Bookshelf Roundup 09/17/23: 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.
Received for Review
With thanks to HarperVoyager for:
- The Queen of Days by Greta Kelly, whose Warrior Witch duology was AMAZING. Not surprisingly, this one’s at the top of my list of most anticipated reads this fall.
With thanks to Ace Books for:
- An Inheritance of Magic by Benedict Jacka, whose Alex Verus novels seem to e everywhere I look but I’ve always been a bit intimidated about getting into such a well established series. This being the kick-off to a brand new world, I think it’ll be the perfect place to jump on board.
With thanks to Hachette Audio for:
- The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith, the seventh book in the Cormorant Strike series which I have been enjoying, but I only read off and on as time allows mostly because the books have been getting longer with each installment. J.K.’s all about that page count.
- Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco, her adult debut set in the world of her YA Kingdom of the Wicked series. I do find the switch interesting, but in the end it’s good for me since I’m moving more away from the YA genre these days but still find myself curious about the author’s work.
With thanks to Macmillan Audio for:
- Hemlock Island by Kelley Armstrong, a horror thriller about vacation home landlord who arrives at her property following a panicked complaint from a renter, only to witness the place become the site of a grisly nightmare.
- The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab, a new novel set in the same universe as A Darker Shade of Magic. It’s getting harder to keep track of all the author’s series, but I’ve read all the ADSOM books so far so I see no reason to stop now!
Reviews
Four reviews down this week, with eleven more to write but the list is still growing! I’m sure I’ll catch up eventually.
- 5 of 5 stars to The September House by Carissa Orlando
- 5 of 5 stars to Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison
- 4 of 5 stars to Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher
- 3 of 5 stars to They Lurk by Ronald Malfi
Recent Reads
So I dove into Hemlock Island almost as soon as I received it, that’s how much I was looking forward to it. But ugh, maybe I’m just doomed to only like Armstrong’s Rockton novels, because I didn’t think this was her best. But you know what didn’t disappoint? Dan Frey’s newest. It’s an epistolary novel like his last one, but he has definitely taken the imagination to the next level. Godkiller was also a good read, the start of a new series worth exploring. And I thought I was going to love Red Rabbit, but the results were more of a mixed bag. More on that in my full review, coming soon along with all the others.
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!
The BiblioSanctum 
I’m unsure about whether I want to read the new JK/Robert Galbraith or not. The last one was so long and apparently this one is longer still!
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Yes, they’re getting so long! I want to keep going but they’re getting very intimidating.
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I read some of Benedict Jacka’s earlier books and really loved them so I was eyeballing his latest – I never completed the series though, which makes me feel guilty – although it was simply a time element tbh.
I didn’t do well with They Lurk. Which is a shame as I’m loving the author. I should have known better, short stories just don’t work for me so that became a DNF.
I’ll have to check out that Frey novel – sounds very good.
The Grecian book I was also eyeballing but eventually didn’t request because I’m trying to catch up still.
Good luck with all your reviews. You’ll catch up eventually, and the good thing is you’ll have plenty of content if you have a quieter reading week. Silver linings.
Lynn 😀
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I never started Alex Verus, so no guilt as I dive excitedly into his newest, lol 😀 And glad I’m not the only one who struggled with They Lurk. Agreed that there were just too many stories that didn’t work.
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I’m glad you loved Dreambound, I’m not sure I’ll get to it this month, it seems September is slipping away from me, lol.
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Well, the good news is, it’s fast! The style is so easy on the eyes, you’ll breeze through it quickly!
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Eleven reviews to write!? You’ve definitely had a successful reading month! I’m looking forward to your review of Red Rabbit because that will probably determine if I pick up the audiobook. 😁
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Yeah, I read a lot while I was on vacation, and didn’t write any, so they all kinda built up 😀
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Same thing happens to me every year on vacation! 😀
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OOoh nice new reads! I’m excited to see Kerri’s spin on adult literature! I feel like most YA authors write for a mature teen audience as I never felt like her books were too “youthful?” I guess that’s the word I’m looking for? I mean I totally know YA books are written for teens, but I’ve read so many lately that I feel like adults can enjoy too. Her Stalking Jack the Ripper series was a definite favorite of mine!
Sad to hear you didn’t really enjoy Hemlock Island. I thought it was an interesting and gripping story, but we all enjoy different books! I’m still behind on some of Kelley’s other mystery titles! I really need to get caught up on her stuff. I wish she would slow down with her writing! Lol. I think she’s up to 4 releases a year now? It’s insane!
Hope you enjoy your new reads!
Here’s my StS
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower 🙂
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I definitely get excited when I see authors jump from YA to adult and even vice versa! For some, the change can lead to very positive results. I guess I read too much YA that I feel skews too young, because I actually ended up burning out on them!
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I can’t wait to read Throne of the Fallen! Now enjoy them all!
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Yay, I’m excited you’re excited! I’m glad I don’t need to read the first book to get into this one, I’m definitely more interested in a more mature story!
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Eleven is a fair amount, hope you’re not procrastinating them too much haha (I keep trying this and it never really helps;) I hope you LOVE Inheritance of Magic and it convinces you to read the Alex Verus books! I thought it was pretty good so fingers crossed!!
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If I can write more reviews than books I read each week, I should catch up eventually…theoretically 😀 I only read two this week by tackling a longer book, haha.
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I’ve been really curious about Hemlock Island and am even behind on rockton! Gah. Sorry to hear Hemlock wasn’t quite excellent… I’m gonna try to fit it in but will keep my expectations in check…
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It’s becoming official, I only like Rockton by Kelley Armstrong now 😀
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I’ve only otherwise read her YA book Missing but yeah, it’s been mostly Rockton for me
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Looking forward to your review of Red Rabbit. I’m curious about it too. So far, I’ve only tried the Rasputin comics by Alex Grecian.
And for some reason, I thought the Cormoran Strike series was done. I still intend to try the first book one of these days.
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Red Rabbit was the first I’ve read by Alex Grecian, I had no idea he wrote comics as well, that’s so cool!
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A new Schwab? damn I missed that
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She is quite the prolific author!
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