New To the Queue is a sporadic thing around here wherein I give you a tiny glimpse into some of the books, movies, tv shows and bands I’ve recently added to my never ending queue of things to read/watch/listen to. For past posts, go here!
Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente (Amazon // Goodreads)
Publication Date – October 20, 2015
Why I Added It To My To-Be-Read list: Honestly? It came across my Goodreads feed and I was like WOW THIS SOUNDS COOL AND LIKE NOTHING I HAVE PERSONALLY EVER READ. I’m all about trying new stuff and an alt history space opera set in a different Hollywood and world sounds prettyyyy cool.
What It’s About: “Severin Unck’s father is a famous director of Gothic romances in an alternate 1986 in which talking movies are still a daring innovation due to the patent-hoarding Edison family. Rebelling against her father’s films of passion, intrigue, and spirits from beyond, Severin starts making documentaries, traveling through space and investigating the levitator cults of Neptune and the lawless saloons of Mars. For this is not our solar system, but one drawn from classic science fiction in which all the planets are inhabited and we travel through space on beautiful rockets. Severin is a realist in a fantastic universe. But her latest film, which investigates the disappearance of a diving colony on a watery Venus populated by island-sized alien creatures, will be her last. Though her crew limps home to earth and her story is preserved by the colony’s last survivor, Severin will never return..“
The Shattered Court by M.J. Scott ( Goodreads // Amazon)
Publication Date- April 2015
Why I Added It To My To-Be-Read list: Rachel’s review sold me!
What It’s About: “The royal witches of Anglion have bowed to tradition for centuries. If a woman of royal blood manifests powers, she is immediately bound by rites of marriage. She will serve her lord by practicing the tamer magics of the earth—ensuring good harvests and predicting the weather. Any magic more dangerous is forbidden.
Lady Sophia Kendall, thirty-second in line to the throne, is only days away from finding out if she will be blessed—or perhaps cursed—with magic. When a vicious attack by Anglion’s ancient enemies leaves the kingdom in chaos, Sophia is forced to flee the court. Her protector by happenstance is Lieutenant Cameron Mackenzie, a member of the royal guard, raised all his life to be fiercely loyal to the Crown.
Then Sophia’s powers manifest stronger than she ever imagined they would, and Cameron and she are inextricably linked in the process. As a witch unbound by marriage rites, Sophia is not only a threat to the established order of her country, but is also a weapon for those who seek to destroy it. Faced with old secrets and new truths, she must decide if she will fight for her country or succumb to the delicious temptation of power.”
Assassin’s Heart by Sarah Ahiers (Amazon // Goodreads)
Release Date: February 2, 2016
Why I Added It To My To-Be-Read list: It showed up in the mail and it sounded interesting!
What It’s About: “In the kingdom of Lovero, nine rival Families of assassins lawfully kill people for a price. As a highly skilled member of one of these powerful clans, seventeen-year-old Lea Saldana has always trusted in the strength of her Family. Until she awakens to find them murdered and her home in flames. The Da Vias, the Saldanas’ biggest enemy, must be responsible—and Lea should have seen it coming. But her secret relationship with the Da Vias’ son, Val, has clouded her otherwise killer instinct—and given the Da Vias more reason than ever to take her Family down. Racked with guilt and shattered over Val’s probable betrayal, Lea sets out to even the score, with her heart set on retaliation and only one thought clear in her mind: make the Da Vias pay.”
Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin ( Amazon // Goodreads)
Release Date: February 2, 2016
Why I Added It To My To-Be-Read list: Showed up in the mail and all I had to see was gender fluid teen to know I wanted to check it out!
What It’s About: “Riley Cavanaugh is many things: Punk rock. Snarky. Rebellious. And gender fluid. Some days Riley identifies as a boy, and others as a girl. The thing is . . . Riley isn’t exactly out yet. And between starting a new school and having a congressman father running for reelection in uber-conservative Orange County, the pressure—media and otherwise—is building up in Riley’s so-called “normal” life. On the advice of a therapist, Riley starts an anonymous blog to vent those pent-up feelings and tell the truth of what it’s REALLY like to be a gender-fluid teenager. But just as Riley’s starting to settle in at school—even developing feelings for a mysterious outcast—the blog goes viral, and an unnamed commenter discovers Riley’s real identity, threatening exposure. Riley must make a choice: walk away from what the blog has created—a lifeline, new friends, a cause to believe in—or stand up, come out, and risk everything..”
Deadwood
Why I Added It To My Netflix Queue: I had heard about this before but had no idea what it was about because I didn’t have HBO but came across it and after reading Vengeance Road I am SO here for Westerns.
What It Is About: “It’s 1876 — the height of the gold strike — and rebels and outlaws are drawn to Deadwood, a South Dakota town where everyone, including ex-marshal Seth Bullock and infamous Wild Bill Hickok, is out to make a name for themselves at whatever cost. Ian McShane (Sexy Beast) co-stars as foul-mouthed saloon owner Al Swearengen in HBO’s award-winning, dramatic Western series.”
Black Sails
Why I Added It To My Netflix Queue: I was going through the On Demand on my tv before I settled on my Game of Thrones binge and this one stood out to me. Going to add the discs to my queue just in case it leaves On Demand.
What It Is About: “Its population may be less than upright, but New Providence Island is home to pirate Capt. Flint, and he’ll take on anyone who tries to claim it. In this series intended as a prequel to Treasure Island, that means no less than the British Empire..”
Star Wars
Why I Added It To My Netflix Queue: BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER WATCHED IT AND FEEL SO OUT OF THE LOOP. Also, a friend told me to start with Episode IV and watch it chronologically of when they were made and then go back and watch the prequel episodes instead of watching Episode 1 first. THOUGHTS ON THIS??
What It Is About: “Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) guides intrepid Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) on a valiant bid to save the captured Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) from Darth Vader (voiced by James Earl Jones). With his trusty droids and smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Skywalker must also destroy the Galactic Empire’s all-powerful weapon: the Death Star. George Lucas cemented his status as a pop-culture legend with this classic battle between good and evil.”
CHVRCHES — Every Eye Open
Why I Added It To My Musical Rotation: Well I’ve been counting down the days for this album to release so naturally it’s been on repeat in my queue since it released September 25. The singles had been amaaaazing and the album has not disappointed. Fave songs: Neverending Circles, Leave a Trace, Clearest Blue, Keep You On My Side
BØRNS – Dopamine
Why I Added It To My Musical Rotation: If you are around these parts often you know the singles being released have been making my Monthly Rewind picks so naturally I’ve been waiting for this….pretty much since 10,000 Emerald Pools released last year I’ve been chomping at the bit for this. IT IS INCREDIBLE. Fave songs: 10,000 Emerald Pools, Electric Love, Dug My Heart, Past Lives
Saintseneca — Such Things
Why I Added It To My Musical Rotation: I had heard their single Happy Alone last year but kind of forgot about them until I saw them on NPR’s First Listen. Haven’t gotten a chance to REALLY sit down and listen but digging what I’ve heard.
If you want to catch what I’m listening to…follow me on Spotify! Let me know who you are so I can follow back and check out youuur music!
YOUR TURN! Tell me one book you added to your TBR list recently! Tell me a movie/tv show you added to your must watch list! Tell me a new band/singer you just added to your musical rotation! Also, have you read/watched/listened to anything on my recently added list? Or did I make you add something to YOUR queue? Tell me, tell me!
Bekka says
OMG YES BLACK SAILS. Have you not seen me tweet about this show because I get downright SCREAMY when it comes to GAY PIRATES. GAYYY PIRATTESSSSS
Jordan says
OH MY GOSH. You will LOVE Black Sails and Deadwood. Deadwood might take a couple episodes to get into, but it’s SO WORTH IT. Black Sails will have you in minutes! I’m in love with both!
Amber says
You’re making the right decision starting with A New Hope. You might not feel the same connection to the series otherwise! AND LUKE AND HAN AND LEIA OMGGGGGGGGGG. IT’S MY FAVE FRANCHISE AFTER JURASSIC PARK.
Rachel Writes Things says
DUUUUUDE, STAR WARRRS. I grew up seeing them all in theaters (they showed them again in the big screen in 1997 so I went with my dad) and AMAZING. There’s also books about characters after the 6th movie including ‘future kids’ etc. super fun. Hope you enjoy it. and WELCOME TO THE LOOP haha.
Annalisse says
Have you never read Catherynne Valente before? This past year I’ve read four of her books and Radiance is definitely on my list to pick up. Her writing is amazing! And when did Black Sails get added to Netflix? My queue can’t take much more of this. The never ending list keeps getting bigger and bigger! Plus YAY Star Wars!
Becky LeJeune says
Yes! I just bought both Borns and Chvrches and adore both. STAR WARS is awesome! I’ve seen the original three about a million times each and still love them.
Here’s mine:
Music – I recently added Ryn Weaver to my music collection; she’s on HEAVY rotation.
Books – I just bought a copy of Phil Rickman’s NIGHT AFTER NIGHT. It’s about a reality show being filmed in a haunted hotel.
Netflix – Z FOR ZACHARIAH, which I didn’t realize was out already. I did really like the book but it’s been so long since I read it I probably won’t be able to tell how true the movie is as an adaptation.
Alexa S. says
You should definitely watch Star Wars in the order it was released! It will give you the best viewing experience, if you ask me 😉
Pui-man says
I’ve never seen Star Wars either! My plan is to binge watch all six movies before the new one comes out. I just checked my library and while they have all the movies, there are sooo many holds for them. I guess I’ll have to find another way to watch them. I was also told to watch it in the order they were made because that’s how the movies were intended to be watched. I’m glad I’m not the only one who has never seen these movies!
Sarah says
DEFINITELY watch Star Wars in the order they were released. It won’t be the same if you don’t 🙂 Hope you enjoy!!
Pili @ In Love With Handmade says
Oh boy, you had never watched the SW movies?!? I recommend watching the movies in the order they were filmed too… and then if you don’t hate them too much, from I to VI. That’s at least what I’m planning to do in preparation for Episode VII! I’m a MASSIVE UTTER FAN and it’s been a while since my last rewatch, so I plan to do a few marathons!!
Lauren @ Bookmark Lit says
YES WATCH STAR WARS – definitely in order of how they were released! You really could watch them either way, but it just makes sense. I think of the newer movies as a “prequel” that becomes more interesting after you’ve seen the original/older movies. Ugh so jealous you’re watching for the first time.
Emily Seals says
I think watching Star Wars by release is better than episode order, at least for the first time, but I have recently been introduced to a new watching order: 4, 5, 2, 3, 6. This leaves out Episode I, but most people wouldn’t miss it, and episodes 5 and 6 essentially function as a big flashback. It makes a lot of sense for several different reasons, doesn’t spoil anything, and gives you background without taking away the anticipation. It’s called the “machete” order.
Emily Seals says
Sorry, I meant to say that Episodes II and III function as a big flashback*
Mel@thedailyprophecy says
Black sails is on my to-read-list. It sounds SO good. I can’t wait to read Assassin’s heart. I came across it on Edelweiss and I immediately clicked on that shiny download button. I have watched one Star Wars movie and I didn’t like it *runs* *hides*
Keely says
Definitely watch Star Wars in release order 4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3. I watched them in that order for the first time last year and I loved them.
Katherine says
I haven’t heard of any of these but they sound interesting! I would start with Star Wars 4 and then go 5, 6, 1, 2, and 3. 4-6 are considered to be more interesting and they were released first, with the prequel trilogy coming out afterwards. That’s how I watched them and I’m a huge Star Wars fan now. I think you’ll love them!
Cassie G says
YES THAT IS THE CORRECT WAY TO WATCH STAR WARS, DONT LET ANYONE TELL YOU OTHERWISE. okay, I’m calm. The order they were released is the best way.
I have Vengeance Road but haven’t picked it up yet, but it looks like I should!! 🙂
Becky @ A Fool's Ingenuity says
Well, I’ve just added Assassin’s Heart to my TBR list, it looks amazing! I am excited for you to read The Shattered Court, I read it a few weeks back and I was a little bit obsessed and was pulling my hair out of the fact there is no release date for the next book (patience is not one of my virtues). I’ve been so restrained with adding books to my TBR list lately, I’m trying to catch up with the books I already own because towers of unread books is supposedly a bad thing (who knew?), but I have recently added The Walking Dead and Sleepy Hollow to my to watch list, along with too many films to count. I wish I could be as restrained as you with my list of things I want to read/watch/listen to, but I have the curse of wanting to do everything at once, so too frequently end up doing nothing at all.
Danielle @ Bookish in Texas says
Deadwood sounds awesome, and I had no idea it’s on Netflix now! I just finished Vengeance Road too and I am SO HERE FOR some more western-y gold-rush awesomeness. We just finished watching House all the way through and need something new, so maybe that will be it!
Emma @ Miss Print says
I added The Shattered Court to my TBR based on Rachel’s review too!
Deadwood is intense Jamie! If Vengeance Road was a 7/10 then Deadwood is like 37. Be prepared! At least it was for me but I’m a wimp.
Nikki @ Lazy Book Lovers says
I recently did the Star Wars thing before the new one came out. I highly suggest that order. However, Episode I was lacking so much! I knew everyone said that it was bad but I didn’t expect it to be THAT bad. Deadwood is also pretty decent. Not the best of HBO shows, *Coughs* The Wire *Coughs*, but a good choice. I love this meme btw!