The Lightbringer Series by Brent Weeks

Epic Fantasy! This is a series that needs to be read in order. Here they are: The Black Prism, The Blinding Knife, The Broken Eye, The Blood Mirror, The Burning White.

This series is complex, but I’ll try to give a brief explanation. In this world, magic is based on colors. Drafters can convert light into a matter called luxin. The luxin takes on different forms depending on the color drafted. The more you draft, the faster you die. Magic is tightly controlled by a corrupt Chromeria, the ruling body of the Seven Satrapies. Drafters are trained at the Chromeria. Each Satarapy has a representative on the high council, the Spectrum. (How am I doing? See why you need to read the book?!)

You follow many POVs. Two of the main characters are Kip and Gavin. They are both very witty and have an interesting relationship (you’ll see). Kip, a coming-of-age character, lacks self-esteem and lives with his addict mom. He is suddenly thrust into the main events of the kingdom when he is almost killed. Gavin is the Prism. He is the high priest and emperor and he knows his days are numbered.

NOTE: In the back of the book, you will find a character list and a glossary. Not the book for you if you don’t enjoy complex world building and a complicated magic system.

Above the East China Sea by Sarah Bird

This novel is about two girls looking for peace: present-day military brat, Luz, who recently lost her sister, and the ghost of Tamiko who died in 1945 during the Battle of Okinawa. The current timeline is set during the three-day Obon festival, when relatives honor their deceased. As Luz digs deeper into her background, the two girls’ lives will intersect in an unexpected way.

This book started slow, then picked up speed. Bird writes beautiful descriptions of the island and really transports you into each time period. I enjoyed learning about a new culture. My eyes were a little blurry during the last chapter and it had a satisfying ending. This was an enjoyable and thoughtful novel about loss and the power of love.

The Hypnotist's Love Story by Liane Moriarty

Enjoyable! This was my second time to read this book. I'm a BIG Moriarty fan. Sick and looking for something comforting to read, I picked this off the shelf and it was like a bowl of chicken soup. It made me chuckle and gave me all the warm and fuzzies.

Ellen, a hypnotist (a very interesting profession to read about!), is trying to find love via internet dating. She discovers the man she's falling for has a stalker. Instead of scaring her away, this only piques her interest. Little does she know; she's already met his stalker.