Weekend time! And nearly the end of the month too; I cannot believe it’s about to be December.
Books acquired this week
This week we have two books acquired to review! Both from Netgalley; I’ve not been lucky enough (so far at least) to get physical copies.
I’m excited for both! Technically I got the version of Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter with the UK cover, but I like this one better and I already had it saved, sooo. There you are.
Posts from this week
I’ve continued posting extras to get to grips with the pre-written review backlog, so there’s a bunch again for the roundup this week! As ever, don’t forget that most of them are books I read weeks/months ago by this point, so it doesn’t reflect this week’s reading. That’s below in the “What I’m reading” section!
- Crime: Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, by Jesse Q. Sutanto (1/5 stars, “didn’t like it”)
- Non-fiction: Stony Jack and the Lost Jewels of Cheapside: Treasure and Ghosts in the London Clay, by Victoria Shepherd (2/5 stars, “it was okay”)
- Prose-poetry: Seeing Stars, by Simon Armitage (2/5 stars, “it was okay”)
- Fantasy manhwa:Â Solo Leveling, vol 8, by Dubu (4/5 stars, “really liked it”)
- Fantasy romance: Paladin’s Hope, by T. Kingfisher (4/5 stars, “really liked it”)
- Classic crime: Jumping Jenny, by Anthony Berkeley (2/5 stars, “it was okay”)
- Non-fiction:Â The House Dress: A Story of Eroticism and Fashion, by Elda Danese (2/5 stars, “it was okay”)
- Non-fiction: The Book of Were-Wolves: Were-Wolf History and Folklore, by Sabine Baring-Gould (2/5 stars, “it was okay”)
- Young adult: Felix Ever After, by Kacen Callender (3/5 stars, “liked it”)
- Young adult horror: Hold Back the Tide, by Melinda Salisbury (4/5 stars, “really liked it”)
Aaand if you were curious (as people often are) about why I bother to finish/rate/review low-star reads, I wrote about that not so long ago.
What I’m reading
After a quiet reading week last week, I finished eight books last weekend, so this was a bit more action-packed (inasfar as reading is action). Here’s a sneak peek at the ones I intend to review on the blog sometime:
 
As you see, I’ve been busy, though my reading did slow down after the weekend.
As for the weekend’s plans, I’m not sure. I’ve finished my Book Spin Bingo card early for once, so I think I might chill with some manga/graphic novels, and maybe read volume four of Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation. As ever, though, it’s down to my whim!
Linking up with Reading Reality’s Stacking the Shelves, Caffeinated Reviewer’s The Sunday Post, and the Sunday Salon over at Readerbuzz.
Ok, I need to know more about Bipolar Bear!! I’m also excited for Agnes Aubert, and I’ve seen the other cover you’re talking about and I also love this one the best. Enjoy your books this week!
Bipolar Bear was a fun concept! It dragged on a bit for me, but I imagine it feels more urgent/relevant to a US audience…
I have the new Heather Fawcett on my Netgalley shelf! I didn’t realise that in the UK we had a different cover as I have this one that you have pictured.
A shame that you didn’t like Vera. I loved it and the next book. There is another book with a different character coming out in April that I am looking forward to (that makes the year go quickly!).
Have a great weekend!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2025/11/29/stacking-the-shelves-130/
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog recently posted…Stacking The Shelves
I definitely prefer this one, but oh well!
I can see why people enjoy the Vera Wong books, just not my thing.
You sharing low rated reviews is one of my favorite things about following your blog!
Bree @ Bibliophilebree recently posted…Let’s Talk Bookish: Bookish Etiquette
Ah, that’s interesting to hear! Thanks for sharing.
I am a cat ‍⬛️ lover, so the Mystical Cat Shelter appeals to me. You are an avid reader, how nice
Thank you so much for sharing, and warm greetings from Montreal, Canada ❤️ …from a 69 year old retired lady.
Linda recently posted…Lessons, Blessings and Memory
Thanks for dropping by! I’m looking forward to the new Heather Fawcett book for sure.
I’m curious to read Vera Wong’s book, advice to murderers. I want to see if I like it or not!
Maybe Vera has become a bit too ruthless?
Harvee recently posted…On Her Own, a Novel set in Tel Aviv, Israel; and Cherry Blossom Wishes set in Japan
Vera’s an interesting character; ruthless isn’t quite the word. I didn’t enjoy her meddling with the crime scene and such, and acting superior about it.
Platform Decay and it’s murderbots sound interesting. I’ve never really questioned a book blogger’s rating system as we are all individuals. I just trust what they say and then make my own decision. Perhaps I’m a bit naive?
Thank you for sharing As If By Magic! I so enjoy British investigative crime shows. I look forward to exploring the British Library Crime Classics!
Bipolar Bear looks like an important book to read and perhaps pass onto teachers, children and school counselors. I’m just getting into graphic novels and, to my surprise, I enjoy them!
Answering Back might be the ticket as I start looking into poetry next year as poets discuss poetry.
Thank you so much for writing such an interesting post!
Patricia in New Mexico recently posted…Knowledge Vs. Enlightenment, Fiber Fun with Charizard, Thankfully Reading, Finding Joy
I got Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter (the UK version) from Netgalley too. I just read the first MurderBot book and can’t wait to read more.
Your rating system looks identical to mine. I don’t think you need anymore than 1 Star to say it’s not for me, there’s nothing wrong with a book just being ok or good.
Wishing you a great reading week
Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out recently posted…It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #SundayPost #SundaySalon
I looove Murderbot. Hope you enjoy the series as much as I do!
And that’s interesting — I took mine basically from Goodreads, but people there always used to complain about it sooo much. I just don’t want to spend that much time gradating how much I disliked something.
The British Library Crime Classic series is great, so many authors I knew little or nothing about.
To clarify though, Bipolar Bear… is definitely for adults! It’s more aimed at those used to struggling with the US healthcare system, and is probably way too cynical/adult in outlook for kids.
I’m adding Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter to read next year since this year’s list is way to long already.
Well, it’s not out until February, so there’s time!
My request for the cute cat shelter book got rejected so I’m curious to see what your thoughts will be ! I enjoyed the first volume of delicious in dungeon 🙂
Veros @ Dark Shelf of Wonders recently posted…HUMAN SCARS ON PLANET SKIN by Effie Joe Stock & Nathaniel Luscombe│ Review
I’m looking forward to it! I think I was rejected for a physical copy, but ah well, I like using ereader too.