It’s time again to ask ourselves the three W’s:
Would you follow a mysterious man who saved you?
Would you trust him?
Would you try to find his killer?
Wait, no, that’s not right. We ask these three W’s:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words.
Before we get into it, though, you might notice something new …
That’s right, The Writerly Way has officially been laid to rest, and this blog is now The Bookwyrm’s Den! The domain switch might still be happening today, so you might notice the URL swapping back and forth as you visit pages, depending on what blog post you click on and how far the swap has gone. There should be a redirect, so even if you type in the old website, it’ll redirect you to the new one, at least for the next few months, so … huzzah! Down with the old, in with the new! Now let’s get back to the books.
The Wolf of Cape Fen by Juliana Brandt
★★★★★ || Goodreads
The cover of this book is absolutely gorgeous and is what initially sold it for me, but the story inside? Equally gorgeous. It has this easy to read, almost dreamlike quality, which fit with the whole theme of dreams and such, which was neat. And the sibling bonds in this? *chef’s kiss* It’s clearly middle grade, but I think it’s one of those middle grade books where there’s a lot for adults to get out of it, too, especially since the adults in this learn things about themselve and have their own little arcs, which I appreciated.
Ruthless Gods by Emily Duncan
★★★★☆ || Goodreads
Oh gosh, how do I even rate this one? I was 100% on board with the first one and loved it. This one fell a little lukewarm. I was engrossed for most of it, absolutely in love with the characters and wondering how things could possibly fall apart more (and trust me, they do). But here’s the problem: you can’t have two books in a row banking on the idea of betrayal as a plot twist, because it doesn’t work the second time. It worked great in the first book, but … I already know the characters. They’ve stated their intentions multiple times to the other characters. There are no surprises here. Nadya was also a bit of a bummer in this one. She ends up being a one-note Nancy (or … Nadya, I suppose). She’s so focused on Malachiasz’s past betrayal that it’s all she talks about, as she continues to make the same mistakes ad nauseum. Because … love? It was a little too much for me. But the rest of the book? I was digging it. Serefin is his normal, brilliant self and just gets better and better in this one. He also gets a romance, which ugh, it’s not with me, but okay, fine, it’s super cute and I ship this. All in all, this was still a good book for me, but I think it does suffer a little from the “second book slump.”
Super Sick by Allison Alexander
★★★★☆ || Goodreads
This was such a personal read, but an important one, I feel. It not only really made me stop and think about how chronic illness is portrayed in popular media (sometimes well, sometimes poorly, as one might expect), but it was really just a lovely reminder that I’m not the only one going through these chronic illness things. By combining her own personal experiences, the experiences of others, and chronically ill characters in popular media, Alexander weaves little nuggets of hope, personal growth, and self-acceptance. I don’t read a lot of nonfiction, but I’m glad I read this one, and it was just the sort of uplifting read I needed at this point!
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
★★★★★ || Goodreads
Okay, I liked the first book, but this one really ramps it up, and I LOVED it. The first was a little choppy and hard to follow, but I immediately fell in love with Murderbot. Here? The plot flowed much smoother, and it felt like the author hit her stride more. I have no criticisms? I’m usually hesitant picking up novellas, because more times than not, I feel like they’re just not quite complete and they’re missing something. Wells is fantastic in this medium, though, and I always walk away feeling satisfied that the story is complete, but with a lead-in for a sequel. Also, I was just approved for Network Effect yesterday, so woot woot! I need to hurry and read the rest of these, and I am soooo looking forward to it!
A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn
Status: 10%
London, 1887.
After burying her spinster aunt, orphaned Veronica Speedwell is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry—and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as with fending off admirers, Veronica intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime.
But fate has other plans when Veronica thwarts her own attempted abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron, who offers her sanctuary in the care of his friend Stoker, a reclusive and bad-tempered natural historian. But before the baron can reveal what he knows of the plot against her, he is found murdered—leaving Veronica and Stoker on the run from an elusive assailant as wary partners in search of the villainous truth.
Okay. I don’t know about this one, guys. I want to love it so much, and I’m still early on, so maybe things can change? But I’m not feeling it. Part of me loves Veronica, and the other part of me is rolling my eyes so hard at the heavy-handed “not like other girls” that pulls me so far out of the time period that I’m annoyed. Yes, give me all the strong characters, but, like, make sure their strength and intentions fit the time period if you’re going to write historical. That’s all I’m asking.
Going to continue my Murderbot reading with a little Rogue Protocol, since I have to get them all in before the full novel comes out. They’re quick reads, and yet, I never want them to end.
I’ve somehow managed to get all my reads for the O.W.Ls Magical Readathon in except for Deeplight, which I will be trying to squeeze in this week, like you do. Because I will finish these exams, thank you very much!
I want to round off the week with a little MG work reading. I’ve got a series of three ARCs that I requested not just because they sound interesting (which they do), but because the library might be interested in acquiring them. I plan on reading My Video Game Ate My Homework with the Minion, since that seems like a fun one to read together.
I didn’t love the first Library of Ever book, but I thought it was cute, and I’m hoping the author really hits their stride in Rebel in the Library of Ever, because it seems like it’s gearing up to be really interesting.
Nazi Prison Camp Escape was comped to the I Survived series, which is extremely popular in our library, and I am all for a potential new series based on history for the kids to love, so I’m eager to check this out.
Then, of course, I need to start Red, White & Royal Blue this week, since it’s a library book due in a week. I’ll probably pick it up as soon as I finish Deeplight (because darn it if I’m not determined to finish the O.W.L.s at this point).
I love Murderbot!
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Are you planning on reading the full-length novel when it comes out?! I’m excited that it’ll be a whole book we get to spend with Murderbot, instead of a novella. xD
Absolutely I am! I want to re-read 1-4 first.
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Oh I hope you like this series when all is said and done. It’s one of my favorites. I think what sells me is the relationship between Veronica and Stoker.
I’ve heard that the banter between Veronica and Stoker is great, so I’m really looking forward to that. I’m just at the point where the two are about to meet, so I’m hoping to be able to meet Stoker tonight. 😀 Looking forward to it.
A Curious Beginning does sound intriguing. I would have definitely picked it up, too. I will be curious to see if your opinion changes as you get more into it.
Love the new website design ❤️
I confess, I absolutely LOVE the Veronica Speedwell covers, so before I even knew what the series was, I wanted to read it just for the covers. xD The fact that it came highly recommended was just a bonus.
Thank you so much!
There are some great books on this list! And what you’re currently reading sounds so interesting, I think I might have to add it to my TBR….
It came highly recommended, so you might like it! It’s a really popular series, and it seems like a lot of people like it. 😀 Hope you get a chance to read it!
I hope you end up liking A Curious Beginning because I really loved that one when I read it. I want to say I read it in March? Or maybe even February. I don’t remember, but it was super intriguing and I loved it. Let me know what you end up thinking about it.
Also, awesome job for having 4 and 5 star reads earlier! Sometimes it’s so hard to consistently have reads that you love or really like nowadays. Looks like I’m gonna try to find the Library of Ever series so I can read it. It looks so cute. I think you’ll enjoy RWRB. I liked it (didn’t love it) but it was good.
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I know so many people I know have loved it. xD I guess I’m just getting to the “interesting” part, so there’s plenty of time for my opinion to change still.
The first book was pretty cute, but the second book? Is a bit of a hot mess, if I’m honest. My review for it should go up on Thursday, but I was pretty disappointed, unfortunately. =/
Dini said the same about RWRB. xD So I figure it’ll probably just be a fun read but not something I fall in love with or anything.
Congrats on the blog switch over! I’ve still got some Murderbot books to catch up with, thanks for reminding me😁
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Thanks! Me, too. xD I didn’t get through them as quickly as I expected lol. Oops.
I started Murderbot last year but only read the first one. One of these days I need to re-read it and continue with the series because it was so good!
You definitely should! I liked the first one, but I thought the second was even better! It definitely felt like the author hit her stride with it after the first one. 🙂
I’ve seen a lot of similar things about Ruthless Gods. I haven’t even read the first one yet. I’m going to wait and get my hands on book two, so I can binge! I hope you have a great week!
That’s a good idea! Especially with the way the first one ends. I really just needed to find out what happened in the second one immediately. xD
A Curious beginning looks interesting, i just added it to my goodreads tbr. thanks!
Also, Ive finished: The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season, The German House, A Little Bookshop on the Seine, Ten Days Gone, The Last Affair, and Spare Bedroom.
Reading: The Song of Achilles (finally)
TBR: The Five Year Plan, The Paris Library
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I hope you enjoy it! Oh wow, sounds like you did a lot of great reading lately! I’ve heard good things about a lot of those. I’m a little jealous that you’re getting aroudn to The Song of Achilles. xD I’ve been wanting to read it forever, and I’m such a slacker and haven’t picked it up yet. I hope you ended up loving it!
Ugh, I’ve never failed an exam before but I really think the O.W.L.s might be the first time and it makes me SO SAD 😭 At this point I feel like I’ve been reading Ruthless Gods forever and I’m kind of over it. Would it be bad to skip all the Nadya/Malachiasz scenes and just stick to Serefin’s scenes? Coz it seems all the cool characters and storylines are going on in there 😂 Hope your current read turns around soon and that you enjoy your future reads! Again, love the website changes, Sammie <3
I’m right there with you. I’ve got TWO DAYS to finish Deeplight and ahhhhh. It’s not enough time. It might be enough time. I don’t know haha. I’m so conflicted.
Honestly, Serefin’s scenes are the most important, and they’re what really matter anyway. xD
I’ve been re-reading the Murderbot Diaries (just finished Rogue Protocol) and I am SO EXCITED for Network Effect. That’s possibly — probably — my most anticipated read of the year.
Also, I hope you like A Curious Beginning, but I can’t join in with the other commenters leaving enthusiastic notes about it. I didn’t care what happened to Veronica, and adding Stoker to the mix didn’t add any interest for me. The covers are amazing, though. I’m annoyed that I didn’t like them because I want those covers.
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Yaaaay. I hope you love it! I mean, I’m sure you will. How can you not? Martha Wells has done fabulous so far lol. I have faith in her.
The covers ARE pretty splendid, and that’s what initially drew my attention to the series. I’m leaning more towards your side, but I guess there’s still time to turn it around. Who knows? We’ll just have to see where it goes.
Looking forward to your full thoughts on The Curious Beginning. I’m so glad you’re loving the Murderbot books- those are so much fun!
They aaare! I can’t wait to read the upcoming full novel. 😀