So it’s been January for a while now but finally here is my TBR post. It’s mostly some old books with a few new ones peppered in. I’m setting a modest goal for four ‘book’ books this month, and additional comics and graphic novels. I’m going to do another post on my comic and graphic novel TBR.
Tunnel of Bones (City of Ghosts #2)
Cassidy Blake’s and her corporally challenged best friend Jacob’s adventures pick up after their dangerous adventures in Scotland. Now they are in Paris, filming the next episode of Cassidy’s parents show The Inspecters. While Cassidy hopes Paris isn’t as haunted as Eninghburgh her hopes are dashed when she learns about the ghosts hiding beneath Paris in the Catacombs.
And when Cassidy awakens a strong spirit from the Catacombs, she must rely on her growing skills as a ghost hunter, as well as new and old friends. Together they must solve a mystery before the spirit Cassidy unleashed becomes strong enough to be free to haunt Paris forever.
More to the Story
A retelling of Little Women set in a Pakistani American family. In this case, Jo is Jameela Mirza who was just picked to be the feature editor in her middle school newspaper. Jameela wants to be an award-winning journalist like a late family member. The head editor keeps shooting down her ideas, and she finds herself writing about a new student, a boy with a British accent who keeps to himself. But how will she make this story engaging enough to win a national media contest?
But things get complicated when Jameela’s family is shaken up by her father taking an overseas job that takes him away from their Georgia home. Jameela, along with her three sisters aren’t sure what to do. Missing her father ignites a fire under Jameela, she’s going to write the best article ever and make her dad proud.
But when her younger sister gets seriously ill, Jameela has to decide what is really important. She has to make the same choice at school where her quest for fame might cost her a friend.
While trying to find out what matters most Jameela wonders whether she’s cut out to be a journalist after all.
Written by Pakistani-American writer Hena Khan.
Lalani of the Distant Sea
I’ve really been enjoying this book because of its unique narrative structure. Lalani Sarita’s is just trying to get by Sanlagita where life is difficult and women aren’t valued. Whenever someone tries to leave the island they never come back, a fate that befell Lalani’s father. Lalani and her mother have to suffer from her stepfather and stepbrother. And deal with a drought that has hit the island.
When Lalani travels up the mountain the islanders think is evil, her wish is granted but not in the way she imagined. And when distress falls on the village, Lalani ends up shouldering the blame.
To help her mother who has fallen ill from an incurable disease, Lalani must leave the island to find the riches of the legendary Mount Isa, which towers on an island to the north. It holds what might be a cure for her mother and a way for Lalani to erase the mistakes she’s made in the village. But where generations of her people have failed to reach the island what chance does an ordinary girl have?
Amazon: Lalani of the Distant Sea
Peasprout Chen, Future Legend of Skate and Sword (Book 1)
A rural girl wants to win fame in the Pearl Famous Academy of Skate and Sword, where they teach the art of wu liu, the deadly and beautiful art of martial arts figure skating. Peasprout Chen and her brother Cricket are the first from a rural country in the country of Shin, to go to the famous school.
They soon find themselves in intense competition with the other students for the top spot at the Academy. But when trouble brews at the Academy, outsider Peasprout is blamed and must get to the bottom of the mystery to clear her name.
I’m also excited to read this as part of the Year of the Asian Readathon.