Waiting on Wednesday #770

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

OUR STRANGE DUET BY ERIN A. CRAIG 

Goodreads Description:

A reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera, spotlighting Christine Daaé as she rises to fame while torn between love, ambition, and the haunting secrets of the opera house from #1 New York Times bestselling author Erin A. Craig.

Inspired by Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel, Le Fantôme de L’Opéra, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a mysterious masked figure who lurks beneath the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it.

He falls madly in love with a young soprano, Christine Daaé, and devotes himself to nurturing her extraordinary talents, employing all of the devious methods at his command.

Our Strange Duet centres Christine’s emotional journey and her agency within this sweeping, atmospheric opera.

Format: 400 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: September 1, 2026 by Delacorte Press
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

Ohhh. I am nervous about this book. I adore Erin. I love her YA books. I was a little disappointed with her latest Adult, because of the love triangle. When I heard of this book, I was so excited. Then I learned it is another love triangle? Ahhhh. I'm way too nervous right now, haha :) I don't know enough about Phantom of the Opera at all. Oops. But I will be reading this book no matter what; I am hoping to love this lots. <3
What are you waiting for on this strange Wednesday?

In My Mailbox #767

Another week gone by way too fast, ack :) I'm doing somehow okay. Tired. Hurting. But I am trying my best, ha :D But ohh, reading did not go very well this week. Took me a whole week before I read more. Oops. But then I read lots last night. <3 But nothing tonight. Sigh. But tomorrow for sure :) I just do not have any energy left. And no time. Feel like the days go by so fast. And I am still not sleeping better. Very rude. And we have had it so cold this week. Sigh. I just want days of sun. And some heat. But no. Maybe in a week.. sigh. I'm tired of waiting for summer. Sobs. Makes me so sad. Hmph. Please let us get some heat too soon. Fingers crossed. Anyway. Playing pokemon go fest last weekend ruined me. I loved it, but exhausted. And then this whole week I have been capturing way too many pikachu's. But loving it too :) Got a bit too much mail, though, ahh. So much precious. <3 But yes. Need to buy less. Oops. This week I'm waiting on Six of Crows: A Darker Shore: Letters from Ketterdam. <3 Hope you are all doing well :D 

A Darker Shore: Letters from Ketterdam. New Six of Crows short stories, somewhat, haha. <3 Excited :D
Deathless. I have not yet read book one, but I am still buying all books by Julie. <3 Will read one day :D
The Lord of the Rings. Ohhh. My one bookstore got these bookmarks. I had to get them. Very precious.
Jellycat. Eee. I could not resist buying this dragon plush :D Gorgeous. I own one, but this is much prettier.

Pop Mart. Oh, this was two expensive orders. Oops. My very first action figures of this size, ha :D And I am so very in love with them all, eee. I got both Hacipupu ones, as I loved them both so much. And they are truly gorgeous. Glad I got them both. Did not get the Molly I wanted, aw, but this hairy bunny is still precious :D I love her. Then I got 2 free gifts. Labubu purse, same as below; pretty. Got a squishy, which was a new one, eee :D So happy with that. I now own 6 of 6 of them, haha. Missing the secret, though :)

Pop Mart. Oops. More precious popmart items, haha :D Of course I had to get the new Labubu set, eee. And it is gorgeous. They are hairy and oh so precious. Pink Mokoko is the absolute cutest. But love them all so very much. Got a free gift, the adorable Labubu purse. Wanted it. And I love it. It is so very soft. <3

More Instagram photos here. <3

Waiting on Wednesday #769

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

THE DREAM THIEVES: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL
BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER + ADAPTED AND 
ILLUSTRATED BY SAS MILLEDGE 

Goodreads Description:

The second book in Maggie Stiefvater's #1 NYT bestselling series The Raven Cycle, now gorgeously illustrated as a graphic novel!

Ronan Lynch is made of secrets. His longest kept one? He can pull impossible things out of dreams. It's a secret that's nearly killed him more than once.

Waking the corpse road should have led Blue and the Raven Boys straight to Glendower, the Whelsh king rumored to be sleeping beneath the mountains of Henrietta.

But instead, the forest of Cabeswater has disappeared, energy hums and sputters beneath the town, and the Raven Boys' search is at a dead end. Ronan's dreams may be the key to finding Glendower, but none of the Raven Boys are prepared for what will be unleashed in Ronan's desperate attempt to finally control his power. 

Reimagined as a stunning full-color graphic novel adapted and illustrated by Sas Milledge, Dream Thieves blurs the line between reality and nightmare until they are one and the same.

Format: 288 pages, Paperback
Expected Publication: August 4, 2026 by Viking Books for Young Readers
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

Excited to get this second book as a graphic novel too, eee :D Of course, have not read the first one yet, but someday. <3 Just happy to own them. Loved these books so much. Sigh. Cannot wait to peek at it :D
What are you waiting for on this dreamy Wednesday?

In My Mailbox #766

Ohhh. This week have been pretty exhausting. I do not sleep well enough lately. How rude. And I have been playing a bit too much pokemon go, because of the fest this weekend. And today I played for hours and hours. I am so tired. And will play tomorrow too. Ahh. Too exhausted, haha. But I'm liking it too. Been re-watching some movies. And tried to take it easy. But yeah. I'm always tired and hurting. So rude. But I also finally started reading a new book yesterday. <3 Though no time to read more today, but hopefully in the next few days :) Got less mail this week, but all still fully awesome. <3 Also, oh my gosh. Eee :D I got the very best news this week. Sobs. I'm going to get the very best mail soon, in the next few weeks, and I simply cannot wait, eee. <3 This week I'm waiting on Letters from Ketterdam. <3 Hope you are all well :D 

Jellycat. Eeee. I could not resist getting another new Bartholomew Bear :D Cute! And raccoon! Love it.
Mouse: P. I. For Hire. Switch 2 game :D I do not really like shooting games, but this look pretty great :)
Pop Mart. More coming next week, ha. <3 But these random mystery boxes were just too cute; I had to get them. Ha. I wanted that pink one. Cute. But also wanted the only Labubu, and I did not get that one. Aw. But they are both pretty, at least :) Finally got an Angry Molly; not the pink I wanted, but adorable :)

More Instagram photos here. <3

Waiting on Wednesday #768

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

A DARKER SHORE: LETTERS FROM KETTERDAM
(Six of Crows #2.5) BY LEIGH BARDUGO 

Goodreads Description:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo comes a new Grishaverse short story: a mystery told through found documents and set after the events of Crooked Kingdom.

In the years since the violent upheaval caused by the auction of Kuwei Yul-Bo, the merchants of Ketterdam have been under attack. Secret businesses exposed. Ships sunk. Slavers hunted as they once hunted their victims. All the work of a mysterious sea captain and her ship, the Wraith.

Now, two investigators meet to uncover the truth behind the latest disaster: a massacre on an island off the shores of Ketterdam. Among the evidence collected is private correspondence between notorious crime boss Kaz Brekker and an anonymous sailor aboard the Wraith known only as “I.”

Follow along with the lead investigator as he tries to piece together how such a disaster transpired, and explore the Grishaverse like never before with new illustrations by E.K. Belsher and in-world collectible items.

Format: 64 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: June 30, 2026 by Insight Editions
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

This beauty just came out, and I am so excited to get my copies of it. <3 I have not read the Nikolai books yet, but oh, how I loved Shadow and Bone + Six of Crows. Eeee. And this short novel sounds so so very good. Sigh. I cannot wait to read it. <3 I'm just unsure if I should wait until I do a re-read one day. Hmm :)
What are you waiting for on this darker Wednesday?