Be the Serpent by Seanan McGuire

The latest in the October Daye series is another stellar book in the series. McGuire starts to tie off loose ends and solve those nagging bits from the previous books even if you had kind of forgotten about them. (guilty!) I love this series so so much and am always pleasantly surprised at how good it is.

As always, McGuire writes extremely well and tells a good story. Toby and her adventures are a major part of my life and I am always thrilled to read a new story. Included is another story about the Luidaeg, filling in more of her backstory.

As always, NetGalley provided me with an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

#BetheSerpent #NetGalley

Sam by Allegra Goodman

I loved this book. Sam is a real person in a very real situation. I was immediately invested in Sam’s story and could not put it down. I appreciated that Goodman did not pile on the ‘bad things’, as Sam’s story is heartbreaking enough. Real and nuanced, Sam copes the best she can and makes realistic choices. I saw myself in Sam and I suspect others will too.

I highly recommend this book to YA readers and up.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

#Sam #NetGalley

Lucky Girl by M. Rickert

Lucky Girl is a jewel of a book. More of a psychological horror than anything else>, this horror novella will keep you guessing until the last page. Tightly written and dreamy, it will stick with you.

I recieved a copy from NetGalley for my honest opinion.

#LuckyGirl #NetGalley

More NetGalley tidying up

"Float Plan" is a sweet read, even if I found it a little unrealistic. I also don't know enough about sailing to speak to that part of the plot, although everything seemed realistic there. Worthwhile reading.

A well-written book about how to be more content with what you have, budgeting and making a good life. Soukup distills her blog into her book and it works well. This is on my personal bookshelf as a reread when I need it.

A simple, easy to follow and well-designed how to build your own outdoor furniture. I'll be going back to this for inspiration and hopefully building my own stuff!

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

"What Moves the Dead" is a reimagining of "The Fall of the House of Usher" -- something that I have never read -- but you don't need to have read "Usher" to follow the story. (I would imagine that having read "Usher" gives "Moves" different layers, though.)

T. Kingfisher is one of my absolute must read authors, and usually one of my comfort reads as well (Except for the horror. No rereading those, they're amazing and well-written, just...no.) "Moves" is more unsettling than horrific, it's creepy and atmospheric and very very good. Short, tightly written and a horse that is a horse and not a 'magic horse'.

Another definite recommendation!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

#WhatMovestheDead #NetGalley

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

"The Very Secret Society" is a lovely romp of a book. Sweet without being cloying, just the right amount of tension and the perfect amount of romance. I loved this and couldn't put it down once I'd started. Highly recommended!

I received a promotional copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

#TheVerySecretSocietyofIrregularWitches #NetGalley

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher

Okay, so T. Kingfisher is one of my absolute must buy authors. She excels at protagonists that you can identify with -- I'd call it "welp, there is a thing that must be done, so let's do the thing'. No 'chosen ones', usually no prophecies, just adult (usually women) people doing what has to be done with a minimum of fuss. Fantasy settings, or fantastical elements, but everything makes sense within her worlds.

Well plotted, well written and all around good books. Definitely recommended!

Netgalley provided me with a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

#Nettle&Bone #NetGalley