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.
Received for Review
My thanks to the publishers and authors for the following review copies received, and be sure to click the links to their Goodreads pages for more details and full descriptions!
The kind folks at Saga Press served me up a really nice surprise this month, with a box containing these beauties: first, a finished copy of The Deep by Rivers Solomon with Daveed Diggs, William Hutson and Jonathan Snipes, a mythological story that imagines the infants of pregnant African women, thrown overboard, born as mer-people. This wasn’t really on my radar before, but as I have a copy on hand now I might give it a read later this fall. Next is this hefty hardcover of The Monsters Know What They’re Doing by Keith Ammann, which appears to be a compilation of villainous battle plans from the author’s Dungeons & Dragons blog. I’m not really one for DM’ing, but if you are, this has been deemed essential reading for any Dungeon Master who wants to up their game so you should check it out.
Also thanks to Inkshares for sending me a finished copy of Cryptozoology for Beginners by Matt Harry, the sequel to Sorcery for Beginners though it can be read as a standalone. This one was already on my radar, so I’m super grateful to the publisher for sending it.
And Tor.com really spoiled me this month, with a trio of their highly anticipated 2020 titles including ARCs of Docile by K.M. Szpara, Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey, and Repo Virtual by Corey J. White!
I also want to catch up with a huge book drop from the amazing team at Ace/Roc/DAW. First up, an ARC of Sword of Fire by Katharine Kerr, the start of a new Celtic fantasy trilogy. This one’s new to me, but it sounds right up my alley. I also received an ARC of The New Improved Sorceress by Sara Hanover, the follow-up to The Late Great Wizard, which I shamefully still need to read so this sequel should give me the motivation I need. Mazes of Power by Juliette Wade is another new-to-me arrival, one I am very curious to try.
Earlier this month I also received a paperback of Shield of the People by Marshall Ryan Maresca, the second book in the author’s newest series set in his world of Maradaine. The historical mystery buff in me is also very excited to receive this ARC of Cries from the Lost Island by Kathleen O’Neal Gear, described as a standalone Egyptian mystery set against a modern background. I just learned about this book recently, but I’m already so excited to read it! The author is also an anthropologist and the wife of W. Michael Gear, whose sci-fi Donovan trilogy I really enjoyed, so this is one talented couple. And speaking of excitement, I was thrilled to receive an ARC of The Secret Chapter by Genevieve Cogman, the sixth volume of the Invisible Library sequence. I just love this series! And finally, rounding out the batch is an ARC of Burn Cycle by Joel Dane, sequel to Cry Pilot. I wasn’t crazy about the first book, but depending on the reviews for this one, I probably could be convinced to give the series another go.
This week, I also want to do a very special unboxing – because this one’s just too cool and special not to rave about! A couple weeks ago, I received this gorgeous package from Entangled: Teen, promoting the upcoming release of Find Me Their Bones by Sara Wolf, the sequel to highly acclaimed Bring Me Their Hearts, which was one of my favorite YA novels last year. As you can see from the box, they really went all out! Here’s a look at what was inside:
The BOOM CHICKA POP popcorn was a riot, and definitely got a chuckle out of me as I was opening this box. But the highlight was hands down the personalized clip. As you can see, the spelling of my name isn’t the more common, traditional way, so clearly someone took some serious care and effort to get these custom-made for us – and believe me, it’s so very much appreciated! Also in the box were some temporary tattoos and this really adorable pin, whose design is based on the cover.
And of course, last but not least we have the book itself. Thank you again to Entangled: Teen for sending me the ARC along with all this wonderful swag! I already read the book and loved it, so you should be seeing the review up real soon.
My last couple of roundups saw some crazy digital hauls so I’m relieved to say this week’s is much lighter. I only grabbed two eARCs from NetGalley, first a post-apocalyptic dystopian called Day Zero by Kelly deVos, and also The Other People by C.J. Tudor which is the highly anticipated release from one of my new favorite authors.
Reviews
Below is a quick summary of my reviews since the last update. There weren’t as many posted, because as you know, Sci-Fi Month has started up and I’d been using the last two weeks to prepare, getting some reading done and content queued up.
The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones (4 of 5 stars)
The Possession by Michael Rutger (3.5 of 5 stars)
Ghoster by Jason Arnopp (3.5 of 5 stars)
Angel Mage by Garth Nix (3.5 of 5 stars)
The Vine Witch by Luanne G. Smith (3 of 5 stars)
The Grace Year by Kim Liggett (2.5 of 5 stars)
Interviews and Guest Posts
A shout out to the author(s) featured on The BiblioSanctum this week! On Monday, we were lucky enough to have been a stop on the book release tour for The Violent Fae by Phil Williams, featuring the short story “The Chemist” in his series of Ordshaw Vignettes!
Guest Post: “The Violent Fae: The Orshaw Vignettes” by Phil Williams
What I’ve Read Since the Last Update
Here’s what I’ve managed to “unstack” from the TBR since the last update. More reviews 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 
I actually try not to read too many shelves/hauls posts because I get so envious of everything everyone else is going to read!
I am an incredibly dark shade of green right now! 😀 You have some awesome swag right here! I take my hat off to you. 😀
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Haha, my TBR doesn’t need adding to either, but I actually love seeing others’ haul posts – I’ve given up fighting the temptation 😛
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I’m really looking forward to Upright Women Wanted.
That Sara Wolf box though . . . wow, that is all kinds of awesome. Congrats!
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Yeah, it’s a beautiful box, I’m impressed by how much they put into it!
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OOh nice haul! Lots of new to me ones here! I hope you enjoy each and every one of them!
My StS will be up tomorrow, so stop by then if you can!
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower 🙂
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Thank you!
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Most jealous of the new Invisible Library, CJ Tudor and Katharine Kerr ones – hope they’re all brilliant! 🙂
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Me too! Looking forward to reading those 🙂
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Wow, that box for Find Me Their Bones is pretty special! That’s a series I’d love to start soon. And I’m a wee bit jealous of the Kathleen Gear ARC, I’m so curious to read her books, especially since she’s the wife of Mr. Gear!
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It’s a great series, and it’s so cool that they put so much thought into that box. And yeah, I’m looking forward to the Gear book too, especially since I’m curious how she’ll incorporate her anthro background 🙂
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Katharine Kerr is one of those authors I mean to sample, even though for now her works are still languishing on my wish list, but the words “Celtic Fantasy” in your post have re-kindled my curiosity… 🙂
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Katharine Kerr is new to me! I’d like to see what she’s all about 🙂
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Wow nice round up this week! That Sara Wolf box looks incredible, and both The Deep and The Monsters Know What They’re Doing look great. also… new Katherine Kerr??
The Other People definitely caught my eye too.
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Haha, I hadn’t even heard of Kerr until this book showed up. Now I’m curious!
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I still need to start Sara Wolf’s series but it’s definitely high on my TBR and the box that you were sent is lovely. I still need to start the Invisible Library series too. I hope you enjoy all these books (: you’ve got a lovely selection to pick from.
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The Invisible Library series is SO. MUCH. FUN. Highly recommended if you enjoy stories about the magic of reading and “books about books” 🙂
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I’ll definitely have to check it out soon as both of these things tend to be wonderful 😊
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I’d like to try Sword of Fire and Cries from the Lost Island, just added those to my TBR. I’ve been wanting to read something from each of these authors but haven’t yet gotten to it. I’m not sure if I’d enjoy the book but that’s a cool looking box for Find Me Their Bones, and I love the cover.
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Yeah, this was the first time I heard about Sword of Fire as well as Lost Island, I’m really looking forward to checking out both of those!
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WTF! A new Kerr! A new Deverry Kerr!?!?!?!?
Ok so yes the series turned depressing in the end, but I named my cat Rhodri! LOvE
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Hmm, Deverry Kerr? Wrong author? 🙂
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Name of the series 😉
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Ah I see! Clearly I’m not familiar with the author, sounds like I’m missing out 🙂
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They went on too long though, way too long
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Great haul Mogsy!!!
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Thanks, happy reading!
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Another lot of great books for you TBR pile. That box is amazing! Super impressed with it and all the personal touches. Hope you enjoy!
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As usual I love your stacking the shelf post but in particular your ‘unboxing’ – how totally cool.
Lynn 😀
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I really want to try The Deep. I’m so intrigued by it.
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