Bookshelf Roundup 09/03/23: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads

Bookshelf Roundup is a feature I do every 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 summarize what I’ve finished reading in the last week 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.

Before you know it, it’s September. I’m still catching up on some blog things, mainly trying to get started on this month’s TBR and to get the huge review backlog written and posted. There are also a few more books I received while I was away that need featuring, many of which have already been released, so we’ll get to those post-haste!

Received for Review

With thanks to Random House for:

• Fever House by Keith Rosson, about a small-time criminal who finds in his client’s refrigerator a severed hand that induces uncontrollable madness and a compulsion for violence.

With thanks to Del Rey for:

• The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett, the first book of Shadow of the Leviathan, a new mystery fantasy series featuring a Holmes-and-Watson style pairing. Word cannot describe how excited I am for this.
• Mister Magic by Kiersten White, a dark supernatural thriller about a group of child stars who reunite many years after a tragedy ended their show. I have already read this one, and I won’t lie, my feelings are a bit mixed. A review will be up soon.
• Spin A Black Yarn by Josh Malerman, because as if all this horror isn’t enough, this one is a collection of novellas containing five more twisted tales.

With thanks to Titan Books for:

• They Lurk by Ronald Malfi, another novella collection, and yes, more horror! I’ve already devoured this one too, and Malfi never disappoints. Aiming to review it this week.

With thanks to HarperVoyager for:

• Where Peace Is Lost by Valerie Valdes, a space fantasy adventure about a refugee with war-torn past who has secret that can save a planet or destroy it. The last book I read by the author was a lot of fun, so I’m looking forward to this.

With thanks to Bramble for:

• Calamity by Constance Fay, the inaugural release from Tor’s brand new SFF romance imprint that is described as equal parts steamy interstellar romance and sci-fi adventure. It’s not my imagination; this genre seems to be exploding lately.

With thanks to Minotaur Books for:

• Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosamino, the fourth book of the hilarious Finlay Donovan series. I participated in the cover reveal earlier this year, and as thanks the publisher sent along the eARC this week.

With thanks to Laurence MacNaughton for:

• Her Second Chance Shifter by L. MacNaughton, described as a fun, feel-good, and fast-paced clean paranormal romance fantasy adventure. I have enjoyed Laurence’s work before, with his Dru Jasper/It Happened One Doomsday series from Pyr, so when he got in touch with his upcoming book, I said I’d check it out!

Reviews

• 4.5 of 5 stars to Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi
• 3.5 of 5 stars to Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward
• 3 of 5 stars to The Handyman Method by Nick Cutter and Andrew F. Sullivan
• 2.5 of 5 stars to A Twisted Love Story by Samantha Downing

Recent Reads

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!