Hi One Small Step Writing Services Blog readers! Anna – the lead editor and grant writer for One Small Step Writing Services – here. We are changing things up with our blog a little today. I wrote this one after wanting to cozy up with some good books lately...
This time of year we get a lot of rainy days where I live. There’s nothing better than settling in with a book on a rainy day. Since it's springtime and I'm craving some soothing reading, I put together this blog with some of the top books on my nightstand right now.
If you are looking for your next literary adventure, perhaps you can find some inspiration here. Join me as I explore my favorite books of the moment and share recommendations for your next literary escape.
The Treekeepers by Kieran Larwood:
Book Summary: An epic tale of trees of power and a world under threat. Here come the roots of the Shadow Tree. Whatever they touch will never get free…
Liska lives in Arborven, a city surrounding an extraordinary tree that gives all those living there special powers. As a shapeshifter, Liska is training as a warrior. When she discovers that the Tree is under threat, it is her duty to act – but she can’t convince anyone to listen to her. So with Lug, whose power over earthworms is dismissed as useless, and a ghost-girl, Elowen, she goes on an epic journey to defeat the worst threat their world has ever known. Illustrated by Chris Wormell this is a richly woven and thrilling fantasy with a wonderful affinity between humankind and nature – a current and vital message for young readers everywhere
Anna’s Notes: As a lover of trees (I live in the redwoods after all) I could not let this book pass me by. I enjoyed the connection this society has with their trees and the magic that happens as Liska goes out on her big adventure.
The Menagerie by Tui T. Sutherland and Kari Sutherland:
Book Summary: In the small town of Xanadu, Wyoming lies the Menagerie, a top secret facility filled with unicorns, dragons, phoenixes, and other fairy tale creatures. At least, it was a secret—until six griffin cubs escaped. If Logan and Zoe don’t get the cubs back fast, the entire Menagerie will be shut down. The race is on and the resulting adventure is only the beginning of a thrilling series that will leave readers wanting a magical menagerie of their very own.
Anna’s Notes: Tui T. Sutherland never disappoints. I love the Wings of Fire series and this Menagerie series written with her sister has all the same fun elements of magic, kinship, mystery, and keeps it light enough for middle-grade readers. (Yes, I enjoy a middle-grade book as much as the next kid-at-heart. Lol!)
Canines and Cocktails by Kevin Hearne, Delilah S. Dawson, and Chuck Wendig:
Book Summary: Snuggle up with three delightful tales of dogs and drinks from the minds of New York Times bestselling authors Delilah S. Dawson, Kevin Hearne, and Chuck Wendig.
Anna’s Notes: I particularly like Kevin’s story that acts as a final chapter in the Iron Druid Chronicles.
Ink, Blood, Sister, Scribe by Emma Torzs:
Book Summary: Two estranged half-sisters tasked with guarding their family's library of magical books must work together to unravel a deadly secret at the heart of their collection—a tale of familial loyalty and betrayal, and the pursuit of magic and power.
Anna’s Notes: I found that the last third of the book was so exciting, I could not put it down!
A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher:
Book Summary: Fourteen-year-old Mona isn’t like the wizards charged with defending the city. She can’t control lightning or speak to water. Her familiar is a sourdough starter and her magic only works on bread. She has a comfortable life in her aunt’s bakery making gingerbread men dance. But Mona’s life is turned upside down when she finds a dead body on the bakery floor. An assassin is stalking the streets of Mona’s city, preying on magic folk, and it appears that Mona is his next target. And in an embattled city suddenly bereft of wizards, the assassin may be the least of Mona’s worries…
Anna’s Notes: As someone who loves baking and magic, I could not say no to this story. It was fun and whimsical.
Taming Demons for Beginners by Annette Marie:
Book Summary: Meet Robin Page: outcast sorceress, mythic history buff, unapologetic bookworm, and the last person you'd expect to command the rarest demon in the long history of summoning. Taming Demons for Beginners opens an all-new series in hilarious urban fantasy The Guild Codex.
Anna’s Notes: I can’t help but love all things “Guild Codex.” From the magical guilds in Vancouver to the long burning romances, I keep coming back to these books. I found the story of Robin and the demon to be particularly close to my heart because, like her, I spend way too much alone and with books.
Praying with Jane Eyre: Reflections on Reading as a Sacred Practice by Vanessa Zoltan:
Book Summary: Our favorite books keep us company, give us hope, and help us find meaning in a chaotic world. In this fresh and relatable work, atheist chaplain Vanessa Zoltan blends memoir and personal growth as she grapples with the notions of family legacy and identity through the lens of her favorite novel, Jane Eyre.
Anna’s Notes: Honestly, I’m not religious or a big Jane Eyre lover. I actually read this align with my first read through of Jane Eyre. In the end, I enjoyed considering how the much loved novel could be used to help us reflect on our lives and experiences. I recommend this if you are feeling a bit intellectual and literary.
Becoming Kin by Patty Krawec:
Book summary: We find our way forward by going back. The invented history of the Western world is crumbling fast, Anishinaabe writer Patty Krawec says, but we can still honor the bonds between us. Settlers dominated and divided, but Indigenous peoples won't just send them all "home." Weaving her own story with the story of her ancestors and with the broader themes of creation, replacement, and disappearance, Krawec helps readers see settler colonialism through the eyes of an Indigenous writer.
Anna’s Notes: I love the spiritual connection we can find by looking at history through the lens of native ancestors and Indigenous peoples. In this novel, I found a sense of connection with traditional roots and gained a broader understanding of the impact of colonialism.
With such a diverse array of books on my nightstand, there's never a dull moment in my reading adventures. Whether you're in the mood for a thrilling urban fantasy, a heartwarming historical fiction, or a thought-provoking memoir, we've got you covered. So grab a book, settle in, and let the spring reading journey begin!
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