A compilation of SOME of the randomness I've recorded about my reading over the past several months

Title: A Silent Voice aka Koe no Katachi

Author: Yoshitoki Oima [MyAnimeList]

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Series: A Silent Voice, Vol. 1

ISBN: 9781632360564

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I saw it on Wowbrary.  The description sounded intriguing.

Comments:

So this first volume is primarily back story as to what happened in 6 years earlier between Shoya and Shoko, prior to Shoko transferring to another school.  I was a little too interested in what comes next, so in addition to requesting the library purchase the next several volumes, I also looked up the overall story arc.  I now know what is supposed to happen in general terms.  Hopefully that doesn't ruin the rest for me.

Update: I haven't read any more yet, but they won't be ruined when I do, because I've already forgotten what I looked up.

Title: Indexing

Author: Seanan McGuire [Website Bio 1][Website Bio 2][Website Bio 3][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: 47North

Series: Indexing, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781477809600

Length: 404 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I've been reading a bit by this author.  While I was waiting on more from the October Daye and InCryptid series, I decided to read this.

Comments:

Took me 1 or 2 "chapters" (it was originally a Kindle serial) to really get into it, but it's a pretty fascinating concept that fairy tales are these negative types that you can be stuck in if your life has certain similarities or like characteristics or events.  I look forward to reading the next one, Indexing: Reflections.

Update: Thoughts on  Indexing: Reflections have already been posted because I wasn't paying attention...

Title: Roadside Magic

Author: Lilith Saintcrow [Website][Facebook][Twitter] aka Lili St. Crow

Publisher: Orbit

Series: Gallow and Ragged, Bk 2

ISBN: 9780316277877

Length: 315 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I've enjoyed this author's work in the past, and read the first book in this series.

Comments:

I'm not always good with Faerie stories.  I've been reading more lately, but they can be difficult for me.  This is one whose world is especially troublesome for me, because I start to feel "trapped" if you will in all the bad events and "surrounded" by all these characters who are horrible and don't allow the primary characters, Gallow and Ragged, to escape.

 I found myself especially frustrated, because I was not even given the relief of the story ending.  Rather than individual stories that are resolved by the end (even if their is still a larger arcing story in progress), as I have come to expect of series, this ser ...

Update: I literally left that mid-word.   I think I was about to say more about it being cliffhanger, or no real ending.  But I'm not sure.

Title: Say I Love You. aka Suki tte Ii na yo.


Author: Kanae Hazuki [MyAnimeList]

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Series: Say I Love You. Volumes 1 - 5

ISBN:
9781612626024
9781612626031
9781612626048
9781612626055
9781612626062

Obtained: Library Copy

Why these books?:

Comments:

I never recorded comments at the time of reading this.  So by memory: This series almost crosses into too much for me (content-wise), but I found myself curious about the "what next"?  Unfortunately, by the time the rest of the series came in for me (I had to put them on hold), I was out of the country.  I lost that push, but I'll still follow up eventually.

Title: Grave Visions

Author: Kalayna Price [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: ROC Fantasy

Series: Alex Craft, Bk 4

ISBN: 9780451416575

Length: 331 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

Have enjoyed the rest of the series.

Comments:

It's about time!  I read it within a day of it finally coming in, and was eagerly awaiting the latest release date before that.  Hope the next one is a bit more timely.

Update: Short but sweet, right?

Title: The Obsession

Author: Nora Roberts [Website] [Facebook] aka Eleanor Marie Robertson Aufem-Brinke Wilder aka J. D. Robb aka Sarah Hardesty aka Jill March

Publisher: Berkley Books

ISBN: 9780399175169

Length: 453 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

New NR, need I say more?

Comments:

Great, intense intro.  Good characters... they fall within NR template.  I guessed the bad guy with the first murder.

Update: Again with the short clip.  But better than nothing.

Title: Bitter Bite

Author: Jennifer Estep [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Pocket Books Urban Fantasy

Series: Elemental Assassin, Bk 14

ISBN: 9781501111273

Length: 374 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

Love this series.

Comments:

Oh, Finn!!!! This one had me very grumbly.  Poor Gin.


Update: This one is brief because otherwise I'd be rambling nonstop spoilers.

Grave Memory

Title: Grave Memory

Author: Kalayna Price [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: ROC Fantasy

Series: Alex Craft, Bk 3

ISBN: 9780451464590

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I can't even begin to tell you how I anxiously I was waiting to read this book.  Thankfully, it did not disappoint.  I was immediately wrapped up in Alex's life...trying to promote a still-growing business, sort out an VERY complicated love-life, maintain various friendships, and investigate a series of murders that aren't being recognized as murders.  Not to mention trying to stay alive.

A major point for this series is the great characters. Besides Alex herself, there's the love interests Falin and Death (While I don't tend to be especially fond of love triangles, if there is going to be one, this is the best.  I actually like both of them.  And while I do have a preference, both work for the story) and the ghost Roy (he adds so much fun to these stories).  Even three books in I find the way magic works in this world interesting.  The various rules and dynamics make it something you can continue to learn about as you get further into each story.

Anyway, because of the very last page, I'm already eagerly awaiting book 4.  (Well that's not the ONLY reason.)  It seems Kalayna has signed on for at least 3 more (!!!), but I don't know anything more than that.

I still need to read Kalayna Price's Haven series as well.  I've heard great things, but haven't tried them yet.

Romance through time and one magical book...

Miss Whitlow's Turn by Jenna Mindel (personal copy) - 


I was in the mood for a historical, I'd been working on my big clean out, I came across this book, and something just drew me.  I enjoyed it.  I liked both Harriet Whitlow and George Clasby and enjoyed watching them take action to make their futures what they wanted.  And I liked the reformed rake bit part.

The Officer and the Proper Lady (Silk & Scandal, Bk 7) (Harlequin Historical Regency #1020) by Louise Allen (personal copy) - 


I picked this to read because I figured Officer was a Title in the title.  I'm not sure now that it should count for  Harlequin Silhouette 2012 Reading Challenge, so I'll probably read another for that category.  Nevertheless, I read the book, so here's what I thought of it.... I enjoyed it.  I was in a mood for historicals, so that may be part of it.  But I really liked the setting and the characters.  I liked the hope that threaded through the story.  I'm glad I read it and look forward to reading either more by this author, of this mini-series, or both.

Babies by the Busload (The Baby Shower, Bk 3) (Silhouette Desire #1022) by Raye Morgan (personal copy) - 


This book fills the Author with a M name category of the Harlequin Silhouette 2012 Reading Challenge.  What to say about it. Ummm... It was quick and light.  And perhaps a touch silly.  I liked it for what it was, but I think it could have been more.  Not much more to say.

Forever Blue (Tall, Dark, & Dangerous, bk 2) (Silhouette Intimate Moments #742) by Suzanne Brockmann (personal copy) - 


I've read one or two of Brockmann's SEAL silhouette books before and I was working on collecting the rest before I read more.  Unfortunately, most didn't make it through my recent clean out (i.e. they're being donated).  This one lasted because of the color in the title fills a  Harlequin Silhouette 2012 Reading Challenge category.  Blue did seem  kinda self-centered (he seemed to see Lucy more for what she could do to help him in his predicament than for herself), but otherwise...  It was a nice read, with the required HEA.

The Secretary's Secret (Silhouette Desire #1774) by Michelle Celmer (personal copy) - 


This isn't something I think I've really discussed on my blog, but when it comes to Harlequin/Silhouette romances, there are some themes that I tend to gravitate more towards.  Clichéd though it may be, the secretary/boss relationship is one of them.  I can't really explain why.  But that's the theme behind this book, so even once I no longer needed to read this to fulfill the author name beginning with M category in the Harlequin Silhouette 2012 Reading Challenge I still did.  It was a nice, quick read.  My only disappointment was the the "secret" in the title and blurb on the back is told early on.  I know that disappointment is a little contradictory since I'm always irritated when characters keep something like that back.  But still - it didn't really qualify as a secret, IMO.  Oh and the ending was a little overboard.  Other than those small things, I enjoyed it.

Grave Dance (Alex Craft, Bk 2) by Kalayna Price (library copy) -

I'm glad I heard about this series because I'm really enjoying it.  I like Alex Craft and I'm with her through all of her adventures.  When she's in a tight spot I feel the strain.  And when she's lost a loved one (as in they've disappeared), I feel that as well.  Her magic is different and I'm enjoying exploring what she can and/or can't do with it as it opens to her even more.  I very much look forward to reading book 3, Grave Memory.

A pinch of this, a dash of that...

The Shadow Killer (3rd story featuring late-night radio host Charlie D) by Gail Bowen (library copy) -

I've talked about how much I enjoy this series (both Rapid Reads and Charlie D) before.  This particular story was just as intense as the others before it.  It centered on Father's Day, and while Charlie D's take on fathers is vastly different than my own, I found the numerous father quotes (and the way certain songs were mixed in) interesting.  The only problem was how abrupt the ending was.  You go on this scary ride that stops just at the edge of a cliff.  Then calmly walk back home (or wherever) as if nothing happened.  Nevertheless, I remain a Charlie D fan and hope to read more about him in the future.

Love in a Nutshell by Janet Evanovich and Dorien Kelly (library copy) -

When I heard there was going to be a new Janet Evanovich romance (not a reprint) and it was a first in series (not one I have to catch up to read) I was excited.  Here's the thing... It was nice, but it lacked that special something that usually draws me to Evanovich's books.  I don't regret reading it, but I won't be getting a personal copy (i.e. Explosive Eighteen was a library copy, but I've kept it on my PaperBackSwap Wish List so I'll get a keeper copy eventually).

The Demon's Parchment (Crispin Guest Medieval Noir, Bk 3) by Jeri Westerson (library HB copy) -

This passage through Crispin's life had some interesting turns.  Certain attitudes during that time (like those towards Jews) are one thing to recognize as history.  But when the character you like and are following agrees with those attitudes... it's realistic but frustrating.  I did like that Crispin eventually uses his head more than mindlessly following what he's been told, but even then, prejudice is a hard thing to break.  The case he's working on is horrifying (stomach-turning).  The most fascinating (and still horrible) part is in the afterword when the author tells you it's based on a true medieval serial killer, in addition to a lot of other interesting bits of information relating to happenings in the story.  Anyway, the trailer I saw with a review of the 4th book in this series, Troubled Bones, is what got me started on this series so I certainly look forward to reading that.

Grave Witch (Alex Craft, Bk 1) by Kalayna Price (ILL copy) -

I decided to try this after reading a review at Babbling Book Reviews.  I enjoyed it.  I like Alex.  I also like Falin, and Death, and Roy... it's always a good sign for me when I like not only the protag but also multiple supporting characters.  I found the different types of magic, and especially Alex's grave magic, interesting.  I look forward to reading book 2, Grave Dance.  At the least it should be another ILL.  Or maybe my library will decide to purchase it.  We'll see...

Beware of the Frog by William Bee (library copy) -

I read this awhile ago, and my nephews and niece (especially my niece) loved it. So I had to mention it before I returned it (I've had it out for 6 weeks).  It's seems like it's just going to be a nice read, and surprise!... it turns funny.  But the end is the REAL surprise... Hilarious.  Plus it has literary pluses... descriptive words, and other things about fonts and patterns that I don't really remember from my early literacy class.