Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #489: Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher:

The provocative and hilarious summer read that will have book lovers cheering and everyone talking! Kirsten Miller, author of The Change, brings us a bracing, wildly entertaining satire about a small Southern town, a pitched battle over banned books, and a little lending library that changes everything.

Beverly Underwood and her arch enemy, Lula Dean, live in the tiny town of Troy, Georgia, where they were born and raised. Now Beverly is on the school board, and Lula has become a local celebrity by embarking on mission to rid the public libraries of all inappropriate books—none of which she’s actually read. To replace the “pornographic” books she’s challenged at the local public library, Lula starts her own lending library in front of her home: a cute wooden hutch with glass doors and neat rows of the worthy literature that she’s sure the town’s readers need.

But Beverly’s daughter Lindsay sneaks in by night and secretly fills Lula Dean’s little free library with banned books wrapped in “wholesome” dust jackets. The Girl’s Guide to the Revolution is wrapped in the cover of The Southern Belle’s Guide to Etiquette. A jacket that belongs to Our Confederate Heroes ends up on Beloved. One by one, neighbors who borrow books from Lula Dean’s library find their lives changed in unexpected ways. Finally, one of Lula Dean’s enemies discovers the library and decides to turn the tables on her, just as Lula and Beverly are running against each other to replace the town’s disgraced mayor.

That’s when all the townspeople who’ve been borrowing from Lula’s library begin to reveal themselves. It’s a diverse and surprising bunch—including the local postman, the prom queen, housewives, a farmer, and the former DA—all of whom have been changed by what they’ve read. When Lindsay is forced to own up to what she’s done, the showdown that’s been brewing between Beverly and Lula will roil the whole town...and change it forever.

Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller is expected out June 18th, 2024 from William Morrow.

Why am I waiting on this book: I love books about books. And sadly, banned books seems like a timely topic these days. I love the idea of the daughter switching out the books and putting the accepted covers on them. And I love even more that people would actually read them. I'd like to see what happens in this small Georgia town and what happens with Lula Dean and her daughter.

What book are you waiting on? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading! 

What I've Been Reading

 

The past week or so, I've been working my way through the Murderbot books. They are short books. I'm really enjoying the character of Murderbot and reading from its point of view. I'm going to give you an example, the opening line from the first book, All Systems Red  by Martha Wells.

"I could have become a mass murderer after I hacked my governor module, but then I realized I could access the combined feed of entertainment channels carried on the company satellites. It had been well over 35,000 hours since then, with still not much murdering, but probably,  i don't know, a little under 35,000 hours of movies, serials, books, plays, and music consumed. As a heartless killing machine, I was a terrible faiilure."

Basically, Murderbot is introverted. It would prefer to avoid interactions with humans, and be a couch potato of sorts. I think a lot of people can relate to that. But acting as a secunit, Murderbot must interact with humans from time to time that it is supposed to be protecting. I enjoyed reading these interactions from its point of view, especially how it must protect the humans even if they are deciding to do something stupid that could turn into an accidental suicide. 

Books 1, 2, and 3 are all dealing with different groups of humans in different situations, but Murderbot continues to feel the need to protect the humans. As the books go on, Murderbot experiences growth and change, things that wouldn't happen if it hadn't hacked its governor module and maybe even if it hadn't consumed all that entertainment that showed human interactions with others including bots and secunits.

At this point as I prepare to start book 4, I would recommend the Murderbot series. The books are short and have adventure to them. Even though I don't often read science fiction, I am enjoying them. If you're looking for a short read, like 156 pages or so for book 1, give it a try.

What have you been reading lately? Drop a line in the comments and let us know what you're reading and if you would recommend it and to who. Thanks for coming by. Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #488: The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher:

A debut novel full of magic, adventure, and romance, The Book of Doors opens up a thrilling world of contemporary fantasy for readers of The Midnight Library, The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, The Night Circus, and any modern story that mixes the wonder of the unknown with just a tinge of darkness.

Cassie Andrews works in a New York City bookshop, shelving books, making coffee for customers, and living an unassuming, ordinary life. Until the day one of her favorite customers—a lonely yet charming old man—dies right in front of her. Cassie is devastated. She always loved his stories, and now she has nothing to remember him by. Nothing but the last book he was reading.  

But this is no ordinary book…

It is the Book of Doors. 

Inscribed with enigmatic words and mysterious drawings, it promises Cassie that any door is every door. You just need to know how to open them.

Then she’s approached by a gaunt stranger in a rumpled black suit with a Scottish brogue who calls himself Drummond Fox. He’s a librarian who keeps watch over a unique set of rare volumes. The tome now in Cassie’s possession is not the only book with great power, but it is the one most coveted by those who collect them.

Now Cassie is being hunted by those few who know of the Special Books. With only her roommate Izzy to confide in, she has to decide if she will help the mysterious and haunted Drummond protect the Book of Doors—and the other books in his secret library’s care—from those who will do evil. Because only Drummond knows where the unique library is and only Cassie’s book can get them there. 

But there are those willing to kill to obtain those secrets. And a dark force—in the form of a shadowy, sadistic woman—is at the very top of that list.

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown is expected out February 13th, 2024 from William Morrow.

Why am I waiting on this book: I love books about books. And I enjoy books that have to do with libraries and librarians. And contemporary fantasy checks another box for me. So, I am really expecting to enjoy this book. 

What book are you waiting on? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading! 

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #487: The Great Big Demon of Flint Hall by Peter Oxley

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher: Victorian London's most incompetent crooks - turned demon hunters - are back.

When Tess Marchant gets a plea for help from an old childhood friend, The Great Big Demon Hunting Agency finds itself heading out to the countryside, to solve a mystery involving a Manor House and its wealthy family cursed by a malevolent demon.

Spencer and Bart find themselves in a world totally unfamiliar to them: of landed gentry, fearful poachers, and strange creatures which stalk the land at night. Not to mention unwelcome visitors in the form of the mysterious magician Thaddeus, and the ever-present Inspector Jones, just waiting for them to slip up.

Meanwhile, Tess finds herself struggling with a terrifying face from the past - but can this be the clue which unlocks the mystery of Flint Hall?

The Great Big Demon of Flint Hall is the sequel to The Great Big Demon Hunting Agency, and the second book in the Spencer & Bart series.

The Great Big Demon of Flint Hall by Peter Oxley is expected out January 25th, 2024 from Burning Chair.

Why am I waiting on it? I like my horror with a dose of humor. This book appears to fit the bill. It sounds like an interesting story. I'm hoping it can be read as a standalone.

What book are you waiting on? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Book Review: I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died by Amanda Flower

 

It's 1856 Amherst, Massachusetts. Emily Dickinson's maid, Willa, finds the body of a visitor in the Dickinson family's gardens. Worse, it appears to have been murder. The victim is the secretary of the famed Ralph Waldo Emerson. Due to the nature of the secretary's character, there is no shortage of suspects.

Emily immediately becomes involved in investigating the murder. Among other reasons, she wants to clear the family name since the victim and Mr Emerson are staying with the Dickinsons. This in turn involves Willa. 

While both Emily and WIlla investigate, the story is told from Willa's point of view. It becomes clear that the duo of Willa and Emily make a good pair. One of them can ask questions of the townspeople while the other can ask questions of the servants and can eavesdrop on people since often people pay no attention to the presence of a servant. Also Willa has a tie to one of the police officers which can be both helpful and a hindrance.

The mystery itself is well done. Mr. Luther, the victim, is not a likeable character. There are many suspects. There are red herrings. And the method of the murder was interesting. I had not considered that someone would use that manner, especially in a literary crowd. 

The resolution of the murder, when it came, came rather quickly. The person of interest was unexpected as was what followed upon the revelation. I liked that so much was unexpected, although I might have preferred a tad more foreshadowing as to who the killer was.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars. I liked reading about a young Emily and her adventures with Willa. This was the second book in the Emily Dickinson mystery series. It can be read as a standalone. There are references to book one, but they are all explained with a sentence or two. I'm looking forward to book three. I'd recommend this book for fans of historical mysteries with literary characters. Also, you would probably enjoy it if you are an Emily Dickinson fan.

I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died by Amanda Flower was published November 14, 2023 by Berkley.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion