Random Musings of a Bibliophile

Here is what a snapshot of what I read and loved in January. Not a bad start to the year I guess. (I am still behind on what my goals were. I got distracted by library books.) Did you read anything you loved this past month?

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly themed blog hop created by The Broke and the Bookish and now hosted at That Artsy Reader Girl . This Week's Topic: Books I Really Liked But Can't Remember Anything (or Much) About I laughed when I saw this topic, because I've had moments where I go through all my 5 and 4 star ratings on Goodreads and wonder...I remember vaguely most of these-almost like a fever dream though. I have fond, warm thoughts when see their covers but anything beyond basic plot you could get from the synopsis escapes me. There is one I remember literally nothing of. Nothing. Want to try and guess which one I blacked out on? Does this happen to you? What is a book you have fond feelings for but don't really remember?

Regency Era. Spy Games. Magic. Fashion. If the title and cover of M urder, Magic, and What We Wore by Kelly Jones were not enough to snare me, those word would seal the deal. As soon as I found out this book existed (which was later than I'm comfortable with), I wanted to read it. It isn't a perfect book, and I have some quibbles, but the bottom line is this book is just delightful. Annis discovers her father is dead and that she and her aunt are nearly penniless. They must seek genteel employment, but Annis does not wish to be a lady's companion or governess. When she discovers that her talent with alterations is more than a talent with needle and thread, but the magical ability to sew glamours, Annis decides she will make their fortune selling glamoured gowns. With her maid Millie at her side, Annis sets out to convince her Aunt Cassia she is capable of succeeding. Cassia reluctantly agrees to give her a chance. Annis is relieved because she needs to prove herself to m...

I enjoyed Ghost, the first book in Jason Reynolds' series about the new kids on an elite track team. It was excellent just as everything published so far by Reynolds has been. In 2017 I made his YA book my priority because I do tend to love his YA works slightly more. As a result, reading Patina  got pushed into the start of 2018. I hate that I waited, but also I'm happy to start of a new year of reading on such a high note. This book is fabulous. Patty is always running even off the truck. She runs from one thing to another as she tries to do all and be all to the people around her. She has to help take care of her sister because she always has, even though now they live with their aunt and uncle who are wonderful. She has to help take care of mom, because her mom lost both of her legs to diabetes. She has a group project at school and is doing all the work because someone has to. She has to win at her track meets because she ain't no junk, and that's what she's ...

Top Ten Tuesday  is a Meme hosted by  The Broke and the Bookish This week's TTT topic: Unread 2017 Books I Will Definitely Get to In 2018 Man, 2017 was a year all right. There is no reason ANY of these should still be unread as they were all highly anticipated and more than half are by favorite authors of mine. Are there any 2017 books lingering on your TBR you need to get to?

Top Ten Tuesday  is  hosted by  The Broke and the Bookish This week's TTT topic: New to Me Authors I Read in 2017   *The two Rogue anthologies this year, being anthologies, included several authors. Among them is Janie Lee Blaire who wrote stories in both. She is amazing and who I am including on this list.  This was a good year for the debut authors I read. Every single author on this list other than Farrah Rochon was a 2017 debut. What new must read authors did you discover this year?

It is a new year, which means a whole new crop of books to look forward to. I'm sharing some of my most anticipated releases of the coming year. The books on this list have official release dates and covers. If a book I'm excited for is slated to come out this year, but doesn't have an official cover or release date yet, I will feature it at some other point. The MG Books A Sky Full of Stars by Linda Williams Jackson (January 2) The Serpent's Secret  by Sayantani DasGupta (February 27) The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson (March 27) Aruh Shah and the End of Time  by Roshani Chokshi (March 27) Sunny  by Jason Reynolds (April 10) The Penderwicks at Last  by Jeanne Birdsall (May 15) The YA Books Beneath a Haunting Sea  by Joanna Ruth Meyer (January 9)   The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton (February 6) R is for Rebel  by J. Anderson Coates (February 20) Dread Nation  by Justina Ireland (April 3)   Love ...