Enjoyable Reads: March 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.
This month feels like a glut of phenomenal options for reading. First, I have to say that my dive into spy-mystery-thriller reading was amply rewarded. Gerristen’s book about Maggie Bird, a retired CIA operative, and her spy friends made me not want to put the book down. The story was compelling and pulled my heartstrings. I’m looking forward to starting her second book in The Martini Club series, The Summer Guests! Our favorite retired spies get pulled into helping the local Chief of Police on a missing teenager case in their quiet Maine town.
(Having read a different spy rom-com set in Maine, I’m really starting to feel that I need to go visit this state to see if it’s actually hiding lots of spies and dark beings like in the stories. Any place that pretty and “quiet” has to have some secrets. Lol!)
Now for a few books that completely derailed what I’d intended to “read next.”
These have been incredibly diverse and yet equally engaging.
The first in this bunch is The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki. I’m a little late in finding this one, but I’ve already acquired the second book, Best Wishes From the Full Moon Coffee Shop. The Full Moon Coffee Shop, a contemporary fantasy set in Japan, captured my curiosity and desire to read more. The story is intriguing and its existential elements are deftly woven in seamlessly. I am very delighted to have found these books, and yes, I’m vague-blogging because I don’t want to ruin someone’s introduction to this world. I think that part of the coolness of my experience was that I had no idea what to expect other than a friend had recommended this to me. Friends, and books, like this are definitely keepers!
Another book that grabbed me by the arm and sat me down was suggested by a book seller at my local B&N. Having been a book slinger myself, I always make a point of talking to the staff. These are people who love books as much as the authors and publishers, enough to endure the hazards of retail–mad props!! So, on to the book in question: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. He’d said that it was hysterical and engrossing; truer words had never been spoken. For me, this is a cross between the classic Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy meets playing D&D meets enough pop culture, geek jokes to make Big Bang Theory proud. I plowed through 90 pages in my first sitting, which isn’t usual for me these days (Momma gets tired at night). I can’t wait to continue with this series. Shoutout to all the book sellers: keep doing your thing! It works.
The last of my wonderful left-hand turns at Albuquerque is Heather Fawcett’s new book: Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter. She is the author of one of my favorite cozy fantasy series about the intrepid Emily Wilde. Also, a set of books worth acquiring. This new book is set in 1920s Montreal in another cozy, fantastical alternate reality. Anges and her sister are so much fun. Fawcett’s book is a warm cup of (choose your own beverage–dark chocolate hot cocoa for me). Considering how crazy the world has become, this author knows how to pull us out into an intriguing adventure that lets you avidly watch while feeling safe in your soft, safe blanket fort at home (beds and couches also count).
Books I’m looking Forward to Reading Next
In the vein of going with soft, squishy fun reads, I’m looking forward to checking out Ali Brady’s Battle of the Bookstores. Set in Boston, two completely different bookstores’ managers, Josie and Ryan, find out that they’re getting merged into a single store. This seems to have an enemies-to-lovers vibe mixed with a callback flavor to the movie, You’ve Got Mail. This looks very cute and fun. Having worked in bookstores for years myself, I’m very curious to see how she portrays the life. I’ll let you all know!
I’d read through The Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson, the first book in this Dark Inheritance Trilogy, so quickly. It was her debut romantasy and prequel to The Wicked and the Damned, which just came out recently (Feb. 12 th ). Can’t wait to start this follow-up book. I’ll warn you, though now you don’t have wait, that she ended the first one on something of a cliffhanger, so I’m super stoked to finally get to read the second book. There’s lots of good action, excellent world building, and an interesting magic system. Her characters pulled me in and didn’t let me go until the end. Worth it.
