28 November 2016

Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: 9 Books to Read in December

9 Books to Read in DecemberOkay, what happened to 2016? Can I have some time back? A do-over? I'm kind of stunned we're less than a month from Christmas and that I'm going to a holiday party in just a few days. ARGH. I'm already fighting off the stress of the season. Deep breaths.

My work schedule remains crazy, which means very little print reading is getting done, although audiobooks still rule the roost around here. I started and finished two audiobooks since last week and I'm about a third of the way through another. I'm hoping to squeeze in some extra reading time in December, but we all know I'm just kidding myself.

What I Listened to Last Week


3 Books to Listen to Now
  • The Diabolic by S. J. Kincaid (Simon & Schuster Audio) involves cyborgs, artificial intelligence, and politics set in the distance future. The action was intense, though I began to question the continuous twisty plot ploys. Still, an enjoyable listen while I was cooking and cleaning for the holiday. Narrator Candace Thaxton was only okay for me, mostly because she had a regular cadence which became wearying.
  • Magnus Chase and the Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan (Listening Library) was as much fun as I expected it to be. Humor, action, and good characters. I loved seeing the Norse gods in a new light and am excited that the ending promises a cross-over with Percy Jackson and with the Apollo books. Narrator Kieran Culkin nails Magnus's personality, keeps the characterizations consistent, and has great pacing, which made me forget he didn't read the first audiobook in the series.
  • The Fate of Tearling by Erika Johansen (HarperAudio) is the final installment in a popular fantasy series involving some magic, politics, human rights, and a tough female lead. In the last book we learned something of the Tearling's past, and I'm curious how everything will tie together. Polly Lee is the third narrator for this series, and although her performance is fine so far, she has yet reel me in.

Looking at December


December isn't a huge month for publishing and hot releases, but I still managed to add a few new books to my reading list. Here are a half dozen titles that crossed my threshold.
  • 6 Books to Read in DecemberBad Boy by Elliot Wake (Atria): A transgender protagonist who must face the truths of gendered behavior, especially in relationships. Billed as romantic suspense.
  • Eight Flavors by Sarah Lohman (Simon & Schuster): An examination of flavorings (such as spices, sauces, garlic) that have become American standards. I would describe it as food history meets ethnography.
  • The Glass Universe by Dava Sobel (Viking): All about the women who were the photo and data analysts for the male astronomers at Harvard's observatory, starting in the mid-1800s. Celebrating forgotten women scientists.
  • League of Archers by Eva Howard (Aladdin): A retelling of Robin Hood's fate starring a young girl caught up in a murder mystery. Familiar characters in a new action-packed adventure for middle grade readers.
  • Mincemeat by Leonardo Lucarelli (Other Press): An anthropologist/cook's journey to becoming a professional chef outside the universe of television and celebrity status. Food memoir set mostly in Europe.
  • The Twilight Wife by A. J. Banner (Touchstone): A marine biologist struggling to regain her memory after a diving accident begins to wonder whether she can trust her husband and friends. Psychological thriller.

14 comments:

Iris on Books 11/28/16, 8:03 AM  

Time seems to move crazy-fast this year. Or perhaps that is just me. Here's to you getting some breathing space to catch up.

JoAnn 11/28/16, 8:25 AM  

This year passed way too quickly... seems like June was just a few weeks ago! There's always so much to do before the holidays and I'm already employing the 'deep breaths' strategy. Audiobooks are a savior here, too!

bermudaonion 11/28/16, 8:36 AM  

I feel your pain. November wasn't a great reading month for me and I'm pretty certain December won't be any better.

Susie | Novel Visits 11/28/16, 8:55 AM  

Don't you hate it when work gets in the way of reading! It happens all too often for me. I hadn't heard of Mincemeat, but it sounds really interesting. I'm going to add it to my TBR. Thank you.

Laurel-Rain Snow 11/28/16, 11:21 AM  

I'm with you about wondering where the year went. Just the other day, it was summer! A long hot summer.

Your books look tempting, and I'm very curious about The Twilight Wife. Enjoy! Thanks for visiting my blog, and have a great week.

Kailana 11/28/16, 11:25 AM  

The Glass Universe looks really good!

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz 11/28/16, 12:21 PM  

I love the look of Eight Flavors. I'm off now to add it to my wish list!

Anonymous,  11/28/16, 12:44 PM  

I agree, this year seemed to fly by.

Kathy Martin 11/28/16, 2:21 PM  

This year is just flying by. I had an enforced rest over Thanksgiving and don't have much planned for December. I would like to read some of the books I've gathered but not had a chance to read. However, I somehow have quite a few review books on the adult side but only one YA to read too. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

Vicki 11/28/16, 2:21 PM  

I agree, this year went by really fast. I've been in a reading slump. I have 2 books (a cookbook and a Florida Keys Restaurant Guide) waiting on me at the library and I'm hoping they bring me out of it.

Greg 11/28/16, 5:47 PM  

It's not fair that 2016 is almost over! I swear the older I get the faster the years seem to fly. anyway Eight Flavors sounds interesting as I've been playing around more with spices lately, and trying to educate myself on new ones. Curious about the third Tearling book, as I stalled out on the second one. I hate not finishing series.

League of Archers looks like a nice MG.

Yvonne 11/29/16, 8:47 PM  

I'm finding it hard to believe it's almost the end of the year too. Time just flew way too fast. Hope you enjoy your books and have a great week!

Daryl 12/2/16, 1:46 PM  

i have been hibernating ... wrapped in the warm of work ... while emails and comments and blog posts go unread unanswered .. oh my what a wealth of interesting titles .. thanks!!!!

Florinda 12/10/16, 9:55 AM  

The Dava Sobel sounds like an interesting companion read to HIDDEN FIGURES, and it's been a while since I read her. I'll look for that one!

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