Angieville

Does this book need any introduction? Really? You've read my blathering about how adamantly I love this series and how much I was looking forward to this--the final book in the trilogy--and how difficult it is for me to accurately convey my love for one Alan Ryves. It had to be in my top three most anticipated novels of the year, and I was pestering my local bookstores shamelessly for weeks before it was due to come out. Two books in, and I already feel as though Sarah Rees Brennan is one of those authors I can trust with my literary heart and expectations. She delivers, and that's all there is to it. So I can honestly say I had no qualms whatsoever going into The Demon's Surrender . Not a one. I feared for loss of life and limb (and love) on several fronts, but I had no worries that the story would not be absolutely awesome or that the characters would not get exactly the ending they deserved. And how many times can you say that going into the final book in a beloved seri...

I don't know. I just don't know how any self-respecting book lover can see this book and not have to buy it immediately. I mean, look at that cover. It's gorgeous and haunting and somehow bursting with meaning all at once. As I mentioned before, it reminds me very much of the exquisite cover of  Marcelo in the Real World --a book I loved without reserve. All that put together had me on the edge of my seat to read it, and I had a lovely copy all ready and waiting for me on the nightstand in the nursery when I got home from the hospital. I tend to go through a massive rereading binge after having a baby. Like my battered body and mind need the comfort of intensely familiar stories and friends as part of the recovery process. But this was the first new book I read once I felt sufficiently rejuvenated to take on a whole new world. The physical book itself really is put together perfectly. The dust jacket has a matte finish that just calls out to be stroked. It was quite literal...

Ooh. A cover. Finally! And a release date to go with it. How nice. Cover first: I love the mountains and the dogs and the manacles hanging threateningly from Beka's hand. But is it just me or is there something wrong with Beka's head? Or her arms. One of the two is not exactly right. Right? Moving on. Truth? I've been a bit worried about this book. It's been a long time coming and, while I really love Beka and the Tortall of two hundred years before Alanna roamed it, the last book left me underwhelmed . And I've been worried ever since. I am a Pierce fan of the highest order, and I would dearly love to see this trilogy close out in fine Pierce style. So fingers crossed, I can't wait to get back to Beka and Co. (I love you, Rosto). Mastiff is due out October 25th.

With the arrival of a baby imminent on the horizon, most women begin thinking about packing a bag for the hospital, making sure the nursery is in order, washing those few last baby clothes in preparation. Me? I began making a list of books to read as soon as we got home from the hospital. And one of the top books on my list was What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty . I've seen this title and author batted about recently, and Chachic's recommendation bumped it up to the top of the list of post-baby reads. With its June 2nd U.S. release date, it seemed the perfect one to start with. My excitement to read it even managed to penetrate the fog of sleep deprivation that exists around my mind these days. I've read Liane's sister Jaclyn Moriarty 's work and enjoyed a few of them, and I love the idea of writerly sisters. So I was eager to see what Liane Moriarty 's writing was like, especially when I found out this one was about a woman who lost her memory. I'm begin...

So I've been sitting on this one for a little while. Mostly because things like having a baby got in the way of me actually writing the review. Pesky labor and delivery . . . pesky recovery and sleep deprivation. But I am gradually coming back to the real world (or at least the virtual literary one) and I wanted to get my review up on release day if at all possible. I can't believe it's been three years since I first discovered this fabulous series. So much has happened in those three years. Kate and Co. have had five seriously awesome adventures and the series has skyrocketed to the top of my favorite urban fantasy series ever. I look forward all year long to the new Kate Daniels book and after the excellence that was the last book, I was positively giddy with delight to receive an ARC of Magic Slays . The fifth book in as solid a series as this one is a delicate matter, I think. You're all in as far as the characters go. Their history is mapped out and complex. At th...

For all you M. Ward fans out there, here's a video of the man playing an acoustic version of "Chinese Translation" live at the Bing Lounge in Portland. DH showed it to me last night, and I don't know about you, but I think it's . . . well . . . fabulous. What music is getting you through your Thursday?