How Many Books Can I Read In A Week?
/If you make them mostly novellas and short stories, eleven.
Way back in April, we received an email from our favorite cabin rental advertising some pretty great discounts. Now, I know it’s very controversial to post about any travel that happened this year and we did take two vacations this year. Both were to remote cabins where our main goal, as with every vacation, is to be as far away from people as possible. We were very lucky that on both trips, we really never saw anyone. We counted six people on our hikes last week and everyone was very good about staying as far away from people as possible. I was very lucky to have an entire week where the most stressful decision I had to make was which book I was going to read next. It was truly, the best trip we’ve taken. Also, weird story. The last time I donated blood, I received a $10 gift card to Amazon and bought as many holiday novellas and Tor novellas that gift card would buy. And because I’m horrible about buying books, I ordered a few more. So if you need a nudge to help out blood centers, many do give you a small incentive for donating and who doesn’t love free books?
Here’s a round up of all the books I read last week; some may get their own longer post later on, but seeing as how today is also my birthday, I have more reading I want to do so short and sweet it is. This coming week, I’m hoping to work my way through Library holds so be prepared for a wild collection of books.
In no particular order:
We Could Be Heroes by Mike Chen
A wonderfully written, hopeful look at how people can grow and change through the power of friendship. This doesn’t come out until 1/26 but get your preorder in-this one is great.
The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey
A tense, gripping thriller about cloning, marriage, and closely held secrets. This was a three bourbon book because my shoulders were hurting by the time I finished-so tense! If you love Blake Crouch, here’s your next book. In February. Sorry.
Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor
Don’t let the young protagonist fool you-this is not for kids. First contact with an alien species leads to a difficult and harrowing life for a young girl who becomes Death’s adopted daughter. This is a novella that packs a lot of punch. But again, sorry, it’s out 1/19.
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
You only have to wait until next week for this one! Everyone has a secret, everyone is lying, and no one is who they say they are. It’s a modern take on Jane Eyre (which I’ve never read) and it’s wild. Loved every minute of it. Available 1/5.
City of the Plague God by Sarwat Chadda
Also out next week, snag this for your middle grade fantasy readers. Sikander Aziz discovers that many of the stories his brother told him are real when a real Plague God comes and takes over his city. Magic, history, mythology, and lots of action combine into an excellent and thrilling adventure.
The Longest Night by EE Ottoman
Free short story! A very sweet love story about two people who were pen pals for years and find themselves living together unexpectedly during Christmastime in 1904. The author includes a content warning about language used in a historical setting and several others that you may want to check out before reading.
Grumpy Jake by Melissa Blue
My first Melissa Blue! Super steamy romance about a gorgeous single dad who has dated too many teachers at his son’s school. When the son ends up in Bailey Thorne’s class, she refuses to be charmed by the grumpy single dad. But he’s super hot, has a tragic past, and there’s some major sparks after they are stuck together in an elevator. Very hot.
Mangoes & Mistletoe by Adriana Herrera
A food competition show, filmed in a Scottish castle and THERE’S ONLY ONE BED!!! Amazing food descriptions, a grumpy heroine, a bubbly heroine, AND ONLY ONE BED! Super, super hot. It’s never too late to read a holiday romance so read this one now!
The Naughty List by Ellie Mae MacGregor
The absolute best $0.99 you’ll spend this year, this book is equal parts hilarious, ridiculous, and incredibly hot. Older heroine, she’s 43, gasp!, finds herself alone on Christmas after her ex takes the kids on a last minute cruise. She wakes up on the couch after some one-handed reading to discover that Santa is a fucking snack and they take full advantage of an empty house. Two words: Sleigh. Sex.
Beyond the Dragon’s Gate by Yoon Ha Lee
I read this completely cold-no idea it was part of an existing universe. It’s only 20 pages so it’s an incredibly fast read, and I really enjoyed it. A scientist who specializes in AI is brought in to “speak” to some spaceships. Because, you can speak to spaceships. I dug it.
The Perilous Life of Jade Yeo by Zen Cho
Another free short story, this was a great historical romance. Set in the 1920’s, Jade is living on her own, supporting herself by writing about women’s fashion when she takes a risk and writes a harsh review of a popular new novel. When she meets the author at a party, her entire world is thrown upside down. I really, really liked Jade. She knows what she wants, she doesn’t settle, and can take care of herself. Very well done.
All the links in this post do link to Amazon as many of the novella’s are only available in ebook. As an Amazon Associate, I do earn from qualifying purchases.