20 JUN 2024 · 3.16 One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig  This week we are discussing a new to the podcast fantasy series starting with One Dark Window. This is a two book series and I cannot recommend it enough. It started a little slow for me, but I was quickly enthralled in this universe of Providence Cards that give their users certain magical abilities. But there is a catch. Every use of magic has a cost and that could be a physical cost or a mental cost. Trust me, you won't be able to put down Elspeth Spindle and her story.  For more, subscribe to our https://markasreadpod.substack.com and check out our https://markasreadpod.wordpress.com/ and become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-as-read--5660703/support.

29 MAY 2024 · 3.15 The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman I started this expecting it to be a fun murder mystery. I was not expecting a British retirement community with fabulous dry humor as retirees inject themselves into an investigation.  Osman doesn't shy away from the hard conversations around death, retirement, and aging but does it in such a way that is relatable, funny, and ultimately uplifting. I can't recommend this enough and I can't wait to hear what you think about it.  Who is your favorite character?  For more, subscribe to our newsletter and check out our website and become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-as-read--5660703/support.

14 MAY 2024 · 3.14 Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas In our latest Throne of Glass episode, we are discussing https://bookshop.org/a/23102/9781639731015. The episode is a little chaotic as so much happens in this book and I had no one to discuss it with other than all of you of course! Last time, https://bookshop.org/a/23102/9781639730995 was my favorite book in the series so far. Queen of Shadows wins out though. If you thought you loved the characters before, you grow to love them even more in this book. Do you have a favorite book in the series?  For more, subscribe to our https://markasreadpod.substack.com and check out our https://markasreadpod.wordpress.com/ and become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-as-read--5660703/support.

30 APR 2024 · 3.13 The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins https://bookshop.org/a/23102/9781250280039 is a 2024 mystery-esque fiction story that follows Camden and Jules in current time as Camden is forced to comfront some issues from his past that he would rather avoid. The book is split between Camden's perspective and Jules' perspective as well as letters written 10 years prior by Camden's adopted mom, Ruby, and news clippings from throughout Ruby's life. Ruby was an heiress, but by the end of this story full of twists and turns, Ruby is not the true heiress if you ask me!  For more, subscribe to our https://markasreadpod.substack.com and check out our https://markasreadpod.wordpress.com/ and become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-as-read--5660703/support.

23 APR 2024 · 3.12 Part 2 Nightbane by Alex Aster  https://bookshop.org/a/23102/9781419760877 In Part 2, https://bookshop.org/a/23102/9781419760907, we get the aftermath of the curse breaking. I was really expecting this to be a love triangle a la Hunger Games (Peeta/ Gale/ Katniss) but it really wasn't. That is definitely a factor, but instead of seeing Grim and Oro fight over Isla for the whole book, there are two parallel timelines following Grim and Isla a year ago when they first met and Oro and Isla now. There were tons of twist and turns plus a cliff hanger that has me itching for the third book to come out.  You will definitely need to listen to Part 1 for all of the context here!  For more, subscribe to our https://markasreadpod.substack.com and check out our https://markasreadpod.wordpress.com/ and become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-as-read--5660703/support.

16 APR 2024 · 3.12 Part 1 Lightlark by Alex Aster  https://bookshop.org/a/23102/9781419760877 begins with Hunger Games vibes and a contest that takes place every 100 years between the rulers of the different magical realms. The prize? Breaking the curse that effects everyone and gaining power. The cost? Killing one of the other rules and as a result their entire realm. Isla is one of the youngest rulers and she has a secret - she was born without powers. So how will she survive the contest and save her people?  I originally planned to discuss both Lightlark and the sequel, Nightbane in one episode. But, I had so much to say about Lightlark that I decided to break it up. Nightbane will get its own episode as Part 2 next week.   For more, subscribe to our https://markasreadpod.substack.com and check out our https://markasreadpod.wordpress.com/ and become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-as-read--5660703/support.

9 APR 2024 · 3.11https://bookshop.org/a/23102/9780063304734 I have been waiting for a new release by Kate Quinn to do an episode since I started this podcast. Kate Quinn is an absolutely fabulous historical fiction writer (the best in the business if you ask me) and I have wanted to share my first reactions to one of her books with you. She always manages to add twists, turns, and surprises that are so fascinating. In this book, she teams up with Janie Chang to explore San Francisco in 1906 right before the earthquake and fire. This was a new time period for me, but I absolutely loved this story and I hope you do too.  For more, subscribe to our https://markasreadpod.substack.com and check out our https://markasreadpod.wordpress.com/!

2 APR 2024 · 3.10 Part 2 Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas For our Part 2 of our second Throne of Glass episode, we are discussing https://bookshop.org/a/23102/9781639730995. After finishing it, I am standing by my decision to read The Assassin's Blade first. I talk all about that in addition to all of the action that takes place in this book. So far, this is my favorite book of the series! What is your preferred reading order for the series? For more, subscribe to our https://markasreadpod.substack.com and check out our https://markasreadpod.wordpress.com/ and become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-as-read--5660703/support.

26 MAR 2024 · 3.10 Part 1 The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas For our second Throne of Glass episode, I decided to break it up so for Part 1, we are discussing The https://bookshop.org/a/23102/9781639731091. I know there is a lot of contention about the order of the series and we dive deep into that as well as the novellas in this episode and then will discuss Heir of Fire in Part 2! What is your preferred reading order for the series? For more, subscribe to our https://markasreadpod.substack.com and check out our https://markasreadpod.wordpress.com/ and become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-as-read--5660703/support.

19 MAR 2024 · 3.9 Non-Fiction Review I love non-fiction so much, but I know it can be hard to get into. Every season, we will have one non-fiction review episode where I give you a short overview of some of the non-fiction books I have read and enjoyed lately. Then, if any sound good, you can explore those instead of having to sift through all of the non-fiction out there! This review will include 5 books I have read plus 5 non-fiction books I'm looking forward to reading. Check out the newsletter for all of the info on the books I'm looking forward to reading.  1. https://bookshop.org/a/23102/9780674971721 2. https://bookshop.org/a/23102/9781350005082 3. https://bookshop.org/a/23102/9780593445761 4. https://bookshop.org/a/23102/9781492650959 5. https://bookshop.org/a/23102/9780385523912  For more, subscribe to our https://markasreadpod.substack.com and check out our https://markasreadpod.wordpress.com/ and become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-as-read--5660703/support.