Bookshelf Roundup 10/29/23: 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
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!
Enchanted Hill by Emily Bain Murphy (Union Square & Co.): A new-to-me historical mystery set in 1930s California, a private investigator poses as a maid at a Hollywood magnate’s estate in order to collect the damning evidence she needs for a case. I would love to give this one a try if I get some time this fall.
The Temple of Fortuna by Elodie Harper (Union Square & Co.): This is the final installment of The Wolf Den trilogy which follows the life a courtesan in ancient Pompeii, and I cannot wait to read this! As the description states, “it is 79 CE, and the mighty Mount Vesuvius is about to make itself known…”
The Graveyard Shift by Maria Lewis (Datura): Angry Robot’s mystery and crime imprint has been putting out some interesting books, and I have my eye on this one about a horror-themed radio show host who becomes the target of a killer when one of her callers is murdered live on air.
The Frame-Up by Gwenda Bond (Del Rey): It’s been years since I’ve read a book by Gwenda Bond but I remember it being a pleasure! Looking forward to reading this paranormal tale about a magically gifted con artist who must put together a heist with her estranged mother’s old crew.
The Paleontologist by Luke Dumas (Simon & Schuster Audio): I first learned about this book on Tammy’s blog, and while it looked tempting, I also already have a lot of books on my plate. But when I saw it pop up for request this month, I just couldn’t help myself. Who can resist a haunted museum?
A Season of Monstrous Conceptions by Lina Rather (RB Media): 2023 is the year of birth trauma and parturition horror, apparently. And cosmic horror! This one intrigues me, and since it’s only a novella, it should be a quick listen.
Something else that arrived this week, it’s The Sunlit Man by Brandon Sanderson, the final of the four books in his Secret Projects Kickstarter! Hands down, this has been the best campaign I’ve ever backed, with quality beautiful hardbound books which have all arrived pretty much on time. As a huge Sanderson fan, I’m beyond thrilled to add them to my collection.
Reviews
This past week, we continued our Spooktastic Reads coverage with a trio of horror reviews.
- 4 of 5 stars to The Sight by Melanie Golding
- 3 of 5 stars to A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand
- 3 of 5 stars to Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas
Recent Reads
And speaking of horror, I managed to finish The Reformatory and Nestlings, both of which are releasing next week just in time for Halloween. In prepartion for November Sci-Fi Month, I also read Red River Seven, which was quick and entertaining.
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’ve just finished The Temple of Fortuna. It was good but I don’t think that either of the second two have been as good as Wolf Den
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Ah, still good to hear! I can’t wait to start it…
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Glad that Sanderson continues to be your jam. Always nice when an author keeps your interest in the long term.
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It helps that he is so prolific, there’s always something for me to read by him 🙂
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OOh nice new reads! These are all new to me ones! Although I did just see the Sanderson one at another post! Never did read that author for some reason! I hope you enjoy each and every one of your new reads!
Here’s my StS
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower 🙂
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Sanderson is great, I hope you’ll get to check out his stuff one day!
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I’m looking forward to your review of The Reformatory. I didn’t request it, I was just too busy, but I’ve never read Due before and really want to.
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This was my first time with Due too, but I loved The Reformatory. Now I will have to look up the author’s previous work!
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Sanderson did amazing with that kickstarter project! I wish shipping, customs and taxes were not so high for me or I would have entered the project too!
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I totally understand! Even in the US, the shipping and fees were quite hefty, I can’t imagine for overseas!
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Of these the one that most stands out to me is A Season of Monstrous Conceptions because I loved the author’s two previous sci-fi novellas. Great to hear the Sanderson Kickstarter came together really well.
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I’ll have to look up the author’s previous novellas. I am not familiar with them!
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I am behind on all those kickstarter books
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I have read two out of the four! December will be catch up time!
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Yep, I am totally buzzing to pick up the Elodie Harper book. Much excitement.
Lynn 😀
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I still have a couple more books to read that I’ve already commited to before I can get to it, but I can’t wait!
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