Reading Round-Up: Just Like Home, A Magic Steeped in Poison, Talks Like Thunder, The Wilder Women, Death By Society

The books on my shelves have been screaming for attention since the day I impulse bought them, but I choose not to hear them. Instead of working on the mountain that is my TBR, I opted instead to go on a NetGalley request bender this summer! Yay responsible readership! WOOOOO! “It’s called coping, sweaty.” Anyway, here’s some great books that I read this summer as part of my “let’s ignore life by hiding in between the pages.” I also figured it would be another helpful bookish gift guide for the upcoming holidays if you have a reader who likes weird, unusual, or melodramatic books.

Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey

I really think I’m going to be a big fan of Sarah Gailey’s writing, as this is my second book by them and I really blew through it as fast as the first. I’m not sure how exactly to describe this without spoiling it, because it’s got some interesting twists, but suffice it to say I had fun and was up ‘til the wee hours of the morning reading it because I was engrossed.

What I Liked Most:

- the cover is cool

- unhinged, disturbing, and fascinating layered story

- there’s a weird art bro in it

- elements of true crime, supernatural, haunted houses, serial killers

- nuanced character personalities, lots of growth and development

- chronic illness and mental illness representation

- explorations of grief, anger, childhood trauma, toxic family dynamics

- great for fans of “Hill House” “Velvet Buzzsaw” “We Have Always Lived In the Castle” “Girl on the Third Floor”

A Magic Steeped in Poison (The Book of Tea #1) by Judy Lin

This is an absolutely lush fantasy with a bit of romance and historical fiction thrown in. It’s a little slower than my usual choices in reading, but once you’re in the thick of it, it’s unputdownable. Reading this is like getting lost in a watercolor painting inspired by Chinese tradition, history, and folklore. It’s just gorgeous. I have the sequel and I’m dying to make more time to read it!

What I Liked Most:

- THIS. FUCKING. COVER. 

- Strong female leads

- mystery, magic, intrigue, and romance

- royal kingdoms, banished warriors, royal armies

- rebellious women toppling the patriarchy

- a palace with secret passageways

- magical rituals, magical competition trials, and herbalism/spell work

- magical tea ceremony?!!!! 

- nods to traditional Chinese tea ceremonies and traditional Chinese medicine

- for fans of "The Iron Widow" "Pretty Deadly (graphic novels)" and even "Mulan" "Raya and the Last Dragon" 

Talks Like Thunder: Red with Native Blood by Randal Nerhus

This technically doesn’t fit into horror or fantasy, but dark historical fiction would probably be my suggestion. It was a random selection on NetGalley based on just the cover and a few short sentences, but I read it straight through without stopping. It’s intense and ultra-engrossing, albeit a little upsetting because so much of it is rooted in realism and history’s atrocious mistreatment of Native Americans and First Nations people. Still, it’s a wonderful start to what I can only hope is a series of novellas! I’d like more about these characters and I pray they get justice for their hurt and trauma. My heart. I am devastated!!!

What I Liked Most

- Historical Fiction

- very graphic and intense battle scenes and it is very dark in thematic elements

- accurate and thoughtful portrayal of Native American culture and history

- tackles colonialism and prejudice of European immigrants as well as religious and spiritual oppression from residential schooling

- Indigenous Spirituality and Native American Folktale Storytelling tradition

- Warrior training and strong female lead

- disturbing depictions of child abuse, misogyny, racism, bigotry, torture/kidnapping, oppression of Native Americans and First Nations people (ok this is not something I liked but one of the elements that makes this so heartbreaking and important; I was devastated and I respect when a book can hit me like that)

- inspires readers to do further research into the truth and history of Native Peoples in Americas

- for those who watched “Prey” and find themselves looking for more Native Stories, this will do the trick, just without the sci-fi

The Wilderwomen by Ruth Emmie Lang

Another read that would be atypical for me and maybe not one I would have initially chosen if I’d read the description thoroughly, but I’m glad I let my whims guide me! This is one of those cases where the cover caught my eye, and the title sounded so magical that I was utterly powerless against the NetGalley request button. (Art Department gets an A+ for suckering me in!) And I’m glad it did, because this is a very bittersweet book about the bonds of sisterhood, healing family trauma, and a touch of magical abilities and fantasy. It’s soft and romantically sad. It will break your heart and you’ll love it. 

What I Liked Most:

- interspersed current timeline with memories to fill in backstory

- well-rounded and strong female leads with wit, intelligence and vulnerabilities

- a passionate quest to solve the mystery of their mother’s disappearance; road trip road trip road trip!!!

- cast of colorful characters that help guide the sisters on their journey

- vivid imagery and fantastical descriptions

- a cozy read perfect for vacation reading and cozy autumnal weekend vibes

- love love love the use of birds as symbolism

- a touch of paranormal with mystery and fantasy elements

Death by Society (Death by Society #1) by Sierra Elmore

Okay, y’all. Consider me influenced. This book was floating around via Bookish social media witch quite a lot of buzz. Additionally, the author has been very candid with how personal this story was, and how much it meant to pen a novel about Mental Health topics. Then someone captioned a tweet saying it was like Dark Alt U Mean Girls and I was here for it. It’s in the same vein as a lot of the YA/New Adult TV shows I watch, with a lot of drama and dark brutal social dynamics. Into it in a major way! Had no clue it was going to be the first in a series but I’m happy to hear it!

What I Liked Most:

- mean girls with a darker twist and slight thriller edginess to it, no horror no comedy 

- dark drama dealing with bullying, mental health, cliques

- narration swap to get two perspectives on the same story

- lots of inner dialogue where we can explore the MCs and connect personally

- two female leads, ND, trauma, abuse

- queer representation and diverse characters

- For fans of “Mean Girls”, “Do Revenge”, “Pretty Little Liars,” “She’s All That,” “10 Things I Hate About You” (without much of the funny-funny but definitely for the same audience)