is back in her reading nook with the latest Riverhead news! What’s new with Patricia Lockwood and

? Watch to find out, and tell us what you want to see in the next episode in the comments!

 @samsarebetter is back in her reading nook with the latest

Did you know that Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s wife, Anna Snitkina, saved his career from ruin and was the first female publisher in Russia? 💥Available now, THE GAMBLER WIFE is ”a fresh look at a spirited woman who played a significant role in literary history” (

_reviews) with “scenes as gut-wrenching as any we might find in her husband’s novels” (

 @catherinecalligraphy presents THE GAMBLER WIFE by @andrewd

It’s everyone’s favorite game: 2 Truths and 1 Lie 🔍🕵🏽‍♀️🤔 Can you spot

’s lie? Leave your guess in the comments, then check our Stories tonight to see if you got it right!

 It’s everyone’s favorite game: 2 Truths and 1 Lie 🔍🕵🏽‍♀️🤔 Can

original film inspired by Jonas Eika’s AFTER THE SUN ⚡️⚡️⚡️“Bewitching…scarily intimate”

💜 “Like Thomas Pynchon taking on late capitalism”

🧡“A big bold mark on what we call literature”

 @turnermadelaine original film inspired by Jonas Eika’s

 We didn’t see that coming, @paulahawkins2010  😧 #thriller

 do this and I thought “wow I have a lot of time on my hands let’s also do it” and here we are 🤭👏🏼

The timing is way out because I don’t have the attention span or patience to match all the spare time 🤷🏼‍♀️

 I saw @wafareads  do this and I thought “wow I have a lot

I’m so happy to be a part of this little bookish corner of the internet.

What are the best books you’ve read because of

My list would be a million miles long but most of my top reads of the year:

— NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT THIS // Patricia Lockwood

I picked up because y’all told me to, and I love y’all for it 😘

 Happy #nationalbookloversday  , book lovers 📚❤️ I’m so happy

 for a special giveaway! Two lucky winners will receive a copy of Nella Larsen's Passing with an introduction from Brit Bennett, as well as a copy of Brit Bennett's The Vanishing Half!

3. Comment on this post using the hashtag

Winners will be notified via direct message from BerkleyPub's account (

). NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter between August 6, 2021 and August 9, 2021. Open to US residents, 18 and older. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Terms and conditions: https://bit.ly/2Vt6rSN

 💕✨ SWEEPSTAKES ✨💕 We’re partnering with @berkleypub  for a

Do you ever wonder what future generations will think of you someday based on the journals and photos you leave behind? (Aside from loving books) what’s one thing you think they’d guess about you? .

Every time I look at the photos that are included in

 Peculiar Children books I want to know all about the people who took them and what their goal for the photo was. I’ll never get over how cleverly Riggs built these stories on old photos. .

 for gifting me this copy of “The Conference of the Birds”. I have been waiting for this book ever since the ending of “Map of Days” left me SHOOK. I was admittedly pretty wary when “Map of Days” came out. I’m always nervous when authors build on something I loved and thought was complete. But DUDE. “Map of Days” is a direct continuation of where we left off at “Library of Souls” and we spend this new chapter of books exploring Peculiardom in the US. And it’s nuts! Instead of feeling nervous that Riggs was going to shake things up, he ended up making me want that huge shake up. I finished MoDs THRILLED with the idea of where this story is going, so I’m so excited to finally have “The Conference of the Birds” in my hands. I mean, the title is cool, but when you think of what that title could mean in the context of this story?!! EXCITING!! (I refuse to read the synopsis so everything will be a surprise) .

This baby releases in two days (on the 14th) and I’m ready. (That also means you only have one day to fill out the preorder form for the preorder incentives. I’ll include the swipe up in my stories today.) .

 Do you ever wonder what future generations will think of

 photo challenge because 😍 See that art print? It’s actually the inside dust jacket of the LitJoy “My Lady Jane” exclusive edition and I’m dying. ✨😍✨The art page that is included INSIDE the book is absolutely stunning too. I’ve turned my jacket inside out so that the art is on the outside instead of the original cover. .

I’m all about collectors editions, and they really outdid themselves with this beauty in their June box! (Now that LitJoy has a book only option, you can still snag this edition, that comes with their exclusive trading cards, in their shop.) .

Ever since I read “My Lady Jane” earlier this year, I’ve been anticipating this next segment to the Lady Janies set. I’m looking forward to sitting down with the audiobook and hoping it’s every bit as hilarious as the audio for MLJ was! .

Do you spring for a collector’s edition or does it not matter to you? .

 I’m jumping in on the @litjoycrate  photo challenge because

When you’re not a Slytherin but you like their clothes. 😏 What Hogwart’s house would you switch to for a day? I’m a Ravenclaw mind, who prefers Slytherin colors in my wardrobe, wants to live in the Hufflepuff rooms so I have easy access to sandwiches, and would probably have wanted to date a Gryffindor during my Hogwarts years. .

As you may know from previous posts, I’ve partnered with

) for this summer gifting season to share some of my gifting picks for graduates, mother and father’s day, and everything else that deserves gifting right now. ha. You can check out my full list of pics in my bio link, and my code is good until the end of this month! (Code: RBC-G19-foldedpagesdistillery for 15% off your entire order until June 30th) .

This design is from a new artist I found on Redbubble,

, and their designs totally appeal to my Slytherin-loving aesthetic. (I got this in a thin material so I could wear it all summer.) I also got it on a pouch to gift to my friend! (You could get this design on a wide variety of items on the site. Mugs, dresses, pouches, journals, cards etc which is good when you find a great design and can put it on an item that your friend/family member doesn’t have!)

 When you’re not a Slytherin but you like their clothes. 😏

Are you a middle grade reader? What are some of your favorite MG authors or books? It’s been awhile since I picked up a middle grade read, so today I compiled a list of middle grade reads I’m planning reading this year. .

I forgot to add Rick Riordan’s latest from the Apollo trials to this stack 😐, but I’m particularly excited for “Ice Wolves” by Amie Kaufman (super excited to read a work she’s done without a co-writer!), Ogre Enchanted by “Gail Carson Levine” because PREQUEL TO ELLA ENCHANTED!! Need I say more? Haha. And “Love Sugar Magic” because combining magic and food sounds like the recipe for a perfect book. “The Witch Boy” graphic novel, “The Boy, The Boat, and the Beast” and “Ending The Last” all sound wonderful too. So I’m setting these aside so I don’t forget them in the rush of adult and YA releases this year. .

No matter how old I get, I love reading children’s books. Middle grade is such a refreshing change from YA or adult reads for me. I love the strong focus on friendship and loyalty and adventure. I don’t want to say they are more simple because I find middle grade to be complex and deep in the themes and topics it addresses, but it’s nice to take a break from adult or romance drama. .

I snagged Orge Enchanted and The Burning Maze at BEA, but a big thank you to

 Are you a middle grade reader? What are some of your

Happy Sunday! I’m back home in CA and partnering this morning with the

 to give my fellow time travel lovers a fun giveaway. .

“When the Only Way Forward Is Back!” One winner will receive: Copies of both Blowback ’07 and Blowback, Blowback-branded baseball cap, Blowback-branded baseball .

Giveaway open to US addresses only. Prizing and samples provided by the Blowback Trilogy.

Like this photo and tag a friend who would be interested in this giveaway.

For an extra entry, tell me what era you’d travel back to if you could!

Synopsis to book one: Clashing teenage twins Arky and Iris have one thing in common: an ancient musical instrument left to them by their mother. When Iris plays the strangely curved woodwind, the trouble begins; Arky’s friend, Matt, the school’s star quarterback, disappears. .

Transported to 1907 and the Carlisle Indian School, Matt is forced to play football for Coach Pop Warner as the Carlisle “Redmen” revolutionize Ivy League football. Matt’s struggle to “play his way home” is complicated when he falls in love with an Indian girl. .

Meanwhile, Arky and Iris discover a cache of secrets that might bring Matt back, and lead to the ultimate rescue: their mother, trapped in the past. .

Blowback ’07 launches a century-spanning trilogy to be continued in Blowback ’63 and Blowback ’94. Books two and three propel Arky and Iris to the illuminating past, and transform them in ways they never imagined. After all, as their mother once cautioned, “Every road to the future winds through the past.” .

 Happy Sunday! I’m back home in CA and partnering this

RAVENCLAWS FOR RON! Happy Birthday, Ron Weasley! .

From knight to king, Ron will always be one of my top favorite characters in the Harry Potter world. Not only do I love his humor, but he’s always been relatable for me too. There are so many parallels of my adolescence that match with Ron, and I’ve always connected with him most on a personal level. Who are some of your favorite Harry Potter characters? Why do you love them? .

*Weasley is our King foam finger from the Year 5

 Magical Edition and one of my favorite shelf decorations to show who I’m supporting at Quidditch matches!

 RAVENCLAWS FOR RON! Happy Birthday, Ron Weasley! . From

How has your holiday season been? My husband has always had to work over holidays so our traditions are quite simple and never involve traveling, so this year I was super grateful to have our Christmas holiday feel unchanged. I know that wasn’t the case for many and I hope that you were still able to find joy in your celebrations.

I was recently gifted this copy of “Whale Day” from

 and I was pretty excited to give it to my husband to read. He loves whales/marine life and he really enjoys reading poetry. Between the stunning cover and the content, I was sure that it would be a win for him. We both read from it over the Christmas holiday and it turns out he didn’t enjoy it very much and I did. haha. We did have an interesting conversation about what poetry is and what we each consider/prefer in poetry by way of topics and themes. I don’t generally reach for poetry, but I liked the themes of life and the style. It feels more conversational and story-like over a more obvious/traditional style, which I think years of reading YA novels in verse prepared me for.

What about you? Are you a poetry lover? Or have you picked up something recently you thought you’d enjoy just to find out it wasn’t for you?

A collection of all-new poetry from Billy Collins, former U.S. Poet Laureate and "America's favorite poet" (The Wall Street Journal). Billy Collins's thirteenth collection, and first in four years, contains more than fifty new poems that showcase the playfulness, wit, and wisdom that have made him one of our most celebrated and widely read poets. This collection covers many themes and moods, including Collins's insights on the wonders of life and thrill of mortality.

 How has your holiday season been? My husband has always had

HAPPY NEW YEAR! How do you ring in the New Year? Do you have special New Year traditions? This is my favorite time of year because I love fresh starts. I know you can have a fresh start at any time in the year, but I love looking forward to a new year and wondering what awaits me in 2020. .

In terms of reading goals, I think I’m most proud that I read 42 books that have been on my shelf for longer than a year in 2019. I plan to continue with that goal this year! The funny thing is that I had a hard time donating the books I didn’t love from that stack because they’ve been in my home so long and I’m so used to seeing them on my shelves. ha. (I did eventually donate them in hopes that they would find readers who would love them more than me. Ha) Do you have any unique reading goals? .

2020 is hopefully going to be a big year of personal changes for me. I feel like I’ve been stagnant and lazy in many aspects of my life and I hope to change my mind set, get more organized, and create a few simple systems around my home that will help me feel like I’m thriving instead of surviving. .

I hope this holiday season was joyful for you and your families and friends. I hope that all the sequel books we are really really excited to read are as amazing as we hope they are. haha. But most of all I hope that whatever may be in store for you this New Year, that you may meet it with good people at your side. .

 HAPPY NEW YEAR! How do you ring in the New Year? Do you

! Today bookshops across the U.K. and Ireland are hosting authors in residence, special events, signings, parties, and more. .

tote bag was created by iconic fashion designer

, and bestselling children's book illustrator Axel Scheffler. It will go on sale exclusively in UK and Ireland bookshops from Bookshop Day (today), allowing Bookshop lovers to show their support for the campaign by wearing one of the bags. .

In the last four years since the beginning of the

 tote has been worn by over a million supporters, and as a huge lover of my own local bookshops, I'm proud to don one of these today. .

What are some of your favorite bookshops?

 HAPPY #BOOKSHOPDAY ! Today bookshops across the U.K. and

Happy Book Birthday to this lovely! The Bedlam Bookstacks by Natasha Pulley! .

I love the synopsis on this one, but I’ve found the reviews to be just as intriguing. Either all the reviewers planned on using alluring descriptive words, or it’s been met pretty equally by everyone calling it a rich, slow burning, magical story. Give me fast paced any day, but I do really love a well done slow burn, so I’m interested in diving into this one. .

I also don’t know that I’ve read a book set in Peru, so I’m excited for a new location. .

What releases are you looking forward to today? .

In 1859, ex-East India Company smuggler Merrick Tremayne is trapped at home in Cornwall after sustaining an injury that almost cost him his leg and something is wrong; a statue moves, his grandfather’s pines explode, and his brother accuses him of madness. .

When the India Office recruits Merrick for an expedition to fetch quinine—essential for the treatment of malaria—from deep within Peru, he knows it’s a terrible idea. Nearly every able-bodied expeditionary who’s made the attempt has died, and he can barely walk. But Merrick is desperate to escape everything at home, so he sets off, against his better judgment, for a tiny mission colony on the edge of the Amazon where a salt line on the ground separates town from forest. Anyone who crosses is killed by something that watches from the trees, but somewhere beyond the salt are the quinine woods, and the way around is blocked. .

Surrounded by local stories of lost time, cursed woods, and living rock, Merrick must separate truth from fairytale and find out what befell the last expeditions; why the villagers are forbidden to go into the forest; and what is happening to Raphael, the young priest who seems to have known Merrick’s grandfather, who visited Peru many decades before. The Bedlam Stacks is the story of a profound friendship that grows in a place that seems just this side of magical. .

 Happy Book Birthday to this lovely! The Bedlam Bookstacks

Is there anyone who would actually want to live under the sea? Seems like there are more books about living in space than under the sea—and to me they are basically the same thing. (airless and terrifying. ha.) Ironically, the ocean and space are two of my favorite things to study and read about. ha. .

Serving up some mermaid vibes today because last week was a mermaid book mail kind of week. Big thanks to

_house for sending me a copy of “THE SEAS” by Samantha Hunt! This reissued edition hits shelves on July 10 (originally published in 2004) with gorgeous new cover art by

_gemma and a new intro by Maggie Nelson AND to

 for  this copy of “The Mermaid” by Christina Henry, which just released in June. I will be reading both of these books this month, so reviews to come soon. I just couldn’t resist taking a photo of them together for today. (I’ll put both book descriptions in my stories today) .

I’ve heard some pretty amazing things about both these books, and while I’m looking forward to reading them both, I’m particularly excited to read “The Seas”. My first reaction to hearing the word “Mermaid” is always to be excited about it, but the truth is, most (if not all) mermaid tales aren’t particularly happy, and these two reads both promise heartbreak. I wonder why that is. .

Has anyone already read either of these yet? Any one you recommend I read first?

 Is there anyone who would actually want to live under the

I ran into this Tumblr user’s quote on Pinterest and it made me laugh out loud. ha. So of course, I had to put it up on my letter board this week. I have never slammed a book shut for this purpose, but I have read a sentence/paragraph/page more than once to make sure what I was reading was truly happening. (cause maybe if I read it again I’ll read it differently than the first time.) .

▪️ Instead of saying any specifics/spoilers, just tell me a book that you’ve had this kind of reaction to. I think I’m safe in saying that this is how I felt through the entire Battle at Hogwarts. .

 I ran into this Tumblr user’s quote on Pinterest and it

When was the first time you attended a book signing? This year “Eragon” author

_paolini is doing a year long residency tour in the United States (

) to celebrate the release of his latest short story collection, “The Fork, The Witch and The Worm” and today I’ve partnered with

) to help you find a tour stop near you! .

My first book signing was only just six years ago when a friend of mine introduced me to them. My entire book experience until then was really focused in libraries, and since then I’ve been fortunate to live in places where I can attend them regularly. I’ve attended signings for authors who’s books I’ve never read and author’s who’s books I adore. I have brought my daughter to many of them and girls from my youth group to make sure these kids are getting the experience earlier in their lives than I did. Listening to an author speak has always been such an educational and magical experience for me and opened up my world in terms of writing and reading. .

If you’ve got a chance to attend the Paolini tour at your local Barnes and Noble, even if you haven’t read the books, it’s an experience I always encourage. The remaining tour dates are: .

🐉 * Orem, UT, Saturday, November 9, 2 PM (TODAY!)

* Stonebriar Mall, Frisco, TX, Sunday, December 8, 2 PM .

 When was the first time you attended a book signing? This

Did you be out to check out the super flower blood moon lunar eclipse? We got three lunar phenomena in one and I’m always in awe of these reminders that we exist, and are part of, a huge moving universe.

I thought there would be no better day to share the gorgeous designs of

ng foiled journals are on preorder this week (seriously, check out her page and her shop if you need something magical in your life) and I can honestly say that everything she designs and creates is perfection. I have pictured here her “Stay Wild Moon Child” mug and the super lux velvet tassled La Lune book sleeve (which I’ll actually be using to house some jewelry that is really important to me!) Thank you so much @thequirkycupcollective for gifting these to me!

Here’s a little La Lune tarot information I found to share: “The Moon is a card that represents two alternatives. You can either be sucked in to the stream of uncertainty, strangeness and weirdness that may presently appear to be in your surroundings; or you can hop onto your boat and float your way through it; all using the strength and wisdom of your inner being. This card is symbolic of needing to listen to your inner voice and take notice of it. When the Moon card appears in your spread it brings with it a caution that you should not take things at face value because much deeper things may be hidden from your view.”

 Did you be out to check out the super flower blood moon

<GIVEAWAY CLOSED- WINNERS ANNOUNCED BELOW> Today I’ve got a huge Google giveaway, an announcement, and an invitation all in one post. Here we go: .

) sent me this Google Home mini so I could tell you about their new audiobook club. On May 24, whether you’ve read the book or listened to it, I’d love for all of you guys to join me and

 on Instagram LIVE to discuss “The Female Persuasion” by Meg Wolitzer. .

Now for the fun part! Ten people will win a Google Home Mini (pictured) a Google Play gift card (so you can get “The Female Persuasion audio!) and a few other goodies to kick off and celebrate the new audiobook club! .

▪️Tell me either your favorite audiobook and why it was so awesome OR tell me why you like listening (or why you want to start) to audiobooks. .

▪️For extra entries, please tag some friends who you think would be interested in participating in the audiobook club with us! .

This giveaway will end on Saturday at midnight and 10 winners will be drawn immediately. (WINNERS ARE:

We will be discussing the differences between reading and listening to books in our book club discussion, so please join no matter how you read “The Female Persuasion”. .

I’m SO excited to be co-hosting with Evie. I have “known” her for three years on Instagram and she’s one of the most talented designers I know. Everything she creates is stunning. .

“Hey Google… play my audiobook…” .

 <GIVEAWAY CLOSED- WINNERS ANNOUNCED BELOW> Today I’ve got a

Do you have any interests or hobbies that you picked up from reading a book?

I have a few tarot decks that I’ve collected over the years after reading The Raven Cycle and The Bone Season. I’m fascinated by them and there are so many stunning sets. I don’t use them because I don’t feel like I know how and honestly never felt called to try.

I recently was gifted this “Literary Witches Oracle” set of cards from

, which functions a bit differently than tarot cards ,and something about them just drew me in. I’ve had a lot of fun drawing cards for myself this week, my husband, and a couple friends over FaceTime. I’d flip through the booklet to talk about the meaning of each card and we’d chat about what they could mean for each others lives. It was actually really nice and helped me feel connected to myself and my friends. I feel like this is a deck that I’ll actually use often.

The booklet contains bios for each author and it was nice to learn about a few I wasnt very familiar with. Earlier this year I got the Jane Austen tarot set and I just love having some literary cards like this. Do you ever use oracle/intention/tarot cards? One day I’ll get my palm or my cards read by someone who actually knows what they are doing.

 Do you have any interests or hobbies that you picked up

Are you planning on watching the Netflix adaptation of Shadow and Bone this weekend or the preview event tonight? I admit that I’m pretty much a disorganized mess these days, but this is the one thing that I’ve kept firmly on my radar and calendar. haha.

One of my rewards to myself this weekend is also starting RULE OF WOLVES. (Thank you to

 for gifting me this copy) I fully intend to make it a Grisha weekend by finishing this lovely and finding out what happens to Nikolai, Nina, and Zoya and then getting to see the awesome cast of the show bring to life some of the characters I love so much from this world.

One of my friends (Miranda, this is a test to see if you read my captions) and I have been texting a bit this week about Zoya’s character arc through all the Grisha books and how my feelings about her have evolved a lot! I’m enjoying her and Nina in the King of Scars duology.

Have you finished “Rule of Wolves” yet? I’m so slow lately, but I’m finally ready to start!

 Are you planning on watching the Netflix adaptation of

What are you reading today? How are you enjoying it? Last week I had the amazing experience of reading two really amazing books at the same time (reading “Chain of Gold” and listening to “Circe”) and moving between two really excellent books felt like reading Nirvana. I’m still riding the high of it. .

Everyone was telling me how amazing “Circe” is, and I had every reason to believe them because I loved Madeline Miller’s “Song of Achilles” very much. But then I started it and was like… wait, Greek Gods AND Witches?? How did I not know “Circe” was the marriage of two of my favorite reading topics? .

“Circe” was captivating! I was completely sucked in from the first page and found Circe to be so relatable. The story of her life, her journey through womanhood, her flaws and weaknesses, her strength and growth, her vengeance and sorrow… Madeline Miller just knows how to get into my feelings. I loved the way that Miller was able to incorporate so much mythology in a broad sense, and then dial it in to focus on Circe. I felt like she perfectly packed in so much detail—and part of the fun for me was recognizing the names of the Gods, Titans, and heroes she incorporated into this tale. I’m definitely joining the ranks of everyone who highly recommends this book. Beautifully written and so relatable, this book is joining the ranks of my all-time favorites. (I also recommend the audio, it was beautifully done.) .

 What are you reading today? How are you enjoying it? Last

Happy Monday! This morning I sat in bed while eating cereal and taking internet quizzes for a bit. So I think I had a good morning. ha. .

 reminded me to take the Renegades quiz (it’s on jointherenegades.com) and I got RENEGADE with the power of Invisibility. (which is awesome because I’ve always wanted that power) But it also said that I love spending time by myself catching up on my favorite TV shows, which is false. haha. I rarely watch TV. .

I’m so excited to read “Renegades”. I have yet to read a Marissa Meyer book that I didn’t enjoy or love (and I’ve read all her books) so I fully expect to love this read. Marissa Meyer is an auto buy author for me. I’m also excited that authors are doing duologies lately. It’s nice to know that there is just one more book on the horizon to look forward to. .

What super power did you get? Or if you didn’t take the quiz, what power would you want? .

Secret Identities. Extraordinary Powers. She wants vengeance. He wants justice. .

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies—humans with extraordinary abilities—who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone...except the villains they once overthrew. .

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice—and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.

 Happy Monday! This morning I sat in bed while eating cereal

What are some fascinations or interests that you have that have grown from reading books? For me, starting with "The Bone Season" by Samantha Shannon and then growing even more with "The Raven Cycle" by Maggie Stiefvater, I have been interested in tarot cards. Not the art of reading them, just the beauty of each different deck. .

I was gifted this deck of "Tattoo Tarot: Ink and Intuition" by

 and I couldn't resist the beauty of it. I've had a long time love of tattoo art as well, even if I don't have any tattoos of my own, so seeing these two things combined into a beautiful set was irresistible to me. It is now my third set of tarot, and I'm as much obsessed with the box as I am the cards. .

Tarot has origins in both Europe and Asia. "According to historians, the complete 78 card format we see today first emerged during the early fifteenth century in Northern Italy. During the sixteenth century France's Marseille card patterns were developed, producing a design style that underpins much of what we see in modern tarot cards and the Marseille designs have remained the staple among the 22 Major cards." Tattooing has been around even longer from ceremonial symbolism in early Egyptian and Greek civilizations and later embraced by the Japanese. At the turn of the century New York City witnessed its rebirth in a craze for tattoo flash art." .

I love the long history that comes with tattoos and the tarot! It's such fascinating reading! .

 What are some fascinations or interests that you have that

Me: This book looks awesome, imma read it. .

Sword and Pen: Okay, but I’m the fifth and final book of a series, loser. .

What makes me even dumber is The Great Library series is one that I’ve seen around a lot and actually have on my TBR. So, yeah, I’m not going to be reading “Sword and Pen” as soon as I thought I might. I’ll be getting book one ‘Ink and Bone” first. <face palm> (thank you to

 for gifting me this book, nonetheless. Haha) So to all of you who have been reading this series or were waiting for all the books to be out before you started, imagine this post is actually me walking down a street, ringing a bell, and shouting that the end has come. .

I actually purchased “Bruja Born” a couple months ago because I thought it was book one of a series, and it’s actually book two… so I have a history of needing to get my crap together. Please tell me I’m not alone in this. haha. .

Have you ever read a series out of order? The longer I observe young kids in the library, the more I realize there are PLENTY of them that do not care if a book is part of a series, they’ll just read whatever they can get their hands on and sort it all out. It doesn’t even phase them. Kinda wish my brain was still that easy going. .

 Me: This book looks awesome, imma read it. . Sword and Pen:

Well, looks like I’m celebrating Percy Jackson all week around here, so be prepared for some Percy posts. ha. Between the release of the new illustrated edition of “The Lightning Thief’ TODAY *dies* and Percy’s birthday this Saturday, it’s a big week for demigods! .

I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of this thing of beauty from the day it was announced, so I’m over the moon excited to be partnering with

 to celebrate this illustrated edition. I’m always on the hunt for amazing Percy Jackson merch and art, so this edition is like dream for someone like me who rarely finds it! I’ve been a huge fan of John Rocco’s art from his work in the Greek Heroes and Greek Gods books, so I knew this illustrated edition was in good hands when I heard he was doing the illustrations. (The Lightning Thief is a little smaller in height than the Greek Heroes/Gods books, but they still look amazing lined up next to each other) .

If you haven’t read the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan (

) I highly recommend them to anyone of any age who enjoys mythology and a lot of sassy humor. The Lightning Thief is the first book in the series and the illustrated edition features gorgeous full-color artwork on nearly every page. It’s in large-trim format so you can easily read this story-book style with your kids, too. I’ve got my fingers crossed that they are planning on illustrating the entire series because I got some real feels looking at the art. I’ll be showing some of the inside artwork in my stories today, along with some of the other books in my Percy collection. .

Do you have a favorite Greek Myth or Greek God? Demeter, Athena, and Hestia are three of my favorite Greek Goddesses. .

 Well, looks like I’m celebrating Percy Jackson all week

Do you know where your favorite mythological creatures originated from? What are some of your faves? (Oni from Japan, Huli Jing from China, Baba Jaga from Russia, Kelpie from Scotland, Leprechauns from Ireland, and basically every mythological creature from Greece— these are some of my favorite monsters since childhood.) .

 for sending me a copy of “The Atlas of Monsters” (which will be housed on my Wizard’s Library shelf) because this book just speaks to my map and mythology loving heart. .

Grouped by continent, this atlas lists and defines magical creatures from folklore all around the world. I’ve spent a lot of time in this atlas since it’s arrival. It made me really aware of where my fairytales came from (mostly Asia, South America, Russia, Greece, and the United Kingdom) because when I started flipping to places like Australia or Africa, I realized that there was a whole world of monsters and myths and stories that are completely unknown to me. .

The atlas is presented as a record created by a 15th century voyager and it includes his personal anecdotes as he encounters each monster on his journey. There are also notes from a library who supposedly found the atlas and is trying to figure out if the stories were made up or if the monsters are real. Each  page also includes a code for readers to crack! .

Basically this book was a pure delight for someone like me. I love information, I love mythology, and I love maps— and I truly had fun with this book and learning about monsters and creatures I’d never heard of before! Highly recommend this beauty! .

 Do you know where your favorite mythological creatures

Okay, take this sentence in with me: “all-female bomber regiment known as the Night Witches that served during WWII”. Let’s say that again just to make sure we are appreciating this on all the level: “All-female bomber regiment known as the Night Witches that served during WWII.” .

This book arrived as a surprise mailing to me from

, and I’m going to tell you right now that if this book doesn’t blow my mind I’m going to be really sad. haha. In the description it was compared to “the tradition of impeccably crafted historical fiction” like “We Were The Lucky Ones”, “The Women of the Castle” and “Lilac Girls”. Those are three historical fiction novels that I really loved. (And it’s on March’s Indie Next, which I mentioned yesterday is a list I love reading from) So I’m really excited about this. haha. .

PLUS WHY HAVE I NEVER HEARD OF THE NIGHT WITCHES?? <furiously googles> .

I haven’t read “The Alice Network”, but I remember seeing it around a lot and people having amazing things to say, so I’m pretty excited to get into Kate Quinn’s latest. (If you’ve read “The Alice Network” I’d love to hear what you thought.) .

What is one book you’re excited to read soon? .