Hello fellow boozie readers!

Sam’s Update:

Welp, this week was better than last week. Though, I’m still feeling the repercussions of the shutdown, but at least we’re open again. I also participated in the 24in48 readathon and was unsuccessful, but at least I finished two books.

What Sam finished this week:

 

• In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire: This is the next installment of the Wayward Children series. Seanan McGuire’s portal fantasy novellas. This story is about our beloved Lundy, and her trip to her portal world, The Goblin Market. While this wasn’t my favorite of the bunch, it was still really really good. I enjoyed the hell out of learning the rules of the Goblin Market and its ways. Highly recommend checking out Ginny’s review when it comes out.
• Wicked Saints by Emily Duncan: GUYS GUYS GUYS this book was so good. It’s a debut novel set in an Eastern European/Russian inspired world. Our main character Nadya can speak to the gods. Her homeland and the heretical border country, Travana, have been in a holy war for over a century. Out other POV is the Travanian prince, Serefin. He’s a war hero called back from the front by his father. His spidey senses were tingling and he’s searching to uncover whatever his dad is up to. All while a rag tag group, with Nadya and a mysterious blood mage set off to infiltrate Travana. Guys this book was amazing. The hype train is real, and i am a passenger.

What Sam’s reading now:

• Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik: Because I will never not be reading this book.

Ginny’s Update:

What Ginny Is Reading:

Wow, so yet again, plenty of books!

• Odd One Out by Nic Stone – Hey, for more info on this check out Parker’s review!!! Coop and Jupiter have been best friends since childhood.  Rae is the new girl who was quickly adopted into their friendship.  And then the complications; there’s a lot of attraction.
• A Duke by Default by Alyssa Cole – I’ve been pumped for this since I read a snippet at the end of a Princess In Theory – which I then pushed on all of my friends. Portia, the flighty best friend from the first book, is on a quest to better herself, meaning no hookups, no drinking and no bad decisions.  This goes well until she gets to her sword-making apprenticeship and oh no- the sword maker is hot.  Tav, the Scottish swordmaker is dealing with similar emotions after having sworn off of romance after the end of his marriage.  There’s so many innuendos already!

What Ginny Finished Reading:

• The Masked City by Genevieve Cogman – This book was different than the first in ways I’m going to try to articulate in a post at some point.  Basically it’s a romp of an adventure around a few universes to try to save Kai.  There are Fae and Dragons and an unending Carnivale!
• The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson – This book takes place 1000 years after the first series where those events have become religion. Wax is a lawman who decides to take over the family dukedom, and then his life becomes the opposite of boring.  The mysterious disappearance of goods on trains, and gunfights and as always Allomancy.  This book was a trip and half, also gonna be a review.  Because I have thoughts on Wax and Wayne and Steris and Marasi and I want to share them.
• Truth & Beauty by Ann Patchett – This is non-fiction, one of the things I pick up on occasion.  Ann Patchett is an amazing writer, and in this book follows the relationship she had with Lucy Grealy.  The best way to describe Lucy (after reading the book) was that she was one of those people who drew you in completely, she was a poet, and author, and had survived a horrific childhood cancer.  This book is beautiful and fun and achingly sad.  Even days after finishing it, I find myself thinking about their friendship.  5/5 shots.
• The Man I Fell In Love With by Kate Field – I received this book from Netgalley in return for a free and honest review.  This is the story of Mary Black who finds out in a public area that her husband is and has been romantically involved with a man.  She takes this as well as she can and the book follows her dealing with the divorce, her husband re-marrying and being ready to be in love again.  God, this book is a book of unintentional harm, which makes it feel so real.  The number of times someone does something thoughtless or careless that causes people pain is astounding but felt so real.  It’s rare that the people in your life intentional harm you, it’s more likely to come from the small slights.

Linz’s Update:

OH HAI WORK. Also we had a party Saturday, and a Royal Rumble watch Sunday, so lots of prep time and not a lot of reading.

What Linz finished: 

The Dating Game by Kiley Roache
– finally finished the ARC. It was a pleasantly predictable love triangle story that takes place at a college outside Silicon Valley.

Flamecaster by Cinda Williams Chima
– it was ok? I liked the original series more but I’ll read the second book in this one, because I liked how it ended

City of Ghosts by V.E. Schwab
– I’m pretty sure Sam reviewed this? Its about an American girl who can see ghosts, and goes to Scotland where she sees more ghosts. This was def meant for a younger audience, so I get why the spooky level was toned down, but I would have loved this if it’d been written new adult.

Empress Of All Seasons by Emiko Jean
– Def writing a review of this, so I’ll save my thoughts for that

What Linz is reading now:

Before the Devil Breaks You by Libba Bray
– I’m garbage for all of her books, so I’m pretty sure I’m going to love the third isn

Amber and Dusk by Lyra Selene
– From the December Owlcrate, a book I don’t know much about. I LOVE SURPRISES. It is staring at me from my nightstand.

Until next time, we remain forever drunkenly yours,

Sam, Melinda, Linz, and Ginny