Author Archives: Laura

• Book Review: “Once Upon a River” by Diane Setterfield (ARC)

  Posted at 6:45 am by Laura, on December 5, 2018

  Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

  Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books
  Publishing Date: December 4
  Genre: historical fiction, gothic
  ISBN: 9780743298070
  Rating: ★★★.5

  A dark midwinter’s night in an ancient inn on the Thames. The regulars are entertaining themselves by telling stories when the door bursts open on an injured stranger. In his arms is the drowned corpse of a little child.

  Hours later the dead girl stirs, takes a breath and returns to life.

  Is it a miracle?

  Is it magic?

  Or can it be explained by science?

  Replete with folklore, suspense and romance, as well as with the urgent scientific curiosity of the Darwinian age, Once Upon a River is as richly atmospheric as Setterfield’s bestseller The Thirteenth Tale.

  In a pub known for its storytellers, nestled along the Thames, an injured and soaked man stumbles across the threshold, carrying what looks to be a drowned girl. But as the evening bustles to care for the strangers, a nurse and the innkeeper’s son both realize the girl is neither dead nor alive. And yet, she awakens. Three different people claim her as their lost daughter or sister, but the girl refuses to speak. Is she really who the others claim, does she belong to someone else, and how is it she managed to be neither alive nor dead when she appeared at The Swan?

  Setterfield’s The Thirteenth Tale is one of my all-time favorite novels. Though Bellman & Black hasn’t quite captured my attention, I knew from the jacket of this book that Setterfield was back in her game with Once Upon a River — atmospheric, absorbing, and full of wonder.

  The little girl’s arrival sparks an interesting scientific and fantastical discussion on life, death, and the in-between. The inn’s patrons are natural storytellers, and as they watch and soak up every minute detail of her appearance and life following the inn, you begin to wonder yourself, as the reader, how she came to be and what exactly happened. Rita, the nurse (and probably my favorite character!), relies on science to find the answers to the little girl’s situation, but nothing scientific comes to light. This sparks a philosophical discussion about God, about myths and legends and fantasies, and how to grapple with the unknown.

  Setterfield writes the narrative like the tributaries leading to the Thames — little, seemingly insignificant stories and characters grow and develop into a powerful flood of emotion, drama, and enlightenment by the story’s end. This is a novel that begs to be read slowly, savored, and not rushed or skimmed. Like the storytellers at The Swan, this too feels like a fairytale, to be read by a warm fire, in a cozy chair, with hot tea in hand.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2018 | 8 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, genre: adult fiction, genre: gothic, genre: historical fiction, review

• Book Review: “The Girl in the Tower” by Katherine Arden

  Posted at 6:45 am by Laura, on November 29, 2018

  The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden

  Publisher: Del Rey
  Published: December 2017
  Genre: historical fiction, fantasy
  ISBN: 9781101885963
  Rating: ★★★

  Orphaned and cast out as a witch by her village, Vasya’s options are few: resign herself to life in a convent, or allow her older sister to make her a match with a Moscovite prince. Both doom her to life in a tower, cut off from the vast world she longs to explore. So instead she chooses adventure, disguising herself as a boy and riding her horse into the woods. When a battle with some bandits who have been terrorizing the countryside earns her the admiration of the Grand Prince of Moscow, she must carefully guard the secret of her gender to remain in his good graces—even as she realizes his kingdom is under threat from mysterious forces only she will be able to stop.

  The Girl in the Tower, the second book of the Winternight trilogy, starts immediately where The Bear and the Nightingale ended. Vasya is free from her village and wants to see more of the world. Her desire leads her to trouble in Moscow, and the rumbling undercurrents of war and oppressive religion. Is she to be trapped as a boy and become a warrior for the Grand Prince, or locked in a tower as a girl to be wed or sent to convent? And what does the prince of night, winter, death, and darkness have to say about it all?

  Of these two books so far, the first is my favorite. It stands out in my mind because it was full of medieval Russian culture, mythology, history, and lore. It was a commentary on religion mixed with paganism and magic. However, this book was far more political and battle-hungry, and it worked well with Vasya’s character and her need for adventure and freedom. While The Bear and the Nightingale has a clear-cut villain, with a tangible beginning, middle, and end in plot arc, and a cast of recurring characters, The Girl in the Tower felt far more realistic to life (even with its magical elements). Characters come and go depending on the location and political situation, all the characters from her village do not appear in here (of course they wouldn’t — Vasya’s left them all behind!), and newer, more immediate events take place that require Vasya to look deeply into herself and her motivations and goals. The romantic thread is far more prominent in this novel as well, and it felt appropriate to Vasya’s character growth — I was pleased to see that.

  By the end of the novel, Arden has set the stage for what’s no doubt going to be a spectacular showdown. I’m curious to see where Arden takes us next.

  I’d recommend this book — this trilogy! — to anyone who loves Eastern European history, folklore, and fantasy. Uprooted, Spinning Silver, and The Sisters of the Winter Wood come to mind…

  This qualifies as book 11 of 16 in my TBR challenge. 

  Posted in books, Reviews 2018, Rock My TBR | 9 Comments | Tagged book review, genre: adult fiction, genre: fantasy, genre: historical fiction, review, rock my TBR

• Book Review: “The Romanov Empress” by CW Gortner

  Posted at 7:30 am by Laura, on November 26, 2018

  The Romanov Empress by CW Gortner

  Publisher: Ballantine
  Published: July 2018
  Genre: historical fiction
  ISBN: 9780425286166
  Rating: ★★★★.5

  Narrated by the mother of Russia’s last tsar, this vivid, historically authentic novel brings to life the courageous story of Maria Feodorovna, one of Imperial Russia’s most compelling women who witnessed the splendor and tragic downfall of the Romanovs as she fought to save her dynasty in the final years of its long reign.

  Barely nineteen, Minnie knows that her station in life as a Danish princess is to leave her family and enter into a royal marriage–as her older sister Alix has done, moving to England to wed Queen Victoria’s eldest son. The winds of fortune bring Minnie to Russia, where she marries the Romanov heir and becomes empress once he ascends the throne. When resistance to his reign strikes at the heart of her family and the tsar sets out to crush all who oppose him, Minnie–now called Maria–must tread a perilous path of compromise in a country she has come to love.

  Her husband’s death leaves their son Nicholas as the inexperienced ruler of a deeply divided and crumbling empire. Determined to guide him to reforms that will bring Russia into the modern age, Maria faces implacable opposition from Nicholas’s strong-willed wife, Alexandra, whose fervor has lead her into a disturbing relationship with a mystic named Rasputin. As the unstoppable wave of revolution rises anew to engulf Russia, Maria will face her most dangerous challenge and her greatest heartache.

  From the opulent palaces of St. Petersburg and the intrigue-laced salons of the aristocracy to the World War I battlefields and the bloodied countryside occupied by the Bolsheviks, C. W. Gortner sweeps us into the anarchic fall of an empire and the complex, bold heart of the woman who tried to save it.

  What an absorbing read! My understanding of Romanov history is pretty slim — the gist that the Russians (specifically the Bolsheviks) were upset with their poverty and the Romanov’s excess, tore down the monarchy, and established communism, which is great in theory but not in practice. I remember my travels to Russia in 2004 reflecting that juxtaposition of wealth and poverty, all the glorious palaces and churches bursting with gold and light, and the dirty, gray-and-brown streets, transportation, skies, and downtrodden people. So many elements from the last hundred years of the Romanov dynasty are still very much part of the Russian political system today, such as censorship, oppression, and the KGB (and its successors) for example.

  This slim understanding of Romanov and Russian history was perfectly fine, as the book details about sixty of the final years of the Romanov dynasty, all that happened, what led to the uprising, and the state of Europe at that time. The Romanov Empress follows Maria (or Dagmar, as she’s known in Denmark) as a teenager and ends shortly after her son Tsar Nicholas II is shot. She becomes the daughter-in-law to Alexander II, who freed the serfs but didn’t have the foresight to provide homes and jobs. He was assassinated, and Maria’s husband Sasha (Alexander III) ruled. He was beloved, but he also lived in fear of the sect responsible for killing his father — thus creating a police system to track down and execute naysayers.

  Meanwhile, Maria would hard to show the Russian people the Romanov family cared about their people, the land, their country. She worked in hospitals and established agencies for women and children. Unrest continued — and when Nicholas II took the throne, Maria was devastated by his choice of bride. And I was too. Alexandra was an annoying, arrogant, manipulative, pretentious, horrible woman, who seemed shy and weak at first but proved to be incredibly overpowering as well as gullible. If Nicholas had a backbone, or if Alexandra weren’t his wife, I think the Romanovs would certainly still be on the throne, with a Parliament as intended by Alexander II, today.

  I was immersed in this novel, and after every engaging chapter I’d look up the people mentioned, the events that took place, the surrounding events in Europe, and found myself falling down an absorbing rabbit hole of complex history. The Romanov Empress is well-researched, a fascinating biographical historical fiction through the eyes of the wife and mother of two drastically different tsars, and all that led to the family’s downfall and the rise of Lenin.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2018 | 0 Comments | Tagged book review, genre: adult fiction, genre: historical fiction, review

• Book Review: “Small Great Things” by Jodi Picoult

  Posted at 6:35 am by Laura, on November 19, 2018

  Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

  Publisher: Ballantine
  Published: October 2016
  Genre: contemporary
  ISBN: 9780345544971
  Rating: ★★★★.5

  Ruth Jefferson is a labor and delivery nurse at a Connecticut hospital with more than twenty years’ experience. During her shift, Ruth begins a routine checkup on a newborn, only to be told a few minutes later that she’s been reassigned to another patient. The parents are white supremacists and don’t want Ruth, who is African American, to touch their child. The hospital complies with their request, but the next day, the baby goes into cardiac distress while Ruth is alone in the nursery. Does she obey orders or does she intervene?

  Ruth hesitates before performing CPR and, as a result, is charged with a serious crime. Kennedy McQuarrie, a white public defender, takes her case but gives unexpected advice: Kennedy insists that mentioning race in the courtroom is not a winning strategy. Conflicted by Kennedy’s counsel, Ruth tries to keep life as normal as possible for her family–especially her teenage son–as the case becomes a media sensation. As the trial moves forward, Ruth and Kennedy must gain each other’s trust, and come to see that what they’ve been taught their whole lives about others–and themselves–might be wrong.

  Jodi Picoult is one of my all-time favorite authors, but I was nervous to pick this one up. It was clearly going to be heavier than most of her novels, tackling race, prejudice, discrimination, and justice, all of which can make so many of us uncomfortable. I also knew I didn’t want to be in the head of a white supremacist, first and foremost.

  So this isn’t a review so much as a commentary on what I got from this book. I have to acknowledge that I may say something incorrectly in this post, and I’m sorry in advance if I’ve inadvertently offended readers.

  On a friend’s post about the diverse new Congress on FB, someone had left a comment saying, “My personal opinion….I think we should look at all the members of Congress as equal…. regardless of race, gender, creed, or disability. They should all work together to make all our lives better! I worked in several schools where this was the work environment, and I was so appreciative! Love one another.” Their heart was in the right place, and they mean well, but this sort of statement is what Picoult tackles in the novel: by not acknowledging someone’s difference, you are negating the strengths of that difference, the core of their identity, the success and hardship they faced because of that identity. You are, inexplicably, perpetuating discrimination. Turning a blind eye does not change the system.

  I was angry and ashamed and felt such a weight of guilt the entire time I read the novel. I may call myself an ally, an advocate, someone who isn’t racist, someone who wants equality for all, who seeks social justice for all. But there are things I’ve said and done, intending to be a good person, that actually continue the perpetuation of racism (ex: “I don’t see color,” or like that FB comment above). These are things I need to work on, do better, listen more. Compounding with that were several moments of eye-rolling and shock at the lawyer’s naivete whenever she went shopping with Ruth, looking up jurors with Howard, or listening to what children say to one another. Is this really the world “basic white people” live in? Are they really that ignorant? I grew up in a predominantly black neighborhood and school district. So these cringe-worthy moments were horrendous, because to me it seems like common sense. But I had to actively remember Jodi Picoult’s audience: privileged white women who probably, genuinely, have no idea. This book is meant to make us uncomfortable. It’s supposed to raise these issues, and make us more aware of our own shortcomings.

  Which then raises the question: who has the right to tell a story like Ruth’s, a black woman or a white woman? Well, a black woman, because she can accurately portray this life and mindset, absolutely! But you also need to think about audience and wide reach — in the case of Picoult, how can you properly show white people (her general audience being white women) what it’s like to be a black woman without making them feel too discomforted? Racism can be discussed between two or more races, but more importantly it needs to discussed, addressed, and pointed out within races to start. Whites need to see their ugly side from a fellow white, and learn and grow. Picoult’s author’s note said exactly this, and she made a great disclaimer too. Roxanne Gay’s review of this book is fantastic as well. I cannot stress enough the importance of reading her review alongside reading this book.

  Like I said, this wasn’t so much a review of the book but a reflection of what I got from it. It shocked me (the basic white outlook of it), it made me uncomfortable, it made me feel guilty, it made me angry, it made me want to do more and be better.

  Read this book. Learn. Ask the difficult questions. Seek out information to further your racial education. (Everyone. Even those of you who say you’re not racist.) It gives me hope that as the industry continues to strive for diversity, we will finally see Ruth’s story through a black writer, and that book would sell just as many copies as, if not more than, Picoult’s.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2018 | 4 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: contemporary, review

• Book Review: “Dear Mrs. Bird” by AJ Pearce

  Posted at 6:15 am by Laura, on November 1, 2018

  Dear Mrs. Bird by AJ Pearce

  Publisher: Scribner
  Published: July 2018
  Genre: historical fiction
  ISBN: 9781501170065
  Rating: ★★★★★

  London, 1940. Emmeline Lake is Doing Her Bit for the war effort, volunteering as a telephone operator with the Auxiliary Fire Services. When Emmy sees an advertisement for a job at the London Evening Chronicle, her dreams of becoming a Lady War Correspondent suddenly seem achievable. But the job turns out to be working as a typist for the fierce and renowned advice columnist, Henrietta Bird. Emmy is disappointed, but gamely bucks up and buckles down.

  Mrs. Bird is very clear: letters containing any Unpleasantness must go straight in the bin. But when Emmy reads poignant notes from women who may have Gone Too Far with the wrong men, or who can’t bear to let their children be evacuated, she is unable to resist responding. As the German planes make their nightly raids, and London picks up the smoldering pieces each morning, Emmy secretly begins to write back to the readers who have poured out their troubles.

  Emmy wants nothing more than to be a war correspondent for a prominent London newspaper, and is over-the-moon to find an advertisement for a job at the London Evening Chronicle. But with her head in the clouds, she doesn’t realize that the job she has accepted is that of a typist for a grouchy, abrasive, particular woman who runs the advice column, “Henrietta Helps.” Unlike other advice columns, though, Mrs. Henrietta Bird wants nothing to do with women’s problems during the war and will only offer advice on housekeeping and other “appropriate” topics. Emmy can’t leave these poor women’s letters in the bin, and secretly writes back to them, hoping against hope that the little comfort she can provide will also assist her in her own troubles as bombs fall from the sky.

  Several friends read and raved over this little book, and I knew I had to get my hands on this story about friendship and hope in the midst of one of the worst wars in history. I listened to it on audio, and I highly recommend you do too — Anna Popplewell (of Narnia fame) was the narrator and she does such an excellent job! She really brings the characters to life and I enjoyed every second.

  Going in, all I knew about this novel was the premise, and it truly is just the first three or so chapters. But what happens after Emmy writes to the readers and defies her boss? This novel is a slice of life for one particular woman in war-torn London, and all the ups and downs each day brought. She has her full-time job at the magazine, her part-time evening job taking calls during raids to send out fire departments, her deep friendship with flatmate and childhood friend Bunty, and their trials and tribulations in love. I was so immersed in Emmy’s life, I felt like she was my friend. So while I, too, was invested in the readers and the consequences of Emmy’s actions, I found myself drawn to the everyday.

  I highly recommend this novel to readers of WWII historical fiction, and readers who want to root for a lighthearted, resourceful, silver-lining protagonist who does her very best in keeping spirits up a during a turbulent era.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2018 | 4 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: historical fiction, review

• Book Review: “The Lost Queen” by Signe Pike

  Posted at 6:55 am by Laura, on October 29, 2018

  The Lost Queen by Signe Pike

  Publisher: Touchstone
  Published: September 2018
  Genre: historical fiction
  ISBN: 9781501191411
  Rating: ★★★.5

  Intelligent, passionate, rebellious, brave, and one of the most powerful early medieval queens in British history, Languoreth ruled at a time of enormous disruption and bloodshed, when the burgeoning forces of Christianity threatened to obliterate the ancient pagan beliefs and change her way of life forever.

  Together with her twin brother Lailoken, a warrior and druid known to history as Merlin, Languoreth is catapulted into a world of danger and violence. When a war brings Emrys Pendragon to their door, Languoreth collides with the handsome warrior Maelgwn. Their passionate connection is forged by enchantment, but Languoreth is promised in marriage to Rhydderch, son of the High King who is sympathetic to the followers of Christianity. As Rhydderch’s wife, Languoreth must assume her duty to fight for the preservation of the Old Way, her kingdom, and all she holds dear.

  Languoreth is a sixth-century queen of Scotland and twin to Lailoken, whom history later knows as Merlin. The two have a bond unlike any other, and while both have druid gifts, Languoreth uses hers for healing and political alliances while Lailoken uses his for strategy, battle, and preservation of the Old Way. But as Christianity comes to head in their land, sweeping across the country and stirring up violent trouble, Languoreth must navigate difficult waters and ensure the world remembers her brother for the warrior he truly is.

  This was one of the most interesting and potentially historically accurate pieces of fiction in the Merlin tale. We’ve all been led to believe the King Arthur lore originated in Wales, and historians and academics keep finding potential ties to true men in English and Welsh medieval history who may fit the bill. But this book, and the wealth of research behind it backing this up (I know Wiki is not a true source, but seriously, a simple search there only confirms Pike’s extensive research further!), will blow your mind. Searching for Arthur isn’t the answer––it’s searching for Merlin, or Myrddin (“mad man”), which was the obscured name for a man known as Lailoken. Lailoken had a twin sister, Languoreth, whose children also appear in Arthurian lore. And all those big historical Scottish battles also appear in Arthurian lore, and happened during the twins’ childhood, teen, and adult years. It all adds pretty well together.

  My mind was blown historically, and I’m eager to see Pike’s next book in the trilogy (I have some guesses as to which character in Arthurian legend she’ll tackle next). The language is appropriately medieval in tone, and at times the novel felt like it was dragging––but I kept reading, and I’m glad I did. This is Languoreth’s story, a forgotten strong queen in Scottish history, and it deserves a read. This is Camelot meets Outlander in terms of historical depth and mystical elements, and I would definitely encourage you to crack it open and sink into the mythology that is history!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2018 | 2 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: historical fiction, review

• Deal Announcement: KayLynn Flanders, YA Fantasy

  Posted at 9:25 am by Laura, on October 12, 2018

  

  Deal Announcements feature my most recent deal as an agent and the story behind it. Writers and readers should experience how an agent knows when they’ve struck gold and sign an author, the beginning of the journey to publication.

  I’m thrilled to announce the publication of KayLynn Flanders‘s Shielded!

  Monica Jean at Delacorte has preempted debut author KayLynn Flanders’s Shielded, a YA fantasy about a princess hiding a magical secret in a kingdom ravaged by war. The key to saving not only those closest to her, but the kingdom itself, is also the very secret that could destroy her. Publication for the first book is scheduled for summer 2020; Laura Crockett at TriadaUS brokered the deal for world English rights.

  Once upon a time…

  In spring 2017, I read an enchanting, classic fantasy about a princess in disguise, whose repressed magic would guide her through the wild lands and into enemy territory, where she could then pretend to be someone else for the royal family and find a way to stop a ruthless mage from wrecking havoc across the land. This wasn’t an assassin princess, this wasn’t a princess with killer magical skills from the beginning––she’s instead an endearing, wonderfully relatable young woman who just wants what’s best for her family and kingdom, while still struggling to come to terms with who she is and what she’s capable of.

  KayLynn and I are editorial people, and let me tell you, it was an experience and an absolute joy to highlight, color-code, comment thread––and yes, even crash Word––as we worked to polish this up for submission. I do this with all of my clients, but since KayLynn is a freelance editor herself we could really dig into the meaty bits. It’s so special to both of us, and we wanted to get it just right.

  We submitted the manuscript on KayLynn’s birthday, and one year later we found the absolute perfect editor for Shielded––again, on KayLynn’s birthday. Everything came full circle.

  And the rest…is history.

  Congratulations, KayLynn! You’re going to be a published author!

  Posted in agenting, deal announcement | 4 Comments | Tagged agenting, deal announcement

• Mini Reviews

  Posted at 6:45 am by Laura, on October 4, 2018

  Save the Date by Morgan Matson

  Publisher: S&S BFYR
  Published: June 2018
  Genre: young adult, contemporary
  Rating: ★★★
  Summary: Charlie Grant’s older sister is getting married this weekend at their family home, and Charlie can’t wait—for the first time in years, all four of her older siblings will be under one roof. Charlie is desperate for one last perfect weekend, before the house is sold and everything changes. The only problem? The weekend is shaping up to be an absolute disaster. Over the course of three ridiculously chaotic days, Charlie will learn more than she ever expected about the family she thought she knew by heart. And she’ll realize that sometimes, trying to keep everything like it was in the past means missing out on the future.

  Mini Review: Don’t read this if you’re planning a wedding, because it is literally a book about ALL THE THINGS THAT COULD GO WRONG. All the things. All of them. No but really, that aside, this book covers the 76 hours of a wedding weekend and all the growing pains that come with a giant family in flux. Charlie doesn’t know where she wants to go to college in the fall, she wants to have the perfect weekend with her family and all her siblings back in town, and hidden dramas from the past and present all culminate with her mother’s interview on the final comic strip she’s drawn for the last twenty years. If you love big casts and loud, outspoken characters, and high drama, Matson’s latest checks everything off the list. It’s nothing like her previous work and yet it still has her voice: the wholly middle class teen American girl with her everyday problems of school, friends, family, and crushes.

  The Royal Runaway by Lindsay Emory (ARC) 

  Publisher: Gallery
  Publishing: October 9
  Genre: women’s fiction
  Rating: ★★★
  Summary: Princess Theodora Isabella Victoria of Drieden of the Royal House Laurent is so over this princess thing. After her fiancé jilted her on their wedding day, she’s finally back home after spending four months in exile—aka it’s back to press conferences, public appearances, and putting on a show for the Driedish nation as the perfect princess they expect her to be. But Thea’s sick of duty. After all, that’s what got her into this mess in the first place.

  So when she sneaks out of the palace and meets a sexy Scot named Nick in a local bar, she relishes the chance to be a normal woman for a change. But just as she thinks she’s found her Prince Charming for the night, he reveals his intentions are less than honorable: he’s the brother of her former fiancé, a British spy, and he’s not above blackmail. As Thea reluctantly joins forces with Nick to find out what happened the day her fiancé disappeared, together they discover a secret that could destroy a centuries-old monarchy and change life as they know it.

  Mini Review: The jacket summary is a little misleading. This implies the royal character has no interest in any of her duties and no desire in assisting her family. This implies she’s unhappy with everything about her life, and that it’s all a burden. That’s not the case, and I’m actually glad of it! The comparisons to The Royal We and Princess Diaries is enormously beneficial in this account because the characters from those novels are endearing and fun — like Thea is in this book, and unlike the jacket’s misleading snobbery.

  Rant on that aside, this novel was equal amounts entertaining and frustrating. I adored Thea in every scene that did not include the love interest, Nick (mostly because I had no interest in the love interest, and on top of that it seemed a little…rushed? forced?), because she was very much a go-get-’em woman, who knows herself and her mind and what she wants. She knows her duty to the crown, and wants breaks every once in a while from it, but it was so clear she adored her family and her country that she’d never turn her back on her role. I liked the chick-lit-meets-James-Bond chase plot, even though I was incredibly frustrated by everyone involved (in summation: “Trust me, don’t trust That Person, but I can’t tell you why I need you to trust me / why I want certain information from you, I just need you to!”). I loved the Driedish history and had to stop myself from Googling things (seriously, Emory made me believe this was was a real monarchy). A quick, fun read all around.

  Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2018 | 2 Comments | Tagged books, genre: adult fiction, genre: contemporary, genre: young adult, mini review, review

• Flipping Through the Pages: Summer Rewind 2018

  Posted at 7:15 am by Laura, on October 1, 2018

  

  Instead of participating in the Monthly Rewind meme, every three months I’ll update the world on my life from the previous season. Enjoy the Seasonal Rewind!

  Through the Lens

   

  

  

  

  The biggest and most exciting event in my life this season was that the Beau proposed in Syros, Greece! Our choir (which my parents sing in as well) went to Syros for an annual music festival and we had an unexpected evening free. We decided to make a date night of it, and he made reservations in a tavern made of glass that sat at the top of the island and overlooked Ermopouli, the capital of Syros and where we were staying. As the sun set, we watched the pier come alive and the lights all across the city turn on. We got some great pictures after dinner, and while we were waiting for the taxi we walked further up the hill, where he proposed. We got in the taxi to head back to our hotel, and just as I was saying I wanted to share the news with my parents, we saw them crossing the street! Got out, screamed, took pictures, went to the hotel where other choir members shouted with joy. Lots of champagne popped, lots of stories swapped, lots of toasts exchanged, and you can bet those choir ladies are already planning all sorts of parties for us, haha!

  Life Highlights

  Yes, other big things happened outside of the engagement and traveling to Greece — my childhood friend and college roommate gave birth to a baby girl, and she is a miracle child. My friend and her husband have been trying to have children (and adopt as well!) for quite a while now, so this baby is such a gift for them! Tasha Suri also received THREE starred reviews for Empire of Sand (we’re three for three so far in trade reviews — Booklist, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly), so you better get your pre-orders in for this amazing debut fantasy. Finally, I’ll be able to share a deal announcement in the coming weeks, as I’ve sold another client’s work!

  Bookmarked in the Community

  1. “All Apologies…No More” @ Bookishly Boisterous — Stop feeling bad about spending money on books! Stop apologizing for going to the bookstore again and getting more books, even though you have plenty at home to read. Stop apologizing for going to the library and borrowing stacks of books you may not finish by the end of the checkout period. It’s okay.
  2. “Why I Re-Read” @ Bookshelf Fantasies — I don’t have much time to re-read, but when I do, I feel and have the same reasons as Lisa does in this post to re-read a favorite novel. Why do you re-read? And if you don’t…same question, why? Reading patterns are interesting!
  3. “Travel By Page: Behind Enemy Lines” @ Belle of the Literati — A twist on Kelly’s usual Adventures in the Great Wide Somewhere series, and perfect for WWII hist fic lovers, especially espionage. Check out these recommendations!
  4. “Living in a Small One-Bedroom Apartment with a Baby” @ Perpetual Page-Turner — Um, wow, Jamie and her husband were super creative and thoughtful when it came to making the most of their small home and baby daughter! I’m impressed…and saving this for possible future (like years in the future, please) reference.
  5. “Reaching a Blogging Milestone” @ So Obsessed With — First, congratulations to Hannah on 1K posts! Second, definitely take a look at this, because she makes some great points about blogging, adapting, and finding ways to keep the blog fresh, very her, and flexible without comparing to others’. I greatly admire her!
  6. “If We Were Having Mexican Margaritas” @ Bring My Books — Lindsey and I text nearly daily, so I’m aware how busy her life is (like seriously, holy crap, she deserves a margarita). On one hand, we have Hannah (above) who has managed to keep going with her blog; on the other, we have Lindsey who is struggling to maintain hers even though she wants to, because life happens and ya know, at the end of the day, you just want your favorite food/drink and your bed. Catch up with Lindsey and answer, what’s a hobby you wish you kept up with but are struggling to find the time to do? (Mine: scrapbooking. Not like stickers and cut-outs, but just plain putting photos in nice albums. I’m two years behind XD.)

  Popular Posts on Scribbles

  Ignoring my MSWL post, which gets hundreds of hits a month…(yay!)

  1. Just a Bit of Light Reading — The agony that is a bookworm packing for a long trip! And guess what? I only read and finished one book while away. Haha!!
  2. Book Review: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine — GOOD because I love love love love love love love love love this book and it’s sitting on the shelves with Jane Eyre, where it belongs.
  3. Book Review: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before — Not surprised at all, because of its debut on Netflix! I hope more readers become invested in this trilogy. I adore Lara Jean.
  4. Book Review: Crazy Rich Asians — Again, not surprised because of the movie! We need more books and movies and TV shows with representation of minority groups.

  Cherished Reads

   

  

  

  

  Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman ★★★★★

  The Bird and the Blade by Megan Turner ★★★★★

  Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames ★★★★.5

  Progress Update on Reading Challenges

  Required Library Books: 10 / 17

  The Passion of Dolssa || Big Little Lies || The Zookeeper’s Wife
  Saga Volume 1 || The Night Bookmobile || Sweetbitter
  The Psychopath Test || Planetfall || A Long Way Home
  Ocean at the End of the Lane

  Fun Library Books: 10 / 5

  Mr. Churchill’s Secretary || Surprise Me || Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
  My Oxford Year || Malice at the Palace || The Bird and the Blade
  Save the Date || Radio Girls || Kings of the Wyld
  The Lost Queen

  Marillier & Gabaldon Challenge: 0 / 8

  Fantasy:

  The City of Brass || Spinning Silver || The Queens of Innis Lear
  A Secret History of Witches || The Bird and the Blade
  Kings of the Wyld

  Historical Fiction:

  Between Two Fires || Mr Churchill’s Secretary || The Passion of Dolssa
  Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie || The Clockmaker’s Daughter
  Radio Girls || The Lost Queen

  Rock My TBR: 10 / 16

  Crazy Rich Asians || The Passion of Dolssa || The City of Brass
  Between Two Fires || Now That You Mention It || Slightly South of Simple
  The Queens of Innis Lear || Royals || China Rich Girlfriend
  A Secret History of Witches

  Overall Challenge: 34 / 50

  Random Obsessions

  On TV/Netflix: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is obviously going on my top favorite teen/romcom go-to movies, right up there with 10 Things I Hate About You. Guernsey was gorgeous and made me want to re-read the book again — I love Lily James. And of course, because fall is around the corner, I’m back on my Gilmore Girls marathon. The Beau and I need to catch up on GBBO’s newest season on Netflix, and the final season of Big Bang is starting, but it’s also football season so our TV is going to be working double-time now.

  On Film: I saw Ocean’s 8 and loved it. Crazy Rich Asians was fan-freaking-tastic and I enjoyed every second of it. I hope book 2’s movie is in the works because I need more Astrid in my life!!! And one Sunday afternoon recently I binged the rest of Outlander season 3 on DVD in preparation for season 4 airing in November. Now to get started reading book 5…

  In the Shopping Bag: I think I mentioned in previous rewinds that I don’t fit in over half my wardrobe and I’m slowly updating it to my new size. And if I haven’t, well, I am, which means the last few weeks required some fall shopping. Deals on ModCloth, LOFT, and Old Navy were in order, and now I can’t wait to wear my new tops, pants, and dresses! (Even though my wallet hates me.)

  Miscellaneous: Planning the wedding! I thought my friends were kidding when they said the venue + catering takes up about half your budget. Nope. They weren’t.

  Looking Toward the Future

  Flowers, photographer, DJ, cake, and dress. Cross fingers I’ve accomplished at least two of those things by the next rewind! The Beau and I have made some headway on flowers, photographer, and DJ so far, which is great. Also, Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming up (!!!) and The Beau and I will be doing lots of traveling to Ohio, Nebraska, and Iowa. Oh, and of course, TASHA’S BOOK RELEASE IN NOVEMBER!!!!!

  What have you been up to this season / this month? Any new obsessions or good reads or great music? Share some of your favorites here, and let me know if I should check out any great blog posts! 

  Posted in This Season's Rewind | 4 Comments | Tagged rewind, this season's rewind

• Book Review: “The Clockmaker’s Daughter” by Kate Morton (ARC)

  Posted at 6:15 am by Laura, on September 24, 2018

  The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton

  Publisher: Atria Books
  Publishing: October 9
  Genre: historical, contemporary
  ISBN: 9781451649390
  Rating: ★★★★★

  “My real name, no one remembers. The truth about that summer, no one else knows.”

  In the summer of 1862, a group of young artists led by the passionate and talented Edward Radcliffe descends upon Birchwood Manor on the banks of the Upper Thames. Their plan: to spend a secluded summer month in a haze of inspiration and creativity. But by the time their stay is over, one woman has been shot dead while another has disappeared; a priceless heirloom is missing; and Edward Radcliffe’s life is in ruins.

  Over one hundred and fifty years later, Elodie Winslow, a young archivist in London, uncovers a leather satchel containing two seemingly unrelated items: a sepia photograph of an arresting-looking woman in Victorian clothing, and an artist’s sketchbook containing the drawing of a twin-gabled house on the bend of a river.

  Why does Birchwood Manor feel so familiar to Elodie? And who is the beautiful woman in the photograph? Will she ever give up her secrets?

  It has taken me forever to write this review (at the time of writing this, I’ve since read ten novels), in large part because it’s now my favorite Morton (knocking The House at Riverton to second) and because I have difficulty putting favorite novels by long-standing favorite authors into reviewing words. Morton’s novels are like Rowling’s Harry Potter to me. Rowling was there for my childhood and teen years, and my love affair with the series continues on; Morton was there in my young and early adulthood, showing me that romantic Gothic fiction is still around and accessible and full of wonder, like being with an old friend and picking up where things left off. I adore Morton’s work.

  The Clockmaker’s Daughter is not about clocks, or about a daughter assisting her father making clocks, or anything that title and cover image may suggest. It is very much about time, family secrets, loss, and everything that can happen within one beautiful manor house. It’s classic Morton, and this time — thanks to the clockmaker’s daughter’s narrative voice — the Birchwood Manor is a character in itself. Birchwood links all of the narrative threads together, a touchstone within this gorgeous novel that you love to come back home to.

  First there’s Elodie. She’s a quiet sort, intelligent, observant, a bit of a wallflower, and my kindred spirit. I fell for her instantly. She’s an archivist in London for a private art collection. When a package is discovered in a back room containing a leather satchel with a photograph of a beautiful woman and a sketchbook, Elodie sets out to link the two together and uncover the mystery of why the package was there, why it wasn’t archived, and how these were related to the man whose collection she works for.

  But this isn’t her story. It’s Birdie’s. It’s Juliet’s. It’s Edward’s. It’s Ada’s. It’s Leonard’s and Tip’s and Lucy’s. This is probably the most perspectives Morton’s had in a novel, and at first it’s a little jarring, I’ll admit — but hang on. Birdie and Birchwood Manor will bring you back, and soon you’ll be making the surprisingly and thrilling connections that all these people have with one another and with Birchwood Manor.

  Birchwood began as a magical summer home, later bequeathed to Edward and his friends. After a terrible accident and misunderstanding, it falls to ruin. Edward’s sister Lucy spruces up the manor and turns it into a girl’s school, where Ada attends and learns all about geology and archaeology and independence with Lucy. But war hits, and Birchwood is left once more. Leonard, seeking solace, finds it to be a place of refuge, and Juliet a lovely home for her children, including Tip, in the country.

  But most of all, it’s the way Birdie connects these people to this manor, and her tragedy. It broke my heart, gently, softly, the only way Morton can and does every time. I had Secret Garden and Little Princess vibes throughout the novel, and Tip’s curiosity reminded me so much of Uncle Desmond in “About Time.” I loved this book to pieces. I don’t know what I was expecting — definitely something more with clocks! — but this was infinitely better.

  The Clockmaker’s Daughter is a quietly vibrant novel about love, murder, mystery, loss, art, and the constant flowing river of time. Fans of Morton’s earlier work will not be disappointed.

  Thank you, Atria Books, for providing the galley on Edelweiss for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2018 | 6 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: contemporary, genre: historical fiction, review

• 

• Hello, I’m Laura!

  I'm a bookish bookworm and book hoarder. By day I'm a literary agent, and by night I'm forever rearranging my bookshelves. I could talk your ear off about Gothic literature, and in my past life people thought I'd become a professional musician. I have a fluffy black cat named Rossetti, I love to travel, tea is my drink of choice, British TV is the best, and I'm always down for chips-and-queso nights. Welcome to Scribbles & Wanderlust! Grab your favorite hot beverage and let's chat books!

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