Not Here to Stay Friends by Kaitlyn Hill

The absolute fluff.
it's the passing notes for me.
Also it's that one scene from the Lizzie McGuire Movie
352 Pages

Greymist Fair by Francesca Zappia

So apparently it's inspired by the lesser known Grimm's fairy tales...which tracks, cause vibes.
I loved the way that the story progressed with multiple points of view/fairy tales, but in an organized cohesive manner. The way that characters were introduced or alluded to, only to be brought up later.
Also my ship.
336 Pages

Arch-Conspirator by Veronica Roth

So it's a retelling of Antigone, but it's set in the distant future.
112 Pages

This Time It's Real by Ann Liang

I have cavities. The fluff. Y'all the fluff.
She made a PowerPoint.
I just...love their dynamic.
The motorcycle. The chemistry experiments
Cazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I'm crying. Send help. Like... I don't want to be called out like this..

The TSwift references.
352 Pages

TS Song: Superstar, I'm Only Me With You

Sisters of the Snake by Sasha Nanua and Sarena Nanua

It's like the prince and the pauper but different.
there's also some aladdin vibes...specifically one character reminds me of Jafar.
The boys the boys the boys. The ships.
528 Pages

Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley

It reminds me a little bit of Daughter of Smoke and Bone (maybe they share a base mythology?)
The concept. I love it. Just like. I can't. The magic system. Everything in the sky.

I love Jason. I will protect him. I love their relationship. I love his brain. I love his dedication. Chef's Kiss.
309 Pages

Lies We Sing to the Sea by Sarah Underwood

Preface: So it says it's a retelling of the Odyssey but it's not...at least I don't think it is based on my limited knowledge of Odyssey. Like...I couldn't figure...
meh. like...there were good parts, but mostly it was nah. Like...
I liked Mathias...except, you know, totally could have picked a better name...
432 Pages

Rise of the School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

It's a prequel to School for Good and Evil, and we get to see the brothers interacting. The origins of the mascots and the castles and like.. jdfksal;fjsa
And it was read by Kit Young. love it.
384 Pages

Kingdom of Sea and Stone by Mara Rutherford

the annoying characters grew on me.
368 Pages

Out of Character by Jenna Miller

So this has the vibes of Fangirl, with the liking a fandom and being obsessed with it and creating content for it.
384 Pages

A Long Stretch of Bad Days by Mindy McGinnis

Not me feeling seen by the "living in a small town that was destroyed by a tornado, graduating from a high school class with less than 100 students"
I don't feel seen by the trying to solve a cold case murder tho....
I feel like I should have guessed the ending...
368 Pages

EDIT: I'm insulted that she wants to study journalism, and there's not even a footnote or mention of Mizzou. Insulted

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

 

Pages: 388

"It's 1889. The city is on the cusp of industry and power, and the Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up ancient secrets. Here, no one keeps tabs on dark truths better than treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier Séverin Montagnet-Alarie. When the elite, ever-powerful Order of Babel coerces him to help them on a mission, Séverin is offered a treasure that he never imagined: his true inheritance.

To hunt down the ancient artefact the Order seeks, Séverin calls upon a band of unlikely experts: An engineer with a debt to pay. A historian banished from his home. A dancer with a sinister past. And a brother in arms if not blood.  Together, they will join Severin as he explores the dark, glittering heart of Paris. What they find might change the course of history--but only if they can stay alive."

Historical heist plus a cool magic system?? Count me in! I loved the industrial vibes combined with the interesting magic system that reminded me of the small science from the Grisha universe. I have so many questions after finishing, not to mention a pile of tissues from the ending, I cannot wait to start the next one!

Tim Reads March

Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded: August 27, 1883 by Simon Winchester (416 pages)

A fascinating look at the earth shaking explosion of a volcano on the island of Krakatoa. This indepth look at the history of the island and the impact it’s (and more importantly its main volcano) had on the world. It shows the problems caused by the explosion, its impact on the weather, global trade, etc.

Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis (380 pages)

A look into the life of George Babbit, he lives a boring life, has a boring family, and tries and fails to add enjoyment, excitement, and class to differentiate him from his boring neighbors and coworkers. A fun book that toes the line of enjoying the characters and hoping they all fail.

The Royal Art of Poison: Fatal Cosmetics, Deadly Medicines and Murder Most Foul  by Eleanor Herman (320 pages)

Historical figures are murdered in a variety of ways, mainly poisons, and this book features a few notable examples. Looking at what was used to kill them and the impact their deaths had on their kingdoms, countries, and the entire world this book does a great job showing how just a drop can change everything.

Madam Restell: The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Old New York's Most Fabulous, Fearless, and Infamous Abortionist by Jennifer Wright (352 pages)

A biography of a woman who went from an immigrant to a self taught surgeon who became one of New York’s most well know (or reviled depending on your views of her profession). She became the target for newspaper tabloids, lawsuit happy foes, and Matthew Comstock (who as always sucks the worst)

The War that Made the Roman Empire: Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavian at Actium  by Barry S. Strauss (376 pages)   

Marc Anthony & Cleopatra vs. Octavian, winner not only inherits the mantle of the recently murdered Julius Caesar but gets to decide the future of Rome. Octavian (later Caesar Augustus) wins (spoiler) and this book takes us through the gory (and snake bitey?!?) ends of Anthony and Cleopatra. 

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

lol, I've taken off my shoes at Mass.
Not me being anxious because this is LGBT set in the 1980s
I'm not crying
It's the everyone knowing that you like someone and that you're queer before you know you're queer for me.
390 Pages

Where Darkness Blooms by Andrea Hannah

The switching narrators.
I liked how the magic of the sunflowers was brought in.
lol, we're not in Kansas anymore.
So it was dark, but I was expecting it to be more descriptive in that since, but I'm glad I was wrong, because it didn't take me out of the story.
320 Pages

His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik

baby dragon baby dragon baby dragon....
talking baby dragon talking baby dragon.
Must protect dragons at all costs. I love them. 
Also we're including the different varieties of dragons, like Chinese and Japanese dragons which have different strengths than European dragons. Amazing.
The Book Toothless from HTTYD, and the Eragon vibes, except the dragon rider person is like....not a child and is in the Navy.
Also the fact that this is taking place during the Napoleonic wars.
374 Pages

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

ARC, Publication Date: April 4 2023
sfdoasfd;jklsfjklsdafjklajfdlsajfdasj;f
The You've Got Mail vibes, but with magic and war. djsklfajl
and the World War I vibes and the reporting and dsfk;lks
And now I have to wait a year for the next book. I'm fine. I'm not going to be obsessing over this book at all.
I love Roman. I love that we call him Kit. I love Iris. I just. I can't.
Rebecca Ross owns me, and she will continue to do so.
I know we're only in April, but this might be one of my favorite books of 2023.
368 Pages

TS Song: You Are in Love, Invisible String

Spinster's Guide to Danger and Dukes by Manda Collins

The cameos.
The way that Poppy handles the classism, and Langham backs her up.
352 Pages

By the Book by Jasmine Guillory

Summary: "Isabelle is completely lost. When she first began her career in publishing right out of college, she did not expect to be twenty-five, living at home, still an editorial assistant, and the only Black employee at her publishing house. Overworked and underpaid, constantly torn between speaking up or stifling herself, Izzy thinks there must be more to this publishing life. So when she overhears her boss complaining about a beastly high-profile author who has failed to deliver his long-awaited manuscript, Isabelle sees an opportunity to finally get the promotion she deserves."

SO. GOOD. I cannot. The yellow dress!!!

320 pages

goodreads | MOBIUS

Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella

 *re-reads for the millionth time for the laughs and second-hand embarrassment

374 pages

goodreads | MOBIUS

The Left-Handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix

The Lefthanded Booksellers of London
It's a re-read so I'm not completely lost in the sequel.
I still love how the bookshop has idiosyncrasies. And I still want to be left-handed
416 Pages

The Sinister Booksellers of Bath
Merlin continues to steal the show with his fashion choices. Iconic.
Merlin keeps mentioning a Range Rover and my brain starts hearing King of My Heart
368 Pages

A House With Good Bones by T Kingfisher

Ok but the magic.
Also..the humor. Fantastic.
*immediately adds vultures to my trash animals list that I love
256 Pages