Mogsy’s Bookshelf Roundup: Stacking the Shelves and Recent Reads

Bookshelf Roundup is a feature I do every other weekend similar to Stacking the Shelves where I talk about the new books I’ve added to my library or received for review, as well as what I plan to read soon. I also summarize what I’ve finished reading and/or reviewed since the last update, and sometimes I even throw in fun stuff like reading challenge updates, book lists, and other random bookish thoughts.

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RECEIVED FOR REVIEW

August was a very big month for new arrivals, leaving me with a TBR which includes both requested/accepted books in addition to the many unsolicited  books I want to check out too. As a result, for the last few weeks I’ve taken a more prudent approach when it comes to taking on new books. I think that’s been going pretty well, even though my NetGalley request button-pressing finger apparently missed the memo. But more on that later, as we first turn the spotlight on the books in my mailbox this week, with thanks to the wonderful publishers and authors who sent them my way.

Bound ARCs and Finished Copies:

Chapelwood by Cherie Priest – Paperback, with thanks to Roc. This one was a surprise arrival and it’s also a sequel. It just so happens though, I’ve read the first book! It’s a tale of Lizzie Borden with a Lovecraftian twist, so Horror fans might want to take a look at this one.

King of the Bastards by Brian Keene – Paperback, with thanks to Apex Publications, whose awesome editor noticed my enthusiasm for this book and generously offered me a review copy. Sword and sorcery meets some old-school pulp, yeah! I knew I had to read it as soon as I saw it.

The Sleeping King by Cindy Dees and Bill Flippin – Hardcover, with thanks to Tor. Another unexpected arrival, but it was a very welcome one. This book has been on my watch list for a while.

Dragon Heart by Cecelia Holland – Hardcover, with thanks to Tor. Renowned historical fiction writer Cecelia Holland tackles fantasy! I’ve not read her work before, so I’m very excited about this.

Towers Fall by Karina Sumner-Smith – Print ARC with thanks to Talos. A welcome surprise! I’ve enjoyed the first two books of this series and I still maintain that Karina Sumner-Smith and her series both deserve a lot more attention. I’m looking forward to read this third and final book of The Towers Trilogy.

After the Saucers Landed by Douglas Lain  – Print ARC with thanks to Night Shade Books. More goodies from Skyhorse! This one actually caught my eye back when I saw the eARC on Edelweiss, so I was very happy when a finished copy turned up last week.

Time and Time Again by Ben Elton – Print ARC with thanks to Thomas Dunne Books, whose very kind, very nice publicist pitched me this title and gave her time to patiently answer all my questions about it. I did say I was going to be more prudent in taking on review books, so while the time traveling component of this one intrigued me, I wasn’t so sure about the historical fiction or WWI aspect. The publicist assured me that the story actually features more portal jumping/alternate history than history or war, and her enthusiasm ultimately sold me because it does sound really good!  I think this book might have been released earlier in the UK too, so it already has some amazing reviews. Check it out.

Earth Flight by Janet Edwards – Hardcover, with thanks to Pyr for the finished copy. I so enjoyed books 1 and 2 in the Earth Girl trilogy, so this third and final installment is high priority!

Digital:

Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel – eARC with thanks to Del Rey via NetGalley. This was on my watch list, so I requested it as soon as I saw it. I was still pretty surprised to see the eARC available already though, considering its release date isn’t until next April.

Never Never by Brianna R. Shrum – eARC with thanks to Spencer Hill for the invitation. I’d been waiting for this one to show up on NetGalley forever, it seems. I even geeked out big time about it with a publicist from their imprint Spence City Books, and so she put forth my contact info when the widgets were going out for this title. If you caught my WoW this week, you’ll understand my excitement!

Nightfall by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski – eARC with thanks to G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers via First to Read. This looks fantastic, and its Horror tag just brought it home. The last couple of YA novels I’ve gotten through Penguin’s FtR have been great, so I’m hoping to strike gold for a third time.

The Dead House by Dawn Kurtogich – eARC with thanks to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers via NetGalley. I actually won a print ARC recently, but before that I’d put in a request on NG which sat in my pending queue for so long, I thought for sure I was denied. I was utterly shocked when the approval email finally came through last week. Bumping this one up,  though it was already marked high priority on my list!

Swords and Scoundrels by Julia Knight and Wake of Vultures by Lila Bowen – eARCs with thanks to Orbit for the invitations and for making my NG shelf explode. They have so many amazing titles coming out this fall, it took everything in me to resist accepting them all. In the end I picked up these two books, both of which have been on my anticipated list for a long time.

Audio:

The Trials by Linda Nagata – Audiobook with thanks to Audible. Remember my review of First Light? I absolutely loved it. I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to review the sequel.

The Good, The Bad and the Smug by Tom Holt and The Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker – Audiobooks with thanks to Hachette Audio for review copies of these two books. I’ve heard great things about both, so I’m quite excited to dive in.

WHAT I’VE READ SINCE THE LAST UPDATE 

Earlier this week, I got sick with the nastiest cold. I caught it from my daughter, who picked hers up from preschool AKA the germ factory. Seriously, these are some powerful, badass bugs. As you can imagine, being stuffed up and coughing my lungs out has affected my concentration somewhat, so this week I’ve been a little audio heavy. I’m still reading though, so I’m sure you’ll see some of these reviews in the coming weeks, if they’re not up already.

Reviews:

Here are the reviews I’ve written and posted since the last update, gathered together and listed here for your convenience and viewing pleasure.

Baptism of Fire by Andrzej Sapkowski (4.5 of 5 stars)
Flex by Ferrett Steinmetz (4.5 of 5 stars)
The End of All Things by John Scalzi (4 of 5 stars)
Alice by Christina Henry (3.5 of 5 stars)
Forbidden by Cathy Clamp (3.5 of 5 stars)
Zer0es by Chuck Wendig (3.5 of 5 stars)
The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi (3.5 of 5 stars)

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Have you heard of or read any of the books featured in this week? What looked good or caught your eye? Any new discoveries? Let me know! Nothing makes me happier than sharing my love for books and I hope you found something interesting for a future read. Until next time; see you next Roundup! 🙂

~Mogsy/Steff~