Books
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Books I Recently Added to My TBR List (As Recent as 2021)
From my (usually) weekly newsletter.
Howdy, fellow fellows! Exsqueeze me for not having a newsletter out last week. Baby and her friends have been dragging me to and fro to coach their end-of-summer activities. Gosh, are they dumb! I’m talking about both the activities and the babies!
Maybe, if you can handle it, imagine babies throwing wet diapers at each other to cool off from the summer heat or strapping themselves into mermaid tails and waiting beside the shoreline for it to take them into the ocean. Oh, sure, THAT turned out well!
Their perpetual stupidity aside, I’ve still taken the time to write a list of books I’m hoping you’ll like. Always jazzing it up, here’s how I’ve listed it for you today:
- Mood: The grown-ass fairy
The Fairies’ Path (Fate: The Winx Saga Tie-In Novel)
2. Mood: Living the college girl trope
Fresh3. Mood: Ye Scottish Gran has been buggin’ you on jus’ on much ye know ’bout Scotland
Bravely
4. Mood: Labor Day is on the back burner–Halloween vibes only now
Resurrection Girls
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44174348-resurrection-girls
5. Mood: Haunted abodes are all the rage
Séance Tea Party
6. Mood: Searching for a cure for not growing an interest in adulthood
Dr. Rick Will See You Now
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59546874-dr-rick-will-see-you-now
7. Mood: Tight-knit siblings band together
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33413919-the-vanderbeekers-of-141st-street
8. Mood: Considering a career in espionage
Secrets of The Silver Lion (A Carmen Sandiego Novel)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53529450-secrets-of-the-silver-lion
9. Mood: Bad-ass fairy feels
Pixie (Pixie Hollow Academy)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55580463-pixie
10. Mood: Surfing the web for Salam, MA, ghost tour availabilities
How to Hang a Witch
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27405351-how-to-hang-a-witch
11. Mood: Interest piqued how ’60s people vacationed
The Lioness
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58537058-the-lioness
12. Mood: No time like the 1920s
The Shining Girls
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16131077-the-shining-girls
13. Mood: Retro witch
The Complete Sabrina the Teenage Witch Collection 1962-1971
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18465970-the-complete-sabrina-the-teenage-witch
14. Mood: Revived witch from your childhood
Sabrina the Teenage Witch
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44799225-sabrina-the-teenage-witch
15. Mood: Scrolling through ancestry.com records for Beezlebub genealogy
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Vol 1: The Crucible
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23308488-chilling-adventures-of-sabrina-vol-1
Peace!
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Book Blogs I Adore and Follow
(This is taken from my newsletter, Welcome to Babyland, which I try to dish out every Wednesday)
I’ve got something twuly, twuly exciting for ya, and it’s called Book Blogs! While I don’t stalk them every day, and though I don’t blog constantly, I kind of want to change that up.
First thingys first: I’m slightly changing the game here on my newsletter. Since I do not have any new Babyland content, I will rectify this newsletter into one more about reading. That’s not to say I am done with Babyland; I need to spend ample time creating my subsequent published work, and as any author knows, that takes time.
Funny Baby: As much time as making a new baby???
Eileen: Listen, you twit, I haven’t even started telling them about the blogs I follow! Go be a baby somewhere!
Eileen *Back to audience*: Here we go! Out of respect for the book blogs, I won’t show you screenshots of the blogs.
I’ll begin by spouting how I admire Tracy’s website logo first! I get those nighttime garden vibes when I look at it. I can feel myself grasping those flowers above her logo.
Focus, Eileen! As of May of this year, Tracy is on hiatus from blogging. There are plenty of blogs written by her, where you can spend an afternoon reading. To clarify, if you’ve signed up for her newsletter, you won’t receive a new one for a while.
Baby: DO YOU HAVE ANY BREASTMILK?!
Eileen: WHY WOULD I HAVE BREASTMILK?!
Baby: Because we’re like, this. Baby crosses her finger
Eileen: For God’s sake, Baby, why don’t you order some?!
*Baby moves away from her, sulking*
Eileen *Back to audience*: Baby–Tracy lists blogs she stalks, probably putting it lightly. I’d stalk more blogs, but writing life.
I love her features menu, a customized page on her blog. There are pages on popular books that got makeovers, books for peeps who do not read YA, e-readers vs. physical books, and WAY more!
What I have not seen elsewhere, or at least not common at all, are the labels she lists for each blog post (tags, in other words) at the very bottom of her blog.
Seriously, book bloggers are cool! My last word on Tracy before I go on, according to her about me page, she makes book slipcases in her spare time. Not sure what that is? I’ll say it’s a Halloween costume for a book. Kidding.
2) Drizzle and Hurricane Books
I find this book blog, run by two sisters, a plentiful source for novice book bloggers. Not every book blogger offers tips on getting started in this field. I don’t, as I don’t. . .make . . .time. . . for it.
Yeah, I won’t talk about me.
I took notes from their blog before I started blogging. I’d say if you have an interest in learning in doing so, follow in the steps of a book blogger who’s been doing it for some time. They don’t have to be a professional–as in, a lawyer or publishing professional. They don’t need to be an author!
Aside from their blogging resources, the images they include in each post say “professional” all over it . . . and now I wonder if I’m the only one who pays attention to those details.
A link to their shop is on top of their menu, taking you to their favorite books. For each book you buy, they earn a small commission.
*Crawling into the room is Sleepy Baby. Her eyes shut, she bumps into Eileen’s legs.*
Eileen *To Sleepy Baby*: Sleepy Baby, may I help you?
Sleepy Baby: I had a nightmare.
Eileen: Yeah? Tell me about this nightmare.
Sleepy Baby: A doctor told me to drink more caffeine to feel more awake. Why would I want to drink caffeine?
Eileen: You wouldn’t want to be up–
*Sleepy Baby drifts off to sleep next to Eileen’s legs*
*Eileen shifts her to the side and dropkicks her away. Back to audience*: Sorry. As mentioned, Drizzle and Hurricane is a sister blog. The other sister lists her own blog posts on here, so you get a feel of which sister likes what in literature.
Moreover, at the bottom of their shared blog, websites for buying books are listed, as these young ladies have affiliations with a couple of companies.
I haven’t visited this blog too much; nonetheless, it’s another I’d love to explore for an hour or more.
Though I realized today that the writer of this blog hadn’t written a post since 2020, the website copyright is newly updated. Follow her blog anyway! Her goodreads account is updated!
ReadWriteLove28 has book memes, such as Top Ten Tuesday, which are reviews written on that day of the week. The books she’s listed are awesome, and I know I will add them to my towering TBR list because of this particular category.
More! Novel Newcomers features book bloggers new to the field, giving us an introduction to, well, it’s explained here, isn’t it??
Fashion Baby: Before you say anything else, what about those faux leather leggings you told me about?
Eileen: Uh, what now?
Fashion Baby: The cute leather–
Eileen: Faux leather, red leather, yellow leather, leather, leather leggings?
Fashion Baby: You’re cute when you joke around. When you’re finished running for a seat, you’re taking me out to buy them.
Eileen: I’m not, actually.
Fashion Baby: Bitch. Such a bitch!
Eileen *Back to audience*: That was fun! What’s the next one?
4) Bibliosmile (formerly Novels & Waffles)
Wow, this has to be the artsiest blog I’ve ever laid eyes on! The blogger, Kat, is one cool chick! She lives in Japan, and she’s designed this very blog by herself (hence the adorable/coolness of her blog design), and get this: she works to help book bloggers design their blogs!!!
She’s your teach if ya wanna grow your book blog or climb up to monetize your blog! Wait, there’s more: she’s got a buttload of book blogs for you to follow (why don’t you download the list instead–yes, you!), blog bloggers for you to guest blog on, and . . .
Holy woly, the list of YA books for you to drool over. Get instant access to that by signing up for her delicious newsletter. You don’t have to; her lists are accessible on her sweet website (sweet as in, I crave sweets by looking at it).
Before the last stop on this list, she helps you out with a list of upcoming novels.
Nature Baby: Would you like to participate in saving the narwhals?
Eileen: Not–right now, Nature Baby. Sorry.
Nature Baby: “Sorry” is a sorry excuse. Yes or no, to save the narwhals?
*Eileen skims over the poster board Nature Baby is struggling to keep on holding: a drawing of a narwhal (a bloody one) in the center of the board, and underneath are all types of desperate calls to action.*
Eileen: Where am I signing?
Nature Baby: This petition. *Nature Baby holds out a yellow sheet of paper.*
*Eileen scribbles her signature on it*: Alright, get lost.
Nature Baby: They will if we don’t protect them. Thank you, Eiween.
Last on the list, this packed blog leans more towards book tours. Besides that, it’s giveaways and book lists galore! On the web since 2011, scroll about this book blog until your eyes blur.
The writer of this here blog keeps a heavy presence on social media, from goodreads to bloglovin. After stalking her blog, you might yourself following her on one to three of her social media handles.
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The Top Books I Read in 2021
Mentions: Frozen II: Forest of Shadows, Rocketman, Almost Adulting, Tuck Everlasting, From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Every Day, Part of Your World and Sea Witch Rising
Taken from my newsletter, on Feb. 9, 2022
Eileen: Baby! Come here! *Eileen is seated in a chair, facing her audience. A stack of books sits next to her.*
Baby: *Crawls into the room until she’s at Eileen’s feet. She raises her stubby arms to Eileen.* Uppy.
Eileen picks her up and sits her on her lap.
Baby: What’s going today?
Eileen: Wanna go over the books I read last year that I loved? With our audience? Baby: I mean if you say so. I could be taking a bubble bath.
Eileen: *Rolls her eyes and bends to the side to pick up a book from the stack.* Remember this one?
Baby: Holy jeepers! That took you an infininity to finish!
Eileen: Yeah, okay. Forest of Shadows, the sequel to Frozen–
Baby: No it’s NOT! It’s an inbetweener to Fwozy I and II!
Eileen: You’re right. In Forest of Shadows, Princess Anna wants nothing more than to be at her sister Elsa’s side. However, queenly duties always come first. For Queen Elsa, she is at the ready to sail around the world. In the meantime, a mysterious blight affects the animals of Arendelle, forcing Elsa to delay her trip. Anna then comes across a secret room in their castle, along with a magic spell that she sets off. It’s adventure after adventure in this novel.
Baby: *Shaking head* Whoa, man.
Eileen: I know. I’d definitely reread it. It was a perfect read for mid-winter. I took that opportunity.
Baby: ‘Kay, how about a drink now?
Eileen: No, we need to move on to the next book.
Baby: Sooo greedy.
Eileen: Next up, we have a behind-the-scenes book of Rocketman.
Baby: Jiminy cricket!
Eileen: What’s wrong?
Baby: I remember you’d wead that book when you couldn’t sleep. You were like, “Baby, I need my Wocketman book, or I can’t sleep!”
Eileen: You done? As I introduced it, it’s a behind-the-scenes account of the filming of Rocketman, a musical fantasy of how Elton John became Elton John. The book is rife with photos of the costumes seen in the film, pictures of cast and crew, interviews, and quotes.
Baby: Tell us WHY you like it so much.
Eileen: I rather not.
Baby: I can tell them.
Eileen: It’s best you didn’t.
Baby: Eileen–
Eileen: *Stuffs a pacifier into Baby’s mouth* Baby taken care of.
Here we are. *Sets another book on her lap*–Almost Adulting. It reads more like a chapter book, like a memoir, than a DIY/reference book. If you’re a young adult female starting to get out on her own, consider this one. The author writes her own adulting experiences, such as why getting in bed early and waking up early is rewarding to traveling by yourself for the first time.
Baby: *Rips pacifier out of her mouth* How am I supposed to talk with this nippy in my mouth?!
Eileen stares into space.
Baby: *Pointing at book* So funny you’re trying to adult when you write about babies!
*Eileen sighs as she takes another book from the book pile*: I have a nostalgic one here.
Baby: I LOVE NOSTALGIA!!!
Eileen: Tuck Everlasting–a book that I was introduced to in grade school. The story follows a family who has the gift, or curse, of living forever. A young girl stumbles upon them and learns their secret. The young girl befriends the outliers. However, it’s not just their secret that’s then in jeopardy, but a stranger who has followed this girl, whose goal is to unveil how the family came to live forever.
Baby: Have you ever played Jeopardy? I haven’t. It doesn’t interest me. If all the questions were related to babies and mommies, I’d get them right! All their questions are for peepies that like, went to school. I’m in preschool. Does that count as school? I wish I knew. Then there’s kindergarten. That’s tough. Compare that to preschool, and that’s like, first grade to ninth grade.
Eileen takes Baby and sits her on the floor in front of her.
Eileen: Enough out of you. Let’s finish.
Baby: *Arms crossed* Aren’t you being a teacher’s pet.
Eileen: *Raises an eyebrow at her* Here’s another from childhood: From The Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler–Young Claudia plans to run away from home. To have enough money in tow, she has her little brother Jamie come along. Together they run off to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Happening to be in the right place at the right time, the children discover a statue that may have been an artist’s work from the Renaissance period. For the siblings to uncover the truth of this statue, their quest leads them on a trail to an elderly woman who might have the answers to the work of art.
Eileen: *Moves on since Baby has not interrupted* Okay.
Every Day. It’s one for young adults. Well, teenagers, too. A spirit that goes by the initial “A” transports from body to body every single day, without control over it, without ever knowing where it will end up next. A has never attached to anyone, except one day when it wakes up in the body of a high school boy named Justin. Justin has a beautiful, kind girlfriend named Rhiannon. It’s from there, A finds a sense of belonging. Not just a sense of belonging, but the challenges of struggling to stay with Rhiannon, no matter what A looks like every day.
Eileen: *With another book in hand*: This has got to be one of my favorites.
Disney Twisted Tales: Part of Your World–Imagine if Ariel, the little mermaid, hadn’t gotten to kiss Prince Eric? That’s what this book covers. In my own words (as I’ve been doing this whole time), Ariel has returned to the sea as queen. Ursula rules Eric’s kingdom from the top. A striking piece of evidence is brought back to Ariel as proof her species can still reign supreme. With this in mind, Ariel has a second chance to bring down Ursula once and for all.
Eileen: Lastly . . .I have here Sea Witch Rising, the sequel to Sea Witch. If you aren’t familiar with the Sea Witch series, it is a darker, foreign take on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid. In the sequel, Runa and Alia are mermaids–twin sister mermaids. Alia has traded her voice to the Sea Witch for another life with a human prince. Without his love for the newly transformed human, Alia will die. It’s up to Runa to save her.
Meanwhile, the Sea Witch longs for a life other than the life she currently lives. It feels impossible when she has duties to fulfill. Altogether, Runa comes to terms with powers of her own. Excitingly exchanged in alternating POVs, if you’re into epic fantasy, you might find this on your “favorite books” shelf.
Eileen: *Looks down and is startled to see four more babies sitting at her feet. There’s Fashion Baby, Funny Baby, Nature Baby, and Sleepy Baby.*
Baby: I could have invited more.
Eileen: Tha-that’s alright.
Fashion Baby: Anyone up for pedicures?
Sleepy Baby: Nada. *Falls asleep before falling face-first on the floor.*
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Books I Hope to Read this Year
Mentions: Circe, Me, What Once Was Mine, The Princess Diaries, The Devil Wears Prada, Ella Enchanted, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Stalking Jack the Ripper, Dear Edward, Emily Windsnap and the Tides of Time
Good afternoon! Eileen is taking over today! Baby doesn’t deserve attention today because she’s been a pain in the ass. I told her to play elsewhere while I take on this newsletter.
I may have published a book months ago, but I don’t spend much time reading. There are other free writes I devote time to, career seeking and promoting this book on the side.
I’m adding books to my TBR list when I’m not reading. It’s an ongoing list—a list of a hundred and more.
What will this decent author read next? I’ve compiled a list of new, classics and mostly new!
Note: This was taken from my newsletter by the same title.
I’m so up for this one! It’s on my bookshelf, ready for my miniature hands to grasp at the pages. This book freaking won the Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2019! The same year, it was listed as one of the best novels of the year by NPR, WAPO,( Washington Post) TIME, Entertainment Weekly, New York Public Library, Publishers Weekly, rated #1 on the New York Times Bestseller and on the Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Fantasy!!!
As for one who loves fantasy and mythology, this better not be a disappointment!
Baby: Hewo!
Eileen: Baby! What are you doing? You’re supposed to be playing!
Baby: Beh! I found a book to read this year! It’s called Hookers and Blow Save Christmas!
Eileen: Baby! Uh, not now! Later. *Shoves Baby away from the screen*
Baby: You think you’re so grown up because you can read.
Eileen: I like bio/autobiographies for one reason: to get the inside scoop on the protagonist. To feel like I know them on a personal level. I like Sir Elton John not just for his music but for overcoming the challenges in his life (attempted suicide, terrible relationship with his father). Note: that info you can find almost anywhere and not strictly in the book. My admiration for Sir John piqued at the height of the fantasy drama film, back in 2019, ROCKETMAN.
Baby: I’m BACK!
Eileen: Baby, I didn’t call you.
Baby: Noo. But this Jimby Fallon book did. *Holds up one of Jimmy Fallon’s baby books, Your Baby’s First Word Will Be DADA, to her face*
Eileen: *Pushes her away from viewers* Baby, I doubt they want to read a picture book.
Eileen: Disney invades your bookshelves! It has long before it turned itself into a streaming service! Might you remember the Little Golden Books? The five-minute story collection?
Not long ago, I discovered Disney’s Twisted Tales, a chapter book collection for young adults. Take the series as alternate realities to your favorite Disney tales–and here’s another twist–these tales are dark. From Alice in Wonderland to Peter Pan, surely you settle on one that you won’t be able to put down.
Rapunzel is the latest in the series, with the publication date as recent as September of 2021.
I’ve added Reflection, Conceal, Don’t Feel and Part of Your World to my collection. I’m a Rapunzel fan; there’s space on my bookshelf for her dark tale.
Baby: I’m adding to my collection! Wook at this super cutie! *Shoves book in Eileen’s face*
Eileen: Really? Did I not put a lock on your door?
Eileen: Yeah, it’s a book, and it’s a film! I rewatched both movies about two years ago. Not much for me to say about this one other than I am kind of drawn to pretty book covers. Moreover, I am familiar with the author Meg Cabot.
Baby: *From bottom of the screen, she holds up a book. Her hand is the only appendage visible. Eileen takes the book to read the cover.*
Eileen: You want me to read The Bad Seed?
Baby: Read it TO me!
Eileen: I will . . . once you learn how to crawl.
Baby: *points her hand down, to mimic a shadow puppet bird*
Eileen: Another book to film starring Anne Hathaway. Another film I’ve seen dozens of times and could see another more.
I’m at that age where I should jump into chick-lit books for young adults—especially ones over two-hundred-something pages like the one I am listing here.
I have read reviews of this book where the readers preferred the film version. Usually, I am that person! Tell you what: you cannot always go by reviews. Go with what your heart desires.
Eileen: *Looks around for Baby–doesn’t see her* I guess we’re good the–ow!
Baby: *Upside down and hanging from the ceiling* Eee-heee!
Eileen: *Picks up dropped book* What is this? *Reads the title: It’s Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale. Eileen hands it back to Baby.*
6) Ella Enchanted
Eileen: Yes, you’re in good company if you weren’t in the know that the film is based on the book! Another film starring Anne Hathaway! Three in a row! Hardly done on purpose! No, I wouldn’t consider myself a fan of hers. She has quite a résumé. This book came out in the same decade as Harry Potter. I mention that should anyone might have noticed this fantasy read along the same shelves. I’ve never heard of any praise or media coverage for Ella. That’s not to say I won’t enjoy it. I certainly will leave star reviews for it.
Baby: Think fast!
Eileen: * Ducks in time to miss a book thrown through the air and aiming for her head. She looks at the book’s cover.* Corduroy.
Baby: *Pointing at Eileen* You have six hours, and if you don’t read to me . . .
Eileen: There will be consequences.
Baby: There will be consequences.
7) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Eileen: How have I not read the Harry Potter series yet? How is Apple still cranking out new models of iPhones? I dunno! To be fair, I did start reading it long ago, long before we realized what’s actually inside of a hot dog. I read to maybe page eleven, then found it did nothing for me. Since I’ve watched the Harry Potter films time and again, I’m sure I will enjoy the books, come to think of it. Hey, Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley, watched three HP films. So . . .yeah! Eileen: *Blinks fast and notices a book slide out underneath Baby’s nursery door. Eileen takes the book and reads the title.* We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.
Eileen: Interesting! Can’t tell if I’m babysitting or interning.
8) Stalking Jack the Ripper
Eileen: Book one of Stalking Jack the Ripper series, not only is the main focus on Jack, but throughout the installment, other characters are as follows: Prince Dracula, Houdini, and the Devil himself. I’m fascinated by the macabre atrocities carried out by the Ripper, therefore, this looks like a book I’ll fancy. While I’m not interested in magician magic, Harry Houdini’s mysterios fascinate me as well. It’s that era, also, that engages me: pre-1900’s.
Baby: Psst!
Eileen: I think I heard the faucet turn on.
Baby: PSST! Eileen: Tell me that’s the faucet.
Baby: Eiween! *Slides book on the floor over to Eileen*
Eileen: *Reads cover* The Rainbow Fish. Oh,there’s also a note. “Read before dark or you shall get a fart.” What?
Baby:*Crawls away, giggling*
Eileen: I’m hoping this novel doesn’t get my nerves going as I read it. It’s a story that could certainly occur in reality. What sparked my interest to put this on my TBR list is the theme of survival. In addition, the process of healing. If I can get by reading the entire book, I will be proud of myself. *Looks around for a random flying book or a baby face. There isn’t any.* Eileen: Okay, moving on. Last on the list. . .
10) Emily Windsnap and the Tides of Time
Eileen: I’ve been going back to this delightful series throughout the years. I used to own the first book, and then after having read it many times, I donated it–books always need homes. Last summer, I read the second to last one in the series–Emily Windsnap and the Pirate Prince–and by the time I could have gotten around to reading this one, I decided to wait for next summer. The Windsnap tales are the sole mermaid series I’ve stuck with and read every one. I’m sure you remember the first book, for those of you in my age group! *Peeks around the room again, but no sign of Baby or her storybooks.* I guess that’s all for–
Baby: *Slams on top of Eileen, with a book in her hand* Noo! Storytime!
Eileen: Yes, storytime.
