My Weekly Pull [123] & Can't-Wait Wednesday [98]

My Weekly Pull is something I do every Wednesday to show which comics I had pulled for me that week! If you're into comics, or you're looking to start, please join me! If you decide to do your own post, there's a link-up at the bottom. I would love to stop by and check it out!

Dungeons & Dragons Infernal Tides #4 by Jim Zub, Max Dunbar

Firefly #17 by Greg Pak, Davide Gianfelice, George Kambadais

Jacob's comics for the week!

The two BATMAN comics are actually for our son. :)

Batman: The Adventures Continue #2 by Paul Dini, Alan Burnett, Ty Templeton, Sean Murphy

DC Classics: Batman Adventures #2 by Kelley Puckett, Ty Templeton, Rick Burchett

Transformers Galaxies #7 by Sam Maggs, Beth McGuire-Smith, Umi Miyao

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly feature that's hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings. It highlights the upcoming releases we're really excited about reading! CWW is a spinoff of the feature Waiting on Wednesday (WoW), that was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

He Must Like You by Danielle Younge-Ullman 

Expected publication: July 14th 2020 by Viking Books for Young Readers

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Libby's having a rough senior year. Her older brother absconded with his college money and is bartending on a Greek island. Her dad just told her she's got to pay for college herself, and he's evicting her when she graduates so he can Airbnb her room. A drunken hook-up with her coworker Kyle has left her upset and confused. So when Perry Ackerman, serial harasser and the most handsy customer at The Goat where she waitresses, pushes her over the edge, she can hardly be blamed for dumping a pitcher of sangria on his head.

Unfortunately, Perry is a local industry hero, the restaurant's most important customer, and Libby's mom's boss. Now Libby has to navigate the fallout of her outburst, find an apartment, and deal with her increasing rage at the guys who've screwed up her life--and her increasing crush on the one guy who truly gets her. As timely as it is timeless, He Must Like You is a story about consent, rage, and revenge, and the potential we all have to be better people.

*Share your My Weekly Pull post! Please leave the direct link to your My Weekly Pull post and not just your blog's URL. Thank you for participating and happy reading!

The Lost City (The Omte Origins, #1) by Amanda Hocking [Blog Tour: Spotlight Post]

Hello, lovelies! Welcome to the next stop on the blog tour for The Lost City by Amanda Hocking, hosted by St. Martin's Press & Wednesday Books. This is a Spotlight Post, so if you've seen this book around the blogosphere and wanted more information, you've come to the right place. :)

The Lost City Book Description

Amanda Hocking, the New York Times bestselling author of The Kanin Chronicles, returns to the magical world of the Trylle Trilogy with The Lost City, the first novel in The Omte Origins—and the final story arc in her beloved series.

The storm and the orphan

Twenty years ago, a woman sought safety from the spinning ice and darkness that descended upon a small village. She was given shelter for the night by the local innkeepers but in the morning, she disappeared—leaving behind an infant. Now nineteen, Ulla Tulin is ready to find who abandoned her as a baby or why.

The institution and the quest

Ulla knows the answers to her identity and heritage may be found at the Mimirin where scholars dedicate themselves to chronicling troll history. Granted an internship translating old documents, Ulla starts researching her own family lineage with help from her handsome and charming colleague Pan Soriano.

The runaway and the mystery

But then Ulla meets Eliana, a young girl who no memory of who she is but who possesses otherworldly abilities. When Eliana is pursued and captured by bounty hunters, Ulla and Pan find themselves wrapped up in a dangerous game where folklore and myth become very real and very deadly—but one that could lead Ulla to the answers she’s been looking for. 

𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋

Author bio: 

AMANDA HOCKING is the author of over twenty young adult novels, including the New York Times bestselling Trylle Trilogy and Kanin Chronicles. Her love of pop culture and all things paranormal influence her writing. She spends her time in Minnesota, taking care of her menagerie of pets and working on her next book.

Early Praise for The Lost City: 

"Hocking’s fast, engaging fantasy will draw in new and seasoned fans of the genre... [She] keeps the surprises coming, [leaving] readers eager to know more" —School Library Journal (starred review)

Buy Links: Macmillan, Books-A-Million, Barnes & Noble, Amazon

Social Links: Author website, Twitter, Facebook, Author Blog, Pinterest, Goodreads

I Killed Zoe Spanos by Kit Frick

Synopsis (via Goodreads): This gripping thriller follows two teens whose lives become inextricably linked when one confesses to murder and the other becomes determined to uncover the real truth no matter the cost.

What happened to Zoe won't stay buried...

When Anna Cicconi arrives to the small Hamptons village of Herron Mills for a summer nanny gig, she has high hopes for a fresh start. What she finds instead is a community on edge after the disappearance of Zoe Spanos, a local girl who has been missing since New Year's Eve. Anna bears an eerie resemblance to Zoe, and her mere presence in town stirs up still-raw feelings about the unsolved case. As Anna delves deeper into the mystery, stepping further and further into Zoe's life, she becomes increasingly convinced that she and Zoe are connected--and that she knows what happened to her.

Two months later, Zoe's body is found in a nearby lake, and Anna is charged with manslaughter. But Anna's confession is riddled with holes, and Martina Green, teen host of the Missing Zoe podcast, isn't satisfied. Did Anna really kill Zoe? And if not, can Martina's podcast uncover the truth?

“First time in the Hamptons?” Tom asks. I turn my head toward him, tearing my eyes from the hedgerows and entrance gates that obscure what promise to be jaw-dropping houses from public view. “Yeah. Yes. I think so, anyway.”

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

I really enjoyed reading Frick's I Killed Zoe Spanos, but the story's ending didn't blow me away. I was initially captivated by the unreliable narrator and her sketchy, half-remembered details, but there was something lacking there at the end. The characters were all the same, but the Big Reveal wasn't all that remarkable. It was unexpected, yes, but also a little underwhelming. After reading the first part of the book, I had higher expectations for its conclusion.

Anna would frequently lose time, forget important details, and had an alarming number of gaps in her memory. At first, I thought she might have a mental health issue that caused her to struggle with facts and retention, but even that aspect of the story lost some of its steam towards the end. Some of her memories were explained, while others were left untouched. I wanted to know more about all of Anna's dreams and hallucinations, not just the ones that were relevant at the end. If you've read this, I'm mostly referring to the one she had about Paisley. It seemed to be the only major one not addressed.

Additionally, I felt like the adults in this book were at the root of everyone's problems, and wish that had also been elaborated on a little more. Unfortunately, we only get a few breadcrumbs regarding their involvement in Anna's life. The secondary characters were interesting, if also somewhat one-dimensional. I understood the need for secrecy, and know the lack of details only made me more suspicious of everyone. I kept wondering what they were hiding, and if this or that reaction had anything to do with Zoe.

What I didn't understand was why anyone would be attracted to Caden. He was unlikable from the start, and clearly only cared about himself. However, I thought the podcast element was very interesting, and reminded me of Courtney Summers' Sadie. We get to learn details about the past without the characters having flashbacks, and I thought it really complemented the Then and Now format.

I can't really say too much more without giving something away, but if you like unreliable narrators, suspenseful thrillers, and small beach towns, then definitely give this book a shot. I Killed Zoe Spanos held my interest and kept me on my toes, but I wanted something more from its conclusion. (★★★★☆)

The Sunday Post [51]

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly at the Caffeinated Reviewer! It's an opportunity to share news, post a recap for the previous week, showcase books, and highlight what's planned for the week ahead.

News: 

My neighbors are the worst. First, fireworks are illegal in Virginia, but that didn't seem to stop anyone on the Fourth of July. I understand wanting to celebrate the holiday with family, friends, and fireworks, but this year really should have been the exception. There were so, so many people in our neighborhood the other night. They were gathered outside in large groups shooting explosives into trees and between houses. I think I was actually more nervous than my dogs this year. 

To make matters worse, our neighbor knocked our door and invited us over. I declined through the glass, told him that we're still social distancing because of the virus, and that we were under the impression fireworks were illegal in VA (apparently you can to drive to North Carolina and buy them). He said he "didn't believe in the virus stuff," and proceeded to tell me that his kids really wanted to play with other kids. I told him we were sorry, but the virus is very much real, and I don't feel like risking my children's health (or my own) for a few fireworks and a playdate. He said he understood and that he's "just a jerk," but c'mon. You can't simply say you don't believe COVID-19 is real. It's not up for debate. It's killing people. 

I ended up letting the kids watch the neighborhood fireworks through the window, since they're young and don't really understand why other people get to do something fun and they don't. We've explained the virus to them, social distancing, masks - - but it's hard when they see other people disregarding those guidelines and safety measures. I've started telling them that some people just aren't as smart and informed as they are, so they'll feel better about being safe even when it's uncomfortable. Do you think a five-year-old wants to wear a mask while on a walk? Do you think it's easy to keep a mask on a three-year-old's face? Yes. It is easy. They understand the risks better than some adults, because we've talked to them about what's happening in the world. If my children can do their part without complaining, so can everyone else.

In other news... to homeschool or not to homeschool? That's the big question. I've talked to a few of you about it on Twitter, but there doesn't seem to be a good answer. 

Previous week on the blog:

• Sunday: NA
• Monday: NA
• Tuesday: DNF&Y [30]
• Wednesday: My Weekly Pull [122] & Can't-Wait Wednesday [97]
• Thursday: State of the ARC [23]
• Friday: NA
• Saturday: NA

What I'm currently reading:

The Lost City (The Omte Origins, #1) by Amanda Hocking

Lair of Dreams (The Diviners, #2) by Libba Bray 🎧

The Unready Queen (The Oddmire, #2) by William Ritter

What I plan on reading next: 

A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee

Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louis

What I'm watching:

Obviously, we watched Hamilton this weekend AND LOVED IT. I couldn't believe how fast-paced it was! There was never a lull in the story, and I stayed completely captivated throughout the entire 2+ hours. We're definitely watching it again!

Kiddos are still working their way through Avatar: The Last Airbender and the newest season of Kipo. Jacob also watched The Big Green with them over the weekend. Disney+ has been life-saving during this pandemic. 

Challenge updates:

• Read the Alphabet Challenge 14
• Audiobook Challenge 14 / 50+
• Beat the Backlist Challenge 27 / 110
• Discussion Challenge 2 / 1-10
• Goodreads Challenge 203 / 365

State of the ARC [23]

State of the ARC is a monthly meme hosted by Avalinah at Avalinah's Books! It's an opportunity for readers to catch up on their long overdue ARCs, but right now I'm using it to keep up with my upcoming ARCs instead. It helps me stay organized! Edit: State of the ARC is temporarily being hosted by Sarah (All the Book Blog Names Are Taken) while Evelina is on hiatus. 

The Lost City (The Omte Origins, #1) by Amanda Hocking (7/7)

The New One: Painfully True Stories from a Reluctant Dad by Mike Birbiglia (7/14) Review

A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee (7/14)

Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louis (7/14)

More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn (7/21)

Deal with the Devil (Mercenary Librarians, #1) by Kit Rocha (7/28)

The Mall by Megan McCafferty (7/28)

The Time of Green Magic by Hilary McKay (7/28)*

Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy (8/4)

Lobizona (Wolves of No World, #1) by Romina Garber (8/4)

*There's conflicting information about this book's release date.

Bear Necessity by James Gould-Bourn (8/4)

Where Dreams Descend (Kingdom of Cards, #1) by Janella Angeles (8/25)

A Rogue of One's Own (A League of Extraordinary Women, #2) by Evie Dunmore (9/1)

Fable (Fable, #1) by Adrienne Young (9/1)
The Lost Wonderland Diaries by J. Scott Savage

The Barren Grounds (The Misewa Saga, #1) by David Alexander Robertson (9/8)

The Roommate by Rosie Danan (9/15)

The Silvered Serpents (The Gilded Wolves, #2) by Roshani Chokshi (9/22)

A Neon Darkness (The Bright Sessions, #2) by Lauren Shippen (9/29)

Love & Olives (Love & Gelato, #3) by Jenna Evans Welch (10/10)*

*This is one of my most anticipated reads, but NetGalley gave me an acsm file and I don't know how to access those. Is there a way for me to convert into a PDF or mobi file?

Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett (10/10)

Admission by Julie Buxbaum (12/1)

Meet You in the Middle by Devon Daniels (5/4/21)*

*I'm not sure why, but it looks like this book was pushed back nearly an entire year.

I haven't been requesting or accepting very many new books, but there have been a few I've been unable to resist! I hope to be completely caught up (and maybe even ahead) by the end of August. *fingers crossed* How does your TBR/ARC pile look? Have you had more or less time to read since the pandemic? 

My Weekly Pull [122] & Can't-Wait Wednesday [97]

My Weekly Pull is something I do every Wednesday to show which comics I had pulled for me that week! If you're into comics, or you're looking to start, please join me! If you decide to do your own post, there's a link-up at the bottom. I would love to stop by and check it out!

Jim Henson's The Storyteller Ghosts #3 by Michael Walsh, Jorge Monlongo

Jacob's comics for the week!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Urban Legends #24 by Gary Carlson, Frank Fosco, Andy Kuhn

It's a pretty light list this week!

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly feature that's hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings. It highlights the upcoming releases we're really excited about reading! CWW is a spinoff of the feature Waiting on Wednesday (WoW), that was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

The Secret Recipe for Moving On by Karen Bischer

Expected publication: March 23rd 2020 by Swoon Reads

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Home economics is supposed to be an easy A for Ellie Agresti, but, much like an imperfect soufflé, her plans collapse epically when she's dumped by her boyfriend, Hunter. Now Ellie has to mend her broken heart while watching Hunter fawn all over his new girlfriend, Brynn, in class. To make matters worse, Ellie is partnered with four of the biggest misfit guys in school: Jeremy, the loudmouth with temper issues; Isaiah, the solemn, silent horse racing obsessive; Andrew, who can't take rejection; and Luke, the giant, tattooed stunt biker.

Over the course of a semester, Ellie works to overcome her feelings for Hunter, as well as deeper insecurities that have plagued her since middle school. As the weeks go by, she's surprised to find friendships in unexpected places... and sparks flying with the last guy she'd expect.

I am obsessed with this cover. <3 The synopsis is just the icing on the cake. ;)

*Share your My Weekly Pull post! Please leave the direct link to your My Weekly Pull post and not just your blog's URL. Thank you for participating and happy reading!