Page Turners of the Month – What I’m Reading Right Now

Hello fellow book lovers! Now that my prequel, “To Condemn a Witch” is with my trusted editor, I have about a month off from writing to catch up with all books hanging out on my physical and virtual bookshelves. An eclectic combination of audio and old-school books, the genres cover fantasy fiction, how-to declutter nonfiction, YA magical fiction, a memoir, self-help/humor, new age, and historical pornography. (I told you I’m an eclectic reader!) If you are looking for some page turner ideas, here you go:

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Narrated by Rebecca Soler with Teddy Hamilton

Holy $@#! this audio book is amazing! I ordered it based on a recommendation from my friend Danielle, and it does not disappoint. Violet Sorrengail was supposed to become a scribe but at the last minute her mother, the general, forces her into the elite (and lethal) war college for dragon riders where she just happens to meet (and falls for) Xaden Riorson, son of the executed traitor who led the failed rebellion. A LOT of heat ensues.

This series came out in 2023 and there are already three books out in the series. (As a reader I’m thrilled, as a slow writer I’m super jealous of her speed and talent.) Also intriguing was that the audio had two narrators (one female, one male), which was what I had in mind for recording my own novel, “To Rescue a Witch,” although they had the female narrator read all the characters when it was in Violet’s point of view and the male narrator read all the characters when it was Xaden’s point of view. There were also two bonus tracks, which was awesome. There is another version of the audio book with a full cast and sound effects, which I might listen to just to see if I enjoy that kind of listening.

Keep the Memories Lose the Stuff by Matt Paxton

There are a lot of things outside our control to cause anxiety, but our stuff is something we have complete control over, or at least we should. I’m one of those weird people who likes to declutter when I’m stressed. My mother lived with us before she passed away almost a decade ago, and I’ve still found it incredibly difficult to get rid of some of her stuff, particularly the sentimental kind. This book was helpful because it gives a step-by-step guide to get you through dealing with the tough memories first. Once you put your past in perspective, it’s easier to let go of the objects. Two tips I found most useful:

Declutter with another person so you can tell them the stories behind the stuff. Sharing memories helps to let the things go.
Create a legacy list. Make a list of items most special to you and why they mean so much and share it with whoever will end up with your things when you’re gone.

Juniper by Monica Furlong

Juniper is a Young Adult (YA) fiction and is the prequel to “Wise Child.” The story is about a princess who must go off to study with her godmother to learn healing magic. When she returns home she must do battle with her aunt Meroot, who practices black magic. I originally read “Wise Child” because my editor said Fiona, the wise woman in my novel “To Rescue a Witch” reminded her of the pagan healer, Juniper. (They do have similar vibes.) It was a fun read and I specifically was interested in the prequel to see how other authors handle the same characters at different points in their lives.

What I Know For Sure by Oprah Winfrey

This a collection of essays from her “What I Know For Sure” column that cover all the feel-good, self-help topics and wisdom Oprah has offered through the years. I like Oprah books because you can always expect good storytelling, common sense, and a feeling of empowerment. You may not be able to conquer the world, but you can conquer yourself and make the world a little bit better too.

ADHD Is Awesome by Penn and Kim Holderness

One of my children was recently diagnosed with ADHD, so this non-fiction book was purchased to help us understand what ADHD is and tips and tricks to live with it. I like that the book is written by both Penn, who has ADHD, and his wife, Kim, who doesn’t, because it reveals both perspectives. I’m only about a third through, but so far I like his writing style. It’s pretty down-to-earth while being informative and funny. I bought this book based on a recommendation from Abby at Birdhouse Books and Gifts. If you live in the Austin area – support your local bookseller!

Enchantments – A Beginner Witch’s Guide by Mya Spalter

This is a non-fiction book I bought for researching the next book in my series. It’s written by a very funny lady named Mya Spalter who spent years working at Enchantments in New York City. For those of us un-initiated in witchcraft she covers spells, rituals and forming your own magical intentions. She follows her own path but also gives basic information about Wicca and paganism. Thanks to Susan from BookWoman (another Austin bookseller) for the recommendation.

Fanny Hill by John Cleland

Published in 1748 until the title “Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure”, it’s considered the first original English pornography novel and is one of the most banned books in history. It was considered so obscene the author, John Cleland, was arrested in 1749 and the book wasn’t legally published for another century. That said, pirated copies sold like hotcakes and was widely read in the colonies as well. The story follows Fanny Hill, a fifteen-year-old girl who becomes orphaned and tricked into becoming a prostitute. She sends letters to a friend justifying her life.

I bought this book on the recommendation of one of the historians at Colonial Williamsburg as a reference for the character Eleanor in “To Rescue a Witch” who is a mistress to a powerful lord. When I bought this, I kind of shrugged. How explicit could something from the 1700s be when we have the internet and books like “50 Shades of Grey,” right? Well, holy moly…

What are you reading/listening to these days? I’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments.

Lisa 😉

P.S. – The ebook version of novel “To Rescue a Witch” is on sale for just 99 cents until Thanksgiving (11/28/24). Here’s the QR code if you’d like a copy.