Finally getting settled into our new place, and reading is still coming in second to every other activity, but I did finished ten books in June. (July might be worse in terms of numbers than May!)
A Botanist’s Guide to Flowers & Fatality, by Kate Khavari
Set in 1923 London, Saffron Everleigh is an aspiring botanist who (due to the events of the first book) has been assigned an important study in conjunction with a devilishly handsome doctor who becomes the Watson to her Sherlock. When Inspector Greene comes to Saffron for information about several deadly bouquets, she can’t help but investigate—especially as the suspects are among the nobility which the police won’t have access too. Saffron is a delightfully smart, unassuming, clever detective. Really enjoyed this listen.
Fireborn, by Rosario Munda
Book for my book club that I wasn’t that into. My fellow book club members all gave it a 4.5 or 5 and I gave it a 3. It was fine, just not all that groundbreaking. While the lead were mostly good, I didn’t think they were all that well-rounded. The character who was their foil was the most interesting to me. But the dragons were great. The politicking was well-done, but not that interesting to me. I think this will be huge in YA though, so my opinion matters little.
The Northern Gardener, by Mary Lahr Schier
A nonfiction book about gardening in Minnesota, my new state. I’ve never lived in a place with distinct season before, so I’m excited to get gardening here. This was a perfect introduction to gardening in a climate with very cold winters and gave me lots of ideas about how to proceed.
The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen, by K.J. Charles
I’ve heard that KJ Charles writes great romance/mysteries and the endorsement was not wrong. Very compelling story of Sir Gareth and smuggler Joss whose passion is just as intense as the mystery they have to solve. It reminded me a lot of two Georgette Heyer novels--The Reluctant Widow and The Unknown Ajax. So a book that keeps good company!
Plain Jane and the Mermaid, by Vera Brosgol
LOVED this graphic novel. It was such a great story and so well told. I’ve been a fan Brosgol since her first book, Anya’s Ghost, and this one is amazing. It involves Jane, a girl with not much beauty, a cousin who inherits her family’s property, and her one chance (as she sees it) to keep her home. It involves, witches, selkies, as well as mermaids, and was the best kind of fairy tale.
The Lumbering Giants of Windy Pines, by Mo Netz
Wheelchair-bound Jerry have been living out of motel’s since her dad died. When they arrive at the Slumbering Giants Motel, she expects the same, but her mom’s mysterious new job takes her away much of the day and night leaving Jerry to get by on her own. She makes a friend out of another girl her age staying at the motel and together they learn about the people who go missing in the forest at the edge of the motel. When Jerry’s mom also goes missing, Jerry goes in search for her—wheelchair and all. Fun, quick fantasy mystery for middle grade.
Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen
I probably haven’t read this since the 1990s. It was good to revisit it. This has never been my favorite of Austen’s novels, but any Austen is fantastic. I found, though, in my old age that I have very little patience for Marianne. She’s 17 and they treat her like a full-fledged adult even though she acts like a child ALL THE TIME. Still, I enjoyed it a lot.
Viviana Valentine Goes Up the River, by Emily J. Edwards
Second Viviana book, also lots of fun. This time, Viviana is on her first case as a detective and she’s in a locked house mystery with a murderer on the loose. Girl Friday Viviana is a delight as she pretends to be the future Mrs. Tommy Fortuna (her boss) to get the inside scoop on some rich scientists with big secrets. The only thing that wasn’t great was the “romance” between Tommy and Viviana. All of a sudden they were really engaged and I’m still not sure where that came from.
Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz, by Garth Nix
The long-anticipated collection of stories about these two stalwart travelers. Garth Nix’s world-building chops are on display in this collection of Hereward and Fitz as they travel the continents as agents of the Council of the Treaty for the Safety of the World and slay evil godlets who have intruded from other dimensions. Swashbuckling, creepy, exciting, and fun.
Butter, Sugar, Magic by Jessica Rosenberg
Fun, potato chip read about a divorcee with no prospects unexpectedly inherits the bake shop of her dreams in a quaint, welcoming town. And turns out, she's a witch with the power to bake. The book is as sweet as its name. Nice comfort read.
A Botanist’s Guide to Flowers & Fatality, by Kate Khavari
Set in 1923 London, Saffron Everleigh is an aspiring botanist who (due to the events of the first book) has been assigned an important study in conjunction with a devilishly handsome doctor who becomes the Watson to her Sherlock. When Inspector Greene comes to Saffron for information about several deadly bouquets, she can’t help but investigate—especially as the suspects are among the nobility which the police won’t have access too. Saffron is a delightfully smart, unassuming, clever detective. Really enjoyed this listen.
Fireborn, by Rosario Munda
Book for my book club that I wasn’t that into. My fellow book club members all gave it a 4.5 or 5 and I gave it a 3. It was fine, just not all that groundbreaking. While the lead were mostly good, I didn’t think they were all that well-rounded. The character who was their foil was the most interesting to me. But the dragons were great. The politicking was well-done, but not that interesting to me. I think this will be huge in YA though, so my opinion matters little.
The Northern Gardener, by Mary Lahr Schier
A nonfiction book about gardening in Minnesota, my new state. I’ve never lived in a place with distinct season before, so I’m excited to get gardening here. This was a perfect introduction to gardening in a climate with very cold winters and gave me lots of ideas about how to proceed.
The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen, by K.J. Charles
I’ve heard that KJ Charles writes great romance/mysteries and the endorsement was not wrong. Very compelling story of Sir Gareth and smuggler Joss whose passion is just as intense as the mystery they have to solve. It reminded me a lot of two Georgette Heyer novels--The Reluctant Widow and The Unknown Ajax. So a book that keeps good company!
Plain Jane and the Mermaid, by Vera Brosgol
LOVED this graphic novel. It was such a great story and so well told. I’ve been a fan Brosgol since her first book, Anya’s Ghost, and this one is amazing. It involves Jane, a girl with not much beauty, a cousin who inherits her family’s property, and her one chance (as she sees it) to keep her home. It involves, witches, selkies, as well as mermaids, and was the best kind of fairy tale.
The Lumbering Giants of Windy Pines, by Mo Netz
Wheelchair-bound Jerry have been living out of motel’s since her dad died. When they arrive at the Slumbering Giants Motel, she expects the same, but her mom’s mysterious new job takes her away much of the day and night leaving Jerry to get by on her own. She makes a friend out of another girl her age staying at the motel and together they learn about the people who go missing in the forest at the edge of the motel. When Jerry’s mom also goes missing, Jerry goes in search for her—wheelchair and all. Fun, quick fantasy mystery for middle grade.
Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen
I probably haven’t read this since the 1990s. It was good to revisit it. This has never been my favorite of Austen’s novels, but any Austen is fantastic. I found, though, in my old age that I have very little patience for Marianne. She’s 17 and they treat her like a full-fledged adult even though she acts like a child ALL THE TIME. Still, I enjoyed it a lot.
Viviana Valentine Goes Up the River, by Emily J. Edwards
Second Viviana book, also lots of fun. This time, Viviana is on her first case as a detective and she’s in a locked house mystery with a murderer on the loose. Girl Friday Viviana is a delight as she pretends to be the future Mrs. Tommy Fortuna (her boss) to get the inside scoop on some rich scientists with big secrets. The only thing that wasn’t great was the “romance” between Tommy and Viviana. All of a sudden they were really engaged and I’m still not sure where that came from.
Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz, by Garth Nix
The long-anticipated collection of stories about these two stalwart travelers. Garth Nix’s world-building chops are on display in this collection of Hereward and Fitz as they travel the continents as agents of the Council of the Treaty for the Safety of the World and slay evil godlets who have intruded from other dimensions. Swashbuckling, creepy, exciting, and fun.
Butter, Sugar, Magic by Jessica Rosenberg
Fun, potato chip read about a divorcee with no prospects unexpectedly inherits the bake shop of her dreams in a quaint, welcoming town. And turns out, she's a witch with the power to bake. The book is as sweet as its name. Nice comfort read.
