Recent Read-Bait: Carnivals, Disappearances, and Lottery/Riches

Posted March 10, 2017 / Book Lists, Features / 12 Comments

read bait header You may remember my read-bait series from a long time ago, where I talked about certain keywords, phrases, and tropes that call my name. I planned to keep going with these posts because there are many, many topics that suck me right in. My two recent posts discussed reunions, memory loss, and boarding school, then fake dating, bucket lists, and family drama. Here I am today to talk about recent words that have grabbed me…I originally made up a whole post about circus-related books but I really couldn’t come up with enough content. I love the magical feel of the carnival (especially in books, because there’s usually real magic involved). Caraval by Stephanie Garber sealed the deal for me when I read it over the summer. I’ve added so many books to my TBR involving carnivals of some kind. I’m not one for mystery/thriller books usually because I get creeped out easily but I’ve been trying to expand my horizons. I thought The Leaving by Tara Altebrando was super interesting – not perfect – and it made me want to add more to my TBR. There are quite a few books in this “disappearance” category. Something about a person going away/being kidnapped and, in some cases, coming back, really intrigue me because I’m left wondering what happened in the interim! And finally, this makes an appearance again as an old, resurfaced favorite: rich people. I used to read all the classic rich, boarding school stories when I was younger. In this scenario there’s a little spin on it. I’m including books where main characters win the lottery (Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith) and lumping the two things together. Similar enough, right?

Recent TBR Additions

Daughter of the Burning City by Amanda Foody // an illusionist’s creation is somehow killed
Freeks by Amanda Hocking //
a girl living at a carnival discovers her power
Menagerie by Rachel Vincent // 
traveling circus with supernatural creatures

Others I’ve read and enjoyed:
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The Carnivorous Carnival by Lemony Snicket

Others on my TBR worth mentioning:
The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore
The Mermaid’s Sister by Carrie Anne Noble

Here Lies Daniel Tate by Cristin Terrill // a boy who disappeared returns…not the same
Last Seen Leaving by Caleb Roehrig // a girlfriend disappears and the MC is the suspect
Never Missing Never Found by Amanda Panitch // previously kidnapped girl helps new case

Others I’ve read and enjoyed:
Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney
The Lying Game by Sara Shepard
I Am Princess X by Cherie Priest

Others on my TBR worth mentioning:
Good as Gone by Amy Gentry
Pretending to be Erica by Michelle Painchaud
A Void the Size of the World by Rachele Alpine

Lucky In Love by Kasie West // girl wins the lottery and struggles with trust
Secrets of a Reluctant Princess by Casey Griffin //
fake-it-til-you-make-it at Bevery Hills High
Royce Rolls by Margaret Stohl // Kardashian-esque family fights to keep their show

Others I’ve read and enjoyed:
Private and Privilege by Kate Brian
Gossip Girl and It Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar
The A-List by Zoey Dean
The Thousandth Floor by Katherine McGee

Others on my TBR worth mentioning:
Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore
Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith
Great by Sara Benincasa
Spoiled by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan

12 responses to “Recent Read-Bait: Carnivals, Disappearances, and Lottery/Riches

  1. Coincidentally enough, I am also obsessed with all of these topics! (probably because they’re all so engrossing :D) I haven’t had a chance to read any of these yet but I have them all on my TBR (which is scarily long and I no longer look at its length) and I hope to read them soon (especially Caraval so I can see what all the fuss is about!). I’ve recently been getting really into It by Stephen King and I’ve been binge reading Agatha Christie. Something about the mystery and having to figure everything out is so fascinating for me! In any case, thank you for all the wonderful new books to add to my TBR 🙂

    Laura @BlueEyeBooks

  2. I looove disappearance stories as well. I’ve read Last Seen Leaving myself and loved it. Never Missing, Never Found I wasn’t really a fan of – personally – but it’s set at an amusement park so it has a fair/carnival vibe to it as well. It’ll probably be more up your alley! I’d definitely recommend The Whisperer (Fiona Wood) if you enjoy carnivals – it’s about a boy who is forced to use his mind-reading abilities to do a psychic act at a circus + it has a ton of magical creatures and adventure. I’d also HIGHLY recommend Where the Memories Lie (Sibel Hodge) is about a girl whose best friend disappeared when they were kids and new info comes to light when she’s older. It’s about family drama as well. It’s really good!

  3. “Geek Love” is a very weird, but very nice take on the circus. And then there’s “Another Roadside Attraction”, but that’s ten times weirder (and more graphic) than “Geek Love”. But I enjoyed them both 🙂

  4. Omg yes, certain keywords are total catnip!! I can’t say any of these are my particular thing but I really love this post and how you found books for each category. I still need to read Caraval and I can’t wait for Lucky in Love!

  5. I love all these topics too! The Night Circus made me fall in love with that setting/theme years ago. I’m happy to see all these new books coming out that feature them. I don’t think anything will ever surpass my love for that book, though. I’m really excited about Daughter of the Burning City.

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