On Tap Tuesday is where I tell you what’s on tap for me for this week reading wise.

Most Recently Finished: I finished a couple of books last week: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins is one I did on audiobook. Had a lot of things I love: young adult, supernatural and set in a prep school/dormitory setting. A tad predictable but overall pretty good and quick read. Stitches by David Small was my first graphic novel memoir. I feel like I’m still processing this book. It’s true that you can do things with graphic novels that you can’t in other books. They truly can evoke emotions with images that you can’t do with just words. Really starting to love the form. The Supernatural Enhancements by Edgar Cantero I ended up picking up from the library because of the cover. Yes I admit it, I judge books by the cover. I’m glad this one caught my attention. The story is told through journal entries, descriptions of video footage and audio recordings. I’m  bit of a sucker for stories told in odd styles. This story also has one of those quirky interesting characters ala Lisbeth Salander from the Stieg Larson books. I think it’d be an excellent October read. 

What I’m Currently Reading: The Good Luck of Right Now by Mathew Quick is currently on my nightstand. The Noble Hustle by Colson Whitehead is going to be my work audiobook.

So what’s on tap for you guys?

I really needed a light, fun read for a pick me up with all the downs I’ve had in my life the past few weeks. I didn’t feel like doing anything, much less reading. Spells and Stitches by Barbara Bretton definitely did the trick and I’m hoping I’m out of my reading funk.

Spells and Stitches by Barbara Bretton is the fourth installment in her Sugar Maple series. Her sugar maple series follows Chloe Hobbs, half human half sorceress in training who owns a knitting shop in a rural town called Sugar Maple. To most of the world, Sugar Maple is a picturesque mountain town, to the magical world it is the safe haven for vampires, werewolves and other magical creatures. It’s Chloe’s job to maintain that safe haven by being the conduit that keeps the town under protection through spells cast long ago by her ancestors. As I’ve said in the beginning of this post, this is the fourth book in the series, so if you don’t want to be spoiled you may want to read the others first and then come back.

In Spells and Stitches we are following Chloe again through a major life change. Chloe and Luke are expecting their first child. They’ve been through a lot in the past year. Finding each other, almost being torn apart, and lets not forget that ordeal with Luke’s ex and his dead daughter. Everything seems to be going haywire with Chloe, from her hormones to her magical abilities thanks to the child who’s due in less than a month. Add on top of it that an unexpected visit from Luke’s very human family and you can see how this can be nothing but trouble. Oh and there’s a troll who’s living with them that keeps on spouting nothing but doom and gloom to come. Every expectant mother’s dream right?

Barbara Bretton has managed to weave another wonderful magic tale in her latest book. It’s fun and action packed and knitters will be left smirking from the knitting references spread through out the book. This book did exactly what I wanted it to do, it was a quick fun read that picked up my spirits. So if you like cozy mysteries, mixed with fantasy, mixed with a lot of knitting references this series might be the quick light read that you need.

Those not familiar with the knitting world may get annoyed with the frequent knitting commentary and role your eyes in its silliness, but know that we knitters are a quirky bunch. There’s also a helpful dictionary at the end of the book to explain terms, along with a few knitting patterns and recipes.

Happy reading everyone! 

So, I’m probably preaching to the choir for most people that would find their way to this blog, but I feel that most people don’t understand how brick and mortar book stores build better communities. 

I started thinking about this when at my local indie a few weeks ago. I’d stopped in on my day off, browsed the shelves and picked up a few goodies. I was the only one in the shop so as I was checking out the clerk and I chatted. We talked about the book she was reading, world book night, and the lack of book stores in the area. Then she asked what I did for a living. I told her about the program I work for (it can be found in my previous post from back when I started) and she started talking to me about her health and where she could get services. 

I can think of few other places where I would feel comfortable talking to someone on such a varied range of topics and I started to think, where in this digital age do people really gather to converse about the community, health topics and the like? I guess some still fall back on churches and other groups, but I think society overlooks the wonderful gathering place that is the bookstore. A place where people with differing views, interests and hobbies can gather together to discuss topics, the community and possibly give each other some helpful information. 

So really what am I saying here? Probably nothing earth shattering, just that I wish people realized what a valuable asset a local bookstore can be to a community. Definitely a value worth preserving. 

WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by Miz Biz at Should be reading. She can be found here

What are you reading?

The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman (my first read for the 2012 TBR Pile Challenge)

What did you recently finish reading?

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell   A really fun and quick read. My review can be found  here

What do you think you’ll read next?

I’m torn between Room by Emma Donnoghue or The Snowman by Jo Nesbo