Here are some of the latest book reviews and blog posts that I’ve shared on my reading blog, Amanda’s Book Corner.
- by AmandaHere’s a book that surprised me this year: Puck by Samantha Allen. I was offered an ARC of it a few months ago, and I was intrigued that it’s inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream—even though I’m not especially familiar with this Shakespearean play; what kind of English major am I?!—and that the main character… […]
- by AmandaBetween 2012 and 2013, I lived in Valencia, Spain while pursuing my master’s degree. Someday I’ll live in Spain again, but until then, I’m always chasing that feeling through books. This led me straight to The Valencia Expat Club by June Patrick, set exactly in my “home” city. Thirty-year-old Dahlia has just gotten divorced, and… […]
- by AmandaHappy release day to Cynthia Gómez‘s debut novella, Muñeca. This has been high on my list since I first learned about it, and what a compelling and quick read it turned out to be. It’s set in Orinda, California in 1968. Natalia used to help her mom cleaning at the affluent Miramontes home, and it… […]
- by AmandaI’ve been looking forward to Keshe Chow‘s adult debut, Strange Familiars, which just came out a couple weeks ago. The first in the Seamere College Duology, it’s set in a magical version of our world at a London university, where two veterinary science majors are competing for the top spot upon graduation. Gwendolynne Chan and… […]
- by AmandaI read and enjoyed Vaishnavi Patel’s first two novels, and I’ve been excited for her latest release, We Dance Upon Demons. This is a bit of a departure from her earlier works, most notably because it’s contemporary fantasy as opposed to historical fantasy. It’s also very heavily focused on current issues regarding abortion rights and… […]
- by AmandaThis year I’ve been increasingly drawn to horror novels set around the world, including African horror in particular. House of Margins by Tlotlo Tsamaase piqued my interest for its setting in both Botswana and South Africa, its focus on African literature, and a missing person mystery told through the lens of a true crime podcast…. […]
- by AmandaHappy book birthday to Harper St. George‘s The Dove and the Rogue! This is the final novel in her Doves of New York trilogy, set up so brilliantly in the previous book, Eliza and the Duke. I was sad when Berkley didn’t pick up the third story in the trilogy. (Traditional publishing’s general move away… […]
- by AmandaA book I’ve been looking forward to all year is Startup Hell by Caitlin Rozakis. When her boss summons a demon and promptly dies, Morgan suddenly has a problem on her hands. But both she and Lucareoth (Luke) are just trying to meet their respective sales quotas, and he’s now stuck on her plane, so… […]
- by AmandaHappy book birthday to The House of Now and Then by Edward Underhill! This is my first time reading this author, and what an impactful book to start with. Harlowe is a 31-year-old trans man who has just ended a long relationship with his boyfriend. To regroup, he rents a (shockingly cheap) cottage in Cape… […]
- by AmandaI really enjoyed Julian Winters‘s adult debut, I Think They Love You, early last year, and I’ve been excited for more from him. The 24 Carter Gold series continues with Last First Kiss, in which Jordan and Jamie find their way to each other. Both were introduced in the previous book, and here we get… […]
Amanda Whitbeck 