Sharing the Stories

Late posting what this past reading month, October, had in the books for me. It was a month of variety with various genres, and surprisingly more actual books than audiobooks, which are my preferred option. Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry~ what could be the worst thing that happens to an atheist? For Michael that is having to attend a new school in a new town, but not just any school. A Catholic School. No friends until he meets Lucy, possibly another non-believer after she challenges a school teacher, a nun nonetheless! But Michael is in for a world of revelations.  Great humor story.  The House in the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune. Loved this slow-building fantasy world with the most lovable characters. Linus Baker has always followed the rules until he's assigned to the Marsyas Island Orphanage where six dangerous magical youths live. His mission is to be impartial and report on his findings. But how does he that when the secrets he uncovers challenge everything he has t...

  When Natasha’s sister goes missing she turns her loss into anger but when no one offers any help she turns to the last resort option- magic.  Della’s family has lived in the Bend for generations creating spells for the locals desperate enough to use their magic.  When Natasha shows up for help, Della knows it won’t be as simple as creating a potion.  She starts to wonder if the beast responsible for Natasha’s sister’s disappearance is someone really close to her, someone, she has bowed to protect, but how do you protect a monster?  Falling for Natasha means deciding how far she’s willing to go. They become each other’s hope, with little to lose and more anger than the Bend can hold on to.  If you like Holly Black or series like Truly Devious this fast-paced book is for you with strong characters, an intriguing plot, symbolism, magic, and a killer cover. Ms. Galan

  Fernnbirn Island needs its queen to be strong, to show no mercy, and to kill its sisters if she wants to wear the royal crown.  Every sixteen years at the beginning of the Ascension Year the royal triplets will have to kill the weaker ones to show the islanders that they have what it takes to be their new queen. The Ascension Year is their opportunity to showcase years of training, to use their magic, to find a suitor, and become a queen.  This year three very different sisters will have to fight for their lives- Mirabella who can control the elements but can't erase the memories of her little sisters, Katharine growing weaker every day after years of poisonings, and Arsinoe a naturalist living a lie hoping to find her real power before it is too late.  Defiance, hidden agendas, love stories, shady characters, magic, power, and family all come together in the first book of this trilogy. Dark Crown will have you on the edge of your seat rooting for each sister....