As we speak, I'm preparing to head to Derby for a short, but very fun, trip. There will be a longer UK jaunt later in the year, but expect to hear more about this one in the coming weeks.

Prepping for this trip during busy season at work has meant a bit less time than usual to read, even with my daily reading for charity. To that end, I've focused on three books for this month: a memoir in verse, a cozy murder mystery, and another trip to Rokugan. Thanks as always to the writers and publishers who send along their work, and be sure to reach out if you'd like to be featured in a monthly review!

Bookish Candle: My favorite candle company is getting spicy with this month's Spice Factor candle. It's a surprisingly nice blend of pepper, grapefruit, and ginger. Use my link to get 20% off your purchase of this and other book lovers' candles!

Tea Pairing: Porch Stories is a fantastic summer tea. I loved their summer tea rollout last year, and this one in particular has remained high on my list since it's great hot or iced. Check out Chapters' full catalogue of bookish teas, and use my code KARA15 for 15% off your order!

In Knocking on Windows, author Jeannine Atkins pens a memoir through the lens of poetry—both her own and that of poets who affected her life. Grouped sometimes chronologically, sometimes topically, these poems tell the story of Atkins's personal trauma, and how that trauma extended into every area of her life.

As a college student attempting to look forward and find her voice as a poet, she finds comfort in the lives of other women who have endured similar suffering. Sylvia Plath becomes a regular touchstone, as does Emily Dickinson. As she and the people close to her explore what it means to be  a writer, she considers relationships, parenthood, the aftermath of sexual assault, and how the people around us respond to the tragedies and traumas in our own lives.

Usually I do not review memoirs. I tend to stick to fictional works and the occasional science-adjacent nonfiction. But I gave Atkins a chance, and I was wowed. It's not an easy read, as she speaks frankly about traumatic issues, but she sketches her complicated feelings out in a way that will resonate to many. Seeing her find peace and comfort in her writing, and eventually in the companionship of a fellow creative willing to meet her where she is, is a wonderful upshot, even (and especially) in the wake of all she loses and leaves behind. Even if you're not sure if this is for you, give it a few pages. You may be surprised.

In the latest Armstrong and Oscar cozy mystery, a detective-turned-novelist gets a little too much real-life inspiration when his current story seems to come to life. Dan Armstrong has been enjoying a much-needed vacation on the island of Elba with his girlfriend Anna and dog Oscar. But days of windsurfing lessons and nights sampling the local fare are interrupted by the death of a notorious local... and at first, it seems that Dan's best friend Virgilio is the most likely suspect.

Considering the victim was persona non grata after a string of crimes 20 years prior, just about everyone has a motive. But things get more complicated when a second body turns up under equally suspicious circumstances. Has the killer struck again? Was one of the murders a case of mistaken identity? Or could these two killings really simply be accidents? Despite attempts to enjoy his vacation, Dan soon finds himself swept up in solving the case—at first because it could put a pin in his writer's block, but eventually because it seems someone has dragged Anna into proceedings.

If you've never read an Armstrong and Oscar mystery, you won't feel too adrift. It's clear that the core cast has a history, but all you need to know is that Dan Armstrong is British, he writes murder mysteries, and his dog Oscar is the best. While the final act suffers a bit from characters blurting out facts where they might not ordinarily, the book itself is broadly enjoyable. It's a relaxing summer read with just enough intrigue to keep you turning the pages.

The emperor has been slain, his sons have disappeared, and the clans of Rokugan are in disarray. As the Crab Clan attempts to hold back the shadowy horrors that infest the land, clans fight alongside and against each other. Everything has become unbalanced and, down several separate storylines, a handful of people try to set things right.

Doji Hotaru of the Crane is torn between her love for her secret Scorpion paramour (whose husband also slew the emperor) and her duty. Toturi, who avenged the death of the emperor, now roams the land as a ronin with a trio of unlikely allies. And on the Wall, a Crab Clan soldier makes a literal deal with the devil to turn the tides of battle. As each story unfolds, the Lion advance, shrouding themselves in darkness to destabilize the other clans and exert their might.

As the first book in The Clan Wars, A Throne Betrayed is an excellent entry point into the world of L5R. Even if you don't know a Unicorn from a Dragon, this novel's multifaceted story will introduce new readers to the complicated politics of Rokugan in a manner that's both exciting to read and easy to digest. And for those who are more acquainted, there are new characters to get to know, each with secrets and passions that are only just beginning to be unveiled. While some stories are brought to a close, others are just beginning—even within the novel's closing sentences. Whether you're a Legend of the Five Rings fan or just an enjoyer of classic samurai stories, this is a great summer read.