July 2024 Reading Wrap-Up

Look at me posting on time! I had a great reading month in July: 16 books, adding up to about 4,600 pages. Here are some highlights:

1. Favorites of the Month:

📚 The Saint of Bright Doors - a very unusual and creative fantasy from a Sri Lankan author (I have a full review of this book on my blog)

📚 Most Ardently - a Pride and Prejudice retelling with the main character being a trans boy

📚 The Lost Year - a hard-breaking middle grade book that shines the light on Holodomor (death by starvation) enforced by Stalin in Soviet Ukraine

📚 The Art Thief - a non-fiction book that lets the reader get a glimpse into the mind of a compulsive and the most prolific art thief

📚 Every Summer After - a great beach read about young heartbreak and second chances

📚 Slow Dance - another second chance romance that is more of a women’s fiction than your run of the mill trop-y romance novel (I have a full review of this book on my blog).

📚 Delilah Green Doesn’t Care - fun queer romcom (which also made me cry the tears of joy)

2. Disappointments:

📚 The North Wind - a fantasy romance marketed as a take on the Beauty and the Beast. I gave up reading this book at about 100 pages (so 25% in). The world building was not well executed, I had no idea what was going on in that regard. The cast of characters was very limited and thus the entire world did not feel well fleshed out. In addition, I really disliked the main female character: she was impulsive, headstrong and a drunk to boot. I have a lot of problems with our culture glamorizing drinking and promoting it in films and TV shows. I do not need to see it in my books. Or, I'd rather it be presented in a realistic way as a real bane on one's existence.

📚 The Kiss Quotient - a romcom featuring an autistic main female character. It was an enjoyable read, but I definitely do not understand all the hype surrounding it. It was ok. 

📚 Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson - has all the makings of a great Sci-Fi novel. I loved the ideas in this book, however the storytelling and the characters could really use an upgrade.

"Slow Dance" by Rainbow Rowell

Slow Dance is the third book that I've read from this author. Prior to this I read one YA and one adult novel by her.  This new release is an adult contemporary romance novel, but it is quite different tonally from what I would consider a romance novel. I think Rowell veers more towards women's fiction. Overall, I don't quite vibe with her writing style, and this is precisely why I docked one star and gave it four rather than five stars. Her novels and by extension her characters "sound" the same in the three books that I've read. I think she is trying to go for vulnerable and authentic, but the way she describes the world and the way her characters see it is so different from how I perceive or relate to things, that it is difficult for me to buy it as authentic. But I do appreciate it, and I do allow that some people might see the world as she describes it.

Ok, with that aside out of the way, let's get to the characters and the plot. Slow Dance is a second-chance romance. Shiloh and Cary were inseparable in high school. But then she moved away to college and he joined the Navy. In high school, they never dated, but it is clear that they were absolutely in love with one another. Then in college, Cary came to visit her and they gave in to physical attraction, but things somehow still did not work out between them, and they ended up completely losing touch with each other. This was the part that irked me. I really dislike miscommunication or lack of communication tropes in romance. However, Rowell did somehow manage to make this more realistic and thus more palatable for me.

Fourteen years later, Shiloh and Cary run into each other at a friend's wedding and have a second chance at happiness. What I truly liked about this book is the messiness that you can never find in a romance novel, but which abounds in our every day life. Shiloh is divorced with two kids, her ex-husband is very much in the picture and is NOT a nice guy. Cary's family is a complete mess. Adopted by his grandmother, he calls his real mother a sister, who clearly has alcohol problems. His biological sister Angel has a creep of a boyfriend and is barely making enough money to be able to support her three young children. The entire family clearly relies on his financially supporting his grandmother/mother and by extension the rest of the family with all the half and step-siblings. 

Sex in this book is definitely not the "spicy scene" from a typical romance novel. It is awkward, filled with anxiety, and for Shiloh, at least in the beginning, it is more about intimacy and connection, than passion and orgasm. It felt very human and real. I really appreciated this about this book. 

Yes, there is an HEA (happy ever after). This is the one thing I love about romance novels. It alleviates my anxiety of not knowing whether the main characters will end up together. There is however no third act break-up, which I dislike, so this this was just fine by me! So overall, Rowell managed to write my ideal romance novel: with realistic characters and life situations, realistic libidos and sex scenes, with HEA and no awkward break-up in the second half of the book.

Now, I do want to say that it is a slow read. Not much really happens. Right before Slow Dance I read Ever Summer After by Carley Fortune, which is also a second chance romance, but it had much more drama and tension, and had a much more emotional impact on me than Slow Dance. But then again, it might also be Rowell's writing style. I do recommend this book as a great alternative for your run of the mill "spicy" romance novels that we've been inundated with lately.

I received an e-ARC copy of this novel from NetGalley.com.

June 2024 Reading Wrap-Up

I have definitely been better this year with blogging, however my June reading update is really late. In June, I read 9 books total: one non-fiction, 4 romances, 2 fantasy novels, 1 historical fiction, and 1 mystery. 4 out of 9 books were on audio and the rest were either in paper or e-book. I normally read just around 3,000 pages per month and June was no exception at 3,263 pages.

In terms of my enjoyment/rating of what I read, it was a great month with 6 five-star reads and 3 four-stars. I also made progress on series: finished two YA fantasy series Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin and The Guilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi. I have definitely lost interest in many YA series over the years, but it was good to finish these off. I also continued with one of my all time favorite mystery series featuring a time-traveling police detective by Kelley Armstrong. This newest installment called Disturbing the Dead was excellent.

For a book club I read People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. It is historical fiction that traces the journey of the famed Sarajevo Haggadah, a beautifully illuminated Hebrew manuscript, from its creation in the fifteenth-century Spain to present day. It was my first book by this author and I hope to read other works by her.

There is something to be said about posting a wrap-up a bit later after the end of the month: two of the books I read in June ended up being very forgettable and I hardly remember anything about them: God by Reza Aslan, and An Amiable Foe by Jennie Goutet.

I did read three excellent romances which I highly recommend:

• One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle is a very atmospheric summer read. It put me in a summer mood right away, and I flew through this novel. Definitely a new all-time favorite and I will be reading more from this author.
• Unsteady by Peyton Corinne is a new adult novel with great mental health representation. It is not an easy read as the heroine is dealing with some difficult domestic situations, and the hero is suffering from an injury PTSD.
• Finally, Dungeons & Drama by Kristy Boyce was a fun YA romance that put a huge smile on my face.

All in all, a great reading month. My only regret is that I did not make any progress on reading ARCs, but it was good to take a break from having to read something, and just reach for whatever your heart desires.

Mid-Year Reading Check-in

1. Number of books read so far this year 

62 as if today - my Goodreads goal is set at 75 for the year, so I am probably going to exceed this goal. I do have some chunky books to read in the second half of the year so it is good not be focused on the number.

2. Best book you’ve read so far in 2024 

Just Mercy by Brian Stevenson was definitely the most thought provoking book I read this year. It is non-fiction about the incarceration system in America. It really got me interested in the subject and I ended up reading another book about prisons and the concept of imprisonment. 

3. Best sequel you've read so far in 2024

Glow of the Everflame by Penn Cole. It is the second book in a fantasy romance series, and it really expanded the world and convinced me to stick with the series.

4. New release you haven't read yet, but want to

When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker. This is a very popular fantasy romance novel that a lot of readers love, and I want to see if it becomes a favorite for me also.

5. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year

I tend not to follow upcoming releases. However, there is one book I have pre-ordered and it is Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid.

6. Biggest disappointment

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by Victoria Schwab - this book is a favorite for many readers and I thought I was going to love it. The concept of a young woman who makes a deal with the devil and becomes immortal is fascinating. However, I ended up really struggling getting into this novel and found it pretty boring at times.

7. Biggest surprise

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle. I read this book very early in June and it really gave me summer vibes and renewed my desire to take another trip to Italy. I am now also very interested in checking out this author's other books.

8. Favorite new author. (Debut or new to you)

Rebecca Serle (see previous question).

9. Newest fictional crush

Luther from Spark of the Everflame series by Penn Cole (see question 3 above).

10. Newest favorite character

Probably Fetter from The Saint of Bright Doors. I just finished that book earlier today (and posted a review. here), and I really enjoyed his perspective and perseverance to forge his own path in life.

11. Book that made you cry

A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza - this was a heart wrenching family saga about finding your way in the world, going against tradition, but also loving your estranged child even if reconciling is not possible in this world.

12. Book that made you happy

One Italian Summer.

13. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

I have not yet read any classics this year, so I would like to pick up at least one.

"The Saint of Bright Doors" by Vajra Chandrasekera

I read The Saint of Bright Doors for the Sci-Fi/Fantasy book club I am a member of. I think this book is really hard to summarize or even talk about. I'd be very curious how the discussion goes tonight. But here are some of my thoughts:

1. I wouldn't have picked this up if it was not a book club selection

2. I am really glad I read it!

3. I have never been this confused but also fascinated! 

4. I definitely recommend it if you are a fantasy reader. (If this is your first fantasy read, this is probably not the place to start!)

I literally could not stop reading this book even though the fact that reality and the world kept changing only added to my feeling disoriented. You know how for a while an unreliable narrator was a thing? Well, I think this author does the unreliable reality really well! Powerful religious leaders in this book have the power to change not only the physical landscape, but history and reality itself.

I loved how the main character - Fetter - stays focused on trying to be true to himself (or at least attempting to figure out what it means). He is simply forging his own path by taking it one day at a time and pursuing what interests or means the most to him in the moment, rather than getting caught up in some revolutionary, big "save the world" idea of the day. In addition, Fetter was raised to believe that his destiny or mission in life was to kill his estranged father, a powerful religious cleric and leader. And even though at times, he still gets caught up in this pursuit, most of the time he just wants to live his life and be free from any sort of mission. He does get involved with a revolutionary group and even agrees to help them, but only because his "assignment" involves studying the mysterious bright doors that he is fascinated with. He is also more focused on making friends than connecting over a united goal. 

Using theater to promote a revolutionary idea is certainly not a new concept. Books, plays, films have been censored or even banned throughout history by governments that are afraid of dangerous or revolutionary ideas. It was interesting to see how characters in this novel were using theater to promote their ideas.

The unexpected reveal of the real narrator of the story was PERFECT!! Loved that. I am not going to spoil it here, but just wait for it - it was one of the best unexpected turns I've ever encountered in fiction. 

I also really liked the thought over matter power in this book and the idea behind the bright doors. This was very different from anything I've read. Overall, there are lots of layers in this novel which should make for a good book club discussion. But I also see how this book could be too much for some readers. My overall ranking is 4 out of 5 stars. 

May 2024 Wrap-Up

If there is a word to describe the books I've been picking up this year, "mediocre" is the one that immediately comes to mind. In May, I did not really read anything amazing, but there were a few standouts:

1. Cheryl Strayed's short story Two Women Walk into a Bar was heartbreakingly beautiful. It delves into what end-of-life experience is like for the loved one and their family. For such a short story, it really packs a powerful punch. I highly recommend it. 5 out of 5 stars.

2. Natasha Pulley's newest Sci-Fi release The Mars House did not disappoint and solidifyed her as one of my favorite authors once again.

3. I unexpectedly really enjoyed Ruth Ware's thriller The Turn of the Key. I recently realized that I do better with thrillers when I listen to them on audio. For some reason reading thrillers on a page, heightens my anxiety and makes reading uncomfortable. Listening to them somehow adds a theatrical quality to the experience, and I am able to enjoy them better. Now that I recognize this about myself, I am looking forward to listening to some thrillers this summer.

The other 8 books I read were truly forgettable. I feel particularly bad saying this about Viktor Frankl's non-fiction The Unconscious God. While interesting, it was a bit too academic for a non-psychology major and I felt a bit lost in terminology at times.

I am posting this May wrap-up way into June and just wanted to mention that I am trying to be a bit more selective with what I pick-up this month. My biggest regret each year is that I don't read enough "summer reads". And by "summer reads" I really mean books set near the ocean, featuring people on vacations or summer breaks from school, lighter, sunnier reads. So far, I've only read one such book. Today being officially the first day of summer, I need to prioritize some summer books for the next three months.

"The Mars House" by Natasha Pulley

I have read and reviewed on this blog all of Natasha Pulley's novels. I consider her to be one of my favorite writers and I've read everything she's written so far (apart from a short story or two in some anthologies). This is her sixth novel and her first foray into Sci-Fi. 4 out of her 5 previous novels were historical fiction with some fantastical/Sci-FI elements, and one was pure historical fiction (this last one based in Russia and the only one of the books I did not like). 

We read The Mars House in my Sci-Fi/Fantasy book club and everyone really liked it. In her usual fashion, she created likable three-dimensional main characters, a complex and intricate world, and a plot that kept you guessing. She is also a masterful write of romantic tension and her novels (so far) always end in the happily ever after. I do really appreciate that - I read for fun and relaxation and it is good to know that your characters will come out on top no matter what befalls them in the middle of the book.

In The Mars House we follow January, a Royal Ballet dancer who has to flee the earth for the colony on Mars when London - as well as many other places on earth - sinks into the sea. Pulley does an amazing job describing the effects of lower gravity on Mars, the various inventions that make life possible there, etc. I do not know how scientifically plausible her explanations are but they definitely seemed believable and made sense. 

In terms of the plot, there is a political intrigue at the core of the book: two opposing political camps on Mars debate the issue of whether this now seven generations old colony (and greatly modified/adapted to the new environment human beings) deserves to be independent or stay as a colony to Earth and thus potentially face extinction. Newcomers from Earth literally pose a threat to the "Naturals" of Mars because people from Earth are much stronger and can accidentally kill a Natural. Our main character January inadvertently finds himself in the middle of media attention and ends up married to one of the Senators leading the political debate. 

Another interesting aspect in this novel is that gender has been abolished on Mars. The biological "sex" is something very private and is only between the person and their doctor. No one identifies as male or female or anything else. They are referred to as "they" and only the new arrivals from earth exhibit gender traits and identify by gender.

I did greatly enjoy this novel and I am looking forward to Pulley's next book!