Welcome back! Happy Monday (or whatever day you may be reading this). I hope everyone is having a great start to their week and that the sun is shining for you.
Today I want to talk about 5 books that I want to read before the start of 2022. But before we get into the books it’s time for the Tea of the Day! Today I am drinking a Snickerdoodle black tea that I picked up from a little shop in Stillwater, Oklahoma called Murphy’s Department Store. They have a selection of loose leaf tea and coffee beans that are made in Oklahoma. Usually we see these types of lists around the start of the year or June. Or sometimes even before a big birthday. Since my blog has just started and we have about 2 months left in 2021 I thought I would make a short one to hold us over till 2022’s list.
The first book is “The Empire of Gold” by S. A. Chakraborty, the conclusion to the Deavabad Trilogy.
I am a little over a year behind in reading this book. I didn’t find the City of Brass until it was out in Paperback so I waited to read The Kingdom of Copper until it was released in Paperback. Empire of Gold was released last year in Hardback and this summer (2021) in Paperback. The Deavabad trilogy follows Nahri, Dara, and Ali as opposing forces fight for control over Deavabad which is currently ruled by Ali’s family. Nahri descends from a line of ancient healers but grew up in Cairo so knows nothing of her background. Shenanigans and chaos ensue as lines are drawn. Nahri, Dara, and Ali all must figure out which side of the battle they will be on and how best to protect those they love.
Next is “The Name of All Things” by Jenn Lyons. Which is the second installment in A Chorus of Dragons series.
“The Name of All Things” follows Kihrin as he continues his journey of discovery that he started in book one. Book 1 brief overview, Kihrin’s father is killed and he is on the run, he finds a mystical isle that he starts training on in order to gain revenge. Very basic fantasy plot, but it’s been a little over a year since I read Book 1. Soooo I probably either need to reread it or look up a spoiler filled review to remind myself what on earth was going on. Luckily I am pretty sure the next 2 books are out in Paperback! I just remember really really enjoying Book 1 and I couldn’t wait till Book 2 came out, but now I have waited to long, sigh.
Book 3 is “The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander. As you can see my copy is a little beat up, but it’s been traveling to work and back with me as I slowly work my way through it.
“The New Jim Crow” discusses (as the cover says) Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. I am a huge fan of true crime media, TV Shows, Documentaries, Podcasts, and Books. And unfortunately a large part of the incarcerated population is a person of color. And the majority of non-violent crimes that have a prison sentence given to the defendant are POC with white people usually getting off with a fine or probation. So I wanted to learn more about the topic who has seen the unfairness first hand and to broaden my perspective and see how I can help. I am working my way through this very slowly, but I am taking notes and annotating so I don’t mind.
Book 4 is “Shadow in the Ember” by Jennifer L. Armentrout, which is Book 1 in her new A Flesh and Fire series (the Prequel series to Blood and Ash)
Basically, I pre-ordered this because it was Jennifer L. Armentrout and the Blood and Ash universe. I’ve enjoyed all 3 books in the Blood and Ash series so far, not 5 stars yet but they keep getting better. And I am so curious to see how the world got where it was at the beginning of Blood and Ash. If you are curious about the full synopsis here is the link – A Shadow in the Ember.
Last but not least! Book 5, I should say these are in no particular order lol. Book 5 is “Fires of Vengeance” by Evan Winters. Book 2 in the Burning Series
In this world some women have the power to call down dragons and some men have the power to grow bigger, faster, and stronger. In “The Rage of Dragons” we follow Tau as he dedicates himself to the war machine after everyone he loves is brutally murdered. He found some unconventional training methods to make himself stronger than everyone else. The end of Book 1 was a little chaotic, but it’s also been over a year since I’ve read it! I might have to do a reread of it too before starting “The Fires of Vengeance”.
What books are you all hoping to get through by the end of 2021?
Kaitlyn's Literary Teahouse 