Honestly, I have no right to be doing a book haul but here we are! I think we all know I’m useless at book bans and I do *usually* go on a book ban for November. You’ve probably heard me explain this before but if you’re new, I give my family my complete wishlist (of all like one bajillion books) to pick from for Christmas presents so I’m banned from buying to avoid double ups. So naturally, I try not to buy anything. This November? I failed miserably.
BOUGHT
Clap When You Land
by Elizabeth Acevedo
Click to read blurb
In a novel-in-verse that brims with grief and love, National Book Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Acevedo writes about the devastation of loss, the difficulty of forgiveness, and the bittersweet bonds that shape our lives.
Camino Rios lives for the summers when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people…
In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal’s office, where her mother is waiting to tell her that her father, her hero, has died in a plane crash.
Separated by distance—and Papi’s secrets—the two girls are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are forever altered.
And then, when it seems like they’ve lost everything of their father, they learn of each other.
I’ve seen this one floating around a lot and getting some good reviews. I had a voucher for a bookstore so when I was wandering through I thought I might get myself a copy of this. I hope I like it given all those good reviews, but this is also poetry which isn’t my usual cup of tea but we shall see!
The Black Prism
by Brent Weeks
Click to read blurb
Guile is the Prism, the most powerful man in the world. He is high priest and emperor, a man whose power, wit, and charm are all that preserves a tenuous peace. Yet Prisms never last, and Guile knows exactly how long he has left to live.
When Guile discovers he has a son, born in a far kingdom after the war that put him in power, he must decide how much he’s willing to pay to protect a secret that could tear his world apart.
I’ve already read this, you may have seen it in a recent wrap-up, but I decided I wanted to continue this in physical format. As much as I enjoyed the audio, I think this series just has so much going on that I need to set aside time to really get into the story, rather than multitasking like one does when listening to an audio!
The Blinding Knife
by Brent Weeks
This is book two in the same series, which is what I’m up to! So obviously I got books one and two and I’m really looking forward to picking this one up and continuing the series. I’m really impressed with how interesting the magic and political systems are in this world!
Frogkisser!
by Garth Nix
Click to read blurb
Garth Nix is on hilarious form as he spins his very own fairy tale, featuring Princess Anya, who, with her loyal dog, must embark on a terribly important (capital Q) Quest to acquire the ingredients for a reversal lip balm, the vital item needed to change a frog back to a prince . . . oh, and save her kingdom from her villainous step(step)father.
A brilliantly funny take on fairytales and quests for younger readers.
I actually forgot to haul this one last month! So this is from October. This was a random purchase from when I went out to dinner with my parents and we had a stroll through a bookshop. Dad actually picked this out and I thought it sounded like fun and is by a popular author so why not!
RECEIVED
Defending the Galaxy
by Maria V Snyder
Thank you Harlequin Teen for sending me a copy for review
This is the third and final instalment to the Sentinels of the Galaxy series and I can’t wait to read it! I am currently reading book two and I’m really looking forward to where this is going. Snyder is always a great author to read so I’m sure there are great things in store here.
The Last Good Man
by Thomas McMullan
Thank you Bloomsbury for sending me a copy for review
Click to read blurb
Duncan Peck has travelled alone to Dartmoor in search of his cousin. He has come from the city, where the fires are always burning.
In his cousin’s village, Peck finds a place with tea rooms and barley fields, a church and a schoolhouse. Out here, the people live an honest life – and if there’s any trouble, they have a way to settle it. They sit in the shadow of a vast wall, inscribed with strange messages. Anyone can write on the wall, anonymously, about their neighbours, about any wrongdoing that might hurt the community. Then comes the reckoning.
The stranger from the city causes a stir. He has not been there long before the village wakes up to the most unspeakable accusation; sentences daubed on the wall that will detonate the darkest of secrets.
A troubling, uncanny book about fear and atonement, responsibility and justice, and the violence of writing in public spaces, The Last Good Man dares to ask: what hope can we place in words once extinction is in the air?
I am really intrigued about this one. I haven’t heard many reviews on it so far but it looks like it’s got some mixed reviews on Goodreads. I also think the plot sounds quite similar to Agatha Christie’s The Moving Finger so I’m hoping it will be just as thrilling!
The Four Winds
by Kristin Hannah
Thank you Pan Macmillan for sending me a copy for review
Release date: 2 February 2021
Click to read blurb
Texas, 1934. Millions are out of work and a drought has broken the Great Plains. Farmers are fighting to keep their land and their livelihoods as the crops are failing, the water is drying up, and dust threatens to bury them all. One of the darkest periods of the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl era, has arrived with a vengeance.
In this uncertain and dangerous time, Elsa Martinelli—like so many of her neighbors—must make an agonizing choice: fight for the land she loves or go west, to California, in search of a better life. The Four Winds is an indelible portrait of America and the American Dream, as seen through the eyes of one indomitable woman whose courage and sacrifice will come to define a generation.
I just cannot wait to read this! I love Kristin Hannah’s books, they are some of my favourite historical fiction novels for how wonderful all her characters always are. She also usually picks such interesting eras and this book is no exception being set in the Great Depression!
AUDIOBOOKS
Eragon
Christopher Paolini
Click to read blurb
One boy…
One dragon…
A world of adventure.
When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.
Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds.
Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands.
I have, in fact, already read this but I am yet to continue the series. So I decided to swap from the big, intimidating physical formats and have a go at reading this via audio. I will be rereading Eragon as a bit of a refresher because I’m struggling to remember what actually happened!
Honestly going on a book ban is like a red flag to a bull for me….I’m off to buy, buy, buy!!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
😂😂😂 So relatable!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I had no idea there is a new book coming out by Kristin Hannah! So exciting! Wonderful post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes!! I cannot wait! Thanks 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh great haul! I really liked clap when you land! And I want to try brent weeks and kristin hannah.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve heard so many amazing things about Clap When you Land – and I don’t think you’ll regret either of those authors if you try them!
LikeLike