BlogFeature – A Take from Two Cities

FIVE SERIES TO FINISH IN 2023

Hi, Hollis here! A few years ago I bemoaned all my started-but-unfinished series and went to some painstaking effort to shelve them on GR to keep track. I quickly discontinued that effort but the fact remains that we as readers, and we here at A Take from Two Cities, start so many series and only manage to finish some. Whether that’s because said series are yet to be completed, delayed, or just forgotten about amidst all the other new releases, who can say. But to keep us (me) accountable, I want to start a blog series not unlike our Five On Our TBRs but where we (I) try to complete (at least!) five series a year.

This was once again successful for me in 2022 and overall this endeavour continues to keep me not just accountable but motivated. Honestly, it’s only the thought of having to type “I failed” in this box that I pushed on and completed the fifth series on last year’s list. Now that’s motivation.

Topping my list for series I’d like to complete in 2023 are :

Starting this list off with the repeat and that is Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel series. Well, not the main trilogy, at least, as I snuck that in right near the end of the year. But I would like to push on with at least one of the two spin-off trilogies (Imriel’s Trilogy and Namaah’s Trilogy). If all goes well, I’ll tackle both. But, once again, I’m not committing to that on paper.

The Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas is next on my list. I have a rocky relationship with this author (some buddies witnessed me hate-reading the end of the main A Court of Thorns and Roses trilogy and I have yet to read on..) but it has haunted me that I gave up on this series around Queen of Shadows and I just need to finish it. It might not be a great ride towards completion, not to mention reliving those early books!, but I remember enjoying, more than disliking, everything I read prior to quitting and I do hope I have some fun with it.

The Red Rising Saga by Pierce Brown. I completed the main trilogy upto Morning Star but never tackled the series after the series expanded; and now with the penultimate instalment releasing next year (May 23, 2023!), this feels like the best time to catch up.

Next up, The Arcana Chronicles by Kresley Cole. I started this series back in 2015 (!!) and before I could get caught up (I’ve read upto book three) I think the author ended up getting pulled into other commitments. When I added this series to this draft post, months ago, we still hadn’t had any news about book six — but I’m here now to edit this to say we now have a release date (April 18, 2023). I have no idea if this YA (NA?) post-apocalyptic Arcana-based love triangle series will hit the way it did way back when but there’s only one way to find out.

And lastly, for this round up, Jennifer Lynn Barnes’s The Inheritance Games series. This YA mystery series is probably the newest/most recently published offering on this list (book three came out in the fall) and it’s mostly on here because I had books two and three checked out from my library just the other day when I realized.. maybe, for this kind of story, with all the twists and turns and reveals that occurred in book one, maybe I need to go back and binge so I keep it all straight. And so here we are.

Micky here and I’m squeezing into this one because I have 4353 series unfinished or so it feels. I do have a problem and I think it’s because the minute I start thinking of series to finish, my mind goes to series I want to start. Thus my problem expands.

My list for 2023 goes like this:

First up is Grace Draven’s Fallen Empire series. I’m a big fan of Draven and tend to enjoy this author’s writing most in her full novels than her short stories.

I’ve been meaning to catch up on the two latter Daevabad books for a couple of years and now we have short stories just out, so I feel very left behind on the love for this. I remember book one being quite dense storytelling but good.

This is a series that’s still got releases coming but as I got up to date with this author’s Mercy Thompson series and I remain in love with it, carrying on with this off-shoot series needs to be my next priority.

The Tomorrow’s Ancestors series is a super fresh take on evolution in the future clashing with the beginings of humanity. I loved book one and I want to see what happens in the next two books.

No pictures for my final series plan as I’m in tune with Hollis here, finally having picked the Throne of Glass series back up. I’ve recently enjoyed book two and want to see it through in 2023.

Are there any series you’re prioritizing this year? We’d love to know!

FIVE ON OUR TBRS

We’ve found that breaking down our TBRs can be something that inspires us to pick up hidden or briefly forgotten reads. ‘Five on my TBR’ is something that we have done a few times on bookstagram but it originated with someone else, though, eek, we’ve no idea who (if you’re the creator of this, please let us know and we will credit you!).

We are starting off the new year with the hope that we will include updates in this TBR series more often than we might have done last year. But whether we do or not (who can say!), here we are showing what’s risen to the top of our TBRs and/or what has us buzzed.

Micky’s five

Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo
The Blood Heir by Amelie Wen Zhao
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
XOXO by Axie Oh
Midnight in Everwood by M.A. Kuzniar

I finally mastered King of Scars so now it’s time for Rule of Wolves. I am haunted on my netgalley shelf by The Blood Heir, so I’m pushing myself on that. The other three are owned books I keep looking at, feel enthusiatic about but don’t pick up. Do we share any excitables?

Hollis’ five

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano
Save of the Game by Avon Gale
Father Complex by Gregory Ashe
Seven Devils by Laura Lam & Elizabeth May
Something Wilder by Christina Lauren

This TBR is a pile of series — except the last. Why, why am I doing this to myself? Because I am a binge queen! I will naturally have to follow up each of these instalments with the subsequent ones and finish the series. Gulp. As for the reasons? The Cosimano because it’s everywhere and I’m curious about the hype! The Gale because it’s a long-overdue series to finish; I had picked up an ARC of the final book, gone back to read book one, and then.. got stalled, somehow. The Ashe because I’ve been hoarding each release of this spin-off (of a spin-off) waiting until the series finished. The Lam and May because I’ve put it on this TBR series twice now and I’m overdue. And, finally, the CLo because it’s a CLo and I’m curious about this different take on their usual fare.

Tell us the top five books on your TBR! Do any of ours make your lists?

2022 MID-YEAR BOOK FREAK OUT

Well, we made it! We’ve survived the first half of 2022. At least.. we hope you’re surviving. If nothing else, maybe this tag will distract you for five to ten minutes and give you something of a reprieve.

Here we go!

What is the best book you’ve read so far in 2022?
M : I’ve had a crop of 5 star reads so far this year and it’s hard to choose. So I’m going with Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood which releases in August and The Blood Traitor by Lynette Noni.
H : I’m picking two (no, this isn’t a loophole) because one is an ARC that won’t be out for mooonths and the other is already out. Respectively those are Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle (out October fourth) and Book Lovers by Emily Henry.

What is the best sequel you’ve read so far in 2022?
M : The Blood Traitor by Lynette Noni finished The Prison Healer series on as much of a high as it started.
H : The Long Game by Rachel Reid.

What’s a new release you haven’t read yet, but want to?
M : I’m looking forward to Only on the Weekends by Dean Atta.
H : Per usual, I consulted our Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases of 2022 list and, with exception to those not released yet, I’ve once again read all of mine (the Mhairi doesn’t count as I was dumb and used the UK release date), which isn’t hard as the majority were listed for fall (and, since posting that, a few have even been bumped to 2023, not salty at all). Therefore, I’ll be going with The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian and A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall.

What is your most anticipated release for the second half of the year?
M : I’m looking forward to The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik.
H : Nonaaaaaa (aka Nona the Ninth) by Tamsyn Muir. And also The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik because oh boy that cliffhanger from last year was rough.

What has been your biggest disappointment?
M : I’d been meaning to get around to The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix and when I did, I was incredibly disappointed by the story and in particular, by the characterisation, misogyny and how all the women were written.
H : Neither are my lowest rated of the year (so far..) but the first one I was disappointed about — though it’s likely due to my own expectations on what it was supposed to be and the vibe — was Home Field Advantage by Dahlia Adler. The second I’m including is one that isn’t out yet but I’m The Girl by Courtney Summers just really let me down. Sadie this was not.

What has been your biggest surprise?
M : Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus was the kind of book I didn’t know I needed, but that I’m all the richer for.
H : I’m going with Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel. It’s a feminist retelling of a Hindu epic and I went in knowing nothing about the content or the author (debut alert!) and came out appreciating both very much.

Do you have a favorite new author (debut or new to you)?
M : Patricia Briggs has been my find of the last two years. I’m currently reading two urban fantasy/PNR series by her and loving every minute of it.
H : Even though I just highlighted a debut author, I am hesitant to call them a favourite until I read another release, so.. I’m going with no, I have no new favourites, debut or otherwise.

Who is your newest fictional crush?
M : Hart from The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen and Levi from Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood. These guys are both definitely grumpy.
H : He isn’t a new crush but my reread had me re-crushing on him and that’s James Mycroft from Ellie Marney’s Every series.

Who is your newest favorite character?
M : Six Thirty from Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Intrigued by that name? Go read it.
H : Hall from Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle.

What book has made you cry?
M : A book coming out in August The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen had me mush-crying twice. Highly rec this fantasy rom-com.
H : Almost everything I read makes me cry. Better question would be which book didn’t make me cry. But the ones that stick out the most are also the ones I’ve liked the most (correlation?) and those are : Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle and Book Lovers by Emily Henry.

What book has made you happy?
M : The Takeover by TL Swan. A total escapism read from a new to me author.
H : Heartstopper : Volume Four by Alice Oseman, I think, has made me the happiest.

What’s the most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)?
M : Pandora by Susan Stokes-Chapman was really pretty with gorgeous edges.
H : I don’t think I’ve bought a single book this year! Yikes.

What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
M : I intend to be up to date with the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs, I want to start one of Brandon Sanderson’s fantasy series and start The Poppy War series.
H : These will be familiar titles for those of you who are familiar with our TBR posts but I would like to complete The First Sister trilogy by Linden A. Lewis, the Seven Devils duology by Laura Lam & Elizabeth May, and (a reread of) Phèdre’s Trilogy by Jacqueline Carey.

credit for the Mid-Year Book Freak Out tag goes to :
Chami → https://youtu.be/EB8OrYHBvM8
Ely → https://youtu.be/X_Wh0rPGfRg

We’d love to know how the half way point of the year has you feeling about books you’ve read and anticipated. Any highlights so far? Any big disappointments? Tell us your feels.

NETGALLEY CHECK IN, WARTS AND ALL

We thought it would be fun to do a NetGalley check in, find some receipts for what some might call crazy clicking (Micky) and others might call the Marie Kondo method of NetGalley (Hollis).

We actually do this on the regular with one another on DMs and it’s always the same patten with us : Micky is the serial offender, a bit behind, requesting too much while the NetGalley shelf bows with weight. Hollis, meanwhile, is more considerate of her click habits — only because she learned her lesson after having overclicked and, subsequently, buried herself in ARCs a few years back. (*Micky interrupts…Excuse me, Hollis…some of us like that buried feeling.) Also, as many of you know, Hollis enjoys almost nothing so that’s also a factor.

Shall we screenshot? Did you say go on?

So, Micky’s oldest unread is from November 2019 – Blood Heir (sorry Harper, you will get my review one day). Currently there are 44 books awaiting feedback but the good news is that my stats are at 92% with feedback given on 552 books. So while I might be an over-clicker, I generally deliver on my reviews and am mostly on time.

Hollis actually cleared her outstanding eARC queue earlier this year (yesss, snuck it in before the bell!) so she has no overdue reviews. As of the writing this blog post she has five (5) eARCs to read and review and her status is at 98% with 310 out of 315 books read and reviewed.

So what does your NetGalley shelf look like? Are you a Micky, a Hollis, or a SomewhereInBetween? Let us know!

FIVE ON OUR TBRS

Micky’s five

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
The Last Astronaut by David Wellington
The Sad Ghost Club Volume 2 by Lize Meddings
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier
Cybele’s Secret by Juliet Marillier

Yes, I’ve transferred King of Scars for the third time but triumphing in that I read the other four off my last 5 on our tbrs posts. After finishing a Juliet Marillier series recently, I need more so this duo of hers is calling me and Hollis bought me one of the books. Sad Ghost Club volume 1 was a delight, so I need to jump into the second. Do we share any excitables?

Hollis’ five

Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee
Girls of Fate and Fury by Natasha Ngan
The Barnabus Project by Terry Fan

I’m using some of the similar energy I channeled in the last post of this series and I’m tackling a trilogy in lieu of three separate books. The Green Bone Saga isn’t part of my Series to Complete goal but still one I’m way overdue to complete. I’m excited to crush the finale of the Girls of Paper and Fury series not because I like it (welp) but because I want to.. well, complete it. And finally I’m just generally excited about The Barnabus Project because it was pitched at a publisher event and looks adorable and if it is as amazing as I hope it’s going on the books to buy list for my nieces.

Tell us the top five books on your TBR! Do any of ours make your lists?

FIVE SERIES TO FINISH IN 2022

Hi, Hollis here! A few years ago I bemoaned all my started-but-unfinished series and went to some painstaking effort to shelve them on GR to keep track. I quickly discontinued that effort but the fact remains that we as readers, and we here at A Take from Two Cities, start so many series and only manage to finish some. Whether that’s because said series are yet to be completed, delayed, or just forgotten about amidst all the other new releases, who can say. But to keep us (me) accountable, I want to start a blog series not unlike our Five On Our TBRs but where we (I) try to complete (at least!) five series a year.

This was incredibly successful for me in 2021 (I finished all five!), and kept me not just accountable but motivated.

Topping my list for series I’d like to complete in 2022 are :

Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel series. As we’ve come to expect by now, this will necessitate a reread of book one and book two, as I read these back in highschool in [year redacted]. I may also attempt to read past the main trilogy (books four to six and seven to nine both have their own arcs, I believe) but I’m not committing to that on paper.

The Middle of Somewhere series by Roan Parrish. This was one of my early(ish) forays into discovering m/m authors and I only got as far as book one because I was flitting from one thing to another. While I haven’t loved everything by this author, I hope this series might turn out to be a win.

The All Souls series by Deborah Harkness. I bailed on book three after how disappointed I was by book two but almost all my bookie friends say this was a very good end, so. I need to get on this one. And the fourth book, companion, too, I guess.

Danielle L Jensen’s Malediction Trilogy was such a huge find at the time of it’s release because.. troll YA fantasy? How cool! Book one was so also good. Sadly I remember nothing about book two which might explain why I held off on book three. Unlike the last few this is an owned physical series so if this doesn’t end up satisfying..? Well at least I get back some shelf space.

And lastly, for this round up, Ellie Marney’s Every series. This is a YA reimagining/modern retelling of Sherlock Homes (sorta) except it’s about Watson and Mycroft and I absolutely went nuts for books one and two. To the point that I wouldn’t shut up about it. And then I never read book three. Much like another series on this list there’s also now a fourth book that I believe is less connected to the main series and more a companion? I’ll tackle that, too.

Last year’s edition of this post made it seem I was a “one and done” series reader. But almost this whole 2022 edition is spotlighting “Hollis has a book three problem”. I guess you can be both!

Are there any series you’re prioritizing this year? We’d love to know!

FIVE ON OUR TBRS

We’ve found that breaking down our TBRs can be something that inspires us to pick up hidden or briefly forgotten reads. ‘Five on my TBR’ is something that we have done a few times on bookstagram but it originated with someone else, though, eek, we’ve no idea who (if you’re the creator of this, please let us know and we will credit you!).

We always have the best intention to include updates in this TBR series more often than we do but, as always, it’s been longer than we thought since the last post. Nonetheless, here we are showing what’s risen to the top of our TBRs and/or what has us buzzed.

Micky’s five

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
The Dark Lady by Akala
Venom & Vulture by Bex Hogan
King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

So, what the hell Micky with King of Scars, it’s still lingering, nevermind the sequel. The Dark Lady is a middle grade from an activist I admire massively. I’ve read the first book in the Isles of Storm & Sorrow, so I want to push myself to finish Venom & Vulture as they’re all published. Do we share any excitables?

Hollis’ five (four? six?)

Neon Gods by Katee Robert
House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
Mister Impossible by Stiefvater
The Inheritance Trilogy by NK Jemisin

Instead of having the same two books on this TBR list reappear once again, I’ve ditched them for now (Seven Devils, because the sequel is no longer out in August but pushed to January, and The First Sister, because it’s a trilogy, not a duology, and I’ll be waiting to read until fall of 2022 because I’m just like that). But otherwise? This series has been pretty successful so far! Here’s hoping it continues.

Also, I realize there are only four listings up there but the Jemisin is actually a three book omnibus so it’s technically a total of six books I’m holding myself accountable (ish) for completing. As for the rest, the Stiefvater is an embarrassment, I can’t believe I still haven’t read it, the Sutherland because fall is coming and I think that book is supposed to be spoopy, and the Robert, well. That’s hype train, baby.

Tell us the top five books on your TBR! Do any of ours make your lists?

2021 MID-YEAR BOOK FREAK OUT

Well, we made it! We’ve survived the first half of 2021. And much like last year this feels a much bigger achievement because.. you know. 2021 has been A Lot.

Here we go!

What is the best book you’ve read so far in 2021?
M : Surprising no one, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
H : Unlike last year, I can definitely just pick one. Just Last Night by Mhairi McFarlane.

What is the best sequel you’ve read so far in 2021?
M : Fire by Kristin Cashore, yes I’m very late to this series. Oh and before I forget, Hollis is cheating below.
H : I’m providing a well rounded answer, this isn’t cheating. For best sequel I’ll say I Walk Alone by Wren Handman. For the best prequel it’s Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas. For best end-to-a-trilogy it’s Parousia by Laura Lascarso. And for the best companion/not quite a sequel, it has to be Act You Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert.

What’s a new release you haven’t read yet, but want to?
M : It’s a total shocker but I’m glad to say I haven’t been spoilt for A Court Of Silver Flames by Sarah J Maas and I plan to give that chunker some attention during holiday over summer.
H : Like last year, I went to our Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases of 2021 list and, with exception to those not released yet, I’ve read all of mine! Wow. The anticipation for those last two, by Klune and Hoang, is huge though. Two (very different) new releases I’m excited to dive into, though, are Mister Impossible by Maggie Stiefvater and The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian.

What is your most anticipated release for the second half of the year?
M : I’m looking forward to The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik and The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang.
H : See aforementioned answer above. I neeeeeed The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang and Under The Whispering Door by TJ Klune and also Battle Royal by Lucy Parker.

What has been your biggest disappointment?
M : Probably Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid, in part because I was looking forward to it and also because I’m so far removed from most people’s opinions on this one.
H : It’s not my lowest rated of the year (so far..) but it’s the one that I think I was most surprised about considering I expected it to be a new favourite (and it was one of last year’s most anticipated) and that’s The Ippos King by Grace Draven.

What has been your biggest surprise?
M : I’m going to be unconventional here and name a 31 page novella – Ring The Bell by Josie Jaffrey. A dystopian tale told brilliantly in those few pages (also warning for tough reading).
H : I recently read The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren. I haven’t really liked their books for years but this one was a surprise; in the best way. I really enjoyed it.

Do you have a favorite new author (debut or new to you)?
M : Ariadne by Jennifer Saint was a bombshell of a Greek Mythology retelling, grim and not pretty but still, it was something memorable. I’m definitely looking forward to her next book.
H : I’ll give two answers (surprising no one). I read Sarah Hogle’s sophomore release Twice Shy and it was so different to her debut but so delightful. She’s cemented herself as a must-read author for me. For a debut author, I think I’ll give it to Xiran Jay Zhao. I read an ARC of Iron Widow recently and it was big time wow. It could of course all go to pot in the next instalment or maybe you’ll be seeing their name in this spot again next year after book two. Who knows!

Who is your newest fictional crush?
M : Shane Hall from Seven Days in June by Tia Williams, this man’s words were 100% swoon-worthy.
H : Um, I mean, not new but with this year’s release of Ilona Andrews’ Blood Heir, I have to give it up to Derek for being an enduring crush. For an actual new crush? I’ll give it up to Wesley from Sarah Hogle’s Twice Shy.

Who is your newest favorite character?
M : Rocky from Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir and the sad thing is, I can’t even explain who Rocky is because they’re a major spoiler and not mentioned in the blurb. You’ll just have to read it!
H : Like the question above, she’s not new, but because she officially has her own book..? Obviously it’s Julie/Aurelia from Ilona Andrews’ Blood Heir.

What book has made you cry?
M : Now it’s my turn to cheat, crying with exasperation at Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon. I still have ranty feelings.
H : Almost everything I read makes me cry. Better question would be which book didn’t make me cry. But I think the one I cried the most over recently would be Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers.

What book has made you happy?
M : All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata was one of her triumphs in my opinion. It wasn’t heavy on the angst but warm on the everything.
H : People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry, I think, has made me the happiest. But it was a struggle to think of an answer to this which probably says a lot. Note to self, make a “made me happy” shelf on GR.

What’s the most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)?
M : Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne-Jones – The Folio Society Edition.
H : I don’t think I’ve bought a single book this year! Yikes. But my bestest blog buddy sent me a copy of The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart and that is one pretty book (which I still need to read, double yikes).

What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
M : I want to read the next two in the Sevenwaters series by Juliet Marillier, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Dark Lady by Akala and The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper.
H : I’m going to steal from our last Five On Our TBRs post (again) and say The First Sister by Linden A. Lewis, Seven Devils by Laura Lam & Elizabeth May, and Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson. The first two have been dogging my heels for a while now but I’m waiting on the sequels so I can do a mini binge. I can’t explain why the Pearson is still outstanding, especially after having finally finished/read The Remnant Chronicles series, which is what precedes this one. But it’s definitely going to happen before the end of 2021.

credit for the Mid-Year Book Freak Out tag goes to :
Chami → https://youtu.be/EB8OrYHBvM8
Ely → https://youtu.be/X_Wh0rPGfRg

We’d love to know how the half way point of the year has you feeling about books you’ve read and anticipated. Any highlights so far? Any big disappointments? Tell us your feels.

Tag: BlogFeature

TOP TEN READS OF 2022

FIVE SERIES TO FINISH IN 2023

FIVE ON OUR TBRS

2022 MID-YEAR BOOK FREAK OUT

NETGALLEY CHECK IN, WARTS AND ALL

FIVE ON OUR TBRS

FIVE SERIES TO FINISH IN 2022

TOP TEN READS OF 2021

FIVE ON OUR TBRS

2021 MID-YEAR BOOK FREAK OUT