The Friday Face-Off: Current Read #28

                     

 Welcome to The Friday Face-Off, a weekly meme at Books by Proxy. Join us every Friday as we pit cover against cover, and publisher against publisher, to find the best artwork in our literary universe.  You can find a list of upcoming topics at Lynn's Books.

This week's topic is:

Current Read #28

I actually just finished this so it's not quite a "current' read anymore, but... it's close enough. I've always heard how great the Sandman Slim series by Richard Kadrey is, but for some reason I'd never really gotten around to checking it out. Urban fantasy can be very hit or miss for me, but since I've enjoyed some here and there in the past, I thought it was time to finally check it out. (I also really enjoyed Kadrey's The Grand Dark!) This past week I read Sandman Slim, the first book in the series. I had a lot of fun with it so I'll probably check out the next book and see if it's something I want to continue. All that being said, there are a lot of cover editions out there for this one, so let's a look at some of them!

  

2009 US Hardcover | 2014 US Paperback | 2011 German

  

2009 Russian | 2011 Czech | 2009 Japanese

 

2012 Hardcover | 2022 German | 2011 Polish

My choice(s):

I'm not sure what to make of some of these covers, but I'm enjoying all the different takes! I like the font styling on the US paperback, but I'd say out of all of these the original US hardcover edition is probably the one that's most appealing, though none of these are really ones I'd call my 'favorite.' Poland really went hard with this one, though. Which one(s) do you like the best?

The Friday Face-Off: Current Read #19

            

 Welcome to The Friday Face-Off, a weekly meme at Books by Proxy. Join us every Friday as we pit cover against cover, and publisher against publisher, to find the best artwork in our literary universe.  You can find a list of upcoming topics at Lynn's Books.

This week's topic is:

Current Read #19

This week I'm working my way through Erika Johansen's The Kingdom of Sweets, a Nutcracker-inspired retelling that has been the perfect way to kick off December and the holiday season. I'm honestly not that much of a fan of holiday-themed movies and books, but I do enjoy something Nutcracker-related or that features some type of toymaker, so this sounded perfect. I've had an ARC for a little while, but I had to wait until it was the right season–reading this in summer just felt wrong, haha. There are only two different editions that I've seen out there so far, but I think they're different enough to make for a good comparison, so let's have a look. 

2023 Dutton US Edition

2023 Bantam UK Edition 

My choice(s):

I don't mind the US edition and think it has a really interesting design, but I have to say that the UK edition seems to embrace the Nutcracker theme so much more and I love all the detail. It's really beautiful and I love that it really pulls so many elements from the story. Which cover do you prefer?

The Friday Face-Off: Current Read #17

          

 Welcome to The Friday Face-Off, a weekly meme at Books by Proxy. Join us every Friday as we pit cover against cover, and publisher against publisher, to find the best artwork in our literary universe.  You can find a list of upcoming topics at Lynn's Books.

This week's topic is:

Current Read #17

For this week's Friday face-off, I'm featuring a book I've been slowing working my way through and really enjoying: Anne Eekhout's Mary and the Birth of Frankenstein. This is a reimagining of Mary Shelley's life centering around 1814 and 1816 in the period leading up to her creation of Frankenstein.This book was originally written in Dutch and I was pleasantly surprised to find that it has quite a variety of different cover editions out there, most of which are really lovely! Let's have a look at them. :) 

        

2023 US | 2021 Dutch

          

 2022 Italian | 2023 UK

          

2023 Danish | 2023 French

My choice(s):

These are all so beautiful! I have to say that the UK edition really stands out to me, though I also am drawn to the aesthetics of the Danish edition, as well. But I also like the Dutch edition and think some about the US edition is really classic and captures the historical setting well, so I'm not sure I have one true favorite from these. Which cover(s) do you like best?

TBR Thursday + Currently Reading

TBR Thursdays is hosted by Kim @ Kimberly Faye Reads! This feature was created with the intent of spotlighting a title from your shelf that you planning on reading in order to discuss why you want to read it, as well to discuss the book with others! If you'd like to join, feel free to use the banner created by Kimberley (or your own), and stop by her page to participate.

Currently Reading:

(I just realized how aesthetically pleasing all of these titles look next to each other... orange-ish, then tan-ish woods, then orange, then woods...that's satisfying)

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson: I'll probably have finished this by the time this post goes up, but I am loving it so far. I've been meaning to read it for years, but I always wanted to wait until the fall/winter time of year and then I would forget... and now I can't believe I never got to it sooner because it really is brilliant. I can't wait to find out how it ends:

Well of Witches by J.A. White (Thickety #3): I read one book from this series every October for my nighttime read--it's a bit of a tradition now even though that means I go through this series really slowly, I love doing it. The Thickey is a spooky middle grade series that I am endlessly impressed and surprised by and I cannot recommend them enough.

The Narrows by Travis Riddle: This is a review request book that I've just started and so far seems really promising! I already am enjoying his characters and I love this cover and decided to juts dive into this one because it sounded like a good one to read around this time of year. I previously read and really enjoyed Travis Riddle's Balam, Spring, so I'm excited to read more from him. 

In the Night Wood by Dale Bailey: Another book specifically for review (from Edelweiss). I've also just started this one, but I'm thinking I might put it on hold while I finish up The Narrows since they are both Kindle books. I'm excited to get back to it, though!

TBR Options:

I'm a bit of a mood reader so I'm not entirely which books of these I might get to in the next few weeks or if I'll add random ones in, but here are a few of the titles I'm considering. As you can see, there's a bit of a variety among the types of books here, but that's because I've been in a weird reading slump-ish/mood where I just can't figure out what I want to read. There are some books that I really want to read, but I don't want to read them until I'm in a better headspace--does that make sense? Regardless, here are a few of the options!

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden: This sounds like a perfect Halloween read! It's also a middle grade book and it's by the same author as the Bear and the Nightingale books, so I have high hopes for it to be an entertaining read.

The Sisters of the Winter Wood by Rena Rossner: I might wait until after October to read this one, but I've already been waiting so long that I just want to read it now. 

Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield: This book sounds so magical and interesting, plus I've been wondering when Diane Setterfield would write another book--and here it is! 

Alice by Christina Henry: I'm definitely reading this one before the end of the year--it's probably one of my most anticipated books on this makeshift TBR.

Nightingale by Amy Lukavics: Another spooky book I'd like to read! I thought about requesting this from NetGalley earlier in the year, but I knew I'd prefer it in physical form so I waited until it came in at my library, and now it's here!

Red Moon by Kim Stanley Robinson: This is oddly looking like the one I might actually pick up next, but honestly, who knows? I love a locked room-style murder and I also love a good book in space, so... win-win?

Any books you think I should read (on or off this list)!? Have you read any of these? What books are on your TBR? Let me know!

Currently Reading + A Few Books I Plan to Read

I thought it might be nice to take some time to talk about some books I'm currently reading and those that I'm planning to pick up within the next few weeks. Of course, this only a small, tentative sample of books I know I'm going to be reading, but since I'm such a mood reader I'm sure many other unexpected and forgotten books will be thrown in there somewhere. :)

Currently Reading:
   

Vox by Christina Dalcher

This is a pretty weird dystopian-type novel with the basic premise that woman are only allowed to speak one hundred words a day. There's obviously more to it, but that's the main feature. It's definitely interesting and I am enjoying it, but I also have some issues with it. Regardless, I think it's a great discussion starter. I should probably finish this one today, though, as it's a fairly short book. 

Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository

We Ride the Storm by Devin Madson

This is a self-published review request and I am absolutely loving it. This is some grimdark fantasy that lives up to the name, but has me completely hooked so far. I'm almost halfway through this one and am dying to see where the story goes.

Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository

Ongoing:

Jerusalem by Alan Moore

I'm reading this one from June-August and I just passed the halfway mark the other day! I am really impressed by how much I'm actually enjoying most of this book? I expected it to be much more difficult to read, but it's surprisingly accessible and fairly interesting (though definitely rambling!)

Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository

Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey

This one is a re-read that I'm doing along r/fantasy for a read-a-long. I already love this book so re-reading it is just making me appreciate it that much more!

Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository

Peace and Turmoil by Elliot Brooks
I'm in the middle of beta reading for this book right and am really enjoying it! The author is Elliot Brooks and she is incredible--you should definitely check her out on Booktube (and keep an eye out for when her book comes out in 2019!)

To be Read:

      

The Tower of Living and Dying by Anna Smith Spark

This came in the mail last week and I'm beyond excited! I loved The Court of Broken Knives and can't wait to experience Anna Smith Spark's beautiful prose once again.

Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository

ODY-C, Vol. 1: Off to Far Ithaca by Matt Fraction, Christian Ward

This is a graphic novel that is apparently a gender-flipped Odyssey retelling set in space. I've heard it's super weird and not for everyone, but I must read all things Odyssey-inspired and this looks insane (in the best way!) and I can't wait to read it.

Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository

City of Kings Rob J. Hayes

This is another self-published review request that I'm really looking forward to reading! I've heard pretty much nothing but great things about Rob J. Hayes also, so that makes me even more excited.

Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository

Melokai by Rosalyn Kelly

This is yet another self-published review request (and there are still more! I just can't say to no how good all of these sound) that I am thrilled to start. It was pitched to me as "a Game of Thrones meets Kushiel’s Dart set in a ruthless land ruled by women." Uh, yes!?

Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository

Blood of the Gods by David Mealing

I'm just really excited to finally continue this series that I have somehow still seen practically no one talking about. If you've read Soul of the Wold, let me know!

Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository

Munmun by Jesse Andrews

I've had this checked out from the library for far too long and I keep renewing and I'm starting to run out of renews, so, uh, I guess I should maybe actually read it? I'm fabulous at procrastinating when it comes to library books (even when I'm excited to read them!).

Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository

A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir

I didn't expect this one to come in from my library so soon since I was super low on a long waitlist, but somehow it came in over the weekend and now I only have another week-and-a-half to read it. I guess I'm picking this one up next!

Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository

Have you read any of these books? What books are you planning to read soon?

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