Christmas is almost upon us! I don't know about you all but I am ready for the holiday break. Just sitting back, sipping hot cocoa and reading some books.
BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
FREE for a limited time! In the year 2432, humans believe they are alone in the universe—but they’re wrong.
Commander Noa Sato returns to her home planet, Luddeccea, expecting a peaceful leave but is instead arrested and interrogated for her alleged involvement in the mysterious Archangel Project, a program she knows nothing about. Meanwhile, Professor James Sinclair wakes in the snow with no memory of the past 24 hours, only a sense that he must find Commander Sato—a woman he has never met.
Despite their differences, the military officer and the Old Earth academic must join forces to uncover the truth about the Archangel Project and save millions of lives, including their own. As they race against time, they are haunted by the chilling final words of a secret transmission: “The archangel is down.”
FREE for a limited time! Eldwin wants to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a Dragon Guard, but not for the glory. With his family dead and their lands dying, the opportunity to join the dragon rider school is all he has. But before Eldwin can bond with a dragon and guard the skies, he must pass three tests to prove his worth.
Compassion, magical aptitude, and armed combat. He’s determined to pass, but his maimed arm is a constant reminder of his disadvantage. Will the obstacles Eldwin faces keep him from reaching his dreams, or will he finally see what it’s like to ride the skies?
FREE for a limited time! Former actress turned LAPD profiler Layla Caine uses her Hollywood insight and uncanny ability to read people to track a killer terrorizing Los Angeles. The murderer stages each crime scene as a chilling homage to iconic cinematic moments, always staying one step ahead. To stop the killer before the final act, Layla must confront her past and unravel their twisted tribute to the silver screen.
FREE for a limited time! In Amidst the Darkness, the first book in Laura Rise's Tori Spark FBI Suspense Thriller series, FBI Agent Tori Spark joins a specialized BAU unit tasked with hunting killers who strike during natural disasters. Amid the chaos of a hurricane-ravaged coastal town, Tori races to stop a sinister murderer before they claim another victim.
With a brilliant yet haunted protagonist, this gripping thriller delivers relentless suspense, shocking twists, and a fast-paced narrative, perfect for fans of Rachel Caine, Mary Burton, and Kendra Elliot.
I've been meaning to read this one for awhile now. Seems like a solid premise. The story revolves around airline pilot Bill Hoffman, who faces a harrowing ultimatum: crash the plane, killing everyone on board, or his wife and children, held hostage by terrorists, will be killed. I'm about a fourth of the way through the book and I think it's pretty well-written and entertaining so far. We'll see how the rest of the story plays out, but so far I'm enjoying it.
BOOK NEWS
ODDEST BOOK TITLE
Something about this book is... *puts on sunglasses* ...fishy.
The Philosopher Fish: Sturgeon, Caviar, and the Geography of Desire by Richard Adams Carey has won the 2024 Diagram Prize for the oddest book title of the year. The book explores the changing caviar industry and narrowly claimed 27% of the public vote, marking the closest margin in the prize’s history.
Second place went to How to Dungeon Master Parenting by Shelly Mazzanoble with 24%, followed by Looking through the Speculum by Judith A. Houck at 22%. Other shortlisted titles included Killing the Buddha on the Appalachian Trail (14%), Boston’s Oldest Buildings and Where to Find Them (8%), and Hell-Bent for Leather (5%).
Originally published in 2005, The Philosopher Fish qualified due to substantial updates in its 2024 edition, including an epilogue on the state of wild sturgeon stocks. Tom Tivnan of The Bookseller praised its mix of peculiarity and gravity, calling it a “delicious, if salty and overpriced, winner.”
FROM THE PAGE TO THE SCREEN
THE LORD OF THE RINGS
Okay, I have a confession to make. I've never read The Lord of the Rings. I know I know! Don't judge me! Maybe one day, I'll get around to it. In the meantime, there's a new movie for you LOTR fans out there.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is a new animated film that delves into the history of Rohan, set centuries before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, the movie tells the story of Helm Hammerhand, the ninth king of Rohan, as he defends his kingdom from an invasion led by Wulf, a Dunlending lord seeking revenge for his father's death. The climactic battle at the Hornburg fortress ultimately transforms it into the legendary Helm's Deep.
The narrative explores themes of honor, revenge, and resilience amidst epic battles and political intrigue. It also introduces new characters, such as Helm’s daughter Hera, and features returning elements of Middle-earth lore narrated by Éowyn, voiced again by Miranda Otto. Brian Cox voices Helm Hammerhand, bringing depth to the embattled king, while Gaia Wise portrays Hera, who plays a pivotal role in the defense of Rohan.
BOOK BITS
Did You Know?: The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with more than 170 million items in its collection.
Fun Fact: The word "robot" was first used in the 1920 play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots) by Czech writer Karel Čapek.
Book Trivia: The first public libraries in the U.S. used to lend books based on honor systems, where patrons could leave items of value (like tools or produce) as collateral.
Literary Fact: George R.R. Martin uses an old DOS computer and the WordStar 4.0 program to write his A Song of Ice and Fire series.
Interesting Tidbit: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince, was also a pioneering aviator, and some parts of his book were inspired by his experiences as a pilot.
Whether you’re diving into a new book or working on your next big writing idea, remember that every page is progress. Keep nurturing your creativity, and never stop reading and learning. As always, thanks for being a part of MY journey as I continue to write books and work to build this newsletter into something that will hopefully help and inspire people. See you next week!
