Countdown to 2024 Day 12: Holly and Ivy – a book with great world building
12 December 2023
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: A book with great worldbuilding, Countdown to 2024, Day 12, Holly and Ivy, Josiah Bancroft, The Hexologists
Today is day 12 of my countdown to 2024. Using a series of prompts each day I will post a book title that I believe fits the prompt. The aim is to highlight as many books as possible that I read from 2023 and shine the spotlight on them once again (although for some prompts I will be looking at future reads). A list of prompts can be found here if you wish to join me in counting down to 2024.
Today’s prompt: Holly and Ivy – a book with great world building
The Hexologists by Josiah Bancroft is simply superb. I loved it, and whilst this may seem a strange fit for today’s prompt, because strictly speaking this is a steampunk alternate Victorian setting (which you would think as readers we could be dropped straight into) – I stand by my choice because the author has included so much thought into just about everything. There’s a level of detail here that should perhaps feel over the top but doesn’t and the inclusion of some fantastic notions. I was totally absorbed and had an indecently good time reading this one.
19 Days Remaining
Countdown to 2024 Day 11: Mistletoe – a little bit of romance
11 December 2023
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: A Little Bit of Romance, Constance Sayers, Countdown to 2024, Day 11, Mistletoe, The Star and the Strange Moon
Today is day 11 of my countdown to 2024. Using a series of prompts each day I will post a book title that I believe fits the prompt. The aim is to highlight as many books as possible that I read from 2023 and shine the spotlight on them once again (although for some prompts I will be looking at future reads). A list of prompts can be found here if you wish to join me in counting down to 2024.
Today’s prompt: Mistletoe – a little bit of romance
The Star and the Strange Moon by Constance Sayers is a clever story – well, a story within a story really – set over differing periods where the protagonists stories eventually coincide. The romance is included with a very delicate touch and the concept was absolutely compelling.
20 Days Remaining
Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up
10 December 2023
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Booking Ahead, Caffeinated Book Reviewer, Weekly wrap up
I’m trying to get back into the habit of doing a round-up of the week just completed and also take a look at my plans for the forthcoming week. I rather got out of the habit of doing so but I would like to reinstate this type of post as I feel it keeps me on track. So, I’m linking up to The Sunday Post over at Kimberly’s Caffeinated Reviewer. Without further ado:
Books read this week:
Is everyone else finding that time is racing. I don’t seem to have enough time in the day at all. Anyway, this week I managed to complete The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas. I’ve continued listening to Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff (about 13 hours left – yes, this is a long book) and I’ve also read a Haunting in the Arctic by CJ Cooke. So, I am making good progress with the reads I’m trying to complete. I’ve now started the Mystery Guest by Nita Prose.
Complete Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff. Read The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose. Hopefully start Voyage of the Damned by Frances White.
Reviews Posted:
- The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
- The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwood
Outstanding Reviews
- What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
- A Haunting in the Arctic by CJ Cooke
Countdown to 2024 Day 10: Under the Tree – a book you forgot you owned
10 December 2023
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: A Book you Forgot you owned, Countdown to 2024, Day 10, Genevieve Valentine, The Girls at the Kingfisher Club, Under the Tree
Today is day 10 of my countdown to 2024. Using a series of prompts each day I will post a book title that I believe fits the prompt. The aim is to highlight as many books as possible that I read from 2023 and shine the spotlight on them once again (although for some prompts I will be looking at future reads). A list of prompts can be found here if you wish to join me in counting down to 2024.
Today’s prompt: Under the Tree – a book you forgot you owned
The Girls at the Kingfisher Club by Genevieve Valentine. I bought this ages ago, I’m an absolute sucker for fairytale retellings and this is a reimagining of the twelve dancing princesses but set in Manhattan during the 1920s. I love the sound of it and really must make time to squeeze it in.
21 Days Remaining
End of Year Book Tag
Today I thought I’d take part in a book tag that I’ve seen buzzing round the blogosphere lately. The End of Year Book Tag. I’m not sure who created this tag but I saw it over on Read Betwixt Words.
Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?
Unfortunately yes. During the first half of the year my reading and blogging was pretty dire as a result of family circumstances. I’ve been trying to catch up but I do still have a way to go. However, the most recent read, that I put down – but do intend to pick back up – was Crucible of Chaos by Sebastien de Castell. This is an author that I really enjoy reading so I am definitely going back to this one.
Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?
Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett – I may fif this in before the end of the year of if not it will be one of my first reads and I’m hoping it fits this prompt – the cover certainly has an autumnal feel to it.
Is there a new release you’re still waiting for?
Haha, how long do we have. Seriously quite a lot to look forward to so far in terms of reading in 2024. Three that really stand out for me are Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison, The Briar Book of the Dead by AG Slatter and The Gathering by CJ Tudor
What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose, Voyage of the Damned by Frances White and one of my SPFBO finalists (I’ll post about this in the new year).
Is there a book you think could still shock you and become your favourite book of the year?
Never say never. There’s still just over three weeks left in December so anything could happen. I’m hoping the two books I chose for the prompt above are good but who knows what else I might squeeze in before 2024.
Have you already started making reading plans for 2024?
Yep. But, I’m mostly sticking to the release order for my review books. I should make a start on a few of these this month and as well as the books I’ve already highlighted I’m hoping to get to:
That’s it for this particular tag. Have you read any of the books mentioned or are any of these on your radar?
Books and travelling with Lynn 