Mogsy’s Bookshelf Roundup: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads
Bookshelf Roundup is a feature I do every other weekend which fills the role of several blog memes, like Stacking the Shelves where I talk about the new books I’ve added to my library or received for review, as well as It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? where I round up what I’ve read since the last update and what I’m planning to read soon. Mostly it also serves as a recap post, so sometimes I’ll throw in stuff like reading challenge progress reports, book lists, and other random bookish thoughts or announcements.
As you know, I usually prepare my posts beforehand so by the time you read this I should be on the road for our family vacation. While I’ve scheduled a bunch of posts so that the blog’s activity should continue as normal, I apologize in advance if I’m slower to visit your blogs or reply to comments in the coming days. Rest assured though, I’ll catch up with everything once I get back! In the meantime, here’s a roundup of my recent bookshelf activities:
Received for Review
Thank you to the publishers and authors for the following review copies received. For more details and full descriptions of the books, be sure to click the links to their Goodreads pages!
Don’t Live For Your Obituary by John Scalzi is described as a selection the author’s writing advice, commentary, and observations curated over a decade. My thanks to Subterranean Press for the ARC!
Idle Hands by Tom Fletcher is the second book of the The Factory Trilogy, which I’ll probably check out because I really liked the first book Gleam. Huge thanks to the kind folks at Jo Fletcher Books for this nice surprise from across the pond.
I’m also really curious about A Secret History of Witches by Louisa Morgan so I was pretty excited when an ARC showed up unexpectedly in my mailbox last week! Thank you, Orbit Books!
Next up, a trio of fantastic finished copies! The amazing folks at Inkshares were kind enough to send me a finished copy of Devil’s Call by J. Danielle Dorn last week, and to my excitement, when I looked inside I saw that they had printed a blurb from my review! Pretty sure I’m sounding like a broken record by now, but I can’t emphasize just how much I loved this book and I highly recommend it.
I also received a paperback edition of Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan which I had a really good time with last year. The sequel just came out, so now is a great time to grab this one to catch up! My thanks to Del Rey.
And speaking of new editions and re-issues, the paperback of The Last One by Alexandra Oliva is coming out in a few days as well, complete with an incredible new look. I like this cover a lot more than the hardback, to be honest! In case you missed my review of the book, which made my list of Top Ten Debuts of 2016, you can read it here. My thanks to Ballantine Books.
The Overneath by Peter S. Beagle was another wonderful surprise in my mailbox last week, featuring both new and previously uncollected tales by the author whom I had the pleasure of reading for the first time just earlier this year with In Calabria. While I don’t read a lot of short stories, I love Beagle’s prose so much that I’m actually quite excited to check out this anthology! My thanks to Tachyon Publications for the ARC.
Described as a domestic suspense-thriller novel weaving together high stakes hospital politics and the pressures of family life, Best Intentions by Erika Raskin is a bit out of my wheelhouse, but then again, I’ve been having a lot of luck with this genre lately so I’d love to try fitting this one into my reading schedule if time allows. With thanks to St. Martin’s Press.
Sorcery for Beginners by Euphemia Whitmore with Matt Harry was another new one to me, so I did some googling after it arrived. Frankly, it sounds fascinating. From what I gather, it’s a blend of contemporary YA meets “mock manual”, complete with pictures and diagrams and other fun stuff like the kind you’d find in a “For Dummies” style guide. How fun! My thanks to Inkshares for the ARC!
On to the digital book haul! In preparation for my trip, I had requested a few audiobooks to listen to while on the road. After On by Rob Reid caught my attention because of its description as the definitive novel capturing the culture and technology of today’s Silicon Valley. My thanks to Random House Audio.
Next up, one of my favorite YA authors does DC superheroes? Sign me up please! When Listening Library offered me the chance to review the audiobook of Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo, I did not hesitate for a second.
I also requested the audiobook of The Fifth Ward: First Watch by Dale Lucas when I found out that Simon Vance is the narrator. The man has a voice of gold and I’ll never miss a chance to hear him read. My thanks to Hachette Audio!
The Naked World by Eli K. P. William is the sequel to Cash Crash Jubilee, a fascinating cyber-dystopian thriller I read a couple years back. I’m so glad the book is finally on the horizon because I was starting to grow worried that it was never going to come out! With thanks to Talos via Edelweiss.
Speaking of highly anticipated sequels, I was also sent a review copy of The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden, which is the follow-up to The Bear and the Nightingale. The first book took my breath away and I’m really excited to see where the author will take this story next. With thanks to Del Rey.
Finally, with thanks to Tor.com I received Gluttony Bay by Matt Wallace, sixth installment of the Sin du Jour series of novellas. I can’t believe how quickly these are coming out! I still have the fifth book to read before I can jump into this one, so I’d best catch up quick.
Books Won
And here’s something you don’t see very often…I won some giveaways! A while ago I entered a Penguin contest for several of their prize packs and ended up winning Heroine Worship by Sarah Kuhn and a cool tote bag that came with it. I wasn’t crazy about the first book, but I’m definitely not closing any doors to trying this sequel especially since I heard that it offers a POV change. I was also very excited to win This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee from Sara’s Blogoversary giveaway in which she featured this book as one of her top ten most unique reads. It sounds very interesting indeed, and I can’t wait to try it! Last but not least, I managed to score an ARC of Invictus by Ryan Graudin from NOVL’s newsletter giveaway. So pumped for this!
Reviews
A quick look at the reviews I’ve posted since the last update:
Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine (4 of 5 stars)
The X-Files: Cold Cases by Joe Harris, Chris Carter, and Dirk Maggs (4 of 5 stars)
Tomorrow’s Kin by Nancy Kress (4 of 5 stars)
The Clockwork Dynasty by Daniel H. Wilson (4 of 5 stars)
Where Loyalties Lie by Rob J. Hayes (3.5 of 5 stars)
Star Wars: Battlefront II: Inferno Squad by Christie Golden (3.5 of 5 stars)
Age of Swords by Michael J. Sullivan (3.5 of 5 stars)
What I’ve Read Since the Last Update
Here’s what I’ve finished reading or “unstacked” from the TBR in the last two weeks. Reviews for a couple of these are up already, the rest coming soon!
Have you heard of or read any of the books featured this week? What caught your eye? Any new discoveries? I hope you found something interesting for a future read! Let me know what you plan on checking out. Until next time, see you next Roundup!
The BiblioSanctum 
Just wanted to say I seriously admire your book reviews. I learn so much from your posts. I still have a long ways to go as a book reviewer, but often find myself learning from you. Thank you!
LikeLike
You are very welcome and I am so honored by your kind words! I wish you best of luck with your book reviews, and thanks for following my blog. I’m so glad that I’ve discovered yours as well 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I need to try Age of Myth, sigh…one day
LikeLike
Haha, too many books, too little time.
LikeLike
Enjoy your vacation! Interesting to see The Naked World, I remember Cash Crash Jubilee a few years ago although I never got around to reading it. I probably should!
Dream Fall has me kinda curious.
LikeLike
Thank you! We had a great week and we’re heading home tonight. And do try to check out Cash Crash Jubilee if you can, it’s an awesome book!
LikeLike
ooh a new Matt Wallace book! I’ve still only read the first one and I wanted to get more read this year. Sadly they might have to go on the back burner until I get the paperbacks down a bit! I have piles on the floor looking for a home and I need to get everything onto a shelf, so they are priority this year! Have a great holiday!
LikeLike
Yeah, I’m behind on the Matt Wallace series. They’re short reads, so I should be able to catch up soon. They’re fun reads too so that should make things even quicker 🙂
LikeLike
Ooh nice new reads! Some new to me ones there! And wow! 3 contest wins! Congrats! Hope you enjoy all the lovely new reads!
My STS will be up tomorrow, so be sure to stop by then!
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower 🙂
LikeLike
Haha, yeah I don’t win too much, but when I do they seem to come together!
LikeLike
Wooow congrats on all the books you on on giveaways !!! 😀
A Secret History of Witches and Sorcery for Beginners both sound and look really good!!
LikeLike
Yeah, I’m loving the sound of all the magic and sorcery! Looking forward to checking out both books 😀
LikeLike
The Naked World looks interesting. If you review it, I shall have to see if it’s a duology. If so, I’ll probably add them to my tbr…
LikeLike
The wait between the first book and this one was quite long, so I’d really like to know how many books it is too! In general I don’t mind waiting, but I do want to be assured a series will be completed in good time 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Timely writing. amen to that!
LikeLike
Have a great vacation! Hopefully that will mean more! reading! time! 😀
The Scalzi book sounds like the usual kind of fun from this author: I saw it mentioned in a couple of posts on his blog, but did not have time to inquire deeper. Knowing Scalzi, this will be a “sight unseen buy” for me!
And I look forward to your review for the third Great Library book: it’s in my “next” queue and I can hardly wait to get to it…
LikeLike
Thank you! It was a great week and I’m getting ready to head home today. And I’m of the same mind about Scalzi – he’s a must-read author for me 🙂
LikeLike
*gets all excited over This Monstrous Thing* I really hope you enjoy it! And you’re welcome, too. Rafflecopter picked a deserving winner. 😉
I’m really interested in hearing your thoughts on Wonder Woman and The Girl in the Tower once you read them. And I think TGitT might be out before year’s end…? I had pre-ordered it not too long ago, and the release date had been bumped up from January 2018 to early December of this year.
I was a bad girl last night and bought books. *lol* I’d been meaning to hold off before next week’s trip to NYC, where I know I’ll more because of the writing conference, but I saw Skullsworn by Brian Staveley last night and it was too shiny to pass up. XD I read The Emperor’s Blades about a month ago and really liked it. And while I would’ve preferred to get the other two Unhewn Thrown books first, the first book and Skullsworn were the only ones in stock. Ah well. I’ll get the others eventually.
LikeLike
Forgot to say that I hope you have a lovely vacation! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you! We came to Cape Cod again to visit family, will be heading home later today 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you again for hosting the giveaway! I never win anything anymore so that was an awesome surprise!
And I’m not sure about TGitT, but it would be awesome if it could squeak in before the year is over! And no, you’re never a bad girl for buying books. And Skullsworn is awesome, so even better! If you enjoyed The Emperor’s Blades I think you’ll enjoy this one too, Staveley’s writing has evolved so much in the years in between. It would have been better to finish the trilogy first only because the main character of Skullsworn is a side character there, but honestly I think you’ll be fine regardless 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m excited for your review!
LikeLike
Thanks, I’m a little behind on my reviews since I’ve been on vacation, but I’ll be doing my best to get them posted when I get back! 😀
LikeLike
Yay for winning giveaways! Enjoy your vacation!
LikeLike
Thanks! Heading home today after an awesome week 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you are having a grand time. I am anxiously awaiting your thoughts on The Secret History of Witches and I’m so excited that the new Matt Wallace book finally has a cover. Book 5 was so good and I’ll be so upset when this series ends with the 7th. More people need to pick up those books!
LikeLike
Forgot to add I read A Monstrous Thing when it came out and really enjoyed it. I definitely recommend it.
LikeLike
We had a great time, thank you! And I’m really looking forward to Secret History of Witches, it sounds a bit different from the kind of fantasy I normally go for, but I’m very intrigued! And glad to hear you enjoyed Monstrous Thing and the Matt Wallace books. I have to catch up lol!
LikeLike
Wow! That’s a lot of great books you got there! Age of Myth looks pretty interesting! I hope you enjoy all of your reads!
LikeLike
Thanks! I didn’t get as much reading done this weeks since I was traveling, but hopefully I’ll get back into the rhythm again once I get home 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome!
LikeLike
I’ve been eyeing Devil’s Call, but the ebook is still on preorder status! Aaaah. Hope you enjoy all the new books — and the trip!
LikeLike
Thanks! It was a nice vacation, but I’m ready to get back to my everyday life now 😀 And I hope Devil’s Call is available soon. Inkshares is a great little publisher, but their books do seem to take a bit of time to reach international audiences.
LikeLike
Congrats on all giveaways books !
Grave à nice week !
LikeLike
Thank you, we had an excellent time!
LikeLike
I hope you are having an amazing time on your vacation. I’ve been wanting to read Age of Myth so I’m glad to see the pb is out now.
LikeLike
Thanks! We’re heading home today, and despite a wonderful relaxing time I think I’m ready to get back to my “normal” life now 😉
LikeLike
You’re going on an adventure! Hope you have a lovely time and of course you have some wonderful books to read whilst you’re away. Can’t wait for the reviews.
Lynn 😀
LikeLike
Thanks! I didn’t get as much reading done as I’d hoped, but oh well! Hopefully I’ll catch up once I get back! 😀
LikeLike
As soon as I saw The Naked World on your list, I immediately went to Edelweiss and downloaded it. I’m very excited and curious to jump back into that world!
LikeLike
Me too! I’m so glad the book is finally on the horizon, I believe it had been pushed back a couple times.
LikeLike
Woohoo, enjoy your vacation! Sorcery for Beginners does sound fascinating, might have to snag a copy for myself. And I hope you enjoy This Monstrous Thing, I loved Lee’s latest release The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue!
LikeLike
Thanks! We had a great time and are planning on heading back today. Time to get back to “normal” life and my regular schedule – I do plan on checking out Sorcery for Beginners soon! And cool, I think I’ve heard of The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, I hadn’t made the connection that it’s by the same author as This Monstrous Thing!
LikeLike