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 round up what I’ve finished reading and/or reviewed since the last update, and sometimes throw in stuff like reading challenge progress reports, book lists, and other random bookish thoughts or announcements.

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RECEIVED FOR REVIEW

Activity in my mailbox usually slows down around this time of the year, now that we’re officially into fall — but apparently not quite just yet. I need to catch up on some reading so I’ve not been making many requests, but each week still brings plenty of unexpected surprises and maybe a new discovery or two.  My thanks to all the wonderful publishers and authors!

Bound ARCs and Finished Copies:

City of Blades by Robert Jackson Bennett – Print ARC, with thanks to Broadway Books. One afternoon a couple weeks ago, I got a email in my inbox letting me know a copy of this book was on its way to me and I was like HELL TO THE YES. I loved City of Stairs and I am so totally jazzed for this sequel!

Thorn Jack and Briar Queen by Katherine Harbour – Paperbacks, with thanks to the author! I was very excited when Katherine got in contact about sending me copies of her books to review, and she even kindly included autographs, a beautiful card, and bookmarks. I’ve been meaning to check out Thorn Jack for a long time, and I didn’t even know there was a sequel out! Stay tuned for my review later this month, as well as a guest post by the author on a very cool topic (hint: it involves dragons!)

Dreamseeker by C. S. Friedman – Print ARC, with thanks to DAW. This is the sequel to last year’s Dreamwalker, a Young Adult sci-fi and urban portal fantasy crossover which I really enjoyed.

Last Song Before Night by Ilana C. Myer – Hardcover, with thanks to Tor who sent along a couple of finished copies my way last week, the first of which is this gorgeous looking book that wasn’t originally on my radar. The more I’m learning about it though, the more curious I am to check it out.

The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson – Hardcover, with thanks to Tor. Been hearing some interesting things about this book lately, which makes me even more anxious to dive in, which I’m hoping to do next week.

A veritable bounty also arrived from the wonderful folks at Skyhorse Publishing these last two weeks, including some fantastic looking titles from their imprints Yucca and Night Shade Books.

The Ultimate Guide to Zombie Warfare and Survival and The Zen of Zombie by Scott Kenemore – Just in time for October and the Halloween season are these two quirky looking titles, which look like a lot of fun! The undead apocalypse and zombies always make for great topics of humor around this time of the year.

The End of the Story by Clark Ashton Smith – I had to look this one up, but I am officially intrigued! A horror-themed collection, this series will bring together Smith’s entire body of work and publish them in chronological order, starting with this first volume that collects a whopping 25 of his short stories written between 1925 and 1930.  I’m looking forward to discovering this author who was also a contemporary and friend of H. P. Lovecraft.

Bat Out of Hell by Alan Gold – A sweet finished copy of this book arrived last week. I really wanted to fit this one in before the end of the month and so yep, I’m reading it now!

The Promise of the Child by Tom Toner – This hardcover is sooo pretty. I didn’t know a lot about the book beforehand, but that cover was enough to make me look up more information. I hear it’s not an easy read, but it some of the ideas in it sound wonderful and evocative. Definitely going to have to keep an eye on this one.

Kill by Numbers by Loren Rhoads – This is the sequel to The Dangerous Type and oh man I can’t believe the second book is out already. I need to catch up, or maybe I should just wait until the third book comes out in November and binge read the whole trilogy!

Digital and Audio:

Owl and the City of Angels by Kristi Charish – Digital galley with thanks to the author and Pocket Star for sending along an invite to read this book. I’m thrilled to be welcoming Kristi back to The BiblioSanctum later next month to feature her rollicking series about a good thief named Owl.

Reign of Iron by Angus Watson – Audiobook with thanks to Hachette Audio. This is my current listen, so by the time this post goes live I should be finished. I really dig this trilogy, and after that craaaaaazy ending in the second book, I just had to find out how it all ends.

Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson – Digital galley with thanks to Greenwillow Books. After hearing some great things about this book from a friend, I actually went and requested it from Edelweiss. Except I forgot I did that and so when the approval finally came through this week it was a very nice surprise! I am so excited about this one. It’s in my reader tempting me right now: READ ME…READ ME…READ ME…

PURCHASED

Star Wars: Lost Stars by Claudia Gray – Rabid Star Wars fan that I am, I’ve resolved to read every single book in the new canon except maybe the Middle-Grade/Children’s and Young Adult titles. So I was originally going to skip this one (a YA Star Wars romance), until the rave reviews started pouring in. I’ve already heard from two friends who say this was THE BEST STAR WARS BOOK THEY’VE EVER READ and these are guys who have read dozens upon dozens of them from the old EU, so that’s saying something. How could I not pick it up after that? Plus the mention of Romeo and Juliet in the blurb makes this one sound like a forbidden love story — perfect!

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson – I don’t read as many comics as I used to, but every quarter I will still go on a buying binge and pick up trades of comics that got a lot of good buzz or reviews in the past few months. I usually don’t feature these comic hauls in my Bookshelf Roundups, but I had to make an exception for Nimona. This is one gorgeous hardcover, very well presented.

WHAT I’VE READ SINCE THE LAST UPDATE

It’s been an interesting fortnight. A couple of media tie-ins here, a couple of YA titles there. And of course, I’m also gearing up for the launch of The Speculative Herald by reading the books I’ve been scheduled to review. Here’s the list of books I’ve finished recently, so keep an eye out for their 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.

The Bloodforged by Erin Lindsey (4.5 of 5 stars)
Dragon Coast by Greg Van Eekhout (4 of 5 stars)
Never Never by Brianna R. Shrum (4 of 5 stars)
Doctor Who: Royal Blood by Una McCormack (4 of 5 stars)
The Good, The Bad, and The Smug by Tom Holt (4 of 5 stars)
King of the Bastards by Brian Keene & Steven Shrewsbury (4 of 5 stars)
Battlemage by Steven Aryan (4 of 5 stars)
The Dead House by Dawn Kurtogich (4 of 5 stars)

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Have you heard of or read any of the books featured this week? What caught your eye? Any new discoveries? Let me know if you plan to read any of these! 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~