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The Sunday Post is a chance to recap the past week, talk about next week, tell you what I’m reading, and share news. It’s hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer, Readerbuzz, and Book Date.

The Sunday Post #360

On The Blog Recently

• I Read 200+ "Best Books Of 2023" Lists
• February 2024 Book Releases
• Best Short Novels
• Recent Additions To My To-Be-Read List
• Beautiful Text-Only Book Covers

In My Reading Life

A bunch of my library holds came in at the same time. How am I supposed to read all these? One of the books is nearly 1000 pages! I decided to ignore the big one and read the ones that are short and (possibly) freakin' adorable.

I finished The Very Secret Society Of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna. It was freakin' adorable! It's about a lonely witch named Mika Moon who can't form close relationships because she has to keep her powers hidden. Then, someone sees through her efforts to hide herself. She's offered a job as a tutor for three young witches who live in a remote mansion. The children and the staff at the mansion quickly become Mika's new witchy family. However, they're keeping a dangerous secret that may expose all their powers.

The characters are where this book shines. They're so kind and genuine. They get along well and care deeply about each other. I want to be friends with them in real life.

There's a romance plotline, but I didn't hate it! The romance doesn't overwhelm the entire story because Mika and Jamie both have jobs and interests outside of each other. It's a slow-burn romance. Both characters are used to hiding themselves, so it takes them a while to open up. I like Mika and Jamie and was very happy that they found love when they badly needed it.

I didn't like the plot as much as the characters. I know this is a cozy book, so it's supposed to be funny and low stakes, but some of the plot events are really convenient. All the messy problems are solved neatly and easily. It's one of those novels that I finish and go, "Oh . . . that's it? It's over already?" The plot just doesn't have much substance.

If you're looking for a whimsical book with a romance that won't make you gag, then this is the novel for you! It'll make you smile.

The second freakin' adorable book I read was Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree. It's a cozy fantasy about an orc named Viv who's tired of all the quests and battles. She decides to settle down in a small (I think?) town and open a coffee shop. There's only one problem: No one in town has ever heard of coffee.

An orc, a succubus, and a Ratatouille open a Medieval Cinnabon . . .

I'm not sure why a book about working at a coffee shop is labeled "cozy." Have you ever had a customer service job? "Cozy" is the last thing I'd call it. Technically, the book is "cozy fantasy." The "fantasy" part is where the customers are nice to the staff.

Mostly, this novel just made me crave cinnamon rolls. I'm so hungry all the time.

Okay. Focus. Legends & Lattes is exactly what it says in the synopsis. It's about a group of misfit magical creatures who open a coffee shop. They have to deal with renovations, sourcing equipment, advertising, and getting hassled by old frenemies and a local gang. Despite the bumps in the road, the reader knows that it will all work out in the end. It's a slow, comforting, low stakes story where the characters have way more successes than failures. Honestly, it reminds me of those cozy, repetitive video games that are meant to reduce anxiety. "Cozy" and "Repetitive" are good words to describe the book.

This novel is subtilty hilarious. Most of the humor comes from watching the characters step outside of stereotypes. Orcs and succubusses succubi aren't usually the heroes of stories. And there's an entire movie about how people don't want their cinnamon rolls cooked by Ratatouilles. It's amusing to watch the characters enthusiastically pursue their dreams while sidestepping everybody's expectations. There are even moments where Viv has to sidestep her own expectations. She's not a violent soldier anymore. Now she's a coffee shop owner and has to act accordingly.

If the characters were humans instead of creatures, this story could have happened in our world. That's one of my complaints. I want more fantasy in my cozy fantasy. Or maybe more worldbuilding. I want to know about Thune, the town where the story is set. For example, Viv learns about coffee when she visits a gnome village on a quest. The majority of the creatures in Thune have never heard of coffee, even though there are gnomes living in Thune. How big is Thune? What are the demographics? Did the gnomes invent coffee generations ago, or did they recently get it from somewhere else? I realize that this stuff might be beyond the scope of cozy fantasy, but I spent way too much time thinking about it.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It's quick and fun. I like fantasy worlds where customer service is "cozy." I'll read the prequel if my library gets it.

In The Rest Of My Life

Are you ready for more riveting skunk content? Someday I'll stop writing about skunks, but today is not that day! (You're thrilled. I can tell.)

I'm not sure if the skunk deterrents are working, or if the skunks are just following their own schedules, but most of them have left the building! I suspect there are only one or two skunks under the house right now. Progress has been made with the stink situation. It smells nearly tolerable in here. I don't have a constant headache from the stench anymore. My clothes and furniture still smell like a war crime, so the bottles of skunk odor neutralizer are getting a workout, but it's a major improvement over last week.

My skunkumentary video is shorter this time because there are fewer skunks. I even captured some not-skunks on video! And we have new camera angles. Oooh, fancy. Much professional. Such documentary.

I'm still waiting for the BBC to buy my nature footage

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Take care of yourselves and be kind to each other. See you around the blogosphere!