Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

It's got the fairy tale vibes + a little bit of Pride and Prejudice Mr. Darcy
Elias, the classic I'll be mean and grumpy so no one notices how much I care. Love it.
Commentary on the work houses and how people only see suffering if it's right in front of them and avoid talking about it because it's not polite conversation. Let's go.
Does Albert seem mildly queer-coded, or is that just me....
304 Pages

The Lord Sorcier (novella prequel)
We get to see how Elias and Albert met.... fsjkd
36 Pages

Crumbs by Danie Stirling

It's magic and it's fluffy.
Just like....a witch who's a seer, but she sees the present, and a boy who wants to be a musician and works at a magical bakery. Just. Fluff. and the world concept.
fjkldsa
384 Pages

The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik

I feel like this is a book where I have to sit and knaw on my feelings about it. 
Also like...I can't.
The world building. The origins
My boy. My baby boy. We love him. I want more of him.
I had no idea how the book was gonna, and I was afraid that it was going to go one of two ways, for like...the first third of the book, but it didn't.
When there's a character you don't like. And you just wanna get rid of them, but you can't.
....An airplane...like..ugh. It wasn't necessary, and you could totally have just taken a nap and have a snack if you wanted to avoid your feelings.... I'm irritated, don't ask me about it. 
Sometimes El's choices confuse me...And by choices, I mean two specific choices....
I wonder if the story would have benefited from a second perspective...not even often, but like.... I wanted more of him...
416 Pages

Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

City of Fallen Angels

Pages: 425

"The Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She’s training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. But nothing comes without a price. Someone is murdering Shadowhunters, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second, bloody war. When Jace begins to pull away from her without explaining why, Clary is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: she herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves."

City of Lost Souls

Pages: 535

"What price is too high to pay, even for love? When Jace and Clary meet again, Clary is horrified to discover that the demon Lilith’s magic has bound Jace together with her evil brother Sebastian, and that Jace has become a servant of evil. The Clave is out to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. As Alec, Magnus, Simon, and Isabelle wheedle and bargain with Seelies, demons, and the merciless Iron Sisters to try to save Jace, Clary plays a dangerous game of her own. The price of losing is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she still trust him? Or is he truly lost?"

City of Heavenly Fire

Pages: 753

"Darkness has descended on the Shadowhunter world. Chaos and destruction overwhelm the Nephilim as Clary, Jace, Simon, and their friends band together to fight the greatest evil they have ever faced: Clary’s own brother. Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell. Nothing in this world can defeat Sebastian—but if they journey to the realm of demons, they just might have a chance…"

Apologies for the long post, but I binged the last three books in this series. The writing kept getting better, though it did slow down in the 5th book a little bit but the conundrum of how to separate Jace from Sebastian kept me reading. Prepare for some heartbreak in the final book. I had to take a few breaks near the end especially to process. I cannot wait to see what else the author has in store for this universe in the coming trilogies and spin-offs!

Tim Reads- September

Black Joke: The True Story of one Ship's Battle Against the Slave Trade by A.E. Rooks
(400 pages)
a fascinating look at the main boat in the British West Africa Squadron that was trying to stop slave trading between Africa and the Americas. This book shows how an underfunded and underappreciated group of boats (and this one in particular) fought against slave ships and the governments that profited from their actions.

American Demon: Eliot Ness and the Hunt for America's Jack the Ripper by Daniel Stashower
(352 pages)
a look at the “Torso Killer,” a serial killer who struck Cleveland during the Great Depression. Noted lawman Elliot Ness was brought in to head the hunt for this horrific murderer. In the end the police arrested someone, and the killings stopped but did they get the right person? 

Fight Like Hell: The Untold History of American Labor by Kim Kelly
(448 pages)
a look at the world of unions and the fight for a fair wage, and safe work place. Kelly does a great job focusing on underreported unions (flight attendants, Uber drivers, sex workers, etc.) and showing how hard it is to gain union recognition when people question if what you are doing is really work. (Oh and also a global pandemic is raging)

Pappyland: A Story of Family, Fine Bourbon, and the Things That Last by Wright Thompson
(256 pages)
an in depth look at a family and their whiskey. Pappy Van Winkle the well-known, highly sought after, and expensive booze has its history and legacy looked at. Wright Thompson’s writing is always casually informative and this book is no different, you really want a drink by the time the first chapter is over.

Broadcast Hysteria: Orson Welle's War of the Worlds and the Art of Fake News by A. Brad Schwartz
(368 pages)
When Orson Wells made his historic broadcast of, “War of the Worlds,” everyone went nuts. At least that’s the story we’ve been told, but is it true? This book looks at the before, during, after, and much later of the famous radio play. From did people in New Jersey shoot a water tower thinking it was a spaceship, to what does this say about how we interact with a trending twitter story, this book is really interesting. 

Joan of Arc: A History by Helen Castor
(376 pages)
a deep dive into the life, death, and sanctification of Joan of Arc. Who was she, did she really hear voices that told her to put on armor and go to war for France. And also how did she go from a heretic burned at the stake to a martyr, saint, and symbol.

Tarkin by James Luceno
(352 pages)
a look at the life and times of a real Star Wars scumbag. This book fleshes out the backstory of Grand Moff Tarkin (yes I am watching Andor, why do you ask) a character best known for being in control of the Death Star. This book shows his rise up the ranks of the Empire and shows his interactions with the Emperor and Darth Vader. 

Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman

Summary: "Then. Twentysomething writer Chani Horowitz is stuck. While her former MFA classmates are nabbing book deals, she's in the trenches writing puff pieces. Then she's hired to write a profile of movie star Gabe Parker. The Gabe Parker--her forever celebrity crush, the object of her fantasies, the background photo on her phone--who's also just been cast as the new James Bond. It's terrifying and thrilling all at once... yet if she can keep her cool and nail the piece, it could be a huge win. Gabe will get good press, and her career will skyrocket. But what comes next proves to be life-changing in ways Chani never saw coming, as the interview turns into a whirlwind weekend that has the tabloids buzzing.

Now. Ten years later...Chani knows that facing Gabe again also means facing feelings she's tried so hard to push away..."

I liked how it started, but by the end, I was about to chuck my Kindle across the room.

352 pages

goodreads | MOBIUS

This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede

"Free transport...might be worth it"
hey look! It's the Romanian baby study
fjkdssalfjkslda
"You remind me of a cat...it's probably because you never sit correctly and you get visibly annoyed when anyone reads a book in your presence" ......i'm a cat
ok but the touch her and you'll die trope, but different.
Also just like....screech.... the yearning. It's literally Victorian courting but different..
Dante's cool.
448 Pages

Monsters Born and Made by Tanvi Berwah

The Scorpio Races vibes
I just keep hearing "horse and chariot are tossed into the sea" from Easter Vigil....
.....there's a character named Judas.....that's totally not....gonna backfire.
The concept was really cool, and I was like---having hope for it until I got to the end and was like...there are only two chapters left.....like.....

wut.....

Me trying to find a consensus online of if it's a standalone or if it's a series...cause like.....If it's a standalone I have MANY opinions. 
It feels like Dorian was OOC at the very end.

And like the author had plot points she was trying to hit, but didn't make sure that things flowed between the plot points and that everything made sense. Like...it went off the rails in the last few chapters...and it felt unfinished and not in a good way. the pacing was off
352 Pages

Jewels of the Sun by Nora Roberts

Jewels of the Sun by Nora Roberts

Jude Murray's life isn't panning out the way she had hoped, so she decides to take refuge at Faerie Hill Cottage to study Irish folklore. 

Aidan Gallagher is back home after years of traveling, settling down to run the family pub. He has a deep understanding of Irish lore and myths, making him an essential resource for Jude. As he shares the legends that run deep within the country's roots, Aidan and Jude begin to build a history of their own. 

347 pages. Book #1 in the Gallaghers of Ardmore trilogy. 

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton 

Evelyn Hardcastle will die everyday at 11:00 pm until Aiden Bishop can solve her murder and break the cycle. As each day begins anew, Aiden finds himself inhabiting the body of a different guest at Blackheath Manor, some more helpful than others. 

458 pages.
 

The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo

The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo

In colonial Malaya, Li Lan, the daughter of a noble but bankrupt family, receives a surprising proposal. The wealthy and powerful Lim family want her to become the ghost bride of their only son, who died recently under suspicious circumstances. Used to placate a restless spirit, such a ritual would guarantee Li Lan a home for the rest of her days, but at a terrible price.

A visit to the Lim home finds Li Lan haunted by not only her deceased potential spouse, but by the new heir, Tian Bai, as well. To escape her would-be suitor, Li Lan finds herself drawn into a ghostly parallel world filled with shadowy cities, vengeful spirits, and the charming Er Lang, an unpredictable spirit guide.  

368 pages.

Fangirl Vol 2: The Manga by Rainbow Rowell and Sam Maggs

GINGERBREAD LATTES.
AND THE OUTSIDERS SCENE.
And the iconic "I'm scared of everything. And I'm crazy. Like maybe you think I'm a little crazy, but I only ever let people see the tip of my crazy iceberg. Underneath this veneer of slightly crazy and socially inept, I'm a complete disaster.”
Hi excuse me....where's the release date for Volume 3....
On the bright side, there be no cliffhanger because the book version is published
224 Pages

The Book of Gothel by Mary McMyne

not me hoping that MC doesn't turn into the gaslighting Mother Gothel from Disney.
Also like...Mother Gothel's origin story....
ohh so that's how they got that part to fit....cool cool... I'm fine... I'm not crying... I just want them to happy. But fine. I guess. I guess that's fine. 
Me forgetting that the first section is like...in the modern era and then being shocked by the epilogue.
385 Pages

All of Our Demise by Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman

It's the queer content for me....
And the Alistair content. I love him.... grumpy grump
fsjkdslafjkldsajksfdafjkldjs
Just the magic competition and the gahh. I can't
I thought I had a ship, but I was wrong, and I was glad I was wrong, because this ship is better. I love it.
480 Pages

When in Rome by Sarah Adams

I feel personally attacked by the way that Amelia treats her car....Victimized I am....
"This is where I'll get my act together"
me, having experience: ....no this is where you crash, sleep for 18 hours, and then proceed to lose your act and have a breakdown...that's like...the standard thing
"how does a baker have muscles like that?"
Excuse you, Peeta Mellark is insulted
*artist who vanishes from the media to take care of herself and meets boy....I'm sorry do you mean Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn.
312 Pages

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

Phantom of the Opera vibes. Just like... the darkness and not seeing the face and the mentoring. I can't. I can't.
doggo.
The sass/attitude. I just. I love Death. No one is surprised.
....and there's a masquerade...like....excuse me...
look, I'm not saying I'm Batman, but like....you've never seen me in the room with him.
I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I'M A GENIUS. FNKLDSA
I. am. screeching. the end. fjkldsjklsfdsa. Just. like. gahhhhhhh.
It's like....borderline YA/NA......cause like...
416 Pages

The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Me knowing nothing about chess....
Also just fjkldsafjklda
Tiramisu
We love Nash. And Xander.... and Jameson and Grayson
384 Pages

The Dragon's Promise by Elizabeth Lim

throwing rocks at people
kgldkfdsfkkl;jfdsal
hey that's the series title of the other series.
Me not remembering which character makes a cameo, but like.
I have feelings, and I would like some fanart please. 
We love dragon's in this house.
Beautiful radish boy. We stan. Send help. Cause I can't with these characters. the brothers. I can't. 
496 Pages

The Weight of a Soul by Elizabeth Tammi

Meh. I'm just not invested in the characters... It feels like I'm reading a history book
320 Pages

Nothing More to Tell by Karen M. McManus

We stan a dog who is the symbol of a bakery and is cute and floof.
Ellery and Maeve name cameos
Bro there were so many moving pieces, and I was like....detail detail detail. Notice all the details. 
.....Did I call who killed him...yes. 
....The epilogue...do that be a hint.
Does Karen McManus have character types that she goes to...yes... Do I care. No I do not. I love them. Must protect. 
368 Pages

Monthly Girls' Nozaki-Kun Volume 1 by Izumi Tsubaki

When you have a crush on someone, you try to tell them, and you end up being awkward and recruited to help him with his manga. 
I love all of the characters so much... they just like....have really unique personalities so seeing them interact with each other and the shenanigans is just. chef's kiss.  They're all so extra, and I'm here for it.
144 Pages

Blue Period Volume 1 by Tsubasa Yamaguchi

Ok but a high school student pursuing his interest in art, and having support and teachers, and like...ways to improve.... I'm not crying.
and like...having an art club that pushes the members to really improve their art....like.... I can't. 

"Writing off the thing you love like it's just a hobby sounds like something only grown-ups would do, don't you think?" Cries. Cries. Cries. 

The art style is gorgeous, btw...like. sfjkdssfjkld 
224 Pages