I loved participating in the #thankfullyreading challengelast week. I decided to start counting on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving since we were off school. I wrapped up Sunday November 30th. It was a great combination of sit down and read time and audiobooks. Lots of kitchen time getting ready for Thanksgiving meant lots of audiobook time. Here’s what I read during this challenge: 

The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen

“Hart is a marshal, tasked with patrolling the strange and magical wilds of Tanria. It’s an unforgiving job, and Hart’s got nothing but time to ponder his loneliness. Mercy never has a moment to herself. She’s been single-handedly keeping Birdsall & Son Undertakers afloat in defiance of sullen jerks like Hart, who seems to have a gift for showing up right when her patience is thinnest.” 

I purchased this delightfully weird book earlier this fall and decided to give it a go over Thanksgiving break. I just loved this. It was romantic, funny and kind of odd in such an entertaining way. I loved the characters so much and the whole story was so creative. I found myself swooning and sighing both at the romantic love as well as the love for family, both related and found. It was just delightful. I gave it a hug when I finished and put it on my keep shelf. 

Death Comes to Jane Austen Town by Rosemary Stevens

“When the local bottling plant closes, employment in Boring, Virginia dries up. The mayor is under pressure to accept an offer from Dale Casino Resorts to build a massive gambling complex. The prospect would bring jobs, but it would destroy the traditional, small-town life the community loves. All seems lost until Kay Starling is inspired by her love of iconic author Jane Austen to reinvent Boring into Jane Austen Town! Together with her family, friends, and neighbors, Kay launches a Jane Austen Festival culminating in a grand Birthday Ball to honor the author’s 250th birthday and #PartyLikeIts1811.”

I read this to review for Kings River Life Magazine. This is a cute cozy mystery, especially fun for Jane Austen fans. Review to appear soon at KRL. 

The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser

“Breathtaking suspense, unforgettable characters, and a pinch of magic combine in the dual stories of two young people—one in 731 China, and one in 1931 Chinatown—on perilous journeys to save their families.” 

I absolutely love Karina Yan Glaser – the Vanderbeekers are books I think about all the time. I was so excited when my library hold came in for her newest middle grade novel and it was absolutely wonderful. It’s an adventure, historical fiction story told from the point of view of two kids – one in ancient China and one in Chinatown during the Great Depression. As with all of her books, there’s mystery, hope, adventure and such wonderful characters. The way she can tell stories featuring found families is brilliant. The author’s note is a must. I loved every page. 

Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray

“New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Dray returns with a captivating and dramatic novel about an American heroine Frances Perkins.”

I bought this book the minute it came out as I have been fascinated by Frances Perkins and FDR and wanted to learn more. And then it sat on my shelf because I was intimidated by the over 500 pages length. Earlier this year, though, I made a commitment to read four big books I had purchased but was putting off because of the length (see the post here). 

I grabbed this one on audio and listened over two days where I was in the kitchen preparing for Thanksgiving (and then later as I worked on a puzzle). Fascinating and captivating are the perfect words to describe this work of historical fiction based on a real life heroine. I only knew vague details about Perkins, but found her work to be so admirable that I wanted to know more. This was so well researched, yet didn’t read like a boring textbook. Dray is a master storyteller, bringing history to life. The author’s note is a must read. Fans of history and strong women should take the plunge with this five star book. 

Coach by Jason Reynolds

“In this companion to Jason Reynolds’s award-winning and New York Times bestselling Track series, meet Coach as a boy striving to come into his own as a track star while facing upheaval at home.”

If you loved the Track series (and how could you not), then this is a must read. I highly recommend picking up the entire series on audio – they are fabulous. You must, though, read the rest of the series before diving into this one. And then once you do you will be so happy. It’s everything we love about Jason Reynolds – it’s funny and thoughtful and kind and emotional and I just wanted to hug everyone in the story. Thank you, thank you, for one more entry into this series. It was just what we needed. Five stars.