A fantasy book I was super excited for last year was The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah. Her debut novel, it's also the first in the Sandsea Trilogy. In all honesty, I was first drawn to the cover and the Aladdin vibes I got from it. Even so, this book is all its own, an... Continue Reading →
Do you enjoy reading historical fiction about real-life people? Do you have an affinity for fashion and cosmetics? If so, you'll definitely want to read Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl by Renée Rosen. Set in New York City in 1938, it follows Gloria Downing as she tries to disappear and reinvent herself. She meets another young... Continue Reading →
In the past few years, I've becoming increasingly drawn to collections of short stories, especially when they center on a topic or culture I know little about. One such book that caught my interest is I Am My Country: And Other Stories by Kenan Orhan. This collection features 10 short stories, all set in Turkey... Continue Reading →
After enjoying a couple of romance novellas in February, I was in the mood for another quick and cute love story. I picked out For Love or Music by Julie Lipson, in part because of my deep love for music. It's such a different romance than I'm used to reading, and I really enjoyed the... Continue Reading →
While perusing NetGalley last summer, I came across The Haunting of Alejandra by V. Castro. The cover was stunning and the summary captured my interest, and I was so happy to be given an ARC of it. I read it last October, both in honor of Latinx Heritage Month and to celebrate Spooky Season. I... Continue Reading →
Susan Meissner is an author I've been planning to start reading, and now that she has a new book out, that urge is even stronger. Today, her novel Only the Beautiful hits shelves. It follows two timelines: In 1938, newly orphaned Rosanne moves in with the owners of a California vineyard. When she becomes pregnant,... Continue Reading →
Last year, I greatly enjoyed Brendan Slocumb's debut novel, The Violin Conspiracy. As soon as I heard about his second book, I could hardly wait. I was overjoyed to get an ARC of his new novel, Symphony of Secrets, which comes out tomorrow, April 18th. His sophomore release is even more impressive and impactful than his... Continue Reading →
In the past four years, Silvia Moreno-Garcia has become one of my favorite authors. She has quite a few books already, and I'm still working my through her catalogue. One of the three novels left on my list was Untamed Shore, her noir thriller from early 2020. Set against a 1970s summer in Mexico, a... Continue Reading →
Today, one of my most anticipated books this April comes out: Life and Other Love Songs by Anissa Gray. It follows a Black American family in the wake of a father and husband's disappearance. What happened to him? How will his wife and daughter carry on in the years that follow? Life and Other Love... Continue Reading →
In the past couple of years, I've been loving Martha Waters's Regency Vows series. Following To Have and to Hoax, To Love and to Loathe, and To Marry and to Meddle, the newest book is To Swoon and to Spar. It follows our beloved Penvale and a new character, Jane. They're pushed into a marriage neither... Continue Reading →
A new book that's on my radar this month is When Tomorrow Came by Hannah Linder. It follows two siblings, Nan and Heath, who've been abandoned by their father and end up in the streets. Nan is rescued by a kind gentleman and lives in luxury; Heath must fend for himself. Years later, both siblings... Continue Reading →
One of my most anticipated books out this month is Before We Were Innocent by Ella Berman. It walks the line of women's fiction and suspense, starting when three best friends enjoy a summer in Greece. But their vacation ended in tragedy, and only two of the girls made it home. Now, ten years after... Continue Reading →
For at least six months, one of my most highly anticipated books has been Ana María and The Fox by Liana De La Rosa. The first in her Luna Sisters series, this historical romance is set in the 1860s and follows three Mexican heiresses fleeing their home country for England. The eldest sister, Ana María,... Continue Reading →
I've always loved mysteries and anything with gothic vibes, so I was excited to read The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright. This novel follows a few different timelines, spanning the 1800s to present day, as two women work through a decades-old mystery surrounding a Wisconsin castle. With both suspense and romance, this... Continue Reading →
A few months ago, I reread my favorite classic novel, Jane Eyre. It's as perfect as I'd remembered, and I wanted to then explore some retellings of it. One such reimagining I was eager to read is Jane & Edward, the debut novel by Melodie Edwards. This book had been on my radar since last... Continue Reading →
Yesterday saw the release of Diana Biller's third novel, Hotel of Secrets, one of my most anticipated books this month. Set in Vienna in 1878, this historical romance combines a love story with mystery, danger, and action, all set against a season of balls and celebrations. It's an original and engrossing novel for anyone who... Continue Reading →
Today, Stephanie Marie Thornton releases her stunning new book, Her Lost Words: A Novel of Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley. This historical fiction novel follows two famous figures, a mother and daughter, who both left their mark on the world. I find both Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley to be fascinating and inspiring women. The... Continue Reading →
Are you ever compelled to read a book simply by its name alone? That was the case for me when I came across White Cat, Black Dog by Kelly Link. This collection of seven short stories reimagines French lore, Scottish ballads, and the Brothers Grimm, making each classic tale fresh and utterly original. Special thanks... Continue Reading →
One of my most anticipated nonfiction books this year was The Black Guy Dies First: Black Horror Cinema from Fodder to Oscar by Robin R. Means Coleman, PhD and Mark H. Harris. I have long been a big fan of horror movies, and race studies are undeniably of great importance. This work of nonfiction offers... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, the English translation of The Woman Beyond the Sea by Sarit Yishai-Levi hit shelves. The book was first published in Hebrew in 2019, and the new translation was done by Gilah Kahn-Hoffmann. This historical fiction novel, set primarily in Israel, follows a mother and daughter and their difficult relationship, their tumultuous lives, and the... Continue Reading →
Just one month ago, I enjoyed reading Annette Chavez Macias's debut women's fiction novel, Big Chicas Don't Cry. Today, her new book Too Soon for Adiós hits shelves, and it's even better than its predecessor. Set primarily in New Mexico, it follows a young woman who's just lost her mother... and now has an opportunity... Continue Reading →
Lately I've been wanting to read some works by Victor LaValle, in particular his novel The Changeling. Instead, I started with his latest novel, Lone Women. Indeed, I was quite pleased when I was offered an advanced copy of it, and though I wasn't sure what to expect, I was excited to dive in. Special... Continue Reading →
Last year, Lynn Painter's Mr. Wrong Number was a popular contemporary romance, and rightfully so. This week, the series continues with her new novel, The Love Wager. This friends-to-lovers romance follows Jack and Hallie as they navigate dating app dates and wedding parties, all while denying their obvious feelings for each other. It's a cute... Continue Reading →
Three years ago, I loved Kiran Millwood Hargrave's historical novel The Mercies, and I've looked forward to reading more from her since. This week, she releases her second adult novel, The Dance Tree. This one goes back even farther in time than its predecessor, taking readers to Strasbourg in 1518, amidst the dancing plague that... Continue Reading →
Amanda's Book Corner 