Oh boy, what a month. March was a highly stressful yet also very boring month, but also a pretty good reading month for me–at this point, I'm just glad we're moving onto a new month! April is set to be another month of the same, unfortunately (though I'll try to avoid future tripping and just take it one day at a time), but I'm trying to keep a positive outlook. How was your March?
In personal news, we took our dog to get his first heartworm injection shot on March 4th, so the past four weeks have been us trying to keep him calm and relaxed to prevent potential blood clots while also not having a heart attack every time he gets playful or starts barking at things. We took him for his second injection yesterday and he'll be staying overnight to get his third shot in the morning, we'll pick him up today, and then another month of relaxation and then we're home free (or so I hope, anyway)! I can't tell you how much I can't wait for May, haha, and that's very weird for me because I am not much of a summer person usually. Outside of that, I'm embarrassed to say that there has really not been much else going on in my life so I have nothing else to report!
In reading news, it was a great month! I read way more books than I expected to and also enjoyed more than I expected to–not that I anticipate I won't enjoy books, I've just been so off-and-on slumpy that I never know these days. I loved A Dowry of Blood (I will probably re-read it when it comes out with Orbit later this year!), The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting, The Hunger of the Gods, and On Lavender Tides. I've been slowly but surely making my way through spring ARCs and think I've been doing a decent job while also including enough backlist and books from my own library to keep things balanced. I was surprised by just how much I loved Leave the World Behind and House of Sky and Breath, but I'm really glad I decided to check them out. How was your reading month?? Let me know what books you loved (or hated) from March!
# books read: 14
The Hunger of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga #2)★★★★★
Source: Publisher (Orbit) | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: What a sequel! This was an amazing follow-up to The Shadow of the Gods and I promise it only gets more epic and amazing from the first book.
The Setting Sun by Osamu Dazai ★★★★★
Source: Audible | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was a rather bleak and quiet story set during the transitions of Japanese society from the feudal system to an industrial society. It's probably not for everyone, but I think everyone could enjoy it and get something from it.
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson ★★★★★
Source: Owned | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: I absolutely loved this story. I know it's being re-released by Orbit this fall, but I had a copy of the self-published version and just couldn't wait. I will hold my review until that release, but for now I can just say that this was such an incredible story and was nearly impossible for me to put down. I enjoyed the hell out of this book and thought the writing was absolutely beautiful.
XX by Rian Hughes ★★★★
Source: Owned/Gift | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: This is a first contact (kinda) story that places with a lot of themes and abstract ideas, but it does so in an interesting way with plenty of unconventional formatting. I wouldn't say it's a favorite, but I certainly appreciated it and am glad I read it.
The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang ★★★★
Source: Audible | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was a huge surprise for me. I kept hearing raves about this book and the audiobook, so when I saw it on sale I decided to grab it. Once I started listening to it, I sort of couldn't stop! This wasn't necessarily the best book I've ever read or anything, but something about it was so unique and really stood out for me. I would absolutely recommend this one!
The Spirit Engineer by A.J. West ★★★★
Source: | Format:
Thoughts: This was a really interesting supernatural/gothic sort of story that I enjoyed far more than I expected to. I'm not sure how I feel about it, but I think about it positively and am super glad I read it.
On Lavender Tides by Travis M. Riddle ★★★★★
Source: Author | Format: eARC
Thoughts: I loved this one! You can find my review here where I gush all over it, but this was so fun. I absolutely recommend it.
The Hand of the Sun King by J.T. Greathouse ★★★.5
Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: This was a pretty solid fantasy that I sadly don't have all that much to say about? I have a review coming up soon that highlights better (hopefully?) how I felt about it. But still a great fantasy!
Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam ★★★★★
Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: I loved this book! It seems to have pretty low ratings on Goodreads, but I genuinely think that's largely because expectations were misplaced! This is not a fast-paced horror/thriller, but rather a slow burn of discomfort and uncertainty. It wasn't always the best written (in fact, I think it was super overwritten at times), but it did what it was supposed and I was hooked. If you liked the movie Get Out, I think you should give then one a read.
The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting by Evanna Lynch ★★★★★
Source: Owned | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: This was an incredible memoir that hit me in so many ways. I really can't recommend this one enough.
House of Sky and Breath (Crescent City #2) by Sarah J. Maas ★★★★★
Source: Audible | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: I never expect to like Sarah J. Maas' stuff and then, well, I do. I listened to the first Crescent City book as an audiobook because I didn't want to take the time to physically read it (I was really skeptical of whether I'd like it or not, but couldn't help but try it out) and I had so much fun! This sequel was no different and holy crap, that ending! Really glad I decided to try this series out, it's been so enjoyable when I've been in such reading slumps. I've been painting a lot lately so it was a lot of fun to listen to it while painting.
Atomic Anna by Rachel Barenbaum ★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: I really liked the concept of this story and the characters we get to follow, but I found the time travel elements were a bit hit and miss. Still, a really great story that I think a lot of people will enjoy. (My review)
The Way Spring Arrives and Other Stories edited by Yu Chen & Regina Kanyu Wang ★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: This was a really lovely collection of stories that really covered a wide range of themes and were all so unique! I loved the magical elements and the stories within. (My review)
Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder ★★★★
Source: Owned/Gift | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: This was pretty much exactly what I expected, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. It's one of those that isn't necessarily a favorite and was a bit overdone at times, but it also really captured me and I could hardly put it down.
DNF/To-Be-Finished:
None! (I think...)
(other than reviews)
Top Five/Ten Tuesday:
Can't-Wait Wednesday:
3/30:
The Friday Face-Off:
Hooray for a great reading month!
ReplyDeleteMy fingers are crossed that everything goes smoothly with your dog. I love seeing all those five star ratings! I actually tried to buy a copy of Dowry of Blood but it was sold out, lol. Guess I'll have to wait...
ReplyDelete