This week I haven't done much at all- mostly, I've been trying to figure out how to do my daily tasks by using my right hand as much as possible. Of course, now that I'm doing that, I'm worried that it, too will fail me, but I guess that's something I'll just have to risk. My left arm, in general, has been beastly this past week, which is why I was scarcely seen on the interwebs, except to lodge complaints about its functionality on Twitter. Touching a keyboard is painful, but holding a video game controller doesn't even seem to hurt much. It still baffles me.
Recent Acquisitions (or the Piling of the-Piles):
the-pile Additions:
I think I ordered these from Better World Books in March, but they arrived shortly after my last Fortnightly Update. With this shipment, I now have a bookshelf full of Anne Bishop's works to finish off while I wait for the price for Marked in Flesh to drop. I also picked up some of C.J. Cherryh's fantasy books, because her Faded Sun Trilogy was so rich in worldbuilding for science fiction. Daggerspell has been on my to-read list forever on Goodreads, likely due to it being authored by a female (I'm a bit biased). I was surprised to find The Language of Threads in such fine shape- it looks like it came straight off of a bookstore shelf and was never read. I picked that one due to Gail Tsukiyama tearing my heart out with The Samurai's Garden, which was a just plain beautiful book.
The Language of Threads by Gail Tsukiyama
Daggerspell (Deverry #1) by Katharine Kerr
The Dreaming Tree (Arafel #1-2) by C.J. Cherryh
Fortress in the Eye of Time (Fortress #1) by C.J. Cherryh
Bridge of Dreams (Ephemera #3) by Anne Bishop
The Pillars of the World (Tir Alainn #1) by Anne Bishop
Shadows and Light (Tir Alainn #2) by Anne Bishop
The House of Gaian (Tir Alainn #3) by Anne Bishop
the-invisible-pile Additions:
I found myself on an ebook buying spree due to delicious deals at the evil empire that is Amazon:
Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death (The Grantchester Mysteries #1) by James Runcie
I bought this because I'm absolutely addicted to Masterpiece Mystery's take on the series (Grantchester). I'm hoping that it has a somewhat similar feel to the books.
Sing the Four Quarters (Quarters #1) by Tanya Huff
I've wanted to read another of Tanya Huff's books, but since this one was on sale for very cheap as a daily deal, I may start with it. I'm curious about it, as I've read The Naming/The Gift by Alison Croggon, which is a similar in theme YA fantasy and liked it a lot.
Midnight Riot [AKA Rivers of London in the UK] (Peter Grant #1) by Ben Aaronovitch
True story: as with many (many) books I picked up before I found Goodreads, I found a later book in this series and bought it, thinking it was the first in the series (this happens a lot with me). Anyway, now that I have the actual first book in the series in my grasp, I expect to be entertained with a fun urban fantasy, especially given Charlaine Harris's endorsement/blurb.
Dreamsongs Volume I (Dreamsongs #1) by George R.R. Martin
I almost skipped this one, but then decided I needed another George R.R. Martin book in my stockpile, just in case Winds of Winter will take forever and a day to write, which looks to be the case as of now.
Currently Reading:
I'm supposed to be reading Belladonna, but with my hands being cranky, it's a bit of a chore. I have a feeling I'll be picking up something else to read soon.
Finished These Books:
Ship of Magic (Liveship Traders #1) by Robin Hobb
I liked this one, though it didn't quite reach the heights of Assassin's Apprentice. I've been chipping away on a review for it, though it is taking a while to come to fruition.
A Kiss at Midnight (Fairy Tales #1) by Eloisa James
Think Cinderella set in the Regency era. I really enjoyed this book's take on the tale, though something about it didn't quite merit 4 stars.
Much Ado About You (Essex Sisters #1) by Eloisa James
With this one, there were too many threads to it to make it enjoyable. I think what I disliked most was the characters really didn't behave the way I expected them to, and beyond that, it took a while for me to differentiate the four sisters distinctly. The author claims Little Women as this book's inspiration, which I can see, but it really didn't impress me as much as I thought it would, given my like for A Kiss at Midnight.
La La in the Library has a review of an adult coloring book, along with a giveaway!
Heather @ Based on a True Story shares her DNA Results, which makes me wonder about what my own might be if I ever save up enough to do it.
Megan @ The Never Ending Book Basket shares her lovely experience with Amazon, just in case you thought you might be safe posting your reviews there. Personally, I don't post reviews there unless the book is 4+ stars because of trolls.
In My Life:
I repotted much of my minion army, resulting in this lovely conglomeration in the sun porch:
In pet news, George learned to plank/hunt birds from inside the house:
I think his icy blue eyes give him away.
Happy reading, take it easy with the blogging (says my undead left arm), and make sure to enter my blogiversary giveaway (there's a few free entries available)!
