The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

 

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab 448 pages

France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.

Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.

But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.

This was a long book for me, but it worked because the reader needed to get to know Addie and EVERYTHING she went through so they could appreciate her sacrifice at the end making it all the more bittersweet. 

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston -- 352 pages

Sometimes, the worst day of your life happens, and you have to figure out how to live after it. So Clementine forms a plan to keep her heart safe: work hard, find someone decent to love, and try to remember to chase the moon. The last one is silly and obviously metaphorical, but her aunt always told her that you needed at least one big dream to keep going. And for the last year, that plan has gone off without a hitch. Mostly. The love part is hard because she doesn’t want to get too close to anyone—she isn’t sure her heart can take it.

And then she finds a strange man standing in the kitchen of her late aunt’s apartment. A man with kind eyes and a Southern drawl and a taste for lemon pies. The kind of man that, before it all, she would’ve fallen head-over-heels for. And she might again. Except, he exists in the past. Seven years ago, to be exact. And she, quite literally, lives seven years in his future. Her aunt always said the apartment was a pinch in time, a place where moments blended together like watercolors. And Clementine knows that if she lets her heart fall, she’ll be doomed. After all, love is never a matter of time—but a matter of timing.

The Secrets of Lost Stones by Melissa Payne

The Secrets of Lost Stones by Melissa Payne | 336 pages | 2019

Thirty-two-year-old Jess Abbot has lost everything: her job, her apartment, and—most heart-wrenching—her eight-year-old son, Chance, to a tragic accident. Haunted by memories and grief, Jess packs what’s left and heads for the small mountain town of Pine Lake, where she takes a position as caregiver to an eccentric old woman.
A rumored clairvoyant, Lucy is strange but welcoming and immediately intuits Jess as a “loose end” in need of closure. But Jess isn’t the only guest in Lucy’s large Victorian home. There’s also Star, a teenage runaway with a secret too painful to share. And the little boy with heart-shaped stones, who comes with a hope for reconciliation—and a warning.
Soon Jess learns that she’s not the only lost soul running from the ghosts of the past. She and Star have been brought together for a reason: to be saved by the very thing that destroyed them.

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs

Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs

"For generations, the Kalotay family has guarded a collection of ancient and rare books. Books that let a person walk through walls or manipulate the elements--books of magic that half-sisters Joanna and Esther have been raised to revere and protect.

All magic comes with a price, though, and for years the sisters have been separated. Esther has fled to a remote base in Antarctica to escape the fate that killed her own mother, and Joanna's isolated herself in their family home in Vermont, devoting her life to the study of these cherished volumes. But after their father dies suddenly while reading a book Joanna has never seen before, the sisters must reunite to preserve their family legacy. In the process, they'll uncover a world of magic far bigger and more dangerous than they ever imagined, and all the secrets their parents kept hidden; secrets that span centuries, continents, and even other libraries . . ." --Amazon blurb

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, 360 p.

Remarkably Bright Creatures, an exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope, tracing a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus.

After Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she's been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.

Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn't dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors--until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova's son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it's too late. --Amazon blurb 

 

Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland -- 320 pages

Legend goes that long ago a Flores woman offended the old gods, and their family was cursed as a result. Now, every woman born to the family has a touch of magic.
 
Sage Flores has been running from her family—and their “gifts”—ever since her younger sister Sky died. Eight years later, Sage reluctantly returns to her hometown. Like slipping into an old, comforting sweater, Sage takes back her job at Cranberry Rose Company and uses her ability to communicate with plants to discover unusual heritage specimens in the surrounding lands.

What should be a simple task is complicated by her partner in botany sleuthing: Tennessee Reyes. He broke her heart in high school, and she never fully recovered. Working together is reminding her of all their past tender, genuine moments—and new feelings for this mature sexy man are starting to take root in her heart.

With rare plants to find, a dead sister who keeps bringing her coffee, and another sister whose anger fills the sky with lightning, Sage doesn’t have time for romance. But being with Tenn is like standing in the middle of a field on the cusp of a summer thunderstorm—supercharged and inevitable.

At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber

At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber, 320 p. 

"A mysterious letter. An offer taken. And the chance to move forward. When Ava Harrison receives a letter containing an unusual job listing one month after the sudden death of her ex-boyfriend, she thinks she’s being haunted. The listing—a job as a live-in caretaker for a peculiar old man and his cranky cat in Driftwood, Alabama—is the perfect chance to start a new life. A normal life. Ava has always been too fearful to even travel, so no one’s more surprised than she is when she throws caution to the wind and drives to the distant beachside town.

On the surface, Maggie Mae Brightwell is a bundle of energy as she runs Magpie’s, Driftwood’s coffee and curiosity shop, where there’s magic to be found in pairing the old with the new. But lurking under her cheerful exterior is a painful truth—keeping busy is the best way to distract herself from the lingering loss of her mama and her worries about her aging father. No one knows better than she does that you can’t pour from an empty cup, but holding on to the past is the only thing keeping the hope alive that her mama will return home one day. 

Ava and Maggie soon find they’re kindred spirits, as they’re both haunted—not by spirits, but by regret. Both must learn to let go of the past to move on—because sometimes the waves of change bring you to the place where you most belong." --Goodreads

Ava and Maggie were great main characters to follow and get to know. The character development in this was great, but the writing was a bit on the nose, meaning a bit corny, for me. All of the health stuff gave this story a sense of urgency that was necessitated, IMO. It was a cute read, with real emotions, cute kids, and maybe even cuter pets (a dog that quack-barks, a persnickety cat, and an escape-artist bird). I liked the two different character viewpoints and was happy to go back and forth as the stories intertwined. I'll read Webber again. 3.5 rounded up to a 4.

 

The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler

The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler, 339 p.

"Simon Watson, a young librarian, lives alone in a house that is slowly crumbling toward the Long Island Sound. His parents are long dead. His mother, a circus mermaid who made her living by holding her breath, drowned in the very water his house overlooks. His younger sister, Enola, ran off six years ago and now reads tarot cards for a traveling carnival.

One June day, an old book arrives on Simon's doorstep, sent by an antiquarian bookseller who purchased it on speculation. Fragile and water damaged, the book is a log from the owner of a traveling carnival in the 1700s, who reports strange and magical things, including the drowning death of a circus mermaid. Since then, generations of "mermaids" in Simon's family have drowned--always on July 24, which is only weeks away. As his friend Alice looks on with alarm, Simon becomes increasingly worried about his sister. Could there be a curse on Simon's family? What does it have to do with the book, and can he get to the heart of the mystery in time to save Enola?"--Goodreads blurb

This was a strange and wonderful book. Learning about this family through many generations and it's blessings and curses was fascinating. Swyler was an engrossing author that wove the years together and kept the story at a good pace. Swyler was a new-to-me author that I will be reading in the future!

The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami

 The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami

96 pages

★★★

Opening the flaps on this unique little book, readers will find themselves immersed in the strange world of best-selling Haruki Murakami's wild imagination. The story of a lonely boy, a mysterious girl, and a tormented sheep man plotting their escape from a nightmarish library, the book is like nothing else Murakami has written.

Weyward by Emilia Hart

Weyward by Emilia Hart, 336 p.

"2019: Under cover of darkness, Kate flees London for ramshackle Weyward Cottage, inherited from a great aunt she barely remembers. With its tumbling ivy and overgrown garden, the cottage is worlds away from the abusive partner who tormented Kate. But she begins to suspect that her great aunt had a secret. One that lurks in the bones of the cottage, hidden ever since the witch-hunts of the 17th century.

1619: Altha is awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer who was stampeded to death by his herd. As a girl, Altha’s mother taught her their magic, a kind not rooted in spell casting but in a deep knowledge of the natural world. But unusual women have always been deemed dangerous, and as the evidence for witchcraft is set out against Altha, she knows it will take all of her powers to maintain her freedom.

1942: As World War II rages, Violet is trapped in her family's grand, crumbling estate. Straitjacketed by societal convention, she longs for the robust education her brother receives––and for her mother, long deceased, who was rumored to have gone mad before her death. The only traces Violet has of her are a locket bearing the initial W and the word weyward scratched into the baseboard of her bedroom. Weaving together the stories of three extraordinary women across five centuries, Emilia Hart's Weyward is an enthralling novel of female resilience and the transformative power of the natural world."--Goodreads blurb

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel from multiple perspectives. This was a beautifully written exploration of the connection of women, the connection of family, and how a little magic thrown in can change the course of people's lives. This was an engaging read from beginning to end, with every emotion felt throughout. Each woman's story is engaging, and the writing style had me engrossed in the story. I was so pleasantly surprised with this fantastic book.

 

Other People's Pets by R.L. Maizes

 

Other People’s Pets by R.L. Maizes

304 pages

★★★

La La is an animal empath, so she can feel what any animal around her feels and uses that to become a veterinarian. Her mother abandoned them when she was young and her father is a thief disguised as a locksmith, so she has never had the most stable life. When her father gets arrested during one of his “jobs,” La La has to follow in her father’s footsteps in order to pay for his lawyer and other bills, but she uses her empathic abilities to justify breaking into houses by helping the animals in pain.

This was an interesting read but I felt too separate and didn’t explain the magical realism enough. La La hid her empathic abilities but the book also treated it like something normal at the same time. It was also unnecessarily sad throughout the whole book, putting misfortune on top of misfortune onto La La who did nothing to deserve it. I just wanted one good thing to happen for her the entire time and it never did.

Cazadora by Romina Garber

Cazadora (Wolves of No World #2) by Romina Garber, 400 p.

"In Cazadora, Romina Garber weaves together Argentine folklore and what it means to be illegal in a timely, intimate, and emotionally powerful narrative. Werewolves. Witches. Romance. Resistance. Enter a world straight out of Argentine folklore...

Following the events of Lobizona, Manu and her friends cross the mystical border into Kerana--a cursed realm in Argentina--searching for allies and a hiding place. As they chase down leads about the Coven--a mythical resistance manada that might not even exist--the Cazadores chase down leads about Manu, setting up traps to capture and arrest her.

Just as it seems the Cazadores have Manu and her friends cornered, the Coven answers their call for help. As Manu catches her breath among these non-conforming Septimus, she discovers they need a revolution as much as she does. But is she the right one to lead them? After all, hybrids aren't just outlawed. They're feared and reviled. What happens when the Coven learns of Manu's dual heritage? Will they still protect her? Or will they betray her? And after running this far, for this long--how much farther can Manu go before her feet get tired, and she stops to take a stand?"-- Goodreads blurb

The second book in this series was more of the same of the first, which isn't a bad thing. The Argentinian folklore and mythology, along with the character development and the relationship building of the characters made this a great read. It moved very fast and was over before I knew it. A lot of readers were angry because this was touted as being a duology, but it was very apparent when this ended that another book is anticipated. I personally was glad to hear it and will be reading it when released!
 

Lobizona by Romina Garber

Lobizona (Wolves of No World #1) by Romina Garber, 400 p.

"Manuela Azul has been crammed into an existence that feels too small for her. As an undocumented immigrant who's on the run from her father's Argentine crime-family, Manu is confined to a small apartment and a small life in Miami, Florida. Until Manu's protective bubble is shattered.

Her surrogate grandmother is attacked, lifelong lies are exposed, and her mother is arrested by ICE. Without a home, without answers, and finally without shackles, Manu investigates the only clue she has about her past--a mysterious "Z" emblem—which leads her to a secret world buried within our own. A world connected to her dead father and his criminal past. A world straight out of Argentine folklore, where the seventh consecutive daughter is born a bruja and the seventh consecutive son is a lobizón, a werewolf. A world where her unusual eyes allow her to belong.

As Manu uncovers her own story and traces her real heritage all the way back to a cursed city in Argentina, she learns it's not just her U.S. residency that's illegal. . . .it's her entire existence."--Goodreads blurb

This was a really unique story and world. It has such a great paranormal vibe and the world-building was pretty original. While it had a very Harry Potter feel to it, it actually talked about the parallels of HP to the main character's life. It went a little far for me (as far as following the HP storyline), when there was even a made-up sport. The characters, world-building and story were interesting enough for me to jump right in to the second book in this series!

The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo - 272 pages

Jordan Baker grows up in the most rarefied circles of 1920s American society―she has money, education, a killer golf handicap, and invitations to some of the most exclusive parties of the Jazz Age. She’s also queer and Asian, a Vietnamese adoptee treated as an exotic attraction by her peers, while the most important doors remain closed to her.

But the world is full of wonders: infernal pacts and dazzling illusions, lost ghosts and elemental mysteries. In all paper is fire, and Jordan can burn the cut paper heart out of a man. She just has to learn how.

In this retelling of "The Great Gatsby," Nghi Vo—whose writing I absolutely adore—stays mostly true to the original storyline, while criticizing it through a socially-conscious, twenty-first century eye. Her version of Jordan Baker is unique and compelling in terms of background, personality, and character development—the perfect narrator. Plus, the magic felt like a natural inclusion, perfectly woven into the characters and settings we already know. At times, I wanted a dramatic divergence from the original story, but it wasn't meant to be; although, by the end, the conclusion feels inevitable. Even if the original wasn't for you (as it wasn't for me), I highly recommend this book, as I see myself rereading it in the future.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, 288 pages
 

CW: suicide

"Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices . . . Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?”

A dazzling novel about all the choices that go into a life well lived, from the internationally bestselling author of Reasons to Stay Alive and How To Stop Time.

Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. While we all wonder how our lives might have been, what if you had the chance to go to the library and see for yourself? Would any of these other lives truly be better?"--Goodreads blurb

This short little book packed a big story. Actually MANY stories. This was an intriguing concept and the storyline was captivating. Well-written, funny, and moving, I will be checking more out by this author.

A Million Junes by Emily Henry

A Million Junes by Emily Henry - 391 pages

For as long as Jack “June” O’Donnell has been alive, her parents have had only one rule: stay away from the Angert family. But when June collides—quite literally—with Saul Angert, sparks fly, and everything June has known is thrown into chaos.

Who exactly is this gruff, sarcastic, but seemingly harmless boy who has returned to their hometown of Five Fingers, Michigan, after three mysterious years away? And why has June—an O’Donnell to her core—never questioned her late father’s deep hatred of the Angert family? After all, the O’Donnells and the Angerts may have mythic legacies, but for all the tall tales they weave, both founding families are tight-lipped about what caused the century-old rift between them.

As Saul and June’s connection grows deeper, they find that the magic, ghosts, and coywolves of Five Fingers seem to be conspiring to reveal the truth about the harrowing curse that has plagued their bloodlines for generations. Now June must question everything she knows about her family and the father she adored, and she must decide whether it’s finally time for her—and all the O’Donnells before her—to let go.

First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen - 296 pages

In Sarah Addison Allen's sequel to Garden Spells, First Frost begins ten years after Claire Waverly's wild half-sister Sydney returned and Claire met her now-husband Tyler. It is an inspiring story of the trouble with hanging on too long, and the magic that happens when you finally let go. Autumn has arrived in the small town of Bascom, North Carolina, along with a strange old man carrying a beat-up suitcase. He has stories to tell, stories that could change the lives of the Waverley women forever. But the Waverleys have enough trouble on their hands. Quiet Claire Waverley has started a successful new venture, Waverley's Candies (made with natural ingredients like lavender and honey). Unfortunately, it's nothing like she thought it would be, and it's slowly taking over her life. Sydney, still trying to leave her past behind, is about to combust with her desire for another new beginning. And Sydney's fifteen-year-old daughter, Bay, has lost her heart to the boy she knows it belongs to, if only he could see it, too. First Frost is magical realism at its best, taking readers back into the lives of the gifted Waverley women--back to their strange garden and temperamental apple tree, back to their house with a personality of its own, back to the men who love them fiercely--proving that a happily-ever-after is never the real ending to a story. It's where the real story begins.