I ♥ the premise of this meme {WWW Wednesdays} due to the dexterity it gives the reader! Smiles. Clearly subject to change on a weekly rotation, which may or may not lead to your ‘next’ read providing a bit of a paradoxical mystery to your readers!! Smiles. ♥ the brilliance of it’s concept!
This weekly meme was originally hosted by Should Be Reading who became A Daily Rhythm. Lovingly restored and continued by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words. Each week you participate, your keen to answer the following questions:
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What are you currently reading!?
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What did you recently finish reading!?
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What do you think you’ll read next!?
After which, your meant to click over to THIS WEEK’s WWWWednesday to share your post’s link so that the rest of the bloggers who are participating can check out your lovely answers! Score! Perhaps even, find other bloggers who dig the same books as you do! I thought it would serve as a great self-check to know where I am and the progress I am hoping to have over the next week!
Join the Convo via: #WWWWednesday
the annual event which makes me wicked happy has returnt,
join me as I dive back into reading via #WyrdAndWonder!
About: *Wyrd & Wonder*
This year, we’re all celebrating the Comforts of Reading Fantasy – whether the routes you take within Fantasy are your regular comforting zones of readerly blissitude or if you’re a wanderer of paths unknown and unlock your own fantastical adventure one story at a time without limiting where your path will take you. I’m still sorting out how I want to respond to our prompts which are meant to run on Sundays on our respective blogs – however, most of this month of May will be aligning a bit topsy turvy on Jorie Loves A Story – just consider me bending time and posting out of sequence with the rest of the book blogosphere! Laughs. Having said that – one of the beauties I decided to grant myself this seventh year is a bit of peace of mind!
Reason being?
I gave myself licence to post a short stack TBR and I couldn’t be happier! I don’t even have the goal of consuming ALL the books in their entirety this year – as let’s be frank, my downtime is short and my ability to devour stories as I had in the past isn’t quite working out very well for me over the score of the last year since I undertook a second job that is quite taxing and quite rewarding in other respects all the same. I just can’t lay claim to having a lot of personal time as a result of the hours I’m working week to week between all (three, cough!) of my jobs. Blessedly one is a moonlighting gig and the other two are the mainstays – evenso, a girl needs a bit of space to unwind and just ‘chill’ outside of work. For me, the comfort has always been STORIES and reading – when I’m not akin to following in love with a tv serial or film. Stories whether written, narrated by audio or set in motion (by film or serial) have been quite the affinity and mainstay of my life.
This lovely graphic describes the Sunday Five topics wherein everyone is encouraged to respond on Sundays (or any day which works best for the blogger) to carry-on the discussion of what makes Fantasy our zone of Comfort to read and explore. Those posts of mine are still in the WIP stage but they will be arriving at odd intervals throughout May all the same. I felt I should include them with this post as I’m announcing what I’ll be reading and thereby, also discussing as well.
What Jorie is currently reading:
It wasn’t hard to select my #shortstack of books this Wyrd And Wonder : Year 7 because there were a few stories on my shelves where I knew I might find myself drawn to read quite immediately. I had hoped to dive straight into these lovelies as soon as May began, but now 12 days into the event and still editing my drafted posts to run during our first fortnight, some might say puts me at a disadvantage but for me, this year is more about the journey I’m on that the end results. Most years, reading one story after another was quite fulfilling but when your work life feels overwhelmingly exclusive of your TIME, just to draft and write and blog again feels like a milestone of an accomplishment! Smiles.
The Lemorian Crest is actually the sequel to Uncovering Cobbogoth (see also Review) which I fell in love with years ago now. The author and I were in touch for a short bit, and I had meant to follow up with her afterwards as she was going to writing another installment of this series but then, I noticed as the years progressed forward – a new story didn’t emerge but other projects of hers did. I also noted that she re-released the original first story of Cobbogoth but under a new title and new publishing house which I understood as I knew she was leaving Cedar Fort. This series goes back to my 1st Year as a Book Blogger and so, it holds a special place in my bookish heart. I’ll be re-reading through the first novel – jogging my memory and re-settling into the storyline – as despite the fact there are echoes of memories from having read it the first time – 2014 and 2024 is a decade’s worth of living between readings!
I will be thrilled just to be on the FRINGE of reading the sequel by May’s end and continuing to finish it as Summer takes hold. Though by all the crazy wicked weather we’re having stateside, most would argue Summer is already here and deadly chaotic to which I would heartily agree!
For those who might not know anything about this series – here’s some parting thoughts from my first reading:
Uncovering Cobbogoth is an adventure you know you can handle, but it keeps you suspended between the pages as much as the living story within its chapters is a suspension of time. Science was always a ready interest of mine growing up, as I had half a step inside the worlds of art and science within my childhood hours. I was drawn into the dimensional theories of Quantum Physics as I grew and examined different quantum realms on my own by my early twenties, because of the curiosity they engaged my mind inside. The theory of super-strings, hidden dimensions, black holes, and galaxies hidden within a space of a seed were an exciting read for me! I need to re-take up where I left off as I only just brushed the surface of what I wanted to study, but within that pursuit, I have noticed that the science within science fiction that enlightens my mind the most contains elements and theories woven around the concept of space-time dimensions and/or the continuum. This is not the first foray I have ventured on this year to read a story with time travel or the bending of time (as we see it peripherally) as its core center of scientific thought. The Skin Map uses the theory of ley lines whereas Cobbogoth is using the theory of hoption holes. In each of their own ways, they are breaking down a theory of how humans of any age can travel through ‘portals’ within the space-time vortex of dimensional space. And, I personally find that exciting!
Clark has a deft hand for writing the most scientific principles of the novel in a way that is not only easy to digest, but gets you excited to learn more than what has already been provided! The curious illustrations her sister, Ms. Shakespear contributed to the story’s element of past and present gave a visual reference for the sub-stories that draw out the focus on Cobbogoth itself rather than the story set in and around Cobbogoth on a whole!
I would say that due to the nature of the high-octane adventure and action sequences, as well as the brief passages of violence which take place as Norah’s life is thwarted by more danger than you could blink through, I do believe the classification of this novel as ‘YA Fantasy’ is rather apt. It would be a great story for a teenager to sink their teeth into because it is on the verge of leaving the formative years behind and entering the world on your own merits. Lessons of courage and fortitude of spirit are organically woven into the texture of the story itself. If you watched the motion picture “The Dark is Rising: The Seeker” you will not have any trouble reading this novel! At some point, I’d like to read the novel the forementioned film is based upon!
-quoted from my book review of Uncovering Cobbogoth
I checked the author’s socials, but I couldn’t find out any information about this series continuing as I believe it was originally meant to be either a trilogy or a quad. For my journey with the series just to delve into what ‘came next’ from where I last left the story will be a blissitude of its own. Similarly to how I will feel once I re-read The Golem and the Jinni and then read the sequel at long last which is a long-term goal of mine this year.
Silver Hollow was one of those magical discoveries – (see also Review) – wherein I was truly smitten with the story even before I began to read it! And, then, after opening the book for the first time – I felt pulled into the narrative so readily and wickedly, I simply didn’t want to leave that world anytime soon either!
On my connection to Jennifer Silverwood:
When our paths first crossed, Ms Silverwood and I shared a mutual interest and connection; however, our friendship did not form for awhile afterwards. It was truly after the interview went live and after I noticed I was reading her blog as much as she was reading mine – where I realised we shared a lot of commonalities in our reading lives as well as our writely lives! We decided to stay in touch and it is an honour to find someone who understands the bridge between reader, blogger and writer.
I am disclosing this, to assure you that I can formulate an honest opinion, even though I have interacted with Ms Silverwood through our respective love & passion of reading inside the twitterverse whilst I hosted her Silver Hollow blog tour and privately as well. I treat each book as a ‘new experience’, whether I personally know the author OR whether I am reading a book by them for the first time or continuing to read their releases as they are available. This also applies to hosting a guest feature by the author I share a connection.
The JOY of soaking into a story by a writer you’ve befriended is even sweeter somehow, and I’ve been blessed to have this happen more than once over the score of being a book blogger. This year for Wyrd And Wonder I have a lovely surprise to share about what I’ve included in my #bookhaul but that is for a different post entirely! Let’s just say – each year, I try to add to my personal library the stories by writers who continue to give me wicked good reads and memorable fantastical adventures!
If you are unfamiliar with this series (ie. the Borderlands Saga) let me give you a quick purview of what you’ll find inside the first novel:
And, yet the ways in which Silverwood wrote this tale everything feels rather realistic because of how she’s kept us rooted and anchoured into Amie’s own journey. She’s given us an emotional connection to Amie straight out of the gate, something that is quintessential to feeling as if we’ve discovered a purpose to take the journey with the character. This journey however is unlike others I’ve taken as I felt it was a proper genre-bender – equally moving through an Urban Fantasy narrative with a Speculative Dark Fantasy wherein you are never quite certain if what you are relying on as being true to what you knew before or if it is a newer truth just revealled? Meaning, where does the truth of fairy tales and legendary lore segue into a newer reality of its own? How do we know when we’ve taken that leap into the other realms before we recognise how otherworldly our visitations have become? I felt this was similar to what Amie was facing herself – here she was with a bequest and an inheritance she hadn’t sequestered out for herself but was wholly expected to accept without complaint?
The Borderlands is a compelling saga – you can’t put down this book once you’ve begun it – proving how much time and heart Silverwood put into reviving the original edition and ensuring each of us who enters into Silver Hollow has a solid footing of accepting this world and of becoming a new champion of Amie and the creatures of live just past the veil. I, for one, can’t wait to see what comes next as I’m speculating the sequel is going to be as riveting as this first installment – the series which is developing in front of me is surely going to become a fast favourite because it leaves you hopeful for more.
-quoted from my book review of Silver Hollow
I had so much to share and say about my reading of this novel – in fact, I think I even have extra notes which did not make it to my original review because I was trying to choose what to share and what to hold back to share when I read the sequel Blackbriar Cove. There are now three stories in this series, and I am wicked eager to pick up the pages from whence I left them as some stories simply ache to become revisited and this is one, I’ve truly attempted to re-read and re-establish myself inside since I first read Silver Hollow.
Wildwood Dancing bewitched me years ago – long before my blog and Wyrd And Wonder, when I was searching out Speculative Fiction of all the varieties in which I read and seek out (ie. Fantasy, Science Fiction and Cosy Horror) — I stumbled across this novel in a library out of county – it was a library which was blessed with a larger section of these kinds of stories as it was set in a University towne and equally blessedly, they were a bit more open to curious questions by readers who were still finding their way inside a genre which left them eager to explore further! My local libraries are more of a ‘seek it yourself’ variety and ‘don’t ask too many questions’ as you’re not going to get much of a response past “did you check the shelves?”.
A very kind librarian in the original library I found this novel took a liking to me and my personal quest for stories and felt this one might be one I’d become enchanted by to read. I’ve borrowed it over the years off/on and I finally realised last year, I simply need to bring a copy home and that way, when the moment is right for me, I can simply ‘read it!’ and not worry about hold and borrow times at the libraries. I’m a serial re-borrower you see and a hold extender! Laughs. Smirks.
During the #ThanksgivingReadathon of (2018) I shared a #25PagePreview of my journey inside the novel as well wherein I shared the following:
I was enchanted by how the ‘wildwood’ was anchoured both in this dimensional realm and in the real world of where Vera and her sisters lived. It was a place which held its own rules and was not forgiving if you took yourself lost inside its forested abode. The keen bit is that the only way not to fall lost was to visit during a Full Moon, with the guides the sisters had found and keeping to a few select rules about how to behave as well as when to take your leave, never giving this ‘otherworld’ enough time to ensnare you in its own realm.
As we observe the Full Moon dance, we start to notice other things which are happening round the sisters – such as the changes in whom they can interact with and why some of those changes are a bit foreboding at best! I was dearly curious to move forward and dig deeper into this realm – sorting out about the witch of the wood, the Night People and what the truer reasons were for allowing five (human) sisters to visit this ‘otherworld’ in the first place! As something told me there were things in motion that not even Vera had intuited!
-quoted from my #25PagePreview of Wildwood Dancing
I know there are a good bit of readers in the book blogosphere and most likely within our Wyrd And Wonder community who have already taken this journey ahead of me into the throes of this novel and/ or other stories by this same author but for me, it has been one of those lingering stories that just hasn’t had its proper chance to become read. This year felt inspiring to include it in my short stack as it follows suit with the other stories which have befit the same fate!
I used to read and review regularly for Hachette until my life was besotted by migraines and other stresses in life which made reading and reviewing regularly a bit unregular at best! One of the last books I received to read and review was The Ink of Elspet which is the first novel of The Inkwell Chronicles by J.D. Peabody. The story has since been released into audiobook (as I have the hardback copy) and the series has expanded into three installments, too! The third of which releases this year. The author actually surprised me and contacted me a little while ago about showcasing his series and I am not sure if he realised I was already primed to read this lovely first novel as I didn’t get the chance to properly respond to his request either. I felt after our event when I’ve had the chance to dive into the novel and get my bearings, I’d contact him and let him know how I’m getting on with the book and the series therein.
I have been fascinated by Middle Grade and YA Fantasy for years – which is why a lot of Fantasy I seek out to read tends to be of that kind of variety. You can even notice that over the years I’ve co-hosted Wyrd And Wonder. I tend to gravitate towards these stories moreso than sometimes adult Fantasy selections – though I read both of course – and so, when I first read the premise behind this novel, I admit I was smitten!
I attempted to read this one last year as well but oyy. Let’s not digress, eh about how mind-numbing last May was for me as a reader. I’m moving forward this May wicked happy for the chance to discover a new voice in the genre and see where a new series might be leading me to adventure after into its world. I am not sure if I will enjoy the narrator of this audiobook as I remember sampling it last year and I don’t remember if it worked for me as listener or not, but I will be exploring that in a follow-up post lateron in May as I discuss my readings of the book itself.
What Jorie is reading next:
→ Wyrd and Wonder’s RAL: The Night Circus
by Erin Morgenstern, narrated by: Jim Dale *audiobook via Spotify
- Week 1: Part One, “Primordium” – questions on or by Sunday, May 5th
Week 2: Part Two, “Illumination” – questions on or by Sunday, May 12th
Week 3: Part Three, “Intersections” – questions on or by Sunday, May 19th
Week 4: Parts Four and Five, “Incendiary” & “Divination” – questions on or by Sunday, May 26th - Discussions will be via Discord on our Other Worlds channel
Hosted by: Insta @deargeekplace
Read the Announcement of the RAL via deargeekplace.com
I have a very long HISTORY with The Night Circus – which includes borrowing the print book AND the audiobook via my local libraries! I’ve even discussed my journey into the novel with the author which I’ve mentioned recently whilst Wyrd And Wonder was getting underway this year. The reason why I’ve felt a bit distracted and removed from finishing this novel is elusive to me. The timing I suppose never quite felt right and when you feel untethered to a story – despite your best attempts to read it – you just never really feel anchoured inside. And, I think that is the best way to describe my previous attempts at reading this novel.
In keeping tradition, I wanted to purchase a copy of our RAL novel of choice – as ever since Imyril gifted me one of our RAL books in the past (despite the fact I had to exit it) – I’ve been mindful that having a RAL book in hand is far better than feeling the constricts of having to borrow them – at least for me! I’m all about borrowing library books but sometimes, when you’re in a readalong the time can feel super stressed and crunched together due to the time limits to read the books!
I happily purchased this novel in paperback format and made a lovely discovery of finding the audiobook available for those of us who have a script for Spotify Premium! I never had the chance to use that part of the services before as time has been limited to listen since I first started subscribing to it. This will mark the first audiobook I’ve listened through Spotify aside from sampling other stories and finding new voices in audio narrative to seek out later to listen in full.
I’m a full week and a half behind the RAL but I’m not deterred. I figured that as long as I can stay within the book itself and find the JOY of being in the readalong, I don’t mind tagging along at the back of the group. Some years you just have to make lemonade when life keeps giving you curveball distractions that take your attention away from your goals! Right?
and, now dear hearts,
I shall leave you with an invitation
to Kindly visit my co-hosts:
You’ll have to let me know if you’re participating this year with us
during #WyrdAndWonder in the comments below this post!
For those who want to let us know officially their joining us – fill out this form.
Want to pre-schedule your blog & socials? – Add your content to the Master Schedule!
Join the fantastical convo via Discord channel: Other Worlds!
And, happily visit with us via @WyrdAndWonder on Insta, too.
NOTE: To join us on OtherWorlds, please sign up for Wyrd & Wonder
then comment on this post requesting an invite.
The beauty of #WyrdAndWonder itself- is being able to escape into the realms of Fantasy and seek out the fantastical – however which way that might personally appeal to the reader and the seeker! Let us help you adventure with us whilst seeing what you’ve decided to read, listen or watch throughout May! I hope some of the authors I’ve read and reviewed over the years have sparked a curiosity in you to seek out yourself and likewise, I know I’ve been wicked inspired throughout the years to seek out new authors myself. (Visit Jorie’s #WyrdAndWonder archives)
Whether this is your seventh year or your first, we welcome you to #WyrdAndWonder! Join us as we dip our bookish hearts into this region of Speculative Fiction which gets us wickedly giddy with expectations and imaginative blissitudes!
These link to their individual announcements!
Lisa + Imyril + Annemieke + Ariana
via Insta: @deargeekplace + @joriestory3
+ @inlinewithannemieke + @booknookreview
Be sure to keep a watchful eye on our @WyrdAndWonder BlueSky feeds for the content we’ll be sharing throughout May; expect monthly engagements from the Power of Five – across social channels & our blogs. We are happily ready to start visiting blogs & start the Fantastical conversations which we know will be enjoyed by all who LOVE Fantasy! Join us for our 5th Year and let it be fantastically engaging for everyone who joins us on this adventure.
{Sources: Post dividers by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination. Blog graphics created by Jorie via Canva: #WWWednesdays, Short Stack TBR graphic (photo credit: jorielovesastory.com), The Night Circus RAL graphic (photo credit: jorielovesastory.com) and the Comment Box banner. Wyrd And Wonder badge created by Imyril. (Image Credit: black dragon image by Ehtisham Sajid on 123RF.com) Badge is used with permission.}
Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2024.
A great looking stack Jorie!