Category Archives: Blog

November First Impressions

Ah, November. The days are short, the nights are long, and the white hot chocolate is raising my blood sugar. My dashboards are covered in contemporary titles just ripe for reading at a Starbucks with your feet up on the table. Time to see if anything coming up this month is making it to myContinue reading “November First Impressions”

Too Many Tuesdays

If you’re an avid bookworm with a calendar full of highly anticipated release dates or a book blogger with deadlines (i.e. Our Audience) then you know that literally every book is published on a Tuesday.

As an adult with a day job, I have to wonder: whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?

My Plain Jane

Move over, Charlotte Brontë. The authors of My Lady Jane are back with a fantastic, romantic, hilarious reimagining of Jane Eyre.

Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows’s My Lady Jane was a New York Times bestseller, “an utter delight” (ALA Booklist, starred review), and “an uproarious historical fantasy that’s not to be missed” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). Now they’re back with another irreverent tale of mischief, mayhem, and romance—perfect for fans of The Princess Bride or A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue.

Ruin of Stars

The thrilling conclusion to the Mask of Shadows duology that weaves a tale of magic, shadows, and most importantly, revenge.

As one of the Queen’s elite assassins, Sal finally has the power, prestige, and permission to hunt down the lords who killed their family. But Sal still has to figure out who the culprits are. They must enlist the help of some old friends and enemies while ignoring a growing distaste for the queen and that the charming Elise is being held prisoner by her father.

But there’s something terribly wrong in the north. Talk of the return of shadows, missing children, and magic abounds. As Sal takes out the people responsible for their ruined homeland, Sal learns secrets and truths that can’t be forgotten.

Mirage

In a star system dominated by the brutal Vathek empire, eighteen-year-old Amani is a dreamer. She dreams of what life was like before the occupation; she dreams of writing poetry like the old-world poems she adores; she dreams of receiving a sign from Dihya that one day, she, too, will have adventure, and travel beyondContinue reading “Mirage”

October First Impressions

Time to look at some upcoming titles that caught my interest in one way or another. Here are five titles that caught my interest… and a few that lost it quickly.

Ghosts

Catrina and her family are moving to the coast of Northern California because her little sister, Maya, is sick. Cat isn’t happy about leaving her friends for Bahía de la Luna, but Maya has cystic fibrosis and will benefit from the cool, salty air that blows in from the sea. As the girls explore theirContinue reading “Ghosts”

The Mesmerist

Thirteen-year-old Jessamine Grace and her mother make a living as sham spiritualists—until they discover that Jess is a mesmerist and that she really can talk to the dead. Soon she is plunged into the dark world of Victorian London’s supernatural underbelly and learns that the city is under attack by ghouls, monsters, and spirit summoners. Can Jess fight these powerful forces? And will the group of strange children with mysterious powers she befriends be able to help? As shy, proper Jess transforms into a brave warrior, she uncovers terrifying truths about the hidden battle between good and evil, about her family, and about herself.

Truthwitch

In a continent on the edge of war, two witches hold its fate in their hands. Young witches Safiya and Iseult have a habit of finding trouble. After clashing with a powerful Guildmaster and his ruthless Bloodwitch bodyguard, the friends are forced to flee their home. Safi must avoid capture at all costs as she’sContinue reading “Truthwitch”

The Darkest Corners

There are ghosts around every corner in Fayette, Pennsylvania. Tessa left when she was nine and has been trying ever since not to think about it after what happened there that last summer. Memories of things so dark will burn themselves into your mind if you let them.

7 Obnoxious Book Reviewer Problems

Everyone thinks it’s all fun and games with all these book reviews but let me tell you that it is TORTURE! Torture I tell you! The TBR pile keeps growing because I have no self control about accepting requests, review embargoes are real, and sometimes I cram a whole new release in between another bookContinue reading “7 Obnoxious Book Reviewer Problems”

The Lie Tree

Faith Sunderly leads a double life. To most people, she is reliable, dull, trustworthy—a proper young lady who knows her place as inferior to men. But inside, Faith is full of questions and curiosity, and she cannot resist mysteries: an unattended envelope, an unlocked door.

Beyond the Red

Alien queen Kora has a problem as vast as the endless crimson deserts. She’s the first female ruler of her territory in generations, but her people are rioting and call for her violent younger twin brother to take the throne. Despite assassination attempts, a mounting uprising of nomadic human rebels, and pressure to find a mate to help her rule, she’s determined to protect her people from her brother’s would-be tyrannical rule.

How To Prioritize Your TBR

As Book Nerds, we have a problem. That problem is our ever growing, never shrinking TBR pile that now needs its own house with its own mortgage. To help, we’re going to use/alter/reference the KonMari method. Relax! We aren’t going to make you keep a max or minimum amount of books. We know you can’t be contained.

8 June 2019 YA Releases To Be Excited For

June is going to be an exciting month, book nerds! Especially for fantasy fans. Did we include your most anticipated June read? If not, tell us what we missed in the comments below!

7 Places To Hide And Read Over Memorial Day Weekend

We all know what’s about to happen: the family, the friends, the music, the BBQ. It’s all coming to cut into your weekend reading time. You’re going to open that book, someone is going to ask you what it’s about, and then they’re going to talk about John at the office. Don’t worry. We’re here to help. Here are some places to hide this weekend to get in your well deserved reading time.

May 2019 YA Releases We’re Excited For

So many good and pretty books are coming out just in time for Spring weather. Early Spring that is. Before the pollen gets so bad that we can’t read outside and while the bugs are still deciding if they want to sleep in.

April YA Releases We’re Excited For

Descendant of the Crane by Joan He Tyrants cut out hearts. Rulers sacrifice their own. Princess Hesina of Yan has always been eager to shirk the responsibilities of the crown, dreaming of an unremarkable life. But when her beloved father is found dead, she’s thrust into power, suddenly the queen of a surprisingly unstable kingdom.Continue reading “April YA Releases We’re Excited For”

S2E1: Welcome Back & The Hate U Give

We’re back, book nerds! After a lengthy and well-earned break, we have finally recorded a new episode! We relive the nitty and gritty details about finishing a grueling MFA program, talk parenting tips for some strange reason (it’s totally logical and prompted, we swear), and then finally remember that we watched an AMAZING adaptation ofContinue reading “S2E1: Welcome Back & The Hate U Give”

B&N Coupons and Hangouts

Happy Saturday, Book Nerds! We’re excited to announce Barnes and Nobles’ next B&N Kids’ Book Hangout Event, coming up on February 9th! Go hang out at your local Barnes & Noble store to meet other readers, enjoy games and activities, and get free book swag. Get More Info .  Sign Up Here Valentine’s Day is around the corner and B&NContinue reading “B&N Coupons and Hangouts”

Mera: Tidebreaker ~DNF~

Princess Mera is teenage royalty and heir to the throne of Xebel, a penal colony ruled by the other no-so-lost land under the sea, Atlantis. Her father, his court and the entire kingdom are expecting her to marry and introduce a new king. But Mera is destined to wear a different crown…. When the XebellianContinue reading “Mera: Tidebreaker ~DNF~”

You Are The Everything ★★★☆☆

An unusual, often confusing tale of a boy and a girl who are the sole survivors of a plane crash, and the relationship that blossoms afterwards. Can you want something—or someone—so badly that you change your destiny? Elyse Schmidt never would have believed it, until it happened to her. When Elyse and her not-so-secret crush,Continue reading “You Are The Everything ★★★☆☆”

What If It’s Us ★★★★☆

A sweet, co-authored meet-cute that takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotions from some amazing heart-breaker writers What If It’s Us is sure to leave you wanting more–and crying just a lot a bit. Arthur is only in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him anything, it’s that the universe can deliverContinue reading “What If It’s Us ★★★★☆”

Nine ★★☆☆☆

I requested Nine because I was intrigued by the world: people literally killing themselves to better themselves (where am I familiar with this concept?). But it all just fell short. In an alternate world startlingly close to our own, humans have nine lives—and they can’t wait to burn straight through them. As you shed lives, you shedContinue reading “Nine ★★☆☆☆”

Episode #35: Bruja Born UNCUT

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-rr4nw-936360 Join us this week as we discuss Zoraida Cordova’s Bruja Born, the sequel to Labyrinth Lost. Eat your heart out Lula Mortiz, we’ve got some opinions. This episode is the uncut episode for our patrons. Want to listen to the whole shebang AND a whole bunch of awesome interviews we have coming up? Visit patron.podbean.com/bookedallnight and support theContinue reading “Episode #35: Bruja Born UNCUT”

Episode #35: Bruja Born

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-ccupy-9259c1 Three sisters. One spell. Countless dead. Lula Mortiz feels like an outsider. Her sister’s newfound Encantrix powers have wounded her in ways that Lula’s bruja healing powers can’t fix, and she longs for the comfort her family once brought her. Thank the Deos for Maks, her sweet, steady boyfriend who sees the beauty withinContinue reading “Episode #35: Bruja Born”

Episode #34: The Illuminae Files

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-bnzy8-918c90 Viruses… IN SPACE! War… IN SPACE! Psychotic AIs… IN SPACE! You know Jess loves this series and now we’re finally talking about The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. And we have some thoughts… IN SPACE!  .  Subscribe to the podcast on Podbean Follow Jessica Twitter . Facebook Follow Maggie Twitter . FacebookContinue reading “Episode #34: The Illuminae Files”

Maggie’s March TBR

I finished Children of Blood and Bone the other night, and it was my most anticipated March release, so now I get to go through all the new March releases, and even work on some of my April release ARCs!

Jessica’ March TBR

For Review Title: Children of Blood and Bone Author(s): Tomi Adeyemi Pub Date: March 6, 2018 Publisher: Henry Holt Books for Young Readers Buy Links: Amazon . B&N Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zelie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls. But everything changedContinue reading “Jessica’ March TBR”

Maggie’s February TBR

I keep making the mistake of requesting more and more ARCs even though I haven’t finished the ones on my list… But with The Belles coming out in a few days and Reign of the Fallen out already, I can hopefully breeze through my February ARCs so I can get to the ones I’m most excitedContinue reading “Maggie’s February TBR”

Jessica’s February TBR

A few titles are back on my TBR after the holidays and with the semester starting. I’m trying to read more middle grade this semester since I feel like I haven’t touched a lot of it. And I have three ARCs on the list. If anyone has any good, recent, sci-fi bookrecs, please leave themContinue reading “Jessica’s February TBR”

Between the Blade and the Heart EXCERPT

When the fate of the world is at stake Loyalties will be tested Game of Thrones meets Blade Runner in this commanding new YA fantasy inspired by Norse Mythology from New York Times bestselling author Amanda Hocking. As one of Odin’s Valkyries, Malin’s greatest responsibility is to slay immortals and return them to the underworld.Continue reading “Between the Blade and the Heart EXCERPT”

Jessica’s December TBR

Children of Blood and Bone Author: Tomi Adeyemi Series: Legacy of Orïsha Publication Date: March 6, 2018 Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zelie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls. But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, majiContinue reading “Jessica’s December TBR”

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas Season BookNerds! The best way to support us this holiday season doesn’t cost you any money. Simply follow us and our little project and make sure to share you favorite posts and podcasts! Follow Magdalyn Ann Blog . Twitter . Facebook . Instagram Follow Jessica M Tuckerman Blog . Twitter . Facebook .Continue reading “Happy Holidays!”

No Episode This Week!

Just a reminder that Jessica is getting married tomorrow! And since Maggie is also in the wedding, there will be no episode this week. We’ll be back next week with all sort of bookish fun though! Make sure to enter your favorite titles for a Night Owl! We will (hopefully) be adding winning titles intoContinue reading “No Episode This Week!”

Get Your Nominations In Now

It’s time to start voting in your favorite books of the year for the coveted Night Owl. We will be taking nominees in a variety of categories for the duration of October. Polls will close on Halloween while we tabulate the entries and voting will re-open in December for final voting. Tune into the BookedContinue reading “Get Your Nominations In Now”

Maggie’s October TBR

I got approved for two new ARCs recently, Between the Blade and Heart and Tess of the Road. I’ve been meaning to get through The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding and Six of Crows too, so no better time than now!

Waiting on Wednesday #12

Shadowhouse Fall Publication Date: September 12th, 2017 The extraordinary sequel to the New York Times bestseller Shadowshaper is daring, dazzling, defiant. Sierra and her friends love their new lives as shadowshapers, making art and creating change with the spirits of Brooklyn. Then Sierra receives a strange card depicting a beast called the Hound of LightContinue reading “Waiting on Wednesday #12”

Waiting on Wednesday #11

Starfish Publication Date: September 26th, 2017 Pre-order it here! Kiko Himura has always had a hard time saying exactly what she’s thinking. With a mother who makes her feel unremarkable and a half-Japanese heritage she doesn’t quite understand, Kiko prefers to keep her head down, certain that once she makes it into her dream artContinue reading “Waiting on Wednesday #11”

Maggie’s September TBR

I’m still reading a lot of the same ARCs; but I’ve been approved for Adam Silvera’s They Both Die At The End so expect that review up soon! I’m also finally starting Six of Crows and finishing up my all time fave The Savage Dawn, book 3 of Melissa Grey’s The Girl at Midnight series. I won’t include theContinue reading “Maggie’s September TBR”

Jessica’s September TBR

Going to be a slow September apparently. I’m super excited that I was approved for the second Mice of the Round Table by Julie Leung. I’ve had This Darkness Mine for a little bit now and I really need to get it off my review list since it comes out this October. The Stolen Child is an old one but my teacher recommended it to me. Here’s all the back copy:

Waiting on Wednesday #10

One Dark Throne Publication Date: September 19th, 2017 Pre-order it here! The battle for the Crown has begun, but which of the three sisters will prevail? With the unforgettable events of the Quickening behind them and the Ascension Year underway, all bets are off. Katharine, once the weak and feeble sister, is stronger than everContinue reading “Waiting on Wednesday #10”

Waiting on Wednesday #9

Warcross Publication Date: September 12th, 2017 Pre-order it here! From #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu—when a game called Warcross takes the world by storm, one girl hacks her way into its dangerous depths. For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsessionContinue reading “Waiting on Wednesday #9”

Waiting on Wednesday #8

A Reaper at the Gates Publication Date: April 10th, 2018 Pre-order it here! Beyond the Empire and within it, the threat of war looms ever larger. The Blood Shrike, Helene Aquilla, is assailed on all sides. Emperor Marcus, haunted by his past, grows increasingly unstable, while the Commandant capitalizes on his madness to bolster herContinue reading “Waiting on Wednesday #8”