Category: All Things Books

July Wrap Up 2020

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I had a very varied month this time round with some high highs and some pretty low lows. What I did learn last month was to not binge read a series as I lose interest very quick!

  • I read 4 books this month. Technically one book at 3 stories in it as it was a bind up but I read the first 2 in June.
  • I read 3 books for my ONTD challenge, 1 book for my sequels challenge and 1 book for my Second Chance Challenge.
  • For genre: 1 murder mystery, 2 fantasy and 1 science fiction.
  • For the age range: All were adult.
  • All the books this month were physical paperbacks.

Introducing the Honourable Phryne Fisher by Kerry Greenwood (3 stars)

So this book was a bind up of the first 3 novels in the Phryne Fisher series.

  • Cocaine Blues
  • Flying Too High
  • Murder on the Ballarat Train

I read the first two books in June and the final book in July. I personally count these books as individual books towards my goal. One thing I did take away from this was that I cannot binge read series as I lose interest fast. So much to the point that I don’t plan on continuing this series going forward. I felt like I read enough.

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch (4 stars)

This was an amazing book. I read this a couple of years ago and DNFed it early on because I couldn’t connect to the story. I think this was mainly due to the fact that I wasn’t ready to be tackling adult fantasy yet. I was so happy that I re-read this, great characters, great relationships. My only criticism was the lack of major female characters.

The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson (5 stars)

Another amazing story. I was worried that this book was not going to match how great the first book was but I was proven wrong. I have to do a disclaimer though… normally my reviews are concise and easy to follow but my review for this book was all over the place because the book left me mind blown! I couldn’t think straight! That ending was powerful!

The Girl in Red by Christina Henry (2 stars)

What must come up, must inevitably come down and that is how the month went for me. Sadly, I was disappointed again by Christina Henry. I was hoping after reading her book The Mermaid and not enjoying it that things would suddenly work out. But no! This story felt very flat to me and there was way to much walking!

June 2020 Wrap Up

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I had a pretty good month this month. I read some amazing arcs and worked hard on educating myself on my white privileged and on systemic racism in both America and the UK.

  • I read 6 books this month.
  • I read 2 books for my ONTD challenge and 2 sequels.
  • For genre: 2 non-fiction, 1 fantasy and 3 historical fiction murder mysteries.
  • For age range: All were adult.
  • All of the books this month were ebooks.
  • 3 of the books were ARCS.

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race – Reni Eddo-Lodge (5 stars)

This is a must read I feel for everyone living in the UK. Especially, young people. I found out a lot of things about my country that I didn’t know/wasn’t aware of and I also found that this book was able to solidify something I knew to be true myself, especially when it came to intersectional feminism.

Sourcery – Terry Pratchett (2 stars)

A pretty disappointing read this one. I read numerous things about not reading this series in chronological order as he first books aren’t that strong and I am definitely feeling this sentiment. No review for this book as I just didn’t have much to say other than, I didn’t like it.

Murder at the Playhouse – Helena Dixon (4 stars)

This series is starting to solidfy itself as one of my all-time favourites. Everything that I felt uneasy about in the first two books gets amended and changed for the better in this 3rd book. We really get to see Kitty take hold of the case herself. I find myself so enthralled in the over-arching mysteries of the series. I need the next one now!

The Sin Eater – Megan Campisi (3 stars)

This was a solid read. Great concept, great mystery, solid protagonist. Not much else to say other than at times the writing made me quite uncomfortable which drew me out of the story.

Daughters of Night – Laura Shepherd-Robinson (5 stars)

If I could give this book 10 stars I would! Definitely, a book that I felt was out of my comfort zone but I am so happy I read it! This book had me constantly second-guessing and it just took over my whole life. Every moment I got I was reading this. This book was so good I plan on buying a physical copy when it comes out in January!

White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Race – Robin DiAngelo (3 stars)

No review for this one. While I am happy I read it and could inform/educate myself. There was not much else to say about this book.

May Wrap Up 2020

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The month started off pretty successful, I have a new 5 stars to the list but sadly in the latter half of the month it started to dwindle.

  • I read 6 books this month.
  • I continued with my challenge by reading 1 ONTD Challenge books, 2 sequels and 1 from my physical TBR.
  • For genre: 2 fantasy, 2 murder mystery and 2 sci-fi books.
  • For age range: 1 middle grade, 3 adult and 2 YA.
  • I read 1 ARC, 3 ebooks and 2 paperbacks.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman (3 stars)

I didn’t review this one despite reading the book in its entirety. This was down to the fact that while I enjoyed it I didn’t have enough strong opinions on this story to warrant a review. I personally preferred the movie over the book.

The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie (4 stars)

This was a really nostalgic read despite the fact I had never read it before. Reading Agatha Christie novels just makes me feel like I am on holiday soaking up the sun. This book was a massive improvement over her previous book and was a fun read though I wasn’t so sure on the ending.

The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo (5 stars and FAVOURITE)

A brilliant 5 stars! I have only read one Japanese novel and 6 volumes of manga so I was super excited to read more fiction by Japanese authors and Yokomizo did not disappoint! I am not sitting and waiting for the next book in this series to be translated and sold in England!

The Last by Hanna Jameson (3 stars)

This book gave me very mixed feelings. Some parts of it I loved and was hooked in straight away and then other elements of the story bored me and made me consider DNFing it. One thing I will say is Jameson knows how to write scenes of panic.

Finale by Stephanie Garber (2 stars)

This was a disappointing ending for what could have been a great trilogy! The writing style and the romance were good but I felt that a lot was either missing or not set up properly for a satisfying ending.

Predator’s Gold by Phillip Reeve (3 stars)

This was a very low 3 stars. Sadly, I don’t think I will continue with this series as I was quite disappointed by this novel. Unnecessary girl on girl hate, a bland protagonist and emphasis on Hester’s ugly appearance to much for my liking.