Welcome to the MOSL Book Challenge


Wednesday, June 30, 2021

When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn

When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn

Francesca Bridgerton Stirling, Countess of Kilmartin, is devastated upon the sudden death of her young husband, John. To make matters worse, the new earl, John’s cousin and Francesca’s good friend, has fled to India to escape his grief.

 

Francesca has no idea Michael left the country not just to avoid dealing with grief, but to flee his feelings for her. Michael had taken one look at Francesca shortly before her wedding to his cousin and had fallen head over heels. But then both their lives had been irrevocably changed by John’s death and the grief that followed.

 

That was four years ago. Michael has returned to take up his responsibilities as earl, and Francesca is free to marry another. She thinks of him as nothing more than a close friend. Then one night changes everything.

 

Book 6 in the Bridgerton series. 368 pages.

A Burning by Megha Majumdar

While this was a well-written book and the three intertwining stories were interesting, I just couldn’t get into it. Jivan, a poor Muslim girl who gets accused of a terrorist attack she didn’t commit and the two people in her life who make conscience decisions to stop fighting for her in order to advance their own power and success are at the center of this story. I didn’t hate it, but I felt like an accomplishment to finish it.

320 pages

- Robin

June Reads-- Tim Emmel

Fire, Pestilence, and Death: St. Louis, 1849 by Christopher Alan Gordon

A harrowing look at St. Louis and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad…(sorry) year of 1849 in which a cholera epidemic strikes the city and then a massive fire destroys most of the riverfront city.
(280 pages) 


The Edge of Anarchy: The Railroad Barons, the Gilded Age, and the Greatest Labor Uprising in America by Jack Kelly

The American Railway strike against the Pullman Company and the harsh backlash by the owners. A story of how this strike failed to achieve its goals, but set the stage for labor gains that came afterwards.

(320 pages)

Island of Vice: Theodore Roosevelt's Quest to Clean Up Sin-Loving New York by Richard Zacks
A book about Teddy Roosevelt and his band of morality police who went out into the night (literally) to crack down on NY’ers drunkenness, prostitution, and gambling. Also shows his battles against political and police corruption in the city and the society’s attempts to get people to enjoy more “wholesome” entertainment at home.
(464 pages)

Read by Tim Emmel

 

The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris

One of the best historical fiction I have read. We should all endeavor to be more like George and Isabelle. 

369 pages

- Lysha

The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

Ok but this cover is gorgeous
Pryia "I arranged the meeting the menu, the venue, the seating 
Ok so I had everything together and I got everything, and then they lost me about halfway through the book because now it feels like there's more characters and I can't tell who's who even though I clearly know who is who. It felt like it switched gears about halfway through.
Ok but relationships and siblings and drama and politics and magic
Me also being completely unaware that it was a series even though I knew it was a series.
576 Pages

Monday, June 28, 2021

The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhuo

Summary: "Congratulations, you're a manager! After you pop the champagne, accept the shiny new title, and step into this thrilling next chapter of your career, the truth descends like a fog: you don't really know what you're doing."

*sweats nervously*

Honestly, I enjoyed this book. It's easy to consume, easy to understand, and easy to apply.

288 pages

goodreads | MOBIUS

Friday, June 25, 2021

A Giant List

 I've finally gotten back into the swing of things reading-wise, so here's a giant list of my reads!

I was kind of disappointed in this one. It was advertised to me as a spooky haunting book, but ended up being more of a murder mystery. Definitely threw in some twists and turns I didn't expect though! 

Pages: 384








Love the series so I had to delve into the books! And...it's super slow. Granted this is the first in the series so it has to set up quite a lot, but considering the pace of the show, I expected more monster fighting. I'll continue the series for sure. 

Pages: 420







Another book I started to read because of the show. Was not disappointed in this one; had everything I wanted: humor, romance, and an adorable family. 

Pages: 384








I love the Bridgerton family, every scene with all of them together is hilarious and endearing. Add in Kate and her family, perfection. 

Pages: 354








I have read many an Alison Weir nonfiction book on British royalty, so I was really happy to see her get into the historical fiction game. This first one tells the story of Henry VIII's first queen (and most awesome in my opinion). Her story ends sadly, but can't deny that she was a strong woman. 

Pages: 602



Ah, the much debated Anne Boleyn. She is so interesting and gets a bad rap. She definitely didn't deserve the end she got, but when you play the game of thrones, you win or you die I guess. 

Pages: 544




This was a fun summer read and I really liked the characters! I did get taken out of the story quite a bit by the writing (holy similes Batman!) but I believe it was a first book, so I'll give the author a break for that one. 

Pages: 336



One Last Stop by Casey McQuinston

Noodle. Nooooooooooooodle
August baby you deserve the world.
I'm not saying I want a cross-over with my babies...but like...please....starts doing the math to see if there could be a cross-over....
.......what kind of weird supernatural....
Hey look, it's me having my quarter-life crisis, but it's in a book.
"You've got what you need and sometimes the universe has your back" fjkdsljfkslajfkljl
Look at all of the bi-panic.
Dude I missed the anniversary by a day.
August:


Don't talk to me. I can't
432 Pages





Sword in the Stars by A.R. Capetta and Cori McCarthy

ohhhhhh.... I know who's going to be Lancelot in this version.
Oh ok. I'm wrong. 
ARCHIMEDES!!!!
heh. Bermuda reference. 
Higilty Pilgity

Except there's two.... (Draws picture to figure out the timeline for how the thing to have a happy ending)
...orrrrr maybe it's actually...
heh the word play about democracy and tyrants
fdjsklajfkls the last three chapters
368 Pages 



Thursday, June 24, 2021

The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout

ADVENTURES y'all.
ok so this is spicy and I was not prepared for it (even though I knew it was spicy). Like I thought I was ready, but I. was. not. 
I just... love all of the mythology and the characters and I can't. 
Me after finishing this because now I've finished basically all that Jennifer has written so far (and because of the classic Jennifer Armentrout ending):

625 Pages



Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Straight Outta Deadwood


Straight Outta Deadwood edited by David Boop

Pages: 288 

Stars: 3 out of 5 stars

Short story collection from paranormal writers with all of the stories set in the Wild West. They were also required to document any facts given about real people in their stories, such as when and where Doc Holliday died. The authors clearly had fun with this task, some included characters from their regular series while others wrote a stand-alone paranormal western. Those are two words I never imagined putting together in a book review, but this was fun to read. 

Once and Future by Cori McCarthy and A.R. Capetta

Ok but mentioning Arthur turning into a squirrel. Heart eyes.
I'm loving all the space and future stuff. Like... There's Wall-e vibes and Star Wars vibes. 
Wait.. Mercer...Like Merica...America... yeah that tracks
Everyone's queer and I'm a blushing mess.
Ok so Merlin is a cutie patootie and I love him.
And Val is iconic. 
Laughs uncomfortably about Lancelot.
ACE REP. ACE REP. ACE REP. 
ok ok ok 
368 Pages

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair

When you can't remember a book and....it doesn't help that I'm reading two different Hades and Persephone retellings that have modern vibes where Persephone is working in an office and kicking butt.....because now I don't remember what happened where.... I mean obviously the plots are similar but like...the details and individual scenes.....
The writing quality is like...meh...and it kind of reads like a first draft. Persephone irritated me because she was inconsistent (she was naïve and innocent and then suddenly she wasn't), and these idiots (Persephone) wouldn't talk to each other and communicate and I don't know...ask questions....not make assumptions....gee. 
Apparently there was smut...but I don't remember it.... so do with that what you will...

And in case you were wondering what the other Hades and Persephone retelling is (because yes I am a sucker for Hades and Persephone), it's Lore Olympus and it's gorgeous. 
353 Pages

Monday, June 21, 2021

Grace and Glory by Jennifer L Armentrout

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS WE HAVE ANGELS COVERED IN EYES. FINALLY WE DOING BIBLICAL ANGELS AND NOT THE ROMANTICIZED VERSION.
....I'm chill. 
Ok but the classic Jennifer Armentrout character---AKA the quirky friend who listens to the main character. Peanut, I love you. 
Well well well... It looks like my theory of the crossover may not be a crack theory after all.... yes it's the gemstones and ley lines. 
Come on Jennifer. Give me the crossover this world deserves. 

on your left
staaaaaaaaaaahp. you can't just bring up West Virginia
"Nope rope" "Danger noodle"
hehehe snow.
aaaaaaand now I need to go through the series and re-read that character to see if I can catch easter eggs. 
Jennifer staaaaaaaaaaaaahp. You are killing me. killing me. 
512 Pages



Friday, June 18, 2021

Autoboyography by Christina Lauren

Starting off when the Lin Manuel Miranda quote. Chef's kiss. 
Only 19 but my mind is older
Two bros chillin' in a hot tub
Ohhhhh this is giving me Dead Poet's Society vibes.....
I'm just going to go over there and collapse.
Four months to write a book. HALP.
I love the writing style and just. like....fsnkda
Tanner the bi-con. 
I liked that the authors didn't try to vilify religion, because I feel like in a lot of coming out stories, religion is used as the villain, so it was nice to see religious characters as multi-faceted.
Also can we just talk about Sebastian and his relationship with God. Someone help me; I love that nerd. 
416 Pages

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord

"what other emergency condiments do you carry with you"
THE SHIP NAME. THE FRICKING SHIP NAME
sdgjsfdkjgklfsdjgfklsjkglfjdsklgjdkflgjfksldgfjklsdjfg
Ok but snarky tweet wars and restaurants in New York City. I loved the sense of humor, the snark in this book and like.... the You've Got Mail-ness (which also was in New York City). fjodskla
Grandma. We stan grandma. 
The fluff. Pure fluff. tooth-rotting, cavity-inducing fluff
Someone give me the recipes. Plz.
384 Pages

The Burning God by R.F. Kuang

So this makes me uncomfy. Just like...War... But I guess it's good that war is making me uncomfortable.
Kitay is the best, and I love him. He's just a little nerd who loves to strategize and I love him.
And Nezha. I will always love Nezha.  
No one talk to me. I don't. I can't. I just like....
Rin's development throughout the book. Just. like. Wow.
Talking about the way that civil war ravages a country and how much it affects the innocent bystanders who are just simply trying to survive. Do I want to get on my soap box about the civil wars in the 1960s-80s. Yes I do. 
Did someone walk up behind me as I was finishing the book and see my crying.....yes. 
640 Pages

Thursday, June 17, 2021

A Wicked and Beautiful Garden by Katie McGarry

Summary: "Twenty-eight year-old Cassie Strega can’t escape fate.

All she wants is to live a normal, quiet life delivering the babies in her small town. But when she discovers she comes from a lineage of witches, her life becomes extraordinary—in the gravely dangerous type of way.

Then, she’s reunited with her first love.

Orion, the sultry Fae warrior who broke her heart years before, is searching for a baby. Not just any baby, but the queen of the Fae who will one day lead them in their final battle against the demons determined to rule the world. The same baby who has been calling to Cassie for help in her dreams.

Fighting the intense attraction of their former blood bond, Cassie and Orion work together to find the child. But when the heartbreak that nearly destroyed Cassie nine years before looms once more, she’ll have to decide whether getting involved in the supernatural war is worth losing everything, including her life."

I'm confused as to how Katie McGarry got here, but I'm glad she did. A fast-paced read. A good Fae story. A strong heroine. Plot twists and developments. 

Now I'm in a book hangover. Yay, but also, boo!

Eagerly awaiting the second book's release! I need ANSWERS.

322 pages

goodreads

The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd

I just have to remind myself that this is the "historical" version of Jesus not the theological version. The fully human side without the divine side. I can be chill. 

"We walked all this way with you talking" ok no need to call me out, bro. So I related to Ana a lot...
In terms of getting the political environment and the vibes of first century Israel, it did really well. I appreciate the research that was done to look into what was happening historically and what life was like....(My brain was just like...theologically you missed some things). I think that Kidd showed Jesus' humanity really well and the way that he loved, but I just wanted the divinity part too.
Ok but the line that her mom said to her that echoes Judas' future.
They bring up the library in Alexandria....still too soon, y'all.
Insert's the "Judas no" vine and the "Is it me, Jesus" tiktok. 
448 Pages



Wednesday, June 16, 2021

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L Armentrout

Hawke just making me feel things
Me frantically reading the last half of the book because it was due and now I don't remember the plot because I'm reading the third book so I have to look up the plot because yeah. 
Casteel is cool.
Kieran is just. Great. 
The dimples. The dimples. The dimples.
Beckett is too pure.
y'all things are stressful.
Poppy is so fierce. And I'm here for it. 
Angst and pining galore. Ding dongs. 
But the vampires and werewolves.... I'm just like....this is great. 
Just. Let. Them. Nap. Is that too much to ask
641 Pages

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Sunkissed by Kasie West

Summary: "Will the stars align? Avery has always used music as an escape. But after her best friend betrays her, even her perfectly curated playlists can't help her forget what happened. To make matters worse, her parents have dragged her and her social-media-obsessed sister to a remote family camp for two months of "fun." Just when Avery is ready to give up on the summer altogether, she meets Brooks—mysterious, frustratingly charming Brooks—who just happens to be on staff—which means he's off-limits."

Kasie West's books are my vacation go-to. Simple and sweet. Charming. This was the best kind of book to read while at a cabin on the lake. 

It sure was interesting reading about a love interest with the same first name as my own love interest. <3

309 pages

goodreads | MOBIUS

Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman

When the web-series that turned into books goes on a hiatus, so you don't have your weekly dose of new fluff...
Ok but the way we're dealing with mental health. Nick's mom is just. The best. Nick being the adorable loving cutie-pie that the world needs. The concerned golden retriever baby.
Just let them text! Yes this could be seen as kind of dependent on each other but like....they teenages. mere youts. This relationship is statistically way more healthy than a lot of others. Let the babies talk. 
The New Years scene.
I have to remind myself that they're Brits so like...their idea of vacation and I don't know...self-care, view of work and school-life, lifestyle mentality, are different than the U.S. that and they have British accents and are like....right next to a gazillion countries so it makes sense and that they can walk everywhere because stuff is close. 
The dogs. I'm always here for the dogs. 
I feel so seen for reasons. Also I would die for Charlie (and Nick, always Nick, but we're specifying Charlie today). I would kill for him. Either way what bliss. 
Tori is so cool and I hope to be as amazing as her one day....
My children. Just trying their best. Just:

384 Pages



Night Shift (Midnight, Texas #3)

Night Shift (Midnight, Texas # 3)

by Charlaine Harris

Page: 308

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

What is it about this tiny town, in the middle of nowhere in Texas that attracts people with unique abilities and ah, other beings? Long-time town resident, Lemuel has found an old history text that he hopes will give a history of Midnight, Texas. But it is written in a foreign language and his translation is slow going. The town may need his answers, and quickly. People who have only been to Midnight once, or even never before, are coming to the center of town - a crossroads - and committing suicide; sometimes with weapons they have just purchased at a local shop! Is it something about the town itself? Has something evil decided to take up residence?

Monday, June 14, 2021

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Ok so like....Can I just like... I don't even know how to react because like....the way that Arthurian legend was pulled in just 

The magic system and like... The way that it's been incorporated into contemporary society (ok not incorporated, but like typically with Arthurian legends, the setting is still a fantasy world or a modern fantasy world, rather than like...I can't think of the word, but like-real world)
The plot, the trials, the mystery, the intrigue, the drama. 
I knew there was going to be a plot-twist, but like.... it was different than what I expected and like... I'm really glad it was because I have a ship.
The way that we're talking about race and gender and sexism and racism and yes. just yes. Snaps.
We're here for Nick and the squad. 
As with every Arthurian story that I read, I am concerned for the happiness of the children. 
544 Pages



Friday, June 11, 2021

To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn

To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn
 

After the death of his wife, Eloise Bridgerton begins a correspondence with Sir Phillip Crane. Though Eloise had barely known her distant cousin, she felt compelled to write to Marina’s widower. Upon exchanging letters for nearly a year, Phillip proposes marriage, thinking the spinster Eloise is likely homely and unassuming, and probably desperate. But he’s surprised to find she isn’t any of those things when she suddenly shows up on his doorstep.

 

So Eloise wasn’t technically supposed to run off in the middle of the night in a hired carriage, but it was done, and there was no point in second guessing herself now. But this man she had written so many letters to wasn’t what Eloise expected, either. He appeared moody and ill-mannered, certainly not the perfect match she’d hoped for. He had also neglected to mention his two children, who were quite lawless. How on earth would this work out?


Book #5 in the Bridgerton series. 400 pages.

Thursday, June 10, 2021

Nocturna by Maya Motayne

Ok but I love Luka "What's the opposite of going to my room and sleeping"
when the world uses some form of Spanish as the language for magic and for some responses, which means the world has to have had Latin at some point, which means Rome existed, but you have no idea where the story was set, and it has fantasy vibes, so oone would assume it's a fantasy world, except there's Spanish....
Haha. The evolution of stories told orally... I mean...you not wrong... And yes. I know where one of the pieces is now. 
Yaaaaaaaaas
I love Alphie. He's sweet and I would die for him.
This seems like a Frozone moment to me.  
klfjsklfjskldajflasjd the last chapter
496 Pages

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Scavenge the Stars by Tara Sim

So a retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo....yeah that explains all of the depressed French vibes (like Victor Hugo-y and Alexander Dumas) that are giving me anxiety.
And all the pirate/sea vibes. I'm here for it. 
Cayo, y'all. Yeah I'm here for basically the vibes that the story gives. And Cayo.
352 Pages

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Broadway Musicals: Show by Show, 9th edition


Broadway Musicals: Show by Show
, 9th edition by Stanley Green

Revised and Updated by Cary Ginell

Pages: 439 plus indexes

Rating:  5 out of 5 stars. 

Described by the author, Stanley Green, as a combination history, guide, fact book and photograph album of the most memorable productions presented both on and off Broadway each year from 1866 to 2018. The wide variety of the types of stories told, the embracing of changing technology and social norms makes this a history of American society as well. With photos of playbills and posters and a brief summary of the plot and the musical's performance, Green also lists revival performances and movie versions of each musical. He lists the cast, songs, songwriter, lyricist, producer, director, choreographer, songs and the theatre where the musical was performed and the dates of the run. 

There are so many more musicals out there than I realized. Especially since those listed in the book are the successful, award-winning or otherwise memorable performances and not all the musicals performed in say, just New York City that year, or published that year. 

Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman


fjdskafjskajfkslajfdk
We be's talking about real issues... The way they're handling all of this is just. chef's kiss for a graphic novel. 
oh and going to Paris. nbd.  Also how dare they talk about Notre Dame and remind me that it's burned atm....like yeah it's a building, but it's pretty and I love it....for reasons that cannot be explained in a book review blog post.....
The field trip dads...I can't. I love them. Like....you ding dongs.



<--I feel both of these emotions...simultaneously.... when Nick loves Charlie. I can't. Nick is such a good noodle. Beautiful little golden retriever pup pup.  (The pride flag in front of Captain Holt is also hecka appropriate).
384 Pages




Monday, June 7, 2021

Day Shift (Midnight, Texas #2)

Day Shift (Midnight, Texas # 2) by Charlaine Harris

Pages: 307

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The people of Midnight, Texas enjoy living in a very small town, where everyone keeps to themselves, but some wealthy out of town corporation is remodeling the hotel into regular hotel rooms, long-term stay rooms and temporary assisted living for people waiting to get into a full-time retirement or assisted living home. Manfred is glad that he gets to leave town and go into Dallas to hold some one-on-one readings for clients and is looking forward to his long weekend away. 

But then a wealthy couple is found dead the first morning he is there and to make things even worse, one of his favorite clients drops dead in his hotel suite, during a reading! Now her son is claiming Manfred stole jewels from her and implying he killed her. 

Manfred is happy that the police allow him to return home to Midnight, but then the news reporters find his small rental house. All the townspeople decide the reporters must go and the safest way for that to happen is to have Olivia find the jewels and help clear Manfred's name so the reporters will go away. Olivia agrees. Manfred is very nervous about this. He is not sure what Olivia does for a living or even if she is fully human, but he does know she is dangerous. Are they just inviting more trouble?


Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman

All the kermit heart emojis....because this is wholesome and I can't.
Reading this on my phone: 

Nick. You need to stop. You are killing me with your pureness.. I love him. Can I keep him. His cute little bi heart...like....not trying to stereotype, but he just looks like someone who's bi (it's the cuffed shirts for me). How did he not know he was bi
320 Pages