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What I’m reading: Vol 52.

What I'm reading

Nightstand: Bone Gap by Laura Ruby. I’m about 10 pages into this. It’s well-written, but it’s too early to have any other thoughts.

Coffee table: The Bridal Quest by Candace Camp. Diving into a new Regency-era romance series! These are fun, but I don’t think they’re going to end up being a superfavorite.

In a blanket nest: Four Nights with the Duke by Eloisa James. New(ish) Eloisa James, from the Desperate Duchesses series! I bought this outright and do not regret it. I love this author, these characters, and this series. This one’s about Thorn/Tobias’ friend Vander, for anyone familiar with these books.

Internets:

Watch Nicki Minaj Recite a Maya Angelou Poem for A&E’s Concert Special About Race.

Princess Rap Battle: Katniss Everdeen vs. Hermione Granger.

A shipwrecked Spanish ship full of treasure was just discovered…but who gets the goods?

Blow Your Entire Afternoon Designing Elaborate 18th Century Wigs. Don’t mind if I do!

A Full Financial Breakdown Of How One Woman Is Following Her Creative Dream.

The NYPL just made a whooooooole bunch of content available for free, un-restricted download. It’s awesome.

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Uprooted by Naomi Novik.

My review of Uprooted by Naomi Novik, a truly stunning work of fantasy that every fan of the genre should read.
Uprooted by Naomi Novik.

This book is: simply wonderful.
Other elements: Wizards, politics, the dark desires of humankind, love, misguided impulses, being yourself, power.
Read it: if you love a good story, the feeling of a real fairy tale (the scary kind) and strong female heroines.
Overall rating: 9.5/10

I should tell you that I spent the month of December of 2015 reading through all of Book Riot’s favorite books of the year. As such, I read an usually high number of excellent books in one month. I also read an unusually high number of books: 30 books in 31 days.

I could have finished 31 books in 31 days, but I was unwilling to rush Uprooted. I started it in the afternoon on December 31st, thinking it would be light, somewhat enjoyable fantasy and I could plow though it. But it immediately became clear that Uprooted is one of those rare books that makes me want to read more slowly. It was rich and glorious, and I wanted to let unfold gently before me at its own pace. I wanted to savor it.

So I did.

The story itself contains an essential relatability that I think is the root of all the best fantasy writing. Yes, it takes place in a world where things are possible that are not possible in our world. But at the end of it all, the same driving forces motivate the characters and even the most arcane of developments comes back to something understandable. Greed. Love. Fear.

I’ve told you almost nothing about the story, but I’m going to leave it that way. Do you want to read an impeccably crafted, deeply enjoyable work of fantasy with a strong heroine at its forefront? Here you go. Doesn’t sound good to you? Your loss.

For more reads anytime, check out my Amazon recommended books store. This post contains affiliate link

My review of Uprooted by Naomi Novik, a truly stunning work of fantasy with a strong female lead that every fan of the genre should read.

What I’m reading: Vol. 51.

What I'm reading

Nightstand: Uprooted by Naomi Novik. If I had finished this a few days earlier, it would have been on my Best Books of 2015 list. Extremely well done fantasy with a strong female main character. I will buy it and read it again.

Coffee table: H Is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald. I love love loved the beginning of this, but I’ve gotten a little bogged down in the middle. I still think it’s good, I just sort of stopped being in the mood for it. Does that ever happen to you?

In a blanket nest: The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins. This book is so weird and good. Like, SO weird and so good. I may have to write a full review.

Internets:

Love football? Get the full picture. Educate yourself about the dark side of its players and the NFL’s attitude toward the sexual violence.

One of my fellow bling blogger (and friend) Amy Roseveare’s top posts of 2015 was one that mentions me! Here’s Amy’s 5 Fab Pinterest Boards.

These 1960 Models Say You Need to Wear Brighter Colors for Winter. I agree.

A master list of Best Books of 2015 lists. So useful.

Lifetime‘s TV show satirizing The Bachelor features better diversity than the real deal.

#BringBackTheTiara

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