autumn reading, September edition
I love autumn, it’s wonderful to curl up with a book, a blanket, a mug of tea, and spend a few hours reading. I’m making progress through my TBR list. There are even a few short reviews of what I’ve read. All titles reviewed below were received through NetGalley in exchange for a review. I miss the days of paper ARCs, I read my e-book ARCs in fits and starts. One day I’ll get caught up.
Summerlong by Peter S. Beagle
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
If I were to confess this is the first of Beagle’s writings that I’ve read, would you believe me? I found it took me longer than I expected to become engaged with the story. I’ve not read urban fantasy in a while and reality kept interfering with me. Once I allowed myself to get to know the prickly Joanna and the laid-back Abe, I began to feel more at home on Gardner Island. I could picture myself in the diner and making the same spontaneous offer to the mysterious Lioness Lazos too. Reading this retelling of a classic evoked visceral feelings at summer’s turn. I highly recommend it!
See also this lovely review by teabird.
Healing Herbal Teas: Create Delicious Specialty Blends Customized to Your Unique Needs and Tastes by Sarah Farr
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
A cup of herbal tea is special and soothing in various ways. I make my own spice blends, but buy my tea mixes. I’ve read a few recipe books on herbal teas and Farr’s book is helpful and beautifully photographed and laid out. I’ve not yet blended any of the teas myself but I look forward to mixing and brewing a few. I most enjoyed the informative first part that explain how one blends tea from sourcing ingredients to a refresher on what part means in this type of recipe. Farr further explains different flavourings and styles and has written a resource that will be beneficial to the newcomer and experienced blender alike.
Business Cat: Money, Power, Treats by Tom Fonder
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
I wasn’t familiar with this online comic, but I’ll be honest, I request anything with cat in the title (or often the cover). Think of it as a cross between uhm… well, Business Cat is definitely a unique feline! I wasn’t sure what to expect, to my surprise I found the entire story arc to be enjoyable as long as I didn’t stop to think too much about how some of the particulars would actually work in reality. Many panels had me giggling as they are definitely under the management of a cat! This is a fun quick read and would make a nice gift for anyone under feline management in your office.
League of Dragons by Naomi Novik
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
This title is conclusion to the famed Temeraire series. It is not a standalone novel, it is important to recall details from earlier books or there will be confusion. Will it appeal to fans of the series? Yes, I think the bow is neatly tied. I am now curious to read more in this world Naomi built.
Breaking Breads: A New World of Israeli Baking–Flatbreads, Stuffed Breads, Challahs, Cookies, and the Legendary Chocolate Babka by Uri Scheft
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This title will get a post of its own. Acquire this book. It is beautifully photographed and the tutorials … I’ve been recommending it to friends for weeks. The recipes too, but the photo tutorials are what excite me the most!
Cat vs Human Fairy Tails by Yasmine Surovec
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Cats. Fairy Tales. I couldn’t request this title fast enough. I’ve followed Surovec for years on tumblr. This is a quick, adorable, and fun read. It would make a great gift for both cat lovers and those who adore fairy tales.
Thank you to NetGalley for the review copies.