North of Tomboy

 

Author: Julie K. Swanson 

Publisher: SparkPress

Publication date: Sept. 2, 2025

Happy Friday Book pals! Thank you Booksparks and author Julie Swason for the gifted #fallpopup book North of Tomboy which is out this Tuesday, Sept. 2. 

Set in the 1970s, this middle grade novel is the story of 4th grader Jess who’s more comfortable in jeans than dresses and who’d rather play baseball with the boys than play dolls with the girls. When Jess gets yet another baby doll for Christmas, she turns it into the boy she wants to be. Jess names him Mickey and he becomes her alter ego. Here’s the full summary from the publisher: 

Shy fourth grader Jess Jezowski turns the tables on her mom when she’s given yet another girly baby doll for Christmas. This time, instead of ignoring or destroying it, she transforms it into the boy she’s always wanted to be—a brave, funny little guy named Mickey. Making him talk, Jess finally lets the boy in her express himself.

But when Mickey evolves to become something more like an alter ego whose voice drowns out her own and the secret of him escapes the safety of her family, Jess realizes Mickey’s too limited and doesn’t allow the boy part of her a big enough presence in the world. She must find a way to blend him into her—so she can be that side of herself anywhere, around anyone.

Jess tries to wean herself from the crutch of Mickey’s loud, comical persona, and to get her family to forget about him, but she struggles to do both. What will it take for her to stop hiding behind Mickey and get people to see her for who she truly is? Based on the author’s experience growing up on Michigan’s rural Leelanau Peninsula in the ’70s, North of Tomboy includes artwork throughout.

This is an emotional story of how Jess learns to express herself and allow the boy part of herself out into the world. This book really hit home for me because I grew up during the time period of the book and I was a tomboy. I could really relate to Jess wanting to wear pants to school instead of a dress or a skirt and I loved playing and watching sports. 

At first Jess uses Mickey as a stand in to voice her opinions and argue her case for wanting short hair or to not wear a dress. But she eventually realizes that she can’t hide behind Mickey forever. She learns to stand up for herself and to be able to show others who she truly is. After all,  isn’t that what we all want? To be seen for who we are. 

Any exciting plans for the weekend? We’re playing golf with friends this afternoon and then we’ll be watching college football tomorrow. 

About the Author

Julie A. Swanson grew up on Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula, the setting for this story. As a kid, she enjoyed exploring the great outdoors, building forts, playing pretend games, writing and illustrating poems and stories, woodworking, sports, art, and reading . . . but she could never find books about anyone who was as uncomfortable being a girl as she was, who loved a sport to the extent she did, or who had a Polish last name like hers (Polakowski). So she decided she would one day write those books. Now an author of middle grade and young adult novels, Julie lives in Virginia.

King Sorrow

 

Author: Joe Hill

Publisher: William Morrow Books

Publication date: Oct. 21, 2025

Thank you William Morrow and NetGalley for the e-arc of King Sorrow by Joe Hill. King Sorrow comes out Oct. 21st. 

This book had me at dragon. A group of stoned college kids call forth a dragon named King Sorrow to help get rid of a pair of low-life drug dealers who are forcing one of them to steal rare books from the college’s library. The kids get more than they bargained for with the dragon. First rule of dragons is never make a deal with a dragon. The group must choose a new victim every year for the dragon or they become his next snack. Here’s the full summary from the publisher: 

Arthur Oakes is a reader, a dreamer, and a student at Rackham College, Maine, renowned for its frosty winters, exceptional library, and beautiful buildings. But his idyll—and burgeoning romance with Gwen Underfoot—is shattered when a local drug dealer and her partner corner him into one of the worst crimes he can imagine: stealing rare books from the college library.

Trapped and desperate, Arthur turns to his closest friends for comfort and help. Together they dream up a wild, fantastical scheme to free Arthur from the cruel trap in which he finds himself. Wealthy, irrepressible Colin Wren suggests using the unnerving Crane journal (bound in the skin of its author) to summon a dragon to do their bidding. The others—brave, beautiful Alison Shiner; the battling twins Donna and Donovan McBride; and brainy, bold Gwen—don’t hesitate to join Colin in an effort to smash reality and bring a creature of the impossible into our world.

But there’s nothing simple about dealing with dragons, and their pact to save Arthur becomes a terrifying bargain in which the six must choose a new sacrifice for King Sorrow every year—or become his next meal.

Lots of creepy atmosphere, an interesting mix of characters, and a dragon who talks like a British cabbie makes this an enjoyable and entertaining read. Gwen was my favorite character. Smart, tough and determined. The rest of the group included a Colin a rich weird guy who eventually become an even richer and manipulative tech bro. Arthur, the kid being forced to steal the books, is the scholarly but lovable nerd. Twins Donovan and Donna are yin to each other’s yang. Alison is the beauty who lives a lie. 

The story is engrossing and I loved the dragon. I thought King Sorrow needed to appear more. He was witty, scary and took great pleasure in tormenting his victims before he killed them. I also loved the troll under the bridge-a  trope that turned into an internet troll. The pace of the book was steady. I thought there were a few scenes that dragged on too long and slowed the story down a bit, but I tend to like stories that move along very quickly. I’m sure many readers will savor every bit of this book. 

Hill says in his author’s note that this is his first book in ten years. That makes this a must read for horror fans. I know they’ll eat this book up just like King Sorrow. 

About the Author

Joe Hill is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels (King Sorrow, The Fireman, NOS4A2, Horns, Heart-Shaped Box), fiction collections (Strange Weather, Full Throttle, 20th Century Ghosts), and a comic-book series (Locke & Key). Much of his work has been adapted for film and TV.

Celtic Myths

 

Authors: Sorcha Hegarty and Aron Hegarty 

Narrators: Sorcha Hegarty and Aron Hegarty 

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Year: 2025

Thank you Simon & Schuster Audio for the gifted audiobook of Celtic Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses and Heroes Handbook by Sorcha Hegarty and Aron Hegarty. 

If you love mythology, you need this book. This is a great introduction to the mythological figures and creatures of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Here’s the summary from the publisher: 

Prepare to be entertained as you learn about the many myths and legends of the Celtic people. From the storytelling duo behind the Candlelit Tales, this collection weaves together the stories of those heroes, deities, and monsters that make up the mythology.

Drawing together the mythology and tales of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, this book is a comprehensive collection of the fascinating gods, goddesses, heroes, and monsters that make up the compendium of Celtic myths and legends. Celtic Mythology offers an accessible exploration of the rich tapestry of stories and characters that define Celtic culture and have fascinated people for centuries.

This is a great starting point for learning about Celtic mythology. I thought the format was easy to follow and very accessible. The authors start out with a very brief history of the Celtic people. This is just a quick overview and not a deep dive, but it’s perfect. It just gives concise information of the different ancient peoples and where they came from. They also look at how the introduction of Christianity impacted the original myths. 

After that, each chapter deals with a different mythological being or creature from Ireland, Scotland, or Wales. I really liked that each chapter had “the story you need to know” that told most popular or well known myth about a particular god, goddess, or hero. Every chapter concluded with a “now you know” portion which was a brief analysis of symbolism, other major myths that the subject is associated with, variations of the character/creature and adaptations in popular culture, books, movies, tv shows, and video games. 

One of my favorite myths from this book was the story of Diarmuid & Grainne. It’s a tragic love story. I also enjoyed the stories of mighty warriors Cuchulain, Queen Maeve, and Fionn Mac Cumhail (or Finn MacCool). The story of the Welsh Red Dragon was another favorite. I also didn’t realize how often King Arthur turned up in so many different myths. That dude really got around. 

The authors provide a wonderful and entertaining narration for the audiobook. They brought the myths to life and I could sense they love these ancient stories. They are professional storytellers and have their own podcast. I highly recommend this fantastic introduction to Celtic mythology. 

Do you like mythology? What’s your favorite myth or legend? 

#celticmythology #mythology #audiobookstagram  #audiobook 

About the Authors 

Sorcha Hegarty and Aron Hegarty are storytelling siblings with a deep love of Celtic myths and a passion for sharing stories. Based in Ireland, they created Candlelit Tales in 2014 and have grown their storytelling business to include a short tour in North America. With a decade of research and storytelling under their belts, Aron and Sorcha are content experts with an ongoing drive to learn more about the tales they tell. As their fanbase grows, they become even more passionate about sharing their stories with the world.

The Devil’s Advocate

 

Author: Steve Cavanagh 

Narrator: Adam Simms

Publisher; Simon & Schuster Audio

Year: 2025

Happy #thrillerthursday book friends! Thank you Simon & Schuster Audio for the #gifted audiobook of The Devil’s Advocate by Steve Cavanagh! 

In The Devil’s Advocate, Eddie goes up against a killer prosecutor intent on getting a death penalty verdict for an innocent man. 

Here’s the full summary from the publisher: 

He’s won every trial…because he’s behind every murder.

Ambitious District Attorney Randal Korn lives to watch prisoners executed. Even if they are not guilty.

An innocent man, Andy Dubois, faces the death penalty for the murder of young girl. Korn has already fixed things to make sure he wins a fast conviction. The one thing Korn didn't count on was Eddie Flynn.

Slick, street smart, and cunning, the former con artist and now New York lawyer has only seven days to save an innocent man against a corrupt system and find the real killer.

In a week the judge will read the verdict, but will Eddie be alive to hear it?

The Eddie Flynn series has quickly become one of my ol’ reliables, and I mean that in the best possible way. I can pick up any book in the series knowing I’m getting a twisty legal thriller that will surprise and entertain me. This one is filled with tension both inside and outside the courtroom. Eddie and his team are in a hostile small town going up against a prosecutor intent to kill not only an innocent man, but anyone who gets in his way. As if that’s not stressful enough, they uncover a plot by a small group of white nationalists intent on using a murder victim’s father to incite violence. Cavanagh keeps the pace fast and Eddie’s quips even faster. Once again, Adam Simms provides a fantastic narration. He has a gift for bringing all the characters to life. 

I definitely recommend this audiobook, and the series, to any reader looking for an exciting and satisfying thriller. 

Does this sound like something you’d read? Are you a fan of legal thrillers? 

#thedevilsadvocate #stevecavanagh #simonaudio #audiobook #audiobookreview #audiobookstagram #legalthriller #crimefiction

About the Author

Steve Cavanagh is the bestselling and award-winning author of several books, including the Eddie Flynn series and Kill for Me, Kill for You. A former lawyer, he was born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where he still lives.

I’ll Quit When I’m Dead

 

Author: Luke Smitherd

Publisher: Mulholland Books

Publication date: October 14, 2025

Thank you Mulholland Books and NetGalley for the e-arc of I’ll Quit When I’m Dead by Luke Smitherd. 

Madison feels like she must get her life in order. She needs direction and discipline. She enrolls in an intense fitness course taught by a woman who’s more zealot than fitness coach.  Meanwhile, Johnny has his own troubles. He’s been struggling with addiction. He moves into a quiet cottage to work on his recovery. But Johnny isn’t alone in the cottage. There’s something supernatural lurking in the attic and it wants to make a deal with Johnny. How far are Madison and Johnny willing to go to get what they want? Here’s the full summary from the publisher: 

Madison has seen better days. Reeling from a bad breakup, self-soothing with junk food, and totally consumed by her lack of direction, she’s in need of a big reset. When she runs into an old acquaintance at the gym, Madison is shocked by how fit they’ve suddenly become. The cause? An all-female fitness boot camp led by ex-military guru Ellie Fellowes. The course is characterized by grueling reps and minimal contact with the outside world, and when Madison signs up to experience it herself, something doesn’t feel right. The other students keep acting strangely; Ellie seems almost superhuman, and her intense motivational methods are becoming bizarre, even dangerous. But Madison is getting results. How can she stop now?

Musician Johnny Blake has been struggling with a pain pill addiction after a very public, very bad fall. At the encouragement of loved ones, he retreats to a secluded cottage to detox. But Johnny isn’t alone. Something is lurking in the shadows of his new home—a creature unnatural and hungry, one that traps Johnny in a frightening bargain. If Johnny doesn’t stay off his pills and keep his end of the deal, he will be eaten alive.

As Madison and Johnny’s predicaments spiral into the unthinkable, they will have to look within to find the true and terrifying answer to the age-old question: How badly do you want it?

If you’re a fan of psychological horror, this book will be right up your alley. Both plot lines are full of sinister and creepy tension. Madison gradually realizes her boot camp course might just kill her. Johnny makes a deal with a creature that wants to eat him alive. Unfortunately I thought there was a big disconnect between Madison’s and Johnny’s storylines. They just seemed so random to me at the beginning. The alternating chapters of Madison’s grueling physical boot camp and Johnny’s creepy supernatural haunting just left me confused instead of on the edge of my seat. The two storylines do come together eventually, but it was too late in the book for me. This one didn’t work for me, but it will be great for many other horror and supernatural readers. I’ll Quit When I’m Dead publishes on October 14 just in time for spooky season. 

Would you make a deal with a supernatural creature to get something you really wanted? Why or why not?

About the Author

Luke Smitherd is the author of the #1 bestselling novel THE STONE MAN, shortlisted for Audible Book of the Year 2015, and its sequels THE EMPTY MEN, THE STONE GIANT, and the upcoming MARCH OF THE STONE MEN. He also created the #1 bestsellers IN THE DARKNESS, KILL SOMEONE, THE PHYSICS OF THE DEAD, and THE MAN WITH ALL THE ANSWERS. 

A former singer and guitarist, Luke now writes full time for a living. He divides his time between the USA and his home in the UK.

They All Fall the Same

 

Author: Wes Browne

Narrator: Matt Godfrey

Publisher: Dreamscape Media

Year: 2025

Happy Monday bookish friends! Hope you all had a nice weekend. I didn’t get much housework done, but I got a lot of reading done. 

If you’re a fan of S.A. Cosby or Eli Cranor, check out They All Fall the Same by Wes Browne. It’s a southern noir tale of family and revenge. Here’s the full summary from the publisher:

Cannabis kingpin Burl Spoon has reigned over the Jackson County area for three decades, building a powerful backwoods empire. But behind a well-run organization, his personal life is crumbling–his daughter can’t stay clean; his son has hated him since coming out; and after enduring years of infidelity, his wife is straying too. The only person not on his payroll who still adores him is his six-year-old granddaughter, Chelsea. 

When his daughter overdoses on heroin laced with fentanyl and one of his employees is murdered, Burl’s retaliation against Clovis Begley, the patriarch of the heroin-dealing family involved in both deaths, is inevitable. As Burl’s plan spirals into a firestorm of vengeance that threatens the safety of his granddaughter, his drive for revenge conflicts with his longing for redemption.

On the brink of losing everything, Burl must find a path between retribution and protecting what’s left of his family.

I really liked this one. It was a pretty quick listen. Browne keeps the story tight and the pace moving. Burl Spoon is a ruthless crime boss. His only redeeming quality is his love for his young granddaughter. Like most crime bosses, he seeks revenge when his daughter dies of an overdose. Things spiral from there. Matt Godfrey does an excellent job with the audiobook narration. A taut story and a tough crime boss with a vendetta made for an entertaining and compelling read. Browne is a new to me author and I’ll definitely be checking out his previous books. 

Let’s do some predictive text. They all fall the same _______. 

They all fall the same way and then they fall apart. 

#theyallfallthesame #kentucky #crimefiction #thrillerbooks #audiobook 

About the Author

Wes Browne lives within the Kentucky River Basin in Madison County, Kentucky. He has practiced law as a criminal defense attorney, prosecutor, and public defender in Appalachia for over 24 years. He also helps run his family's pizza shops. His novel They All Fall the Same was named one of Book Riot's Best Books of 2025 (So Far) and one of 2025’s Biggest Mysteries or Thrillers by Goodreads. His debut novel Hillbilly Hustle was named one of 17 recommended lockdown reads by Merriam-Webster in 2020.

Angel Down

 

Author: Daniel Kraus

Narrator: Kirby Heyborne

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Year: 2025

Happy Friday book pals! Thank you so much Simon Audio for the #gifted audiobook of Angel Down by Daniel Kraus! I appreciate it! 

I guarantee this is a truly unique reading experience. This is a genre mashup of WWI historical fiction, literary fiction, moral conflict, survival, and the supernatural. The description of the trench warfare is visceral and you’ll understand why WWI was called the war to end all wars. The narrative is one long stream of consciousness run-on sentence from Private Cyrus Bagger. A con man turned soldier who doesn’t want to be a hero and just wants to survive the war. He is a complex, marvelous and unforgettable character. Bagger and a few other soldiers are sent into No Man’s Land to take care of what they believe to be a fallen soldier. What they find is an angel. Here’s the summary from the publisher: 

Private Cyril Bagger has managed to survive the unspeakable horrors of the Great War through his wits and deception, swindling fellow soldiers at every opportunity. But his survival instincts are put to the ultimate test when he and four other grunts are given a deadly mission: venture into the perilous No Man’s Land to euthanize a wounded comrade.

What they find amid the ruined battlefield, however, is not a man in need of mercy but a fallen angel, seemingly struck down by artillery fire. This celestial being may hold the key to ending the brutal conflict, but only if the soldiers can suppress their individual desires and work together. As jealousy, greed, and paranoia take hold, the group is torn apart by their inner demons, threatening to turn their angelic encounter into a descent into hell.

The concept, the wiring, and the characters are all exceptional. Kirby Heyborne’s narration is outstanding. Bagger experiences the horrors of war and then the wonder of the angel. He goes through so many emotions throughout the book and Hayborne brings it all to life. 

Krause’s masterful storytelling will horrify you, fill you with wonder, make you think, and totally captivate you. This is a must read. 

I’m finally home after being away for three weeks. I have a lot of catching up to do this weekend. What are you up to this weekend? 

About the Author

Daniel Kraus is a New York Times bestselling writer of novels, TV, and film. His novel Whalefall received a front-cover review in The New York Times Book Review, won the Alex Award, was an LA Times Book Prize Finalist, and was a Best Book of 2023 from NPR, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and more. With Guillermo del Toro, he coauthored The Shape of Water, based on the same idea the two created for the Oscar–winning film. Also with del Toro, Kraus coauthored Trollhunters, which was adapted into the Emmy-winning Netflix series. His also cowrote The Living Dead and Pay the Piperwith legendary filmmaker George A. Romero. Kraus’s The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch was named one of Entertainment Weekly’s Top 10 Books of the Year. Kraus has won the Bram Stoker Award, Scribe Award, two Odyssey Awards (for both Rotters and Scowler), and has appeared multiple times as Library Guild selections, YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults, and more. His work has been translated into over twenty languages.