October TBR

Hello Everyone!

Happy Fall and Happy almost October! I can’t believe it’s already October, I feel like this year has both gone by so quickly, but also not really. October is going to be a lot of fun, my library is hosting a big teen event that is going to be really cool and I’m really excited to work the event. Then shortly after that I am going to visit my friend Allison in Colorado, which will be a lot of fun. As always, I also plan on doing some reading, and here are a handful of the books I want to get to in October.

His Hideous Heart edited by Dahlia Adler

Since October is also the month of Spooky season, I wanted to pick up a few spooky reads and the frist one I want to get to is His Hideous Heart which is an anthology of stories which are reimaginings of some of Edgar Allan Poe’s works. I also plan on reading the original works that these stories are based on as I read them, because I’ve only read a few of them (which I remember I really liked), and that was back when I was a wee freshman in college taking American Literature. So I’m really excited to read some more from Poe, as well as some reimaginings.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Nothing says spooky season quite like a good old-fashioned murder mystery, and what better murder mystery to read than And Then There Were None by the queen of mystery herself, Agatha Christie. This will be my first time reading this and I am really looking forward to it. I don’t know a whole lot about it except 10 people are on an island and one by one they go missing or are murdered, but it sounds fascinating.

House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig

This will probably be one of the first books I read in October since I have checked out through interlibrary loan and it is due back during the first week. I love this cover and I have been meaning to pick this up for a while but have kept putting it off. It is a retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses, however it has a horror twist to it. I’m a chicken when it comes to horror, so I’m hoping it’s not too much for me, but I am also intrigued.

Angelika Frankenstein Meets Her Match by Sally Thorne

I didn’t know I needed a romance retelling of Frankenstein, but once I heard about Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match, I was sold. I don’t know a whole lot, and I don’t really want to until I dive in.

Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

The Queen of the Tearling is one of the books on my 22 Books I Want to Read in 2022. It is a fantasy book, which I believe is set in our world but in the future. We’re following Kelsea who ascends the throne but faces many challenges. It sounds really interesting and I am looking forward to starting this trilogy.

Gilded by Marissa Meyer

I love Marissa Meyer and I have been meaning to pick up her new duology which is a Rumpelstiltskin retelling. It starts with Gilded which starts off with the poor miller’s daughter who tells stories, however her stories catch the attention of the Erlking and he takes her to his kingdom of spooks. It sounds interesting and spooky. And if I enjoy it, the sequel is coming out on November 8th, so I won’t have to long to wait for it.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

Book Review: Fullmetal Alchemist Volume 1 by Hiromu Arakawa

Hello everyone,

Today’s review is on Fullmetal Alchemist Voluem 1 by Hiromu Arakawa.

After an alchemy experiment went wrong, leaving Edward Elric without an arm and a leg, and his brother, Alphonse just a soul in a suit of armor, they set out on a quest for the philosopher’s stone, in the hopes that it will undo the effects of the experiment. After sometime, Edward is appointed as the state alchemist which means he is bound to obey the orders of those who command him, even if it means killing someone. As they journey through their world they will discover treacherous villains and tyrants, as well as those also versed in the ways of alchemy, but use their skills for evil.

The Elric brothers are briefly introduced and the manga opens with a nippet of a scene following their experiment with transmutation. However, it is then revealed in further dialogue some of what happened to them and why they are the way they are: Edward has a metal arm and leg, Alphonse is merely a soul in a suit of armor.

One of the main themese in this first volume is exposing fruad and hypocrisy. In the first two chapters they are in a town that is devoted to following a charlatan who claims to be an emissary of the god, Leto. He gained a following by performing “miracles,” however the Elric brothers discover that he is really an alchemist and he is able to perform his miracles by breaking some of the cardinal rules of alchemy because he possesses part of the philosopher’s stone. The second chapter explores his hypocrisy being exposed, as well as some of his devoted followers, like Rose, who are crushed after realizing that everything they beleived about the emissary was a lie. Rose now has to figure out what she believes and is left feeling hopeless. The end of this chapter introduces the incaranations of two of the seven deadly sins – Lust and Gluttony – who are revealed to have been the masterminds behind Father Cornello’s plot, and they even had him duped too.

Chapter 3 is an episodic tale in which Ed uses cunning and breaks the laws of alchemy against a corrupt and incompetent lieutenant who has been terrorzing a mining town that he owns the rights to. It can be said in this case that Ed has to be a little corrupt in orer to take down the corruption that has been caused by Lieutenant Yoki.

Chapter 4 is more of just an action epsidoe where the Elric brothers have to go up against a group of goons that have hijacked the train that the general and his family were on. We’re also introduced to another alchemsit at the end – the fire alchemist.

This first volume of Fullmetal Alchemist was a good introduction to the series, however it felt like chapters 3 and 4 were merely episodic and did not seem to connect much with the first two chapters. But maybe in futre volumes they will connect more than can be seen in this first volume. It is also intriguing that the seven deadly sins have a role in this series and it will be interesting to see how they factor into the overarching storyline.

The art style was good. The actions sequences were done in such a way that was just right – they had enough details to show the action, but it was not bogged down with little details that can overwhelm readers who are trying to keep up with what is going on. I am looking forward to reading the next volume soon! 4/5 Stars.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

Revisiting Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Hello everyone,

Today’s post is a review on Cinder by Marissa Meyer. However, the one thing that makes this review different from some of the others is that I have already reviewed Cinder. In fact, if you have been following my blog from the beginning, it was one my first reviews that I posted (Click here if you would like to read what 2015 me had to say about the book). I thought it would be interesting to revisit Cinder 5 years later and write a review of it, to make sure it isn’t an exact replica of my first review, I have not looked at it before writing this review. When I am done writing it, I think I will write a postscript describing the few differences that I might have since I read it back in 2015.

Cinder is sci-fi/futuristic retelling of the classic Cinderella story. However, in this instance the story is set in what is called New Beijing in the Commonwealth Empire several hundred years in the future. In this world, the moon was colonized centuries ago and is a separate planet from Earth, in fact the Lunars are considered to be pariah in this society because they are typically a cruel and manipulative society. Enter Cinder, a cyborg mechanic who has no memories of the time before she was a cyborg. She lives with her step-mother and two step-sisters, and she is forced to make a living as a mechanic not seeing a penny of what she has earned. One day she gets a surprise visitor at her booth, Prince Kai, the heir to the Commonwealth Empire. After this chance encounter a series of events occur, including the outbreak of a deadly disease in the marketplace, and Cinder eventually being taken in for testing to help discover a cure for the disease. However, over the course of the tests, both Cinder and Dr. Erlander discover that there is more to Cinder than she knows, not only is she a cyborg, she is a Lunar. And the upcoming visit of the Lunar queen, Levana, could be potentially be dangerous for her if she doesn’t disappear. Espcially since there is even more to Cinder than what even Dr. Erland eventually knows.

I really enjoyed my reread of Cinder. Marissa Meyer does a great job of creating a futuristic world that easy to imagine, as well as creating characters the readers both love and hate. And even though I have already read the entire Lunar Chronicles series, I must admit that there were some details that I had completely forgotten about. The main detail being the deadly Letumosis that plagues Earth. It was interesting reading about a fictional pandemic, especially in the midst of a real pandemic. Which as I was reading this I realized that a lot of my favorite YA books have a pandemic sub-plot in them.

One of the elements that is noticeable are the elements from the original Cinderella story that are included, for example Cinder slaves way as a mechanic and often has grime on her in order to earn money for her step-mother to spend on herself and her daughters on frivolous things. Her step-mother is cruel to her, in fact she blames Cinder for the death of her husband, and later on the death of one of her daughters. There is also a ball, where almost everyone is invited to attend, and the original purpose of the ball is for Prince Kai to try and find a bride. However, instead of a fairy godmother, there is a faulty android named Iko that helps get Cinder ready for the ball.

Of course, there are some other fairy tale elements that are evident in Cinder, for example some of the overarching plot of series is a Snow White retelling. Especially when the ultimate bomb is dropped the Cinder is Princess Selene, the lunar princes who has been thought to be dead after a deadly fire broke out in her room, and if Queen Levana discovers that she is alive, she will have to run for her life.

Another topic that is covered in Cinder is that of discrimination. In this world, the people of Earth are extremely prejudiced against Lunars, mainly do tot he fact that they are known to be cruel and master manipulators. However, Cinder is constantly discrimnated against because she is a cyborg and considered to be less than human because she has some mechanical parts. Which also asks the question, which doesn’t fully get answered in this novel, what does it mean to be human? What classifies someone has human? One of the arguments used against Cinder is that part of her heart is a machine that helps keep her alive, but she still has feelings, even if she can’t fully express them due to her cyborg features, for example, if she is embarassed her system immediately alerts her that she is overheating and does what it can to cool her down.

Cinder is an intersting novel, not just because it takes a classic fairy tale like Cinderella and turns it on its head a little bit, but while doing so also covering serious topics like belonging, discrimination, what it means to be human etc. However, it is also a fun read while doing so!

I highly recommend Cinder for those who are interested in YA, fairy tale retellings, as well as just a fun read.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

First Line Fridays #107 – Beach Read by Emily Henry

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to another installment of First Line Fridays hosted by Reading Is My Superpower.

“I have a fatal flaw.” – Beach Read by Emily Henry

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

Book Review: The Dark Matter of Mona Starr by Laura Lee Gulledge

Hello everyone,

Today’s review is on The Dark Matter of Mona Starr by Laura Lee Gulledge.

Mona Starr is a young teen who not only has to cope with her best friend moving far away, but she also suffers from anxiety and depression, which she refers to as her dark matter. It affects every part of her life, however, with the help of therapy, her parents and some new friends, she starts making steps to understand her “Matter”, and also practice self-care.

The Dark Matter of Mona Starr has an interesting art style, it has a palette of mostly black, white and gray with occasional bursts of yellow, especially towards the end when Mona starts to understand the innerworkings of herself a bit more.

The main theme of this graphic novel is that of mental illness – more specifically anxiety and depression – and how it can make an individual physically ill. However, it also deals with the shame, guilt and the belief that it’s all an exageration that can also prevent people from getting the help that they might need. As well as also learning how to cope with anxiety and depression, and learning ways to utilize it in such a way that is creative. It also deals with the topic of self-care and what that can look like.

Another minor theme that shows up is that of advocating for one’s self in a medical situation. For example, Mona has her parents take her to the hospital because she is in a lot of pain. The doctors do tests and they al come back negative, however she insists on having more tests done bcause of the amount of pain she is in. And this ends up being a good thing because they find that she has to have an emergency surgery.

One thing I didn’t like is that it had some overtly social justic sentiments early on in the story, which honesty did not seem to fit within the overall message of the story.

Overall, this was an okay graphic novel. I didn’t fully enjoy the story and I was not a huge fan of the art style. 3/5 Stars.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

Reading Journal: Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

Hello Everyone,

Today’s reading journal is on Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth.

January 21st 2022

I am about 80 pages into Carve the Mark and I think I like it. I am definitely invested enough for now that I want to keep reading. I like the concept of the current gifts/currentstream, it is kind of reminiscent of the force in Star Wars, which I remember this was compared to when it was released. The one thing I don’t like so far is that I don’t how old Akos is, maybe I missed it? I can’t tell if he is supposed to be 12/13, or if he is 16 like Cyra.

Also, so far I really enjoy the chapters told from Cyra’s perspective. I think it has to do with the fact that her sections, especially those involving her brother and it is giving me Jupiter Ascending vibes. I am looking forward to seeing how this all plays out (if I make it through the whole book). One thing I will definitely say is don’t read this expecting it to be like Divergent, it isn’t.

January 22nd 2022

My biggest complaint so far is that we’ve had some many chapters from Cyra’s point of view and I am ready to read from Akos’ again. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s a sign that I need to DNF? I’m going to give it a few more chapters before I make my final decision. Like, I don’t hate it, I just feel ambivalent in a way. but still a little interested in what will happen. I just don’t know if I want to stick around for 474 pages.

Okay, that didn’t take long. I didn’t even make it through the next chapter. I just wasn’t engaged and didn’t really care much about what happens next. Maybe it is just a matter of it not being the “right time” for me to read it…or maybe it’s just not for me. I don’t want to force myself to read it if I am already feeling like I am slogging through.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

First Line Fridays #106 – A Week at the Shore by Barbara Delinsky

Hello everyone,

Welcome to another installment of First Line Fridays hosted by Reading Is My Superpower.

“I remember the smell of sea salt on my skin and the rolling tumble of the surf.” – A Week at the Shore by Barbara Delinsky

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

Reading Journal: Wasted Words by Staci Hart

Hello Everyone,

Today’s post is a reading journal for Wasted Words by Staci Hart.

December 22nd 2021

So far I’m really enjoying it, I’m not even done with the first chapter, but I wanted to not that I’ve already added a manga that Cam mentions to one of her customers called Inuyasha…I also placed it on hold at the library. Hopefully I get to read it soon.

It has a bit more swearing than I personally like in a book, but it’s something that I can push past, especially since it is entertaining do far. I love seeing the connections to the original novel it is based on – Emma by Jane Austen. So far we have Cam who is Emma, Tyler who is Mr. Knightley, Kyle Churchill who is Frank Churchill (except in some ways even more of a jerk), and I am assuming that Bayleigh is Harried and I am betting that Greg is either Mr. Elton, or another character. I also love the backdrop of a comic bookstore/bar/coffee shop.

***

December 23rd 2021

I really can’t stand Cam. But I guess that makes sense because I can’t stand Emma in the original work. She is so rude about poor Martin to Bayleigh, meanwhile he seems like a very nice guy, She always talks about how she is the nerdy underdog, but she can also be very cutting about fellow nerdy underdogs and it’s kind of upsetting. It makes me want to throw my Kindle across the room (I won’t though because that would be a tad overdramatic).

Welp, that escalated quickly, but I’m not even mad! I’m glad the inevitable of Cam and Tyler wasn’t dragged out over the course of the whole novel. It’s going to be interesting to see how things play out, especially since the main characters are already a couple. But I’m not complaining, I think it would’ve irritated me if it took the whole novel from them to finally get together.

***

December 28th 2021

Cam was so frustrating, especially with her insecurities about whether her and Tyler do belong together. But that might also be because I relate to that part a lot, and I can resonate with her fear of losing him, although it got irritating. Also, I hated the lack of communication between the two of them, more so on her part.

But, oh my goodness, I hate Kyle Churchill!!! I can’t think of a nicer word to call him that doesn’t involve swearing, so I’ll just leave it at this. Seriously though, this guy needs to be taken down a peg or two majorly. I know Tyler punched him, but it’s not near enough retribution for the garbage human being he is. Okay, calm down, Janelle, he’s just a fictional character.

***

Overall, I liked Wasted Words, however, there were things that grated on me a lot, especially about Cam, which I’ve already mentioned. Again, it just had a bit more cussing than I personally prefer. I don’t know if I will pick up anything else by Staci Hart. Honestly I don’t know if I would recommend this because it was just okay and I hated the lack of communication and insecurity tropes. 3/5 Stars.

The next book I will be reading for this project is Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

Reading Journal: Ruby by Lauraine Snelling

Welcome to the second installment of my Kindle project.

So in my last installment I attempted to read One Perfect Spring, which I ended up DNFing. For this installment I read Ruby by Lauraine Snelling. And like the previous installment, instead of doing a traditional review, I kept a reading journal while I read it, show here are my honest thoughts and reactions from when I read it.

August 19th, 2021

Last night I started Ruby, and so far it seems good. It has an interesting beginning because it starts in New York, but then Ruby and her sister, Opal, are on their way to Dakota territory to see their father, who left them years ago to make his fortune. So far, I like it, I am intrigued. I have a feeling that the love interest has been introduced in passing while they were on the train, but I also think we have met the antagonist too. I do hope that the girls get to see their father before he dies. Another interesting aspect of the story is that Ruby and Opal have Norwegian roots, and seeing how it influences their speech. They themselves weren’t born in Norway, but their mother was, and I am assuming their father was too.

***

August 19th, 2021 (Later)

I just finished reading a few more chapters from Ruby, I am about a quarter of the way through. And I am really enjoying it. Things took an interesting turn, Ruby and Opal arrived in Little Missouri and discovered that Dove House is not only owned by their father and is their inheritance, but it is also a saloon and brothel. Unfortunately, their dad dies during their first night, but he deeded Dove House to them and wants it turned into a hotel. Ruby doesn’t know what to do since Dove House isn’t exactly a place for her to be in. Also, someone tried to take her father’s will from her, and just like Ruby, I suspect that it was Belle – kind of the head dove and seemed to be in a quasi-relationship with her father. I also don’t trust Captain McHenry – he gives me Mr. Wickham vibes. Also, I was looking on Goodreads to see if I’ve read any of Lauraine Snelling’s other works, turns out this is my first book by her that I’ve read, and so far I really like her writing style.

***

August 24th, 2021

I’m about 60% of the way through Ruby. I am still enjoying it, although my enjoyment has tampered a bit when the love interest, Rand Harrison was introduced. Honestly, having romance in this book was not necessary. In some ways it seemed to have ruined the book, but I get that other readers want a swoon worthy romance set in the historic West. Also, I might have been wrong by my first assumptions of Captain McHenry, he actually seems like a decent guy…although it has been hinted at that he frequented Dove House when it was still a brothel, so maybe he isn’t decent. I guess I’ll find out soon enough. But yeah, I don’t like Rand…he seemed great when we were first introduced to him on the train… but he’s kind of a jerk and is antagonistic towards Ruby for the changes she has made to Dove House. I don’t know, he just doesn’t seem like a good romantic lead.

***

August 28th, 2021

I just finished Ruby. I really liked it, however, I’m sad it’s not really a stand alone and that it kind of ends abruptly. But that is how it goes sometimes. I think I want to read the next book in the series, mainly because I am fully invested in seeing what happens to Dove House and Ruby and Opal…and especially Cimarron. Cimarron is probably one of my favorite characters and near the end something terrible happened to her, she deserves to be happy for once in her life and to live a life apart from her former life as a soiled dove. Belle is still my least favorite character, I still think Ruby needs to throw her out, and should have after the horrible things she said to Cimarron.

I have a lot of thoughts…I think I’m going to eventually pick up the second book. I still don’t like Rand, especially after his proposal to Ruby…he didn’t even try to get to know her, plus the fact that he often thinks of her as a “nice heifer.” I just can’t, I don’t like him. There is a lot of growth he needs to go through in order for me to like him. Also, it turns out I was wrong about Captain McHenry, and he seems like a standup guy…but I can’t help feeling we’re going to learn something bad about him… I do have a theory that he was involved in the attack on Cimarron somehow. But he’d also been gone for a few days/weeks to his new posting in Arizona. Either that or Ruby is not going hear from him and he essentially ghosts her. Dang. I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. I need to see if I can get my hands on the second book.

When I finished Ruby, I chose my next book which is going to be Wasted Words by Staci Hart.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

First Line Fridays #105 – Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Hello everyone,

Welcome to another installment of First Line Fridays hosted by Reading Is My Superpower.

“The shutters swinging in the stormwinds were the only sign of her entry.” – Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.