

🍁 House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1) by Sarah J. Maas 🍁

“Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life—working hard all day and partying all night—until a demon murdered her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone. When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation. She’ll do whatever it takes to avenge their deaths. Hunt Athalar is a notorious Fallen angel, now enslaved to the Archangels he once attempted to overthrow. His brutal skills and incredible strength have been set to one purpose—to assassinate his boss’s enemies, no questions asked. But with a demon wreaking havoc in the city, he’s offered an irresistible deal: help Bryce find the murderer, and his freedom will be within reach. As Bryce and Hunt dig deep into Crescent City’s underbelly, they discover a dark power that threatens everything and everyone they hold dear, and they find, in each other, a blazing passion—one that could set them both free, if they’d only let it.”

I’ve been putting this book off for so long! I’ll be honest, I think all the mixed reviews has been preventing me from reading this book. Despite the fact that I know this book is super thick, I think the mix feedback has me nervous on where I’m going to fall with my feelings for this book. I truly want to read this before the end of the year and thankfully, no one has spoiled this book for me yet. So, I’m asking a favor from you, yes you! Should I read this in December or should I wait till the new year?

🍁 Ruthless Gods (Something Dark and Holy, #2) by Emily A. Duncan 🍁

“Darkness never works alone… Nadya doesn’t trust her magic anymore. Serefin is fighting off a voice in his head that doesn’t belong to him. Malachiasz is at war with who–and what–he’s become. As their group is continually torn apart, the girl, the prince, and the monster find their fates irrevocably intertwined. They’re pieces on a board, being orchestrated by someone… or something. The voices that Serefin hears in the darkness, the ones that Nadya believes are her gods, the ones that Malachiasz is desperate to meet—those voices want a stake in the world, and they refuse to stay quiet any longer.”

I absolutely loved Wicked Saints! I was able to read an arc of it and fell in love. Now I have the second book in this trilogy and I still haven’t read it yet. I’m hoping for the spooky season I’ll be able to squeeze this book in and continue loving this series especially with the third book, Blessed Monsters, looming on the horizon of 2021!

🍁 Slasher Girls & Monster Boys by April Genevieve Tucholke 🍁

“Stefan Bachmann, Leigh Bardugo, Kendare Blake, A. G. Howard, Jay Kristoff, Marie Lu, Jonathan Maberry, Danielle Paige, Carrie Ryan, Megan Shepherd, Nova Ren Suma, McCormick Templeman, April Genevieve Tucholke, Cat Winters… A host of the sharpest young adult authors come together in this collection of terrifying tales and psychological thrillers. Each author draws from a mix of literature, film, television, and music to create something new and fresh and unsettling. Clever readers will love teasing out the references and can satisfy their curiosity at the end of each tale, where the inspiration is revealed. There are no superficial scares here; these are stories that will make you think even as they keep you on the edge of your seat. From blood horror, to the supernatural, to unsettling, all-too-possible realism, this collection has something for anyone looking for an absolute thrill.”

This book has been lurking on my tbr shelves forever! I actually had a really good friend of mine recommend this book to me and I feel so guilty that I haven’t read it in the two years it’s been waiting to be read. Now that spooky season is on the horizon once more, this book is at the top of the list of books to be read in October. I always like to read books friends and family members gift to me first because that means the person who gifted that book put a lot of thought, effort, and love into picking it out. Plus, I can read a story a day while reading the other books I want to read and I haven’t read an anthology in a hot minute.

Okay, friends! I hope you enjoyed this little breakdown of some red cover books that are on my radar for this final portion of the year. Do you have some red cover books on your radar this spooky year? What titles on this list interest you? Let me know down below and don’t forget to cast your vote on when you’d like to see me read House of Earth and Blood! Until next time, may you have a fall-tastic September, I love you! 🧡

#5OnMyTBR

#5OnMyTBR | Autumnal Reads

September 7, 2020September 14, 2020 ChapterMalliumpkin6 Comments

#5OnMyTBR is a bookish meme hosted by E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook
You can learn more about it here or in the post announcing it.

Salutations Chapterlings! I have officially entered spooky mode! Yes, that magical time where my fall themes are everywhere. If you recently saw my IG stories, you know I recently hauled some spooky decorations and have officially decorated my reading space with them. But what about my reading? Oh don’t worry about that! I have a giant spooky season tbr… like usual! But those are details best reserved closer to October. However, among all those books, I have a few books prioritized. Please understand, I’m not much of a horror or thriller reader and mysteries aren’t my usual forte either. I do make exceptions at times, but it’s not often. Anyway, here are the top five prioritized on my spooky tbr that I’m really excited to get to!

🍁 Ninth House (Alex Stern #1) by Leigh Bardugo 🍁

“Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. Raised in the Los Angeles hinterlands by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and into a world of shady drug dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. By age twenty, in fact, she is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. Some might say she’s thrown her life away. But at her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most elite universities on a full ride. What’s the catch, and why her?”

This is at the top of my list for two reasons. For starters, my lovely friend Dani at My Heart Is Booked got me a signed copy and that means the whole world to me that she was able to do that for me. And the second reason, my wonderful friend Robin at Paperbacks and Planners has agreed to put off reading this until October to buddy read it with me! As you can see, this is a pretty special and important read for me this spooky season. I’ve heard a lot of mixed things, but I’m still eager to read this book and see where I fall for myself.

🍁 Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia 🍁

“After receiving a frantic letter from her newlywed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemí Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She’s not sure what she will find – her cousin’s husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemí knows little about the region. Noemí is also an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemi’s dreams with visions of blood and doom.“

Okay… I know I said I wasn’t going to do any horror, thriller, or mystery… and I know I’ve said I’m not the biggest fan of historical themed books. But, this would be the exception. This is the Dragons & Tea Book Club October pick! I’ve also heard a lot of early praise (before it’s release) about this book and have been low key hyped about it. Plus, Latinx Heritage month is still continuing in October. If I remember correctly, it runs from September 15th – October 24th. So this is pretty high up on my ‘want to read asap’ list.

🍁 His Hideous Heart by Dahlia Adler 🍁

“Edgar Allan Poe may be a hundred and fifty years beyond this world, but the themes of his beloved works have much in common with modern young adult fiction. Whether the stories are familiar to readers or discovered for the first time, readers will revel in Edgar Allan Poe’s classic tales, and how they’ve been brought to life in 13 unique and unforgettable ways. Contributors include Kendare Blake (reimagining “Metzengerstein”), Rin Chupeco (“The Murders in the Rue Morge”), Lamar Giles (“The Oval Portrait”), Tessa Gratton (“Annabel Lee”), Tiffany D. Jackson (“The Cask of Amontillado”), Stephanie Kuehn (“The Tell-Tale Heart”), Emily Lloyd-Jones (“The Purloined Letter”), Hillary Monahan (“The Masque of the Red Death”), Marieke Nijkamp (“Hop-Frog”), Caleb Roehrig (“The Pit and the Pendulum”), and Fran Wilde (“The Fall of the House of Usher”).“

I don’t talk about it often, in fact it’s taken a bit of a back shelf, but I really loved Edgar Allan Poe’s work. Young Autumn is internally screeching at the highest volumes right now. I also don’t talk about how much I love anthologies, short stories, and novellas. I feel like I read them all the time, but don’t talk about them as much as I should. Anyway, I picked this up on one fall morning of a really rough day and I haven’t had a chance to sit down and read this. So I’m eager to finally take the time to prioritize it. You all know how much I love retellings!

🍁 Capturing the Devil (Stalking Jack the Ripper #4) by Kerri Maniscalco 🍁

“In the shocking finale to the bestselling series that began with Stalking Jack the Ripper, Audrey Rose and Thomas are on the hunt for the depraved, elusive killer known as the White City Devil. A deadly game of cat-and-mouse has them fighting to stay one step ahead of the brilliant serial killer—or see their fateful romance cut short by unspeakable tragedy.“

Can we just pretend like I didn’t just put this book on my spooky season reading list? It pains me, incredibly so, to admit I still haven’t read this finale in this quartet. I haven’t read the novella yet either, but this book… this glorious, beauty of a book has been sitting on my tbr for far too long. This is on my ‘top five to read before the end of 2020’ and it has my top priority. So, before I can even read Kerri’s newest book, Kingdom of the Wicked, I have to read and finish this book first. Fingers crossed I can get this read before October even ends!

🍁 Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega 🍁

“Coco meets Stranger Things with a hint of Ghostbusters in this action-packed supernatural fantasy.
For Lucely Luna, ghosts are more than just the family business.
Shortly before Halloween, Lucely and her best friend, Syd, cast a spell that accidentally awakens malicious spirits, wreaking havoc throughout St. Augustine. Together, they must join forces with Syd’s witch grandmother, Babette, and her tubby tabby, Chunk, to fight the haunting head-on and reverse the curse to save the town and Lucely’s firefly spirits before it’s too late.
With the family dynamics of Coco and action-packed adventure of Ghostbusters, Claribel A. Ortega delivers both a thrillingly spooky and delightfully sweet debut novel.“

But that synopsis though! Seriously, the synopsis alone has my full attention. Ghostbusters? Coco? Mixed together in this middle grade paranormal fantasy read? Yes please! This sounds whimsical and just an all around fantastic read for spooky season. Plus, I want to know how the cat on the cover comes into play! It’s giving Scooby-Doo vibes! I’m really excited to pick this one up!

Alright, friends! That concludes my top five books for my spooky season reading. I truly hope I can read all of these and keep some of my other spooky season reading plans. But that’s a secret until October! What are some of the books you’re looking forward to reading this fall? Or perhaps you have one book you’re anticipating picking up immediately when October strikes? Let me know in the comments below! Until next time, I hope you’re staying safe, your home is bringing you all the fall vibes, and as always, I love you! 🧡

#5OnMyTBR

#5OnMyTBR | 2020 Fall/Winter Releases

August 20, 2020August 19, 2020 ChapterMalliumpkin2 Comments

#5OnMyTBR is a bookish meme hosted by E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook
You can learn more about it here or in the post announcing it.

Salutations Chapterlings! Let’s sit and chat a moment before we start this article off. It’s no secret that I became a bit of ghost from the month of June through July. Now I’m here in August popping off with reviews left and right, but honestly, I’ve been wanting to spice up my content for a hot minute. And I have drafts sitting, waiting and begging to be written, but I can’t bring myself to write them. Don’t panic, none of my usual content is going away, but I wanted to add more to the content I already make. In all honesty, I saw a few of my friends (only three friends, really) post this bookish meme. And I kind of adore it to pieces? This is kind of like a breath of fresh air I didn’t know I needed and I’m really excited to participate in this.

With all of this being said, there’s also going to be a change for all of you with the way you interact with my blog posts and the content I create. This bookish meme is opening the door to allow me to be more vocal about books I’m truly anticipating for the year, I’m excited to just read in general, and books I wouldn’t normally get to share with all of you. This also opens the opportunity for all of you (yes, you dear reader) to tell me which books you want me to prioritize so you can hear my thoughts on them sooner rather than later. This will also come into play with all my other content that I create such as my reviews and tbrs (and that also impacts my tbr cart). As usual, I truly hope I’m going to love these books with my whole heart. I’m hoping they’ll all be five stars and we can talk about them together. And what better way to start this breath of fresh air than with anticipated fall/winter 2020 releases!

🍯 Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger 🍯

August 25th 2020 by Levine Querido

“Imagine an America very similar to our own. It’s got homework, best friends, and pistachio ice cream. There are some differences. This America been shaped dramatically by the magic, monsters, knowledge, and legends of its peoples, those Indigenous and those not. Some of these forces are charmingly everyday, like the ability to make an orb of light appear or travel across the world through rings of fungi. But other forces are less charming and should never see the light of day.”

If you have been here on my blog, my social media, anywhere I’m posting then you know how much I have been screeching, screeching about this book. Those who don’t know, Darcie Little Badger is Lipan Apache and I’m also Apache. I have spent a long time trying to find an Apache author and I found Darcie one cold, February morning. I have no doubt in my soul that I will love this with every fiber of my being. This is my number one anticipated book of all 2020.

🍯 Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas 🍯

September 1st 2020 by Swoon Reads

“When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free.”

From the various interviews to everyone who has been posting arc reviews, I’m eagerly awaiting this release. It also doesn’t help that Aiden drops so many photos of Yadriel and Julian photos. Be still my beating heart for these precious characters. I think it’s safe to say we all want September 1st to hurry up and get here so we can all read this!

🍯 As the Shadow Rises (The Age of Darkness, #2) by Katy Rose Pool 🍯

September 1st 2020 by Henry Holt Books for Young Readers

“The Last Prophet has been found, yet he sees destruction ahead.
In this sequel to the critically-acclaimed There Will Come a Darkness, kingdoms have begun to fall to a doomsday cult, the magical Graced are being persecuted, and an ancient power threatens to break free. But with the world hurtling toward its prophesized end, Anton’s haunting vision reveals the dangerous beginnings of a plan to stop the Age of Darkness.”

It feels like I’ve waited years for this to finally be released (not really years, but a couple of months) and the time is finally upon us. I have a review and a playlist for the first book in this series (I believe it’s going to be a trilogy). I’m so overcome by excitement and it’s finally dawning on me that September is soon upon us. But if you’ve read the first book and loved it, then you understand the longing and anticipating for this next book.

🍯 Black Sun (Between Earth and Sky #1) by Rebecca Roanhorse 🍯

October 13th 2020 by Saga Press

“Crafted with unforgettable characters, Rebecca Roanhorse has created an epic adventure exploring the decadence of power amidst the weight of history and the struggle of individuals swimming against the confines of society and their broken pasts in the most original series debut of the decade.”

Seriously, I can’t express the way this statement makes me feel. I wish I had more words to say, but what do you say to a synopsis that causes your breath to hitch and all your thoughts to leave your mind? All I can say is this sound incredible and I truly hope my fellow fantasy lovers have this on their radars.

🍯 These Violent Delights (These Violent Delights #1) by Chloe Gong 🍯

November 17th 2020 by Margaret K. McElderry Books

“As the people around them broke away in light laughter, switching partners before the music started again, Roma and Juliette both simply stood there, heaving for breath, chests rising and falling, as if they had just engaged in close-contact combat instead of the waltz.”

1920’s Shanghai, a mysterious monster, syndicate rivalry, all wrapped up in an imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling? I’m excited, I’m eager, and I have no doubt that I’m going to love this. From the few reviews I’ve read, this might end up being one of my favorite reads of 2020. Just sayin!