When a reaper comes to collect Wallace Price from his own funeral, Wallace suspects he really might be dead.
Instead of leading him directly to the afterlife, the reaper takes him to a small village. On the outskirts, off the path through the woods, tucked between mountains, is a particular tea shop, run by a man named Hugo. Hugo is the tea shop’s owner to locals and the ferryman to souls who need to cross over.
But Wallace isn’t ready to abandon the life he barely lived. With Hugo’s help he finally starts to learn about all the things he missed in life.
When the Manager, a curious and powerful being, arrives at the tea shop and gives Wallace one week to cross over, Wallace sets about living a lifetime in seven days.
By turns heartwarming and heartbreaking, this absorbing tale of grief and hope is told with TJ Klune’s signature warmth, humor, and extraordinary empathy.
This book cements for me that this author is a genius. This book was beyond amazing.
Wallace, a workaholic with no life, no friends and no partner, dies, and gets taken to a place to cross over. But what a place! A cute little tea shop where Hugo basically lives a double life, a tea seller/mixologist and also a ferryman who helps to deliver people to the other side.
Along with Hugo there’s Mei, Nelson and happy, cute doggie called Apollo. Wallace has to find out the person he was and who really he should be.
The story is centered round the tea shop and it bought out a strange sensation for me. I don’t even like tea (how un-British of me) but this book makes me want to try again to savour all the flavours!!!
‘The first time you share tea, you are a stranger, The second time you share tea, you are an honored guest, The third time you share tea, you become family.’
This story was so much. So, so much. It was whimsical, quaint, deep, powerful, heartwarming and heartbreaking and like HOTCS, teaches us the meaning of found family, all sprinkled with a dusting of happiness.
I felt so connected to this story and these characters that me, dead inside woman, had a few tears at the epilogue!
This is my 2nd Illumicrate box and the theme for July is Never Enough!
This theme is dedicated to those characters who always want more. More power, more answers, more victories, more adventure. And they will do whatever it takes to achieve their goal.
Items inspired by The Poppy War, Red Rising, A Darker Shade of Magic, Descendant of the Crane and The Picture of Dorian Gray!
– Between Us Mug – inspired by The Poppy War designed by @RosieThorns88
– Lila Bard Bust – artwork by @avendellart
– Red Rising Acrylic Frame – artwork by @merwildandco and designed by @crownandfable
– Pocket Mirror – Dorian Gray artwork by @tiakinsmanart
– Perfect for Treason Fan – inspired by Descendant of the Crane with artwork by Feifei Ruan
– Monthly Collectors Pin – from the BOTM designed by @stacey.mcevoy.caunt
BOOK OF THE MONTH
She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
~ Exclusive cover ~ Artwork on reverse of dustjacket by @glassbearer ~ Embossing on naked cover ~ Stencilled edges ~ Signed bookplate
I subscribed to Illumicrate as I get serious fomo from other people’s unboxings and this is my first box!
June theme is OUT OF THE WOODS!
Items inspired by Lord of the Rings, We Hunt the Flame, Among the Beasts and Briars, an officially licensed The Darkest Part of the Forest item and more!
Lord of the Rings Puzzle – artwork by @afterblossom_art and designed by @chattynora
The Darkest Part of the Forest Banner – officially licensed with artwork by @superstarfighter
The Woods Are Lovely Water Bottle – designed by @rosdottir
The Wood Makes Monsters Woodmark – designed by @no0nedesigns
The Huntress Wooden Pin – designed by @HannahHitchmanart
Monthly Pin of a coin from the BOTM designed by @stacey.mcevoy.caunt
BOOK OF THE MONTH
The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid
~ Exclusive cover ~ Artwork on reverse of dustjacket by @warickaart ~ Embossing on naked cover ~ Stencilled edges ~ Signed by the author
Top Ten Tuesday is featured by That Artsy Reader Girl It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
Firstly let me apologise for the state of this post, I’ve slipped a disc and can’t really sit up but I still wanted to post so tried my best! (and WordPress still hates me and won’t let me centre any pictures today!!!)
Theme: Titles or Covers That Made Want to Read/Buy the Book
“Leaving any bookstore is hard, especially on a day in August, when the street outside burns and glares, and the books inside are cool and crisp to the touch.” ―Jane Smiley
“Breathe the sweetness that hovers in August.” ―Denise Levertov
‘Have you ever felt a connection to an animal friend? Or wished for your own magic creature to accompany you on an epic quest? Whether that be a fire-spitting dragon or a talking cat, for many readers animals are the perfect companions!’
Items inspired by The Raven Boys, Crescent City, The Priory of the Orange Tree, Kiki’s Delivery Service and Kingdom of the Wicked.
Crescent City Flower Pot designed by @ouroidae
TPotOT Metalmark designed by @no0nedesigns
The Raven Cycle pillow covers designed by @kdpletters
Enamel Pin – Jiji from Kiki’s Delivery Service made by @layla_ashtar_shrine
Wrath from Kingdom of the Wicked Standee with artwork from @morhana0anagram
Tarot cards which I think are from Kingdom of the Wicked (mistake on spoiler card I think)
BOOK OF THE MONTH
Fire with Fire by Destiny Soria
✔ Exclusive cover ✔ Sprayed edges ✔ Artwork on reverse dj by @icandrawthingz ✔ Foil embossing on cover by @icandrawthingz ✔ Signed
Welcome to Closing the Chapter! I hope you had a great reading month?
Our month started off with a 10 day isolation as there were positive cases of COVID in my son’s class, luckily he escaped getting it! But he’s now finished school for the holidays….bittersweet as he has now left the school he’s been at for 7 years and goes up to senior school in September and I am one nervous Mum for him!
Just want to say sorry I’m absent, I’ve slipped a disc and I am fit for nothing at the mo!
In isolation I took part in the Off the Grid Readathon where you switch off social media and just read! I wasn’t too strict with myself but managed to read nearly 3 chunky books on those 3 days which was great for my total of 9 for the month!!
PHYSICAL/EBOOKS
City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ See my review here.
The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare ⭐⭐⭐.5 See my review here.
No longer will I go on about buying limits and what I’m going to do next month because I can’t stick to it and frankly, it’s boring!!! So these hauls will be what they are whether it be 3 books or 300 (my tbr is praying that it’s never anywhere close to 300!!!)
I hauled 4 books this month which actually isn’t bad for me!!!
