Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #336: This Will Be Funny Someday by Katie Henry

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 Marvelous Mrs. Maisel comes to high school in acclaimed author Katie Henry’s coming-of-age YA contemporary about a girl who accidentally falls into the world of stand-up comedy. Perfect for fans of John Green and Becky Albertalli!

Sixteen-year-old Izzy is used to keeping her thoughts to herself—in school, where her boyfriend does the talking for her, and at home, where it’s impossible to compete with her older siblings and high-powered parents.

When she mistakenly walks into a stand-up comedy club and performs, the experience is surprisingly cathartic. After the show, she meets Mo, an aspiring comic who’s everything Izzy’s not: bold, confident, comfortable in her skin. Mo invites Izzy to join her group of friends and introduces her to the Chicago open mic scene.

The only problem? Her new friends are college students—and Izzy tells them she’s one, too. Now Izzy, the dutiful daughter and model student, is sneaking out to perform stand-up with her comedy friends. Her controlling boyfriend is getting suspicious, and her former best friend knows there’s something going on.

But Izzy loves comedy and this newfound freedom. As her two parallel lives collide—in the most hilarious of ways—Izzy must choose to either hide what she really wants and who she really is, or finally, truly stand up for herself.

This Will Be Funny Someday by Katie Henry is expected to be published January 19th, 2021 by HarperCollins.

Why am I waiting on this book? I like the plot idea. I like the comparison to Mrs. Maisel. The only thing I'm not terribly keen on is what the author said is an abusive relationship between the protagonist and her boyfriend. On Goodreads the author mentions it in her review as a trigger warning. Still I think the book has a lot of potential. 

What book are you waiting on this week? 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!

Review: The Raven's Tale by Cat Winters

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Edgar Poe counts down the days until he can escape his foster family—the wealthy Allans of Richmond, Virginia. He hungers for his upcoming life as a student at the prestigious new university, almost as much as he longs to marry his beloved Elmira Royster. However, on the brink of his departure, all his plans go awry when a macabre Muse named Lenore appears to him. Muses are frightful creatures that lead Artists down a path of ruin and disgrace, and no respectable person could possibly understand or accept them. But Lenore steps out of the shadows with one request: “Let them see me!”

My thoughts:

Edgar Allan Poe longed for the freedom to follow his muse wherever she leads him in terms of writing. His foster father most definitely was opposed to this and at every turn discouraged Poe's writing and encouraged him to adapt to a sensible life of working for him.

This book covers a little more than a year in the life of Poe -from just before he enters university up to the publication of his first pamphlet of poems. It covers the arrival of his gothic muse and how she affects him. And his struggles are documented at university, home, and in between. I found myself frustrated with how his adopted father treats him. You'd like to say he meant well, but he might not have had Poe's best interests at heart at all times.

Lenore fights to inspire Poe and to be seen. The other muses have cautioned her against the latter, but still, she persists. And it is, at times, almost her undoing.

I was impressed by the amount of research that Cat Winters put into the book. The author's note and resources listed at the end give some idea to what all she looked into in preparation for this book. Also, I was impressed that she penned lines in Poe's style to give some idea as to how he responds to his muse.

Overall I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. It's well-written, creative, and interesting. It gives a window into what Poe may have been like at that tender age of 17. I recommend it particularly for fans of Poe, but it is also a good book to read as a historical, gothic piece. It's definitely worth the read.

The Raven's Tale by Cat Winters was published April 16th, 2019 from Amulet Books.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions herein are my own and freely given.