Enjoyable Reads - February Edition
What have you been reading?
It’s always nice to share about books that we’ve enjoyed and/or loved reading, the ones that linger in our minds even after we’ve set them down. Many of the books that I’ve found were because a colleague or friend recommended them. So, I thought I’d share some of what I’ve been reading in recent months, and what I’m looking forward to being released.
Blind Date with a Werewolf by Patricia Briggs
I’m looking forward to delving into this next installment in that universe, but with slightly different characters. The stories in this volume revolve around a very old werewolf, Asil, who has become something of a recluse. Well-meaning friends set him up on some blind dates, and I can’t wait to see what unfolds!
Lightlark by Alex Aster
I’d also mentioned delving into some of the YA fantasy scene’s books, and I have to say both of these delivered on their hype. Alex Aster’s Lightlark was a solid adventure with mystery, plot twists, and a relatable main character. The book was heavy with emotion and tension, but that was in the best ways possible. Aster handled her triangle with a deft, delicate hand, which I really appreciated. Good geometry can really make a great book/series!
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Knowing that I’m terribly late to the party on Rebbeca Yarros’s Fourth Wing, all I can say is that it was incredibly well written. Having been around military folks for much of my life, and my da was also a veteran, her delivery of that vibe for a militaristic academy felt truly spot on. Her characters were very 3-dimensional and engaging. What absolutely impressed me was that she managed a higher body count (I think) than George R.R. Martin; yet, it never seemed gratuitous. That aspect delivered a healthy concern (having read Martin long before it was cool) for the safety and well-being of her characters. She brought the stakes and made them high, which was fantastic.
A couple of other books that I’m looking forward to reading:
What I’m looking forward to reading next would be something of a change of pace. This time, it’s an adult spy/thriller that was recommended by a colleague: Tess Gerristen’s The Spy Coast. I’ve started the first handful of pages, and I’m completely in for the ride! A retired operative living in quiet, rural Maine finds that her past hasn’t fully finished with her yet and comes calling. Smart, savvy older spy? *raises hand* Sign me up! I’m always a sucker for good spy stories. This is the first book in her Martini Club series.
Another book that I’m excited to do a reread on is Only Bad Options by Jennifer Estep. This is the first book in her Sci-Fi, Galactic Bonds series, and she just recently released a special edition for it! It’s so pretty. This is such a fun, adventurous read with great humor and plenty of action. Vesper manages to get into all kinds of entertaining trouble in this book. I first found Estep’s work with her Section 47 series that incorporates spies and magic. Yes please! Ooh! And throw in some sizzling, romantic tension. I have absolutely loved these and look forward to plowing through the rest of her Sci-Fi series.
