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November 11th Book Recs: Charms, Spells, Witches, and More!

November 11, 2024November 6, 2024Tiana TolbertLeave a comment

November 11th is MADE for magic! Known as 11/11, this day is all about good vibes, manifesting dreams, and maybe even a touch of mystical energy. What better way to embrace that spirit than by diving into tales of witchcraft, dark secrets, and spellbinding adventures?

Dive into our lineup of charming reads below!

Witch Queen of Redwinter by Ed McDonald

Step into a world of grit and intrigue where Raine, a young woman with the unique ability to see the dead, embarks on a journey to confront her own destiny. Filled with dark magic and moral complexities, Witch Queen of Redwinter crafts a beautifully eerie atmosphere, perfect for fans of intense, character-driven fantasy.

Book of Night by Holly Black

Holly Black’s foray into adult fantasy introduces Charlie Hall, a con artist skilled in the art of manipulating shadows. This noir-tinged tale is drenched in dark magic, where secrets can alter reality and shadows hold power. With its gritty undertones and layered world, Book of Night is a compelling read for anyone intrigued by the darker side of magic.

After the Forest by Kell Woods

A haunting twist on fairy tale lore, After the Forest reimagines classic tales through the eyes of a witch navigating a cursed land. Woods blends folklore with raw emotion, inviting readers into a world where old stories take on new meaning and witches must confront both magical and human challenges. This novel is a delightful tribute to the charm and danger of the enchanted forest.

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher

T. Kingfisher brings her signature wit and creativity to A Sorceress Comes to Call, a magical retelling filled with unforgettable characters and a wild, chaotic charm. With dark magic, enchanted animals, and a sorceress mother with a penchant for mischief, this story is ideal for readers who crave whimsy and witchcraft in equal measure.

Princess of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Magic and royalty collide in Princess of Dune, a blend of sci-fi and fantasy that weaves witch-like power into the legendary Dune universe. For those who love high-stakes drama, political intrigue, and a fresh take on a classic saga, this novel is an enchanting addition to the Dune series that fans of mystical forces will relish.

One for My Enemy by Olivie Blake

Olivie Blake spins a tale of rivalry and romance in One for My Enemy, where two families steeped in magic clash in a spellbinding, modern-day New York. This bewitching novel is laced with themes of loyalty, vengeance, and forbidden love, making it a darkly captivating read for fans of atmospheric urban fantasy.

Lists / What's New

Our Favorite Foods in Fantasy!

November 2, 2024October 30, 2024Tiana TolbertLeave a comment

Do you know what’s cooking in fantasy? With the release of the stunning new hardcover editions of Legends & Lattes and Bookshops & Bonedust, we’re re-visiting this yummy blog post. From treats to teas and everything in between, explore some of the most mouthwatering delicacies in our favorite food-filled fantasies below!

**Cinnamon rolls from Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree**

Come take a load off at Viv’s cafe, the first & only coffee shop in Thune. Grand opening! In this novel of high fantasy and low stakes, Viv, the orc barbarian, cashes out of the warrior’s life with one final score and plans to open the first coffee shop the city of Thune has ever seen. And with that coffee shop comes a decadent menu of caffeinated beverages and sweet treats, including the most decadent giant cinnamon rolls we’ve ever seen. Out now!

Donuts from Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

Looking for a sweet treat to help start your day? Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki is all of this and more! A defiantly joyful adventure set in California’s San Gabriel Valley, with cursed violins, Faustian bargains, and queer alien courtship over fresh-made donuts, the only thing sweeter than this story are the donuts that bring our favorite characters together.

Tea and scones from Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

Welcome to Charon’s Crossing. The tea is hot, the scones are fresh, and the dead are just passing through. In this hilarious and haunting book from the New York Times bestselling author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, love and family are found over a cozy cup of tea and a hearty plate of scones.

**Books from The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean**

Can we snack on some delicious books? Alas, no, but that doesn’t mean we can’t devour The Book Eaters and appreciate the flavors author Sunyi Dean conveys in the book snacking. To The Family, spy novels are a peppery snack; romance novels are sweet and delicious. Eating a map can help them remember destinations, and children, when they misbehave, are forced to eat dry, musty pages from dictionaries. What kind of books would you want to devour?

**Party snacks from The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo**

Jordan Baker grows up in the most rarefied circles of 1920s American society—she has money, education, a killer golf handicap, and invitations to some of the most exclusive parties of the Jazz Age. And what comes with parties but some of our favorite snacks, and maybe a glass of champagne or two.

Order Legends & Lattes Here:

Order Bookshops & Bonedust Here:

Forge Your Own Bookclub / Lists / New Releases / What's New

‘Forge’ Your Perfect Summer BBQ!

August 9, 2024October 1, 2024Ariana Carpentieri

Nothing beats grabbing a book on a sunny day, settling in, cracking it open, and relaxing the day away by getting lost within the pages. It’s essentially the human equivalent of being a house-cat. But you know what would take your reading day over the top? If you had the perfect food and drink to pair with your sensational summer reads! We’ve got you covered there, cool cats. Read onwards to see what we suggest you match up with your summer reading list so that you can ‘forge’ your perfect summer BBQ!

Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi

What to Eat: Set in West Africa, we think a traditional West African cusiene would be most fitting. Jollof rice is a one-pot dish that originated in West Africa and is now popular across the continent. It’s made with rice, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, chili peppers, garlic, ginger, and spices like cumin and paprika, and often served with grilled meats or fish.

What to Drink: Staying on theme, a popular West African beverage that would pair nicely here is Zobo: A drink made with hibiscus leaves, ginger, pineapple, and simple syrup that’s popular in Nigeria and throughout West Africa. This drink is especially fitting for the summertime, as it has a light, fruity, and refreshing flavor!

A Certain Kind of Starlight by Heather Webber

What to Eat: Heather is the queen of sweet Southern charm, so it only makes sense for us to pair this magical book with a dessert! Plus this book features a family bakery, so reading it will definitely put you in the mood to eat something sweet! Take a look at this guest post written by author Heather Webber herself that outlines some delicious treats you can make to pair with this book! Might we suggest the strawberry shortcake? It’s a classic summer staple, and will truly hit the spot!

What to Drink: A sweet read calls for a sweet drink (can you sense a general theme here?), so we think a frozen strawberry daiquiri would really be the icing on the cake.

Passion for the Heist by K’wan

What to Eat: As the title and one of the main character’s names suggests, something made with ‘passion’ would be best suited for this gripping book. This passion fruit mousse recipe is creamy, tangy, fresh, and a truly perfect treat to bring along to the summer BBQ!

What to Drink: Staying true to theme, we suggest pairing this book with a delicious passion fruit drink, such as this passion fruit and mint cooler. It’ll be super refreshing to sip on something like this to help you cool down as you lounge out the sweltering sun!

A Farewell to Arfs by Spencer Quinn

What to eat: Chet and Bernie, the best human and dog duo around, are big fans of eating at Burger Heaven. So we suggest you fire up the grill and make a burger for yourself to chow down on as you read this book!

What to drink: To pair with your burger, we feel an all-American classic Coca-Cola is the perfect way to go.

Desperation Reef by T. Jefferson Parker

What to eat: This book centers around a big-wave surfing competition that takes place on the Pacific coastline, so we think seafood is definitely the way to go here! Try pairing it with this incredibly delicious grilled shrimp tacos with creamy cilantro sauce recipe. It’s zesty, tasty, and one of the best meals to make during the summertime.

What to Drink: Since this story largely centers around surfing, a sweet beach beverage is what you’ll want to pair with this thrilling read! And nothing screams ‘beach’ and ‘summer’ more than sipping on a delectable Piña Colada. This drink will truly put the ‘chill’ in ‘chilling by the ocean!’

Raw Dog by Jamie Loftus

What to Eat: We’d be completely remiss if we didn’t include Raw Dog on this list: the ultimate guide to hot dogs; a beloved staple food at summer BBQs across the Unites States in the summertime! It’s all within the name: Raw Dog is a book all about hot dogs, so obviously that’s the very food you need to pair with this book!

What to Drink: Hot dogs simply wouldn’t be the magnificent creations they are without the help of the condiments that compliment them. Many people have heated debates about what the best type of hot dog is (a New York dog, a Chicago dog, a Boston Dog; the list goes on!) but we think we can all agree on the fact that any superior hot dog is the one adorned with our favorite condiment sidekicks. So a fun (albeit unique) drink that features an actual condiment is the best option here! Try sippin’ on a pickle martini while you make your way through Raw Dog!

Lists / What's New

Our Favorites Foods in Fantasy

September 23, 2022September 22, 2022Rachel Taylor

Do you know what’s cooking in fantasy? A whole array of treats, teas, and other delicacies are brewing in some of our favorite fantasies featuring food. Check out the list below!