Wishes for My TBR #18: Just in Time for Christmas

Wishes for My TBR Pile is a monthly post where I list and sometimes discuss the books I’ve discovered and would like to get and read.

I’ve discovered so many new to me books since I last did one of these posts that I procrastinated in doing this one. Also, I wasn’t in much of a blogging mood during the past couple weeks. But I’ve got my blogging groove back and since Christmas is mere days away, I thought it best to throw this post up in case someone needs gift ideas or is bored and need to past time while waiting for Christmas.

Problems by Jade Sharma

I first heard of Sharma’s book when I read a review of it on The New York Times website. The novel was published in July and is about a young woman struggling to get her life back on track. I forgot what exactly made me add it to my TBR, but that might be because the NYT review and others I read said it’s funny.

Curioddity by Paul Jenkins

A fantasy novel about a guy who learns there’s magic in the world. I came across this book in Mogsy’s review of it on The Bibliosanctum. It sounds like a wacky read, which highly appeals to me, and I love that the protagonist is a bit of an oddball. This might be one I borrow from the library next year.

Iron Cast by Destiny Soria

Everyone was reading this one a couple months ago. I wanted to join in then too but I was stuck on other books. This one appealed to me because of the magic system, which is accessed through art (that’s how I understand it from the reviews I’ve seen). That sounds pretty cool to me. I think all artists would love their creations to have such influence on people.

The Ferryman Institute by Colin Gigl

I really want to read this one. I first hear of it in a Shelf Awareness newsletter, where the reviewer’s words (“Gigl pays homage to Greco-Roman mythology while poking fun at corporate structure, but this fast-paced fantasy has its serious side, taking the real-life problem of getting stuck in a dead-end job to a more mystical but still weighty extreme”) made me immediately add it to my TBR. Also I think it’s pretty cool that there’s an institute for the ferrymen of dead souls.

Mystery Girl, Vol. 1 by Paul Tobin, illus. by Alberto Albuquerque and Marissa Louise

I forgot where I learned about this comic book but it was probably on Book Riot. I’ve wanted to get and read this comic since I first saw it because it seems that the protagonist, Trine Hampstead, a.k.a. Mystery Girl, is Black and it just looks like it will be a fun read.

Portugal by Cyril Pedrosa

It’s the same with this graphic novel too: I wanted to get it when I first heard of it. It’s about a guy who’s become bored with his life and decides to visit Portugal for a comic book festival to find his roots and escape his ennui. For some reason, I’ve become really interested in books about livening up one’s life. Hmm…

Princeless, #1: Captain Raven and the All-Girl Pirate Crew by Jeremy Whitley, illus. by Rosy Higgins and Ted Brandt

Another comic I’m interested in. I found it on Instagram and had to add it to my TBR because it made me think of Rat Queens.

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire

I loved Every Heart a Doorway so I’d love to get and read its sequel, which will be out in June next year.

Inuyashiki, Vol. 1 by Hiroya Oku

Has anyone read this manga? If so, please share your thoughts on it below. I know nothing about it other than what’s in the summary. I added it to my TBR because I love the cover and like that it’s about an old guy who gets “a new lease on life.” Sounds good.

The Point of Vanishing: A Memoir of Two Years in Solitude by Howard Axelrod

I’m a subscriber to Off the Shelf newsletters, which have some great book recommendations and reviews. I discovered Axelrod’s book in one of those reviews. It appealed to me because it’s about solitude and made me think of Walden since it’s about a dude who goes off to live in the woods. Other than that, I’m not sure how similar the books are. I’d really like to get this one though.

The Black River Chronicles: Level One by David Tallerman and Michael Wills

A fantasy novel about a school that trains kids to form adventuring bands (my term), composed of a ranger, fighter, wizard, and rogue. It looks like a fun read. I can’t tell if it’s YA or middle-grade though.

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

I’ve seen mentions of this book all year. It sounds interesting and the plot reminds me of In the House Upon the Dirt Between the Lake and the Woods by Matt Bell, which I haven’t read yet, and The Life of Elves by Muriel Barbery, which I read and liked.

Child of a Hidden Sea by A.M. Dellamonica

I keep hearing about the Hidden Sea Tales, even more so since the third book, The Nature of a Pirate, was recently published, and the buzz have made me curious about the series. I’d like to give it a try. I’d certainly like to read more fantasy novels involving sailing and pirates. So far, I’ve read Robin Hobb’s Ship of Magic, which was great. I want more!

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Of all the books, this is the novel I most want to read next year. 2017 can’t end without me reading this book. It sounds like one I will love. I have a good feeling about it. Can’t wait! From the reviews, it seems to be an atmospheric fantasy novel.

The Steampunk Bible by Jeff VanderMeer

I forgot the name of the blog where I found this one, but it looks so beautiful and I really like the illustrations in it. I’d like to know more about Steampunk. I think I’ll love it.

The Strain by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan

No explanations needed here. Y’all know how much I love the Strain TV show. Obviously I have to try the book too.

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