Happy Monday, Boozie Book Nerds!

This is your weekly reminder that black lives matter. Also, #StopAAPIHate

Minda’s Update

We are house hunting and it is totally soul crushing. BUT I did finish two books this week so #winning.

What Minda finished:

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• Dune by Frank Herbert: Honestly didn’t love it. The only reason I finished it was that I promised a friend I would. The story is about Paul Atreides, heir to a noble family commanded by the emperor to rule a new planet where water and spice is sacred, as there is no water but loads of high demand spice. Basically one of the original chosen one stories that have been told over and over again in a world where men rule and women serve them. I will not be reading any of the subsequent novels.
• Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim: Now, I did really like this one! Or at least very much so compared to Dune, which certainly helps. And I finished it in two days which says a lot. In this East Asian-inspired fairytale retelling of The Six Swans, our heroine is Princess Shiori, the slight naive and spoiled daughter of an Emperor in a country where magic is banished.  When she discovers her stepmother’s secret and her own magic, her stepmother curses Shiori and her six brothers and banishes them from the castle. Shiori must find her own way back, silent and alone.

What Minda is reading now:

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• The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker – This is the story of the Trojan War as told by Briseis, former Trojan Queen and current captive of Achilles. She shares her perspective going from royal to slave and the stories of thousands of enslaved women. Reading this one on audio.
• The Lucky Escape by Laura Jane Williams: “When the day finally comes for Annie to marry Alexander, the last thing she expects is to be left standing at the altar. She was so sure he was Mr Right. Now, she has no idea how she could have got it so wrong. After a chance meeting with Patrick, an old friend who reminds her of who she used to be, Annie takes a vow of her own: she’ll say yes to every opportunity that comes her way from now on. Could a spontaneous trip with Patrick be the way to mend Annie’s heart? She’s about to find out as she embarks on her honeymoon – with a man who’s not her husband.” Thank you Avon and NetGalley for an ARC!

Sam’s Update

Hey all!! It was a crazy long week but I got to go the the office a few times which mean I got some commute reading done!!

What Sam Finished:

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• A Dark Queen Rises by Ashok Banker: this is the sequel to Upon a Burning Throne and I loved it just as much as the first. Definitely Game of Thrones in India. Definitely not for the light of heart folks. Check the trigger warnings because there are a lot. Drunk review to come.

What Sam is Currently Reading:

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• Master Artificer by Justin T. Call: I swear I’m almost done with this. Promise. 
• Nolyn by Michael J. Sullivan: this is the first book in a new series by one of my fave authors. Follows the son of Nyphron from the previous series. I’ve only barely started reading it. 

Ginny’s Update

It’s been a self-indulgent week, and it’s only because of some last minute time that I managed to get anything read.

What Ginny Finished:

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• Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim: I read this for book club and my overall feeling was, it was fine. I know Minda gave a good summary so I’ll just say, I liked some of the mythology, but the agency in this book was really weird. Also, I didn’t realize it was a multi-book series (and frankly, I don’t think it should have been, but then again, I haven’t read the second book).
• Isn’t it Bromantic by Lyssa Kay Adams: This is book 4 in the Bromance Book Club and man, do i love these books. Vlad, aka the Russian, had married Elena to help her leave Russia after her dad “disappeared.” They don’t talk about emotions so they’ve spent six years being married in name only. I would aruge that this book leaned a little too heavily on outside forces to move things along. I found the ending less satisfying for it. Still, this book made me laugh and I enjoyed reading it.

What Ginny is Currently Reading:

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• The Keeper of Night by Kylie Lee Baker: I received this as an ARC from netgalley, and I’m really not very far in. Ren is half-Japanese half-British and is a reaper in 1800’s Britain. She’s ill-treated by the other reapers and then something happens and she’s gotta run. I don’t really have much to say at the moment because I’m not sure I’m far enough in to have a real opinion.
• Lycanthropy and Other Chronic Illnesses by Kristen O’Neal : So, this book has a great title. I’m also not super far into this book. But Priya got Lyme disease and it’s causing long lasting issues that meant she dropped the semester of college and is struggling. Her friend (this hasn’t happened yet, but it’s the literal summary of the book) disappears and she goes to find her (the friend is the werewolf as far as I can tell).

Until next time, we remain forever drunkenly yours,

— Sam, Ginny, and Minda