Hot Girls Read Podcast

Ayesha

I’m still on the India Holton train and have started reading “The Ornithologists Field Guide to Love.” I’ve already talked a bit about her Wisteria trilogy and I’m looking forward to a new cast of characters and a new world. 

Synopsis: Beth Pickering is on the verge of finally capturing the rare deathwhistler bird when Professor Devon Lockley swoops in, capturing both her bird and her imagination like a villain. He is a handsome and charming villain, but that’s beside the point. As someone highly educated in the ruthless discipline of ornithology, Beth knows trouble when she sees it, and she is determined to keep her distance from Devon. 

Devon, on the other hand, has never been more smitten than when he first set eyes on Professor Beth Pickering. She’s so pretty, so polite, so capable of bringing down a fiery, deadly bird using only her wits. More simply put, an angel. Devon understands he must not get close to her, however, since they’re professional rivals. 

When a competition to become Birder of the Year by capturing an endangered caladrius bird is announced, Beth and Devon are forced to team up for a chance at winning. Keeping their distance now becomes a question of one bed or two. But it is a risk they must take because fowl play is afoot, and they can’t trust anyone else—for all may be fair in love and war, but this is ornithology.

I’m only a few chapters in but I love that it’s a historical fantasy romance – I find Holton very imaginative in how she takes historical time periods and adds her own quirks to them. I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump – I’ve not been quiet about it – and I’m really hoping this book gets me out of it!

‘Rival ornithologists hunt through England for a rare magical bird in this historical-fantasy rom-com reminiscent of Indiana Jones but with manners, tea, and helicopter parasols.’

Julia

This week I’m on holiday in England and I have brought a few books on the road with me (and may have also picked up a few more since I’ve been here), but the book I’m currently reading is’ Bookshops & Bonedust’ by Travis Baldree.

I’ve had the pleasure of reading Badree’s debut ‘Legends & Lattes’ a while ago and so I knew what to expect going into this one, namely, super cozy escapist fantasy! I love a high fantasy environment with ancient kingdoms, warring empires, intense battles, evil sorcerers, unique magic systems, fantastic beasts etc etc etc, but sometimes I just don’t have the brain capacity to flip through 300 pages of political intrigue and gory battle scenes, which is why I really enjoy Baldree’s brand of book! His books combine the best parts of the fantasy genre, cozy taverns and loveable warriors, with the humdrum of everyday life, such as running a bookstore or teashop, plus a splash of suspense!

‘Bookshops & Bonedust’ has been especially fun to read because of the undeniable cosiness of the bookshop scenes, pastry descriptions, and character friendships. An added layer of fun are the excerpts from books that the main character Viv is reading that also serve to add a certain depth to the worldbuilding! 

This super cosy fantasy has been the perfect travel companion so far and in my eyes Baldree is pushing the boundary for what fantasy books can be and what fantasy readers look for in the genre. Sometimes you wanna read a five book series about an underdog warrior with hidden powers and sometimes you just wanna read about friendship and running a bookstore in an odd little town by the sea.