Waiting on Wednesday #781

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

ECHOES ACROSS THE WATER BY LIVIA BLACKBURNE 

Goodreads Description:

In the aftermath of the Chinese Civil War, two girls, one in Mao’s China and one in Kuomintang-ruled Taiwan, find their lives intertwined.

It’s 1958 in Mao’s China and eleven-year-old Shan is an outcast, facing constant persecution because her parents fought against the communist troops during the revolution and then fled. With no access to education and few prospects for the future, she wonders if she and her grandparents will forever be marked as traitors.

Nine-year-old Lihui has lived in Taiwan all her life, but she knows it’s not home. The adults in her life constantly remind her that they’re only staying until the Nationalist armies can take China back from the communists. But those lofty plans seem distant compared to the day-to-day of school, homework, and her parents’ financial struggles. When Lihui has visions transporting her to Shan’s world, the girls find their lives inexplicably intertwined, opening up a doorway and a lifeline neither expected to find.

Spanning the Taiwan Strait and a poignant moment in history, this deeply researched, emotionally resonant novel offers a rare glimpse into the long aftershocks of war. Told in alternating voices and laced with magical realism, it is a story about sisterhood, memory, and the small everyday rebellions that can change everything.

Format: 256 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: May 11, 2027 by Nancy Paulsen Books
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

Eee, new middle grade from Livia :D And much longer than her recent picture books. Which makes me so happy. I think it looks so gorgeous. It sounds so thrilling and magical. And sad. Can't wait to read :)
What are you waiting for on this magical Wednesday?

In My Mailbox #778

Ugh. This week have been the actual worst. Yet I am trying my best. I managed to go outside in the forest and take photos for instagram three times this week; and now officially done taking photos outside for this year, eee. <3 So so happy to be so far ahead :) Missing December photos, but those will be in front of my Christmas tree, as always. But yeah. This week actually sucked. And I'm so, so very exhausted. Oh. The medicine I got last week have made everything so much worse. Well, my psoriasis is all gone, but that is the only positive thing. I have had such bad headaches. And my stomach is truly killing me. I have the worst pain pretty much all day long. Oh. It hurts so very much. My stomach have not been this bad for years; not since I was ages without medicine. And now I tried a new one, and am so much worse. The rudest. Sigh. Will try taking it up with the hospital next week for my second dose. Sigh. So yeah. I'm tired. So very tired of hurting all the time. Ouch. Also just been playing games on aliexpress on my phone all week long, haha :) Just hope to be without pain soon. Hmph. Anyway. Some lovely mail this week. <3 This week I'm waiting on A Bittersweet Spell. <3 Hope you are doing well :) Did you get anything good?

Tempest. Waterstones signed edition :D Had to get this one too, haha. I'm hoping to love this book lots.
Dead Beat. UK edition of this beauty :D I really need to start book one soon; just need the energy for it :)
City of Heavenly Fire. Newest UK special edition of the Shadowhunter books. Of course getting them all.
A Theory of Dreaming. New UK paperback of this one :) I did not fully love this sequel, but enjoyed it. <3
Zootopia 2. Zootropolis here in Norway, though :) I have yet to see this one, though, ack. But will do soon.
Bomberman. New Switch game :D I remember playing this on my computer back in the day. Excited for it.
Pop Mart. Whoops. Yeah. I may have ordered a bit too much from popmart lately, haha. <3 Yet not nearly enough. I want to get mystery boxes all the time. Sigh. It's just so much fun to open :D Though I never get the ones I want most. Uuugh. Typical, haha :D I got two Pucky forest plushes. Did not get my mushroom. Aw. Or the pink bird. But these two were great as well; so love the pink one. Got one more Twinkle farm; finally got a cute one, eee :D I so love this wolf. My favorite, I think. Not buying more. Then I got a spooky Labubu purse; cute. Tried for a bracelet, wanted a Labubu, got a weird one instead. But still cute :) Then got one of the new spooky figures. And got one of my least favorites. Sigh. Hope to order more soon :)

More Instagram photos here. <3

Waiting on Wednesday #780

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

A BITTERSWEET SPELL BY REBECCA ROSS

Goodreads Description:

A cursed manuscript. An old betrayal. A second chance at love. Magic, secrets, and longing collide in this sweeping, beautiful fantasy from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Divine Rivals.

Lorne St. Clair has spent years hiding from his shadowy past, content to curate magical antiques in his quiet shoppe. But when a mysterious note arrives demanding he transcribe an enchanted manuscript—written in an ink only rare mages can read—his carefully guarded secrets are threatened. Refuse, and the truth about his past will be exposed.

Lorne knows one mage capable of reading the manuscript... But Avalene Vale was declared dead ten years ago.

In truth, she’s been hiding on the kingdom’s outskirts, her once-brilliant academic future stolen the night Lorne put a knife to her throat and begged her to flee. When he finds her again, asking for her help, Avalene knows she shouldn’t trust him. But enchanted manuscripts are impossibly rare, and once she begins translating, she’s drawn into the manuscript’s haunting magic—and the beautiful, dangerous story woven into its spells.

As buried truths resurface and the past tightens its hold, Lorne and Avalene must reckon with what they once were—and what they might become. What unfolds is a multi-layered, enchanting tale of glittering magic, powerful books, passionate love—and the fragile hope of second chances.

Format: 592 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: April 6, 2027 by Harper Voyager
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

I loved the Divine Rivals duology so, so much. It meant so much to me. I have yet to read the book that came after those two, though. But soon. And of course I am excited about this new story too :D It looks gorgeous. And sounds exciting. The romance sounds painful, sobs. But also hoping it will be precious. <3
What are you waiting for on this bittersweet Wednesday?

In My Mailbox #777

Meh. This week have been way too exhausting. Started it with a hospital visit on Tuesday, to get a new medicine. It was the longest day and it was too painful. But a good time away with my sister. <3 Which was nice. But five hours at the hospital was way too long. Ugh. Was positive about the new medicine. But I am not any longer. My stomach have had the worst goddamn pain I have had in yeeears since I got this medicine this week. It was supposed to get better. Not worse. Ahh. And so very bad at the moment. I am not happy about it. Hmph. Only plus side, my psoriasis seems to be better already, fingers crossed that it lasts, though. I have had several spa baths outside this week, which is the best. I'm not looking forward to having to take it down next month sometime. Aw. Hoping for late October. Got a bunch of mail this week. Gosh. Way too much. But so much amazing. <3 Anyway. I am exhausted. My fingers are so much better, better than they have been in months and months. But stomach is worse than it have been in years. Ha. It just goddamn sucks. So yeah. I'm tired of it. Also just exhausted besides all of this. But I am trying my best :) I finished reading the book on Sunday, though, so yay. Hoping to start another this coming week. So far behind on reading. Oh. A couple new posts. I shared my review of Monster, Monarch, Maiden :) This week I'm waiting on My Not So Charmed Life: Follow the Stars. <3 Hope you are all doing well :D

Fairyloot YA September. Hawk & Sparrow. This book looks so very pretty and I need to read about it :D
Fairyloot Adult September. Immortal Rose. Finally :D My baby. <3 But.. not as gorgeous as I wanted it to be. Sigh. I'm a bit disappointed in the cover. Aw. Too dark. But the art inside is stunning, eee. So I love it.
Dead Beat. Waterstones exclusive and regular US edition. <3 Now I can finally start book one, oops :D
Darren Shan. The Vampire's Assistant + Tunnels of Blood. Book 2 and 3 in new editions; looks stunning.
Empire. Regular US edition to match my copy of book one :) Which I haven't read. Oops. But one day :)
Winterveil. New book by Ava :D I'm a little unsure about this one, yet will read it one day. Hope to love it.
Bright and Broken Things. Been a fan of Ryan for so many years now. She's awesome. Hope to love this.
Movies. I still buy my favorites on blu-ray. <3 I loved How to Train Your Dragon and Ready or Not 2 :D

Funko Pop. Got my full set of the Kpop Demon Hunters demons :D Love them so. But.. goddamn it. I got the chase figure. Ahh! Which I am so very happy about :D Love that bird. But.. my Jinu is missing. Sobs. So now I have to buy a new set to be sure that I get him. Sigh. Hope to be able to sell my doubles. Ack.
Diverse. A bunch of different things that I bought on my hospital town trip. Got my first Sonny Angels :D They are so cute. Of course, got the ones I wanted least in both packs, hahaha. Oh, well. Bad luck. Sigh. Tried another damn Stranger Things. Another double. Ugh. Got a popmart Labubu magnet; it's so cute. And that I could not resist. Got another Rumi chase pop. Oops. As I have two chase Jinu. Now I have two of her too, ha :D Love. Might be a bit crazy with my collections. Oh, well. My collections are gorgeous ;)
Lego Batman. New game for my Switch 2 :D I have always liked lego games, so I am hoping to love this.
Pop Mart. Eeee. New Mokoko :D It is absolutely precious. Sigh. I love her so much. Paid way too much, though. Oh. But then I got half my money back because of a shipping issue, ha, so I am very happy. <3 Then got two Hirono items. Love the bat plush :D It's adorable. The magnet was not my favorite, but cute.
Pokemon. I did not know I wanted the new trading cards. But then I kept seeing photos. And so I needed them. Ahh. And was lucky to see the release at a local shop in my town, and got one box. <3 I love my cards :) But now I want more. That is going to end up being way too expensive. Sigh. Not buying yet :)

Pikachu. Puppet type of plush :D Expensive. Had to have it, haha. So cute. Different from what I thought it would be, though. Has a hole in the back for your hand. Weird. But I love the sounds. Don't regret it :)
Jellycat. Oops. Some cute plushes that I had to have :D Bigger Bartholomew. Cute seagull and gargoyle.
Squishy Cat. I am obsessed with squishies. Had to share this one that I bought; smells weird. But cute.
Cat t-shirt. Ohhh. I couldn't help but share this epic t-shirt that I bought :D I need several of this, haha :) Looks so very much like my white precious cat. And it is comfy. Was honestly just so very perfect for me.

More Instagram photos here. <3 

Waiting on Wednesday #779

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

MY NOT SO CHARMED LIFE: FOLLOW THE STARS
BY JESS KHOURY 

Goodreads Description:

The whimsy of astrology and light magic iconography meets the diary format kids love!

RYDER BELL IS READY TO FOLLOW THE STARS.

After a summer decoding the cosmos, Ryder is so ready to start the new school year. She has a total rebrand planned and her glow up is basically guaranteed. Armed with the StarSigns app, a few lucky crystals, and serious main-character energy, she can’t fail. The universe is on her side!

Except maybe the universe didn’t get the memo? She wakes up on the first day of school with a zit the size of a planet. Her best friend shows up with a new set of besties. And her old nemesis seems to have nabbed the title of Most Popular like it was her destiny!

So much for fate!

Maybe Ryder’s life isn’t so charmed after all. She might have to stop trusting the stars and find a way to get the universe to listen to her instead!

Format: 224 pages, Paperback
Expected Publication: March 2, 2027 by Scholastic Press
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

I am so very excited about this new middle grade book by Jessica :D She is awesome. And I'm so thrilled that she has both written and illustrated this one; as her artwork is incredible. And I will read anything she writes. This story sounds a bit sad, ack, yet I am certain I will love it, as I always do with her books. <3
What are you waiting for on this charming Wednesday?