It's that time of the month where we dive into what the team is currently reading, and it’s one of our favorites. One minute you’re having a casual chat, and the next minute you’re updating your TBR list with those books you promised to “just look up”, and now you’ve somehow found yourself invested in housemaids solving murders, M.A.S.H. games coming to life, vampiric forest bargains, parallel universe romances, and a return trip to Avonlea.

As per usual, the OUABC team’s current reads always give us a wonderfully mixed bookshelf. We have murder mysteries, hilarious magical rom-coms, dark romantic fantasy, sci-fi chaos, and even some old favorites!!

So sit back, relax, and get ready to add some new books to your ever-growing TBR pile!

Logan: Murder at Mallowan Hall by Colleen Cambridge

“This was the first book in her Agatha Christie murder series! We included it as a gift in our February 2022 Adult box. I love Colleen's decision with most of her mysteries to write them with the addition of a famous person in history (in this case, the amateur detective is the head maid in Agatha Christie's house!) It's such a fun way to add a bit of dimension to a famous historical figure through the lens of those closest to them without them being the primary focus of the novel. This one reads very similar to The Maid series by Nita Prose with its descriptions of household responsibilities, and the occasional body turning up.”

About the Book 

Murder at Mallowan Hall begins a historical mystery series set in the home of Agatha Christie. The story introduces Phyllida Bright, the fictional housekeeper for Agatha Christie and Max Mallowan. Efficient, elegant, and fiercely protective of Mrs. Agatha, Phyllida manages Mallowan Hall with confidence and charm.

But when a very real body is found on the library floor during a house party, Phyllida’s love of detective fiction becomes unexpectedly useful. With demanding guests, anxious staff, reporters outside, and another body soon discovered, she begins following the clues with help from those around her. Someone at Mallowan Hall is a killer, and Phyllida’s wits may be the only thing standing between order and another deadly ending.

Sydney: The MASH Up by Laura Marie Meyers

“I absolutely loved the concept for this one; waking up inside your own MASH game from 7th grade is so fun and also terrifying. This book has been hilarious and adorable the whole way through! I can't wait to see how things turn out and if Ruby is able to get back to reality or if she stays in this alternate universe (cause honestly it seems kinda fun).”

About the Book 

The MASH Up follows Ruby Wynne, a staunch rule-follower whose carefully planned life falls apart after a surprising breakup on her thirty-fifth birthday. After making an unexpected wish, Ruby wakes up inside a M.A.S.H. game from seventh grade, complete with a Technicolor mansion, a tie-dye Jeep, and a roller-disco restaurant.

There is only one problem. According to the game, Ruby’s “other half” is Penn Hayes, her brother’s annoying (and annoyingly handsome) best friend. Since Ruby desperately wants to return to reality, she decides the only way out is to make the game come true by winning Penn’s heart. But as she navigates the magical world she dreamed up at thirteen, Ruby begins to wonder if breaking her own rules might lead her somewhere better.

Teri: The Gravewood by Kelly Andrew

“I really love this author's writing style; it's always very atmospheric and just the right amount of dark. There's a lot of moral grayness happening with the characters all doing what they need to survive. The author is deaf and writes deaf characters in a way that plays really interestingly into the narrative of the story as well.”

About the Book 

The Gravewood is the first book in a darkly romantic duology exploring disability, obsession, and loyalty. Shea Parker has spent her life in the shadow of the Gravewood, an impassable forest that cuts her town off from the rest of the world. With limited resources, she must carefully ration her hearing aid batteries, knowing that when they run out, silence will follow.

Desperate for help, Shea turns to Oliver Lysander, the volatile leader of a vampiric gang ruling the Gravewood. Their arrangement begins with blood in exchange for batteries, but soon becomes far more dangerous. When Shea’s best friend disappears into the forest, and her older brother returns from the frontlines, secrets, bargains, and survival collide. As Shea travels through the dreamlike dark with killers, she risks becoming one herself.

Ryan: Doppelbänger by W.H Lockwood

“I haven't gotten far into it yet, but it's about two guys who are actually the same person from parallel universes. One is a karate teacher, and the other is a quantum physicist, and they have to work together to fix a mistake the physicist made, in order to save their universes.”

About the book 

Doppelbänger takes self-love to a whole new dimension with a mind-bending, world-ending sci-fi MM rom-com. August Blackthorne is broke, fresh from a messy breakup, and apparently being stalked. When he finally confronts the man following him, he discovers something even stranger than expected. The stalker is him, only from a parallel universe.

The other August is a quantum physicist who has made a universe-threatening mistake and needs help fixing it. Unfortunately, this version of August is a music-loving, karate-teaching sweetheart, and the physicist is falling hard for him. Together, they must try to undo the mess before one universe is destroyed. Romance, weird science, action, and time-space chaos!

Tristan: Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery

“This year, I decided to re-read some of my favorite books and am currently working my way through the Anne of Green Gables series. I'm enjoying spending time with Anne and her friends again!”

About the Book

Anne of Avonlea follows Anne as she enters a new chapter of life at sixteen. She is grown up, almost, with her familiar red hair, fiery temper, and gift for finding herself in scrapes. Since arriving at Green Gables as a freckle-faced orphan, Anne has earned the love of Avonlea, but now she faces a new challenge.

As the new schoolteacher, Anne must teach the three Rs while also learning plenty about life, people, and herself. Between meddling in romance, welcoming two new orphans to Green Gables, and trying to understand the very handsome Gilbert Blythe, Anne’s adventures continue with heart, humour, and all the charm that makes returning to Avonlea feel so special.

Our TBR Lists Continue to Grow

And there you have it: the OUABC team’s current reads. Whether you’re in the mood for mystery, romance, fantasy, sci-fi or a comfort reread, there is bound to be something to tempt you!

If your TBR list still isn’t long enough (and can it really ever be?), make sure to check out our blog on August’s new releases; this month is a treat for book lovers everywhere! I just realized that I am typing this while wearing my favorite sweatshirt, which says it all: “Just one more chapter.”

So here’s to just one more book, one more chapter, and one more page! Happy reading from all of us at Once Upon a Book Club. We would love to hear which books have made it onto your TBR pile.