This is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga’s Reviews and Reading Reality. Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!
I was approved for two books on NetGalley from Simon and Schuster Canada:
We Are the Wildcats by Siobhan Vivian
The Honey-Don’t List by Christina Lauren
Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for this book!
Title: The Marrow Thieves Author: Cherie Dimaline Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction Publisher: Dancing Cat Books Source: Purchased Format: Paperback Release Date: May 10, 2017 Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
In a futuristic world ravaged by global warming, people have lost the ability to dream, and the dreamlessness has led to widespread madness. The only people still able to dream are North America’s Indigenous people, and it is their marrow that holds the cure for the rest of the world. But getting the marrow, and dreams, means death for the unwilling donors. Driven to flight, a fifteen-year-old and his companions struggle for survival, attempt to reunite with loved ones and take refuge from the “recruiters” who seek them out to bring them to the marrow-stealing “factories.”
Review:
This is an amazing story that mixes the ancient Native Canadian culture with a futuristic dystopia.
In the world of this novel, Native Canadians were being rounded up so they could be studied. They were the only people who still dream, and everyone else wanted to take that ability back from them. It was unclear why they were the only people left with the ability to dream. The characters in this story had to run away into the forests to escape capture.
This story was character driven, with a very strong cast. Their only goal was to go north, so they kept walking. There was a group of kids and adults, who were not related, but lived together because they had lost the rest of their families.
The characters had detailed backstories, which were devastating to read about. There was a lot of pain in their individual histories, which was reminiscent of the real history of Native people in Canada. Many parts were difficult to read, but it is important to know these stories because they represent our real history.
This book had a beautiful ending, which made all the pain worth it. I loved the story!
What to read next:
Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
Have you read The Marrow Thieves? What did you think of it?
This is a weekly meme hosted by Wandering Words, where you give the first few lines of a book to hook your readers before introducing the book.
Here are my first lines:
“About thirty years ago, Miss Maria Ward, of Huntingdon, with only seven thousand pounds, had the good luck to captivate Sir Thomas Bertram, of Mansfield Park, in the county of Northampton, and to be thereby raised to the rank of a baronet’s lady, with all the comforts and consequences of an handsome house and large income.”
Do you recognize these first lines?
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And the book is… Mansfield Park by Jane Austen.
Goodreads synopsis:
Adopted into the household of her uncle, Sir Thomas Bertram, Fanny Price grows up a meek outsider among her cousins in the unaccustomed elegance of Mansfield Park. Soon after Sir Thomas absents himself on estate business in Antigua (the family’s investment in slavery and sugar is considered in the Introduction in a new, post-colonial light), Mary Crawford and her brother Henry arrive at Mansfield, bringing with them London glamour, and the seductive taste for flirtation and theatre that precipitates a crisis. While Mansfield Park appears in some ways to continue where Pride and Prejudice left off, it is, as Kathryn Sutherland shows in her illuminating Introduction, a much darker work, which challenges ‘the very values (of tradition, stability, retirement and faithfulness) it appears to endorse’. This new edition provides an accurate text based, for the first time since its original publication, on the first edition of 1814.
Have you read Mansfield Park? What did you think of it?
One is Ne’wt, for one bear. Two is Ta’pu, for two women at the sacred fire. Counting from one to ten in English and Mi’kmaw, baby is introduced to both the ancestral language of Mi’kmaki and to Mi’kmaw culture and legend, through beautifully rendered illustrations of important animals, like turtle, bear, and beaver, to concepts integral to the Mi’kmaw world view, like the Four (Ne’w) Directions, and the Seven (L’luiknek) Mi’kmaw teachings. Features bright and detailed illustrations from celebrated Waycobah-based Mi’kmaw illustrator, Loretta Gould.
Review:
I read this book as part of the Toronto Public Library reading challenge for 2019. It is a great children’s book!
This book teaches children how to count to ten in English and Mi’kmaw. The numbers and words that describe the illustrations are written in both languages.
The illustrations are beautiful. They contain images from the natural world in the Native style. They were detailed and a wonderful addition to the story.
I really liked this book. I’m glad to see a children’s book that is an introduction to Native Canadian culture, which is an important part of Canadian history.
What to read next:
Fox and Squirrel Help Out by Ruth Ohi
Have you read Counting in Mi’kmaw? What did you think of it?
TBR Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads, where you post a title from your shelf or e-reader and find out what others think about it.
My pick this week is The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell.
Goodreads Synopsis:
From the New York Times bestselling author of Then She Was Gone and Watching You comes another page-turning look inside one family’s past as buried secrets threaten to come to light.
Be careful who you let in.
Soon after her twenty-fifth birthday, Libby Jones returns home from work to find the letter she’s been waiting for her entire life. She rips it open with one driving thought: I am finally going to know who I am.
She soon learns not only the identity of her birth parents, but also that she is the sole inheritor of their abandoned mansion on the banks of the Thames in London’s fashionable Chelsea neighborhood, worth millions. Everything in Libby’s life is about to change. But what she can’t possibly know is that others have been waiting for this day as well—and she is on a collision course to meet them.
Twenty-five years ago, police were called to 16 Cheyne Walk with reports of a baby crying. When they arrived, they found a healthy ten-month-old happily cooing in her crib in the bedroom. Downstairs in the kitchen lay three dead bodies, all dressed in black, next to a hastily scrawled note. And the four other children reported to live at Cheyne Walk were gone.
In The Family Upstairs, the master of “bone-chilling suspense” (People) brings us the can’t-look-away story of three entangled families living in a house with the darkest of secrets.
Have you read this book? What did you think of it?
Title: The Skeleton Coast (Quest of the Sunfish #3) Author: Mardi McConnochie Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy Publisher: Pajama Press Source: Publisher Format: Paperback Release Date: November 28, 2019 Rating: ★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
The grey light of dawn crept through the sky. The sun was yet to make its first appearance, but the crew of the Sunfish were already up and ready to weigh anchor. Having barely escaped the dangers of a world dominated by gangs, the corrupt Admiralty, and the hostile sea, Will, Annalie and their friends must now set sail for their most daunting destination yet: Sundia. This isolated country, forbidden to outsiders, is where the twins must make their final stand in their search for answers–and for their father. But with all they’ve overcome so far on their journey, how long can their luck hold? Packed with twists, dynamic characters, and compelling environmental themes, The Skeleton Coast brings Mardi McConnochie’s acclaimed cli-fi trilogy to a riveting conclusion.
Review:
This book was a great conclusion to this series.
The action started immediately, with the Sunfish being boarded by pirates. It was great that it was started so quickly. I would have liked a little summary of what happened before, because it had been a while since I read the last book. However, this quick beginning is good if you read the books in succession because it keeps the story going.
There was a point in the story where the group of kids was separated into two groups. The narrative followed one group until they joined together again, then it backtracked and followed what the other kids were doing. It was a little confusing the way it jumped around in the timeline. If it had happened simultaneously, it would have been easier to follow.
I really enjoyed this series!
Thank you Pajama Press for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What to read next:
Melissa, Queen of Evil by Mardi McConnochie
Have you read The Skeleton Coast? What did you think of it?
This is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. In this post we highlight a book that’s highly anticipated.
The book that I’m waiting on this Wednesday is Hearts, Strings, and Other Breakable Things by Jacqueline Firkins. The expected publication date is December 17, 2019.
Goodreads Synopsis:
In this charming debut about first love and second chances, a young girl gets caught between the boy next door and a playboy. Perfect for fans of To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before.
Mansfield, Massachusetts is the last place seventeen-year-old Edie Price wants to spend her final summer before college. It’s the home of wealthy suburbanites and prima donnas like Edie’s cousins, who are determined to distract her from her mother’s death with cute boys and Cinderella-style makeovers. Edie has her own plans, and they don’t include a prince charming.
But as Edie dives into schoolwork and applying for college scholarships, she finds herself drawn to two Mansfield boys who start vying for her attention. First there’s Sebastian, Edie’s childhood friend and first love. He’s sweet and smart and . . . already has a girlfriend. Then there’s Henry, the local bad boy and all-around player. He’s totally off limits, even if his kisses are chemically addictive.
Both boys are trouble. Edie can’t help but get caught between them. Someone’s heart is going to break. Now she just has to make sure it isn’t hers.
Title: The Last Affair Author: Margot Hunt Genre: Thriller Publisher: MIRA Books Source: Publisher via NetGalley Format: Ebook Release Date: November 26, 2019 Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
Love may be blind, but obsession’s a real killer.
Nora Holliday is not that kind of woman. Not the kind who has an illicit affair with a married man. But Josh Landon is everything Nora’s alcoholic husband isn’t. And now she and Josh are so infatuated, they can’t stay away from one another.
Abby Landon, Josh’s daughter, is home from college nursing a broken heart. She’s seeking solace, not more scandal, so when she catches her dad kissing Nora, she vows to take the homewrecker down.
And as for Abby’s mother and Josh’s wife, Gwen? To anyone on the outside looking in, the mother of two appears to be living the ideal suburban life.
Until she winds up dead.
The serene seaside town of Shoreham has always been the perfect place to raise a family—not somewhere housewives are brutally murdered. So who killed Gwen Landon, and how many twisted secrets will be exposed as the vindictive plot comes undone?
Review:
This was an exciting thriller!
The pacing of this thriller was great. It sped up throughout the story, building the tension. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened. This was especially good, since the final murder is described in the prologue, though we don’t find out the details until the end.
This is the first thriller that I’ve read in a long time, that I couldn’t figure out the ending. The ending was so shocking! It wasn’t one of the possibilities that I thought had happened. It was a nice surprise, since it was described in the prologue, yet I still couldn’t guess what had happened.
I loved this story!
Thank you MIRA Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What to read next:
Dear Wife by Kimberly Belle
Best Friends Forever by Margot Hunt
Author Info:
Margot Hunt is a critically acclaimed author of psychological suspense. Her work has been praised by Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist and Kirkus Reviews.
Have you read The Last Affair? What did you think of it?
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and it is now hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s theme is Thankful, but I decided to do another topic, which is Books on My Current TBR. These are books I’m excited to read soon. Here’s my list:
1. Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver by Jill Heinerth
2. Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw
3. Woman on the Edge by Samatha M. Bailey
4. Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
5. Raven Lane by Amber Cowie
6. Hearts, Strings, and Other Breakable Things by Jacqueline Firkins
Couple leaning on brick wall
7. A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan
8. One Week ‘Til Christmas by Belinda Missen
9. Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass by Mariko Tamaki, Steve Pugh
10. The Other Windsor Girl by Georgie Blalock
(All photos taken from Goodreads)
What’s your list of books on your Top Ten Tuesday?
Title: When You Ask Me Where I’m Going Author: Jasmin Kaur Genre: Young Adult, Poetry Publisher: HarperCollins Source: Publisher Format: Paperback Release Date: October 1, 2019 Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
Perfect for fans of Rupi Kaur and Elizabeth Acevedo, Jasmin Kaur’s stunning debut novel is a collection of poetry, illustrations, and prose.
scream so that one day a hundred years from now another sister will not have to dry her tears wondering where in history she lost her voice
The six sections of the book explore what it means to be a young woman living in a world that doesn’t always hear her and tell the story of Kiran as she flees a history of trauma and raises her daughter, Sahaara, while living undocumented in North America.
Delving into current cultural conversations including sexual assault, mental health, feminism, and immigration, this narrative of resilience, healing, empowerment, and love will galvanize readers to fight for what is right in their world.
Review:
This is an incredibly moving poetry collection.
This collection contains a combination of poetry, prose narrative, and illustrations. The poems give a personal, emotional look at Jasmin’s life. The prose narrative tells a story that demonstrates the themes in her poetry. All of these art forms combined to tell a complete story.
Even though I have had very different life experiences from the author, I could relate to many of the poems. One that was particularly moving read: “depression is this ghost that looks over my shoulder & nobody seems to believe in spirits.” At one of Jasmin’s book signings that I went to, she said to snap your fingers if something she read resonated with you. I was snapping along as I read this book.
I loved this collection! I can’t wait to see what Jasmin writes next.
What to read next:
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
Have you read When You Ask Me Where I’m Going? What did you think of it?
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