The Forbidden Library by Django Wexler (Tuesday Intro & Teaser Tuesday)

Sometimes I get a craving for a good middle grade book and, so far, The Forbidden Library is proving to be just that! I haven't read enough for a full-blown review yet, but so far I'm loving it. It has feels like Jonathan Auxier and Jasper Fforde and I absolutely adore them. I already suspect that this will also be added to the list of "must-own"s rather than just "must download from the library."

The Amazon Description

The Teasers

"First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros" is from the first paragraph or two of
a book being read now (or in the future) and is hosted by I'd Rather Be At The Beach.

"Teaser Tuesday" at The Purple Booker asks for a random line
or two from anywhere in the book currently being read.

The Magicians by Lev Grossman (Book Beginnings & Friday 56)

I absolutely adore the SyFy show The Magicians and have know all along that it was based on a trilogy of books. Well, the fifth season of the show will be starting in a few weeks so I figured it was about time I started in on the books since I've already marathoned my way through the first four seasons (again). I haven't gotten far thanks to Christmas and the flu, but so far the first book is amazing and I would already highly recommend it and the show.

Friday 56 (today is page 56 of the paperback) is hosted at Freda's Voice 

& Book Beginnings (share the first few sentences) is at Rose City Reader.

Not familiar with the show and feeling too lazy to Google?

Here's the pre-release trailer from New York ComicCon:

The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen (Book Beginnings & Friday 56)

What a fun book this has been! 

In order to escape what is sure to be a dreadfully boring Christmas in Scotland, Lady Georgie answers an advertisement looking for help hosting a holiday house party -- in the same little village where her mother and beloved grandfather will be.  Of course, there is nothing boring about her Christmas there since bodies start to drop before she even arrives. 

Even more? 

Darcy shows up.

I've had mixed feelings about Darcy, but the further along in the series I get, the more swoon-worthy he becomes. The chap is growing on me.

I do believe that this is my favorite of the series so far. It may be because I love the whole house party shtick ... it may be because the pacing of the story felt better than some ... or it may be because Darcy shows up. 

Friday 56 (today is 56% from the ebook) is hosted at Freda's Voice 

& Book Beginnings (share the first few sentences) is at Rose City Reader.

Murder on a Mystery Tour by Marian Babson (Book Beginnings & Friday 56)

I haven't read Marian Babson before but was scrolling through a list of "winter mystery" recommendations and she popped up more than once so I figured "eh ... what the heck" and then hit Amazon and jumped on Murder on a Mystery Tour when I saw the fun cover and read the description. I've acted in a murder mystery or three before ... somehow always cast as the floozy ... and couldn't wait to see what Babson did with it in a house party atmosphere! Besides, I've heard oohs and aahs about Babson for years and figured it might as well be time to what the hype has been all about.

The Amazon Description

The Teasers 

Friday 56 (today is 56% from the ebook) is hosted at Freda's Voice 

& Book Beginnings (share the first few sentences) is at Rose City Reader.

The Verdict

This was a fun and light read. As the mystery weekend had a 1930s theme, a lot of references were made to the Golden Age of mysteries -- even the resident cat is named Ackroyd after the Agatha Christie character. The story itself had much the feel of a classic golden mystery -- the snowed-in house party, plenty of red herrings, and a ton of humor. This definitely makes me want to pick up more Babson at some point!

Once Upon A Duke by Erica Ridley (Tuesday Intro & Teaser Tuesday)

I wasn't sure I would be reading anything schmaltzy this season. I had every intention of murder and supernatural and anti-festive .... actually, much like the hero of Erica Ridley's Once Upon a Duke. 

Hmmmm. 

Might be a reason there as to why I like him so much. Of course, I also love the heroine and she's all about the holiday spirit. I'm a conundrum. I'm also only about half-way through, but so far this is as wonderful as every other Ridley I've read and I'm already looking at getting the next eleven Dukes!

"First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros" is from the first paragraph or two of
a book being read now (or in the future) and is hosted by I'd Rather Be At The Beach.

"Teaser Tuesday" at The Purple Booker asks for a random line
or two from anywhere in the book currently being read.

The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand (Tuesday Intro & Teaser Tuesday)

Most years, for as long as I can remember, I start reading Christmas-y books as soon as Thanksgiving is over. I wasn't so sure I would be in the mood this year ... until I saw the write-up for Cynthia Hand's The Afterlife of Holly Chase :

I figured I would like it, but had no idea that I would love it as much as I did. It may even end up being a hardcopy purchase so it can be on my shelves as needed for Christmas seasons to come!

"First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros" is from the first paragraph or two of
a book being read now (or in the future) and is hosted by I'd Rather Be At The Beach.

"Teaser Tuesday" at The Purple Booker asks for a random line
or two from anywhere in the book currently being read.