This Week’s Blog Posts:
Welcome to July! Since we had both a new month and a holiday (in the United States), Grab the Lapels had two extra posts. On Monday, I shared what I will be reading in July. Tuesday was a review of The Snow Queen, an award-winning science fiction novel published in 1980 that is actually part of a series (who knew?!) that I’ll keep reading. Thursday was the 4th of July, so I posted a collage of red, white, and blue book covers to celebrate. Lastly, on Friday I shared a review of a rather disappointing work of journalism about black women on the heavy metal scene.
Next Week’s Blog Posts:
On Tuesday, I’ll share my review of Orange is the New Black, an audio book read by Cassandra Campbell. It’s the perfect memoir — or not — depending on what you’re looking for. Come Monday I’ll share my review of Storm Warning, book number I’ve-lost-count in the #ReadingValdemar 2019 project. Much to my relief, this novel is, thus far, exciting, well-plotted, and has some great characters! I’m very excited for my Friday review of Nothing is Okay by Rachel Wiley, who wrote a collection of striking, cheeky poetry about being a fat, bi-racial, queer woman.
Slow Books in Progress:
Book by a Male Author: None, currently.
Book I’m Reading Aloud to My Spouse: David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
Poor Davy Copperfield! His mum has died, his Peggoty was fired, and he’s be pulled from school where his beloved (albeit shyster of a friend) Steerforth resides! However, he’s back at piratical Mr. Peggoty’s wonderful (ahem, modest) boat house — but who knows who will care for him after his visit.
Books Added to the TBR Pile:
Thanks to Karissa, Shell, and Kim for their recommendations!
Grab the Lapels 
I LOVE MURDERBOT!! Hope ye do too. Arrrr!
x The Captain
PS I know ye likely know this fact alreay. But it is an involuntary trigger. I see Murderbot and have to get ridiculously excited. Every single time.
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You may be in the same boat (er, ship?) as Kim, then! She mentions the series often enough that I can’t forget about it. I’ve taken the plunge.
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I’m glad you’re finding the latest Valdemar book more of a hit, and Nothing is Okay sounds great!
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Yay Murderbot!
Glad to see you enjoyed Storm Warning! It’s definitely a positive change, plot and Character-wise, and has happily dropped a lot of the problem themes that Lackey kept bringing up in previous books.
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Definitely! I just finished the novel today and still have to write the review tonight to hit tomorrow’s deadline! Ack!
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I’m finishing up my review right now! *lol* After the last several books, it was such a refreshing change to not have the creepy sexual issues come up again. I glossed over them when I read the Heralds of Valdemar and Mage Winds trilogies as a teenager, but they’re impossible for me to overlook now.
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YES. There is so much sexual assault leading up to this book — and it’s, what, the 11th book?? I’m so glad it was something different. I was happy to read every time I sat down with Storm Warning.
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It’s at least the 11th book, if not later. Soooo glad to be past all the sexual assault. It was totally unnecessary most of the time, and Lackey didn’t deal with it very well at all.
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Jackie just texted me to remind me that the review for Storm Warning doesn’t go up until July 15th. She thought she lost her mind. I guess I can stop speed reviewing now!
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*lol* Well, I will go reschedule mine, then. At least we’re ahead of the game!
By the by, how are we going about finishing out that Giveaway? I emailed Jackie and didn’t hear back, but she’s been so busy lately with the farm that I’m sure she overlooked it.
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I’ll text her! The $20 give away is digital, so it shouldn’t take much to get it to you. I think it works like a digital gift certificate. Thanks for following up!
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Thanks! I’m sure I will figure it out whenever it comes along. I’m not in any rush or anything. I just wanted to get the ball rolling before I forget about it.
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Not a problem! I texted her, and she said she emailed you back after my nudge.
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That she did. Thanks again!
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Poor Davy! I’m reliving this experience through you. My heart broke since more when Pegotty was fired. I’m looking forward to discussing Gaines with you!
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But Pegotty got married to that ol’ mail delivery fellow, Mr. Barkis. I hope it turns out okay. No spoilers!
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None at all!
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I sooo love that y’all read aloud. And Dickens is perfect! Sounds like a good week.
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Jennifer, you said a ya’ll. I did not know you were from ya’ll territory! I love it! I’m from “yas” territory, as in “love yas.” *shudder* Yes, ever since I had to get hearing aids, I’ve been reading aloud to my husband each night. At first, I had to do it to stimulate the little thingamajigs in my ear, but now we keep doing it because it’s wonderful.
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OOHHH Supper Club! I read Karissa’s book review of that, and then shortly after I turned down the opportunity for a review copy of it, so I may have made a mistake-you can let me know!
And I’ve seen Tiffany Hadish’s book around, but to be honest, I don’t know who she is- a stand-up comic? Why is she so famous?
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Tiddany Haddish was in this movie called Girls Trip, which was HILARIOUS, and she skyrocketed, doing a number of movies and shows since then: Night School, Nobody’s Fool, The Secret Life of Pets 2, Tuca and Bertie, The Lego Movie 2, etc. I’ve never seen her stand-up comedy, but apparently she’s done that, too!
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Well I’ve never seen any of those movies so probably why I’ve never heard of her. I miss out on a TON of cultural references these days because I don’t watch tv or movies. Twitter at least keeps me sort of connected…
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Is there a particular reason you don’t watch TV or movies?
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I love watching both, but I have so little free time right now, I dedicate it all to my blog and books 😦 But I enjoy it, so don’t feel too sorry for me haha
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I’ve been reading at a crazy break-neck speed to get through the summer reading bingo challenge, and I’ve noticed it’s worn me out a bit. I then switched to watching some movies this past week. It’s a nice change.
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Oooo I’ll have yo read your review for Orange is the New Black! My husband and I tried watching the TV show, but we just did not get what why everyone loved it so much? It was definitely not our cup of tea. Have you seen the show?
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I’ve seen a few seasons but gave up because I couldn’t keep all the drama straight. There is literally almost none of the drama in the book that there is in the show, and I don’t like that prison is sensationalized.
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Agreed!
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