Reader Recs with Danielle

1) Introduce yourself! Hi, I’m Danielle, but my friends call me Dani! I’m newly 27 and a proud mom to two kids! My husband and I have been together going on 8 years and we also have two big crazy dogs and a black cat. When I’m not binge reading my next read, you can find me baking something sweet (I ran my own cupcake business for a while), tending to our little garden, or binge-watching some reality TV (this season of Love Island to be specific). I got back into reading last year and started my booksta in Jan to document my journey!

2) Book (s) that you are currently reading and your thoughts so far. (EDIT FROM MEGAN: This part is a little outdated but I'm keeping it!)

- I just finished Axel by Kelly Finley and devoured it! It’s the second book in an interconnected series with spicy ex-mafia/secret society vibes! 

- I’m getting started on my ARC read of Doubts & Fears by Emerson Reign, which is the second book in her why-choose series. Book one had me hooked and ended on a huge cliffhanger so I can’t wait to see where book two takes us! 

3) 2 books that you recommend.

• Gathering Shadows by CJ Wallingsford. It’s a romantasy and one of my top reads of the year. The world building is so unique and we’ve got trials/games, interesting magic systems, a brooding morally grey mmc, and a strong and fierce fmc. It’s a fantastic read and book one on the series. Book two is also out (and also amazing) and the rest of the series is set to rapid release throughout the remainder of the year so you don’t have to wait too long between each book! 
  

• These Jagged Edges by Tuesday James. It’s a dark small town romance and it hits a ton of my favorite tropes: single parent, grumpy x sunshine, small town romance, and found family! I really loved Evie, the fmc, and her journey to love herself and overcome her past. Book two is in the works and I have a feeling I’m not emotionally ready for it (considering I cried at the sneak peek of chapter one). Tuesday’s writing style just really stays with you, it’s emotionally charged but the spice is also off the charts!

4) Do you judge a book by its cover? And do you prefer discreet covers or “real people” covers?

To an extent, yes. I don’t have a preference on discreet or real people covers. But I want to see a cover that is well designed and thought out, whatever that looks like! However, it won’t necessarily stop me from reading something just because I don’t like the cover. If the story sounds interesting enough I can overlook it!

5) Any books you’re excited to read next? (EDIT FROM MEGAN: Again, these may be outdated but ask Dani if she's gotten to read them yet!)

SO many! My TBR is crying for help over here. A few off the top of my head would be: Queen of Vengeance by Jessica Jude, Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry, Nocturne by Karina Halle, and Saving the Rain by Elliot Rose!

Follow Danielle on: Instagram Threads

Reader Recs with Kelly

1) Introduce yourself!

Oh, hi! I’m Kelly, reader, horror enthusiast, and pop culture aficionado! You can find me obsessing over books, movies, and all things horror over at @thefinalfangirl and diving into my life at @popkelture. 

By day, I work in philanthropy, but by night, I love horror novels, revenge thrillers, or, anything dealing with witches (especially stories that have a good female rage plot), and (dark) folklore.

2) Book (s) that you are currently reading and your thoughts so far.

Right now I’m about halfway into “The Borden Murders: Lizzie Borden & the Trial of the Century” by Sarah Miller. Lizzie’s story is one that has always intrigued me (the entire investigation was SO botched). Was she a victim of the time and patriarchal thinking? Or did she manipulate the system and get away with murder?

The book is great - it tells the story in narrative form, so it doesn’t feel like you’re reading a textbook - but keeps true to facts. 

Fun fact - the rhyme “Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her father forty whacks…” is inaccurate. Mr. Borden (Andrew) received 11 blows, while Lizzie’s stepmother (Abby) received 19, not 41.

3) 2 books that you recommend. Any books, any genre!

“When Women Were Dragons” by Kelly Barnhill, and “Don’t Breathe a Word” by Jennifer McMahon.

4) Has a book ever changed your life or is there one that you still think about constantly? Tell us why!

See above! “When Women were Dragons” stayed (stays) with my for DAYS after I read it. The fantasy was woven so seamlessly into the story, I forgot it was talking about ACTUAL dragons. Beside that, the story of women fighting to be their true selves in a world that just wants to make them as small and meek as possible, resonated with me on a primal level. I cried (sobbed) through the entire last act and immediately went out and bought a copy to annotate. 

5) You have a WIP novel. Spill what you can about it:

Okay, I ALWAYS have a WIP (or 4) in my mind. I wrote a (HORRIBLE) witchy tale MANY years ago - it reads like bad fan fiction, but at least I finished it. 

Currently, I’m working through the outline of a decent possession story. Another one of my macabre interests, possession stories are some of my FAVORITES, but “The Exorcist” is probably the only one that tells a story the way I want to hear it. I want to build on that, but go deeper into the religious aspect (if I can’t go into the vaults of the Vatican to read hidden texts, you better believe my MC is going to) of possession and exorcism.

Follow Kelly at @the.final.fangirl

@popkelture

Reader Recs with Leigh Ann

My lovely friend, Leigh Ann, is the next special guest on The Bookish Life Blog and I am so excited to share her currently reading and TBR with you all! 1) Introduce yourself!

Hi readers! I’m Leigh Ann; yes, I’m a southern belle and go by two names. (Insert laughter here 🤣) I am a stay at home mom and homeschool my kiddos. I love reading and have been devouring books since middle school. I hope to pass that love for reading on to my kids.

2) Book (s) that you are currently reading and your thoughts so far.

I’m currently reading Old Flames and New Fortunes by Sarah Hogle. I’m about 70% through it currently and whoa, it’s been a ride. I wasn’t sure I would enjoy a witchy romance, but it’s a gentle magic which I’m loving. Almost like a magical realism feel to the story. There has been some plot twists which caught me by surprise and have me hooked! I’m also rereading Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne to my kiddos as a read aloud. I’m loving seeing their responses to the original chapter book.

3) Which books are your next reads?

So I’m a total mood reader when it comes to books. Here’s to hoping I get to Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams, Bravely by Maggie Steifvater, and Off to the Races by Elsie Silver soon! 

4) 2 books that you recommend?

So I’m a total Melissa Grace fan girl, she’s also a sweet human and friend. Go read her books!

Into the Weeds by B.K. Borison was my favorite read last year (I think). I read so many fantastic books, but B.K.’s characters are so charming, relatable, and real I just love it and swoon.

5.) Has a book ever changed your life?

Books became a way of life for me in middle school. We moved to the mountains and were far away from, well, everything (I’m talking an hour to the closest Walmart here, people). My grandma started a “book club” with me where we traded and chatted about books with each other. I remember getting hooked by I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore. It was a fun ride and if you've only seen the movie, go read the book. The movie was horrible compared to the book. I also loved To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee; it showed me that you can learn history and gain empathy through a wonderfully written novel. There are reasons it’s stood the test of time and been banned on occasion. Follow Leigh Ann on her socials: Instagram

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