Ten Most Recent Additions to TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and the meme moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. This week's Top Ten Tuesday asks bloggers to list their ten most recent additions to their to be read list. The following books are in no particular order. All synopsis information was taken from Goodreads.

1. Good Riddance by Elinor Lipman
February 5th 2019 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

The delightful new romantic comedy from Elinor Lipman, in which one woman’s trash becomes another woman’s treasure, with deliriously entertaining results.

Daphne Maritch doesn't quite know what to make of the heavily annotated high school yearbook she inherits from her mother, who held this relic dear. Too dear. The late June Winter Maritch was the teacher to whom the class of '68 had dedicated its yearbook, and in turn she went on to attend every reunion, scribbling notes and observations after each one—not always charitably—and noting who overstepped boundaries of many kinds.

In a fit of decluttering (the yearbook did not, Daphne concluded, "spark joy"), she discards it when she moves to a small New York City apartment. But when it's found in the recycling bin by a busybody neighbor/documentary filmmaker, the yearbook's mysteries—not to mention her own family's—take on a whole new urgency, and Daphne finds herself entangled in a series of events both poignant and absurd.

Good Riddance is a pitch-perfect, whip-smart new novel from an "enchanting, infinitely witty yet serious, exceptionally intelligent, wholly original, and Austen-like stylist" (Washington Post).

2. The Assignment by Liza M. Wiemer
2020 by Delacorte Press

From Publisher's Weekly:

Senior Vice President and Publisher, Beverly Horowitz at Delacorte has acquired The Assignment, based on a true story, by Liza Wiemer. When high school seniors Cade and Logan receive a history assignment requiring them to debate the merits of Hitler's Final Solution, with one side arguing in favor of the annihilation of the Jews and the other side advocating for sterilization, ghettos, and concentration camps, they appear to be the only ones who are horrified. They want it canceled, pitting themselves against their teacher, their principal, and even the Commissioner of Education—resulting in bullying from classmates and the ire of white supremacists. Publication is slated for fall 2020; Steven Chudney at the Chudney Agency handled the deal for North American rights.

3. The Beauty of the Moment by Tanaz Bhathena
February 26th 2019 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Susan is the new girl—she’s sharp and driven, and strives to meet her parents’ expectations of excellence. Malcolm is the bad boy—he started raising hell at age fifteen, after his mom died of cancer, and has had a reputation ever since.

Susan’s parents are on the verge of divorce. Malcolm’s dad is a known adulterer.

Susan hasn’t told anyone, but she wants to be an artist. Malcolm doesn’t know what he wants—until he meets her.

Love is messy and families are messier, but in spite of their burdens, Susan and Malcolm fall for each other. The ways they drift apart and come back together are testaments to family, culture, and being true to who you are.

4. Hungry Hearts: 13 Tales of Food & Love edited by Elsie Chapman
June 18th 2019 by Simon Pulse

From some of your favorite bestselling and critically acclaimed authors—including Sandhya Menon, Anna-Marie McLemore, and Rin Chupeco—comes a collection of interconnected short stories that explore the intersection of family, culture, and food in the lives of thirteen teens.

A shy teenager attempts to express how she really feels through the confections she makes at her family’s pasteleria. A tourist from Montenegro desperately seeks a magic soup dumpling that could cure his fear of death. An aspiring chef realizes that butter and soul are the key ingredients to win a cooking competition that could win him the money to save his mother’s life.

Welcome to Hungry Hearts Row, where the answers to most of life’s hard questions are kneaded, rolled, baked. Where a typical greeting is, “Have you had anything to eat?” Where magic and food and love are sometimes one and the same.

Told in interconnected short stories, Hungry Hearts explores the many meanings food can take on beyond mere nourishment. It can symbolize love and despair, family and culture, belonging and home.

5. Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali
May 7th 2019 by Salaam Reads

From William C. Morris Award Finalist S.K. Ali comes an unforgettable romance that is part The Sun Is Also a Starmixed with Anna and the French Kiss , following two Muslim teens who meet during a spring break trip.

A marvel: something you find amazing. Even ordinary-amazing. Like potatoes—because they make French fries happen. Like the perfect fries Adam and his mom used to make together.

An oddity: whatever gives you pause. Like the fact that there are hateful people in the world. Like Zayneb’s teacher, who won’t stop reminding the class how “bad” Muslims are.

But Zayneb, the only Muslim in class, isn’t bad. She’s angry.

When she gets suspended for confronting her teacher, and he begins investigating her activist friends, Zayneb heads to her aunt’s house in Doha, Qatar, for an early start to spring break.

Fueled by the guilt of getting her friends in trouble, she resolves to try out a newer, “nicer” version of herself in a place where no one knows her.

Then her path crosses with Adam’s.

Since he got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in November, Adam’s stopped going to classes, intent, instead, on perfecting the making of things. Intent on keeping the memory of his mom alive for his little sister.

Adam’s also intent on keeping his diagnosis a secret from his grieving father.

Alone, Adam and Zayneb are playing roles for others, keeping their real thoughts locked away in their journals.

Until a marvel and an oddity occurs…

Marvel: Adam and Zayneb meeting.

Oddity: Adam and Zayneb meeting.

6. The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu
April 2nd 2019 by Margaret K. McElderry Books

From #1 New York Times bestseller Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu comes the first book in a new trilogy featuring the centuries-old High Warlock Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood after they survive the Mortal War.

Magnus Bane, a centuries old High Warlock, has taken possession of one of the great relics of the supernatural world, a powerful spell book of dark magic known as The Book of the White and there are many who want to claim it for themselves.

After the Mortal War where the part-human and part-angel Shadowhunters teamed with the part human-demon Downworlders to fight against the incursion of an army of demons, Magnus and his new lover, the mortal Alec Lightwood celebrate their survival and victory by escaping the supernatural battlefield of New York City by touring the world, but the world won’t leave them alone.

The first adult novel set within #1 New York Times bestselling author Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunter series, The Lost Book of the White, written with award-winning science fiction author Wesley Chu, is a fantasy thriller that will give new readers a great way to enter the Shadowhunters world and give the millions of readers across the globe answers they’ve been looking for in this start of The Eldest Curses trilogy.

7. Vampires Never Get Old edited by Natalie C. Parker
September 2020 by Imprint Reads

A YA fantasy anthology featuring fresh takes on old souls with vampire stories.

8. I Love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn
May 28th 2019 by Scholastic Press

Kimi Nakamura loves a good fashion statement.

She's obsessed with transforming everyday ephemera into Kimi Originals: bold outfits that make her and her friends feel like the Ultimate versions of themselves. But her mother disapproves, and when they get into an explosive fight, Kimi's entire future seems on the verge of falling apart. So when a surprise letter comes in the mail from Kimi's estranged grandparents, inviting her to Kyoto for spring break, she seizes the opportunity to get away from the disaster of her life.

When she arrives in Japan, she's met with a culture both familiar and completely foreign to her. She loses herself in the city's outdoor markets, art installations, and cherry blossom festival - and meets Akira, a cute aspiring med student who moonlights as a costumed mochi mascot. And what begins as a trip to escape her problems quickly becomes a way for Kimi to learn more about the mother she left behind, and to figure out where her own heart lies.

In I Love You So Mochi, author Sarah Kuhn has penned a delightfully sweet and irrepressibly funny novel that will make you squee at the cute, cringe at the awkward, and show that sometimes you have to lose yourself in something you love to find your Ultimate self.

9. Don't Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno
May 14th 2019 by Disney-Hyperion

For fans of GILMORE GIRLS and TO ALL THE BOYS I'VE LOVED BEFORE, this effervescent love story from debut author Nina Moreno will sweep you away.

Rosa Santos is cursed by the sea-at least, that's what they say. Dating her is bad news, especially if you're a boy with a boat.
But Rosa feels more caught than cursed. Caught between cultures and choices. Between her abuela, a beloved healer and pillar of their community, and her mother, an artist who crashes in and out of her life like a hurricane. Between Port Coral, the quirky South Florida town they call home, and Cuba, the island her abuela refuses to talk about.

As her college decision looms, Rosa collides-literally-with Alex Aquino, the mysterious boy with tattoos of the ocean whose family owns the marina. With her heart, her family, and her future on the line, can Rosa break a curse and find her place beyond the horizon? 

10. We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia
February 26th 2019 by Katherine Tegen Books

In this daring and romantic fantasy debut perfect for fans of The Handmaid’s Tale and Latinx authors Zoraida Córdova and Anna-Marie McLemore, society wife-in-training Dani has a great awakening after being recruited by rebel spies and falling for her biggest rival.

At the Medio School for Girls, distinguished young women are trained for one of two roles in their polarized society. Depending on her specialization, a graduate will one day run a husband’s household or raise his children. Both paths promise a life of comfort and luxury, far from the frequent political uprisings of the lower class.

Daniela Vargas is the school’s top student, but her pedigree is a lie. She must keep the truth hidden or be sent back to the fringes of society.

And school couldn’t prepare her for the difficult choices she must make after graduation, especially when she is asked to spy for a resistance group desperately fighting to bring equality to Medio.

Will Dani cling to the privilege her parents fought to win for her, or will she give up everything she’s strived for in pursuit of a free Medio—and a chance at a forbidden love?

What books did you recently add to your TBR list?

The Silver Mask by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

Title: The Silver Mask
Author: Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication date: October 10, 2017
Pages: 240
Source/format: Hardcover // Library

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):   

A generation ago, Constantine Madden came close to achieving what no magician had ever achieved: the ability to bring back the dead. He didn't succeed . . . but he did find a way to keep himself alive, inside a young child named Callum Hunt.

Now Call is one of the most feared and reviled students in the history of the Magisterium, thought to be responsible for a devastating death and an ever-present threat of war. As a result, Call has been imprisoned and interrogated. Everyone wants to know what Constantine was up to-and how he lives on.

But Call has no idea.

It is only when he's broken out of prison that the full potential of Constantine's plan is suddenly in his hands . . . and he must decide what to do with his power.

In this spellbinding fourth book of Magisterium, bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare take us beyond the realm of the living and into the dangers of the dead.

M Y  T H O U G H T S

Call is imprisoned in Panopticon for being the Enemy of Death until one day a fire is set loose and he is freed by Tamara and Anastasia. Unfortunately, it is all the same day Jasper decided to visit Call. What is even more unfortunate is that Anastasia had other plans and roped in Master Joseph who was supposedly dead. Call, Tamara and Jasper end up being imprisoned on an island. While being prisoners with the true enemy, Call has no where to go. The Magisterium thinks he is still the Enemy of Death and they do not trust him. Tamara and Jasper help devise a plan to alert the Magisterium who the real enemy is and what is at stake.

The plot is fairly interesting and of course the necromancy that was involved in The Silver Mask brings some form of happiness between the main characters. However, it is not meant to be. I was devastated at first when I thought Havoc died but he is still alive. Ravan, as a character, has grown on me. Although a lot of people are biased against the Devoured, not all Devoured are considered evil. Some characters I cannot talk about in this review due to major spoilers but lets say if you think someone died, there is a chance the person is still alive. Also, there is a lot of foreshadowing which I love to read about. The Devoured, the swapping of souls and the history of the Maddens all shape The Silver Mask well. The Maddens' memories, no matter how they are preserved, provide valuable insight for Call to survive and to do the right thing.

The only thing I wasn't too fond of in The Silver Mask is when Anastasia claims that Tamara likes Call, Call becomes infatuated with Tamara. He is so obsessed that he even forgets that he needs to be looking for a way off the island. There is too much instalove for me and also, Call loses focus very easily. Tamara for the most part, is looking for away to escape even if she does show some interest in Call. I just found it odd that she shows as much interest as she did since she had a thing for Aaron not too long ago.

The Silver Mask is the fourth installment in the Magisterium series. Almost everyone doesn't believe Call when he claims he is not the Enemy of Death. He eventually proves them wrong by the end of the book by actually saving all magekind. The Silver Mask takes a darker turn compared to its predecessors. This book is a turning point and a climax in Call's journey. Call doesn't know who to trust and who wants him dead.

Enchantée by Gita Trelease

Title: Enchantée
Author: Gita Trelease
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Publication date: February 5, 2019
Pages: 464
Source/format: ARC // Publisher

Rating: ☆☆☆☆1/2

Synopsis (from goodreads.com): 

Paris in 1789 is a labyrinth of twisted streets, filled with beggars, thieves, revolutionaries—and magicians...

When smallpox kills her parents, Camille Durbonne must find a way to provide for her frail, naive sister while managing her volatile brother. Relying on petty magic—la magie ordinaire—Camille painstakingly transforms scraps of metal into money to buy the food and medicine they need. But when the coins won’t hold their shape and her brother disappears with the family’s savings, Camille must pursue a richer, more dangerous mark: the glittering court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

With dark magic her mother forbade her to use, Camille transforms herself into the ‘Baroness de la Fontaine’ and is swept up into life at the Palace of Versailles, where aristocrats both fear and hunger for la magie. Though Camille's resentment of the rich is at at odds with the allure of glamour and excess, when she meets a handsome inventor she believes liberty and love may finally be possible.

But la magie has its costs. When a scheming courtier blackmails her and Lazare’s affections shift, Camille loses control of her secrets. Then revolution erupts, and she must choose—love or loyalty, democracy or aristocracy, reality or la magie—before Paris burns…

ENCHANTÉE is a thrilling YA historical fantasy that combines the decadence of Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette with the dangerous enchantments of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell.

M Y  T H O U G H T S 

"Magicians needed sorrow. And deep sorrow existed only because of love."

Enchantée takes place in pre-revolutionary Paris in the late 1700's. Camille Durbonne wields a kind of magic that can twist pieces of scrap metals into coins with an illusion. Forced to rely on magic in order to live, Camille is left with no choice but to create an alter ego in order to survive. She reinvents herself as Baroness de la Fontaine after finding a magical dress. However, with this alter ego comes a price since she starts using dark magic.

Camille only does this in order to provide for her sister, Sophie, after her brother, Alain, gambled away their last bit of money and because they are on the cusp of being evicted. After their parents died, the three siblings have struggled to live with the basic living needs such as food and shelter. The price of the la magie takes a toll on Camille. She is exhausted everyday but she wants to make sure that Sophie is taken care of.

Gita Trelease showcases extreme poverty against pure luxury. Camille's mother used to be an aristocrat until she married Papa, the printer. But Camille's Grandmère shuns the family because of her daughter's marriage decision. Even when Camille goes out as Camille compared to Baroness de la Fontaine, she is looked down upon like she is unworthy. Status is everything.

Enchantée is beautifully written with an alluring plot and fantastic character development. I have to admit it took me some time to warm up to the book in the beginning. The novel started off a bit slower than I anticipated but then the pace picked up fast. I enjoyed reading about the relationships Camille made throughout the novel and she herself grew a lot from the beginning to the end of the book. Camille learns that lying to people, especially to loved ones, is hard. Keeping secrets slowly eats away at her. Camille learns that she must tell the truth about who she is and she needs to stay true to herself.

Camille reminisces about how her father took her to Versailles to see a Montgolfier when she "helps save" Armand, Lazare and Rosier when flying a hot balloon. The romance between Lazare is slow but steady. You can tell they care for one another but they don't rush anything. He is unlike the other aristocrats out there and truly believes in equality. And that balloon ride with Lazare and Camille is perfect!

I enjoyed reading about when Camille creating her glamoire and when she plays cards at Versailles. There is something satisfying knowing how confident Camille is in the things she does. Camille finding another magician, Chandon, was equally surprising but intriguing. Of course there are some good magicians around and some bad ones. Chandon warns Camille to be careful while she gambles. Little does Camille know is that someone knows of her magic and has been playing the cards of the game only for her to fall into a trap.

Enchantée is a compelling and enchanting historical fantasy that will keep you on your feet wanting to know more. Trelease's gorgeous writing draws in the reader. Enchantée is an ideal read for those who love the stories of Cinderella, Les Miserables and Caraval.

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Releases for the First Half of 2019

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and the meme moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. This week's Top Ten Tuesday asks bloggers to list their most anticipated releases for the first half of 2019. The following books are in no particular order. 

1. Hungry Hearts: 13 Tales of Food Love is an anthology of short stories explores the many meanings food can take on beyond mere nourishment. It can symbolize love and despair, family and culture, belonging and home. I am a big foodie fan, so this will definitely be a fun read. It will be released on June 18, 2019.

2. Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali is an contemporary about two Muslim teenagers who meet during a spring break trip. I just found out about this book when the cover was revealed and all I can say is that the plot sounds very intriguing and I cannot wait to pick this one up. The release date is May 7, 2019.

3. There's Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Menon is a companion novel to When Dimple Met Rishi and follows the life of Rishi's younger brother, Ashish. Of course, Ashish meets Sweetie. I am a huge fan of Menon's When Dimple Met Rishi, so I cannot wait to continue to read more! This book will be released on May 14, 2019.

4. Killing November by Adriana Mather is about a school where all of the students are children of the world’s most elite strategists and are training to be assassins, counselors, spies and master impersonators. I am a big fan of Mather's previous works and this novel is a change of pace for sure! The release date is March, 26, 2019...one day after my birthday!

5. Hope and Other Punchlines by Julie Bauxbaum is about Abbi Hope Goldstein, who is known as Baby Hope, due to her famous photo that was taken when she was baby during the 9/11 attacks. She longs to not be known for her Baby Hope alter ego and is elated that she attends a camp for the summer where no one knows of her. And here is when she meets Noah Stern who thinks it's fate that he meets Abbi. Tell Me Three Things by Buxbaum is one of my favorite books so course I am excited about Buxbaum's upcoming novel. The release date is May 7, 2019.

6. Finale by Stephanie Garber is the last book in Caraval trilogy. Here readers will delve into a story taken place two months after the last Caraval will take place. Legend is preparing for his official coronation and Tella is determined to stop it because Tella believes that her mother, who is in an enchanted sleep, is the rightful heir to the throne. At the same time, Scarlett challenges Julian and Count Nicolas d’Arcy in a competition to win her hand in marriage. I cannot wait to read Finale! I love Caraval and love Legendary even more, so it's a no brainer that this book is very high on my TBR list. May 7, 2019 is the release date.

7. Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds is a cute contemporary with time travel about Jack and Kate meeting at a party over their mutual love of Froot Loops and their favorite movies. This is when Jack knows he’s falling hard for Kate. However, they have a complicated love story because one of them dies. The release date is March 5, 2019.

8. Shout by Laurie Halse Anderson is a poetic memoir and call to action. Twenty years after the release of Speak, this memoir comes out, which is inspired by fans and is written in free verse sharing reflections, rants, and calls to action woven between deeply personal stories from Anderson's life that she has never written about before. Speak is one of the most memorable books I've read 15+ years ago. I am a huge fan of Anderson and she is one of my favorite authors. The release date is March 12, 2019.

9. An Affair of Poisons by Addie Thorley is a historical fiction novel at it's finest located in France. Mirabelle, an alchemist, helps her mother poison King Louis XIV where she uncovers many secrets of the Shadow Society her mother belongs to. Josse de Bourbon, becomes the prince he never meant to be when the Sun King and half the court are assassinated. A deadly poisoner joins a bastard prince in this adventurous story to battle against the Shadow Society. This novel sounds intoxicating! There is a little romance, some betrayal, a lot of secrets and definitely has a scandalous plotline. The novel will be released on February 26, 2019. 

10. The Beauty of the Moment by Tanaz Bhathena is a contemporary novel about Susan and Malcolm. Susan is driven, meets her parents' expectations and wants to be an artist. Malcolm is a bad boy who has a reputation and doesn't know what he wants to do with his life. Although they are opposites of each other, they fall for one another. This is definitely a perfect book to read in February :). Of course, the release date is February 26, 2019.

What books are your most anticipated for the first half of 2019? Do we share any of the same books?

Comet Rising by MarcyKate Connolly

Title: Comet Rising
Author: MarcyKate Connolly
Publisher: Soucebooks Jabberwocky
Publication date: January 1, 2019
Pages: 320
Source/format: ARC // Publisher

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

Something is very wrong with the sky...

Emmeline and Lucas are safe from Lady Aisling and her soldiers for the time being. The only thing that mars their peaceful life is Emmeline's former shadow, Dar. Still shut in her cage, she constantly tries to manipulate Emmeline to set her free.

Then one night the Cerelia Comet, the reason for their magical abilities, returns... Twelve years too early. The return of the comet can only mean one thing, Lady Aisling has a sky shaker under her control and is hoping for a new batch of talented children to add to her collection.

Emmeline and Lucas journey to find other talented children who can help in the fight against Lady Aisling. But when Dar escapes, and the two friends realize many of the children they seek have already been taken, it's clear the sky shaker might be the least of their worries.

The thrilling conclusion to MarcyKate Connolly's Shadow Weaver duology follows Emmeline and Lucas as they face the darkness that has shadowed their lives.

M Y  T H O U G H T S 

"Alone we are powerful, but together, we can do real magic."

Comet Rising is the sequel to Shadow Weaver. About two months after the incidents in Shadow Weaver, Emmeline's shadow, Dar, is locked away in the attic. Emmeline and Lucas are gifted with shadow weaving and light singing due to being blessed by the Cerelia Comet at birth. Lady Aisling, a magic eater, is hunting down blessed magical children for her their talents. The Cerelia Comet only comes every 25 years but Dar tells Emmeline the comet is coming back again and it's because of Lady Aisling's doing.

In Abbacho, Emmeline pretends to be Lucas's sister while she lives with Lucas parents. The family poses as farmers and fishers. After some time, Lady Aisling's guards find the children. Lucas's parents, Alfred and Miranda, create a distraction in order for Emmeline, Lucas and Dar to flee. When Emmeline and Lucas goes into hiding at Alsa's, they learn of other magical abilities that children are blessed with. There are sky shakers, youth keepers, talent takers, memory stealers, life bringers, spot hoppers and other gifted children. Eventually, Emmeline and Lucas befriends other children such as Noah and Pearl who are blessed by the Cerelia Comet. The children battle against the Lady Aisling for their freedom.

MarcyKate Connolly creates a world that draws you in from the first page. Comet Rising's pace is much quicker than of Shadow Weaver's. Comet Rising is a fast paced middle grade read full of adventure, magic and darkness. It's dazzling story line will reel readers in. The characters are delightful and their development as characters is strong.

Emmeline and Lucas have a healthy friendship which they stay loyal to each other; they can trust one another fully. It sends a positive message for children who read this duology. Dar, however, is someone who is complex. She is hard to trust since she can betray you but at the same time, she helps you when you need help the most. This contrast of friends shows how different people act and view friendship. Connolly shows how some friendships are parasitic while others are symbiotic.

Comet Rising is an atmospheric, eerie and dark fairytale with hollow shells and a villain who will do anything to get her way. Be careful when you approach someone. Who knows if they are working for the Lady Aisling. Or you might encounter Lady Aisling in the flesh.