Friday, June 2, 2023

Month in Review: May 2023

  

And somehow, it's June! How was everyone's month of May? It's been a weird year. I feel very lost this year for a multitude of reasons (especially since we've had exceptionally grey skies about daily since April?), so I'm really just trying to focus on being in the moment whenever I can and also trying to get lost in as many books as possible. I'm moving through books much more slowly than usual and have a harder time choosing books, but overall I do feel like I'm getting back into the groove a bit. 

Reading highlights from May include The Will of the Many, The Sword Defiant, and Maeve Fly! The Will of the Many is incredible and I can't stop thinking about it. The wait for the sequel is going to feel interminable and I'm so sad thinking about it, haha. I loved James Islington's previous trilogy, The Licanius Trilogy, and consider it one of my favorites, and now this new series is going to absolutely be a new favorite as well. I knew he was going to pull out something insane for the ending, and he did. 

Outside of books, my saving grace lately has been aerial! I just can't get enough of this new hobby (and I'm at that point where I'm starting to question if I could turn it into something more than just a hobby...) and I've loved how much it has helped me with my confidence and even just getting out of the house and interacting with more people, haha. I've been learning mainly aerial hammock so far, but I finally managed to take my first split silks class a week or two ago and had so much fun, so I'd like to pursue that more as well.

a flying snapshot

How was your month of May!? What books did you read? Let me know in the comments and feel free to link your own wrap-ups (or any posts, really!), and I hope you all have a wonderful June!


# books read: 9
   

The Will of the Many by James Islington
Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: I loved this SO much. James Islington so far cannot miss with me. This was brilliant and just cements Islington as a favorite author. I cannot recommend this enough (or the Licanius Trilogy, which is also amazing!). 

The Sword Defiant by Gareth Hanrahan
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: Loved this new fantasy from Hanrahan! I enjoyed the slightly more classic fantasy style with the added darkness and unique take on some classic tropes. Highly recommended!

The First Bright Thing by J.R. Dawson
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: This was a really beautiful and thoughtful circus story that I think will be a big hit. I don't tend to love time travel and had a few issues with this one, but overall a really solid read that I'd absolutely recommend.

Maeve Fly by CJ Leede
Source: NetGalley | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was so messed up and so brilliant. I loved it! My review is already up and I am dying for this author to write more now.

Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: This doesn't have a lot of great reviews, but I really enjoyed it! It's definitely not for everyone and is on the slower side, but I thought it was really thoughtful and told an interesting story.

A History of Fear by Luke Dumas
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was a very unexpected story. I was absolutely hooked for the first half of the book, but I felt things petered out a little bit by the end and it was a little predictable. That being said, still a really interesting story, if a bit repetitive at times. 

Saving Neverland by Abi Elphinstone
Source: Purchased | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: This was a super cute Peter Pan-inspired story. It was majorly action-packed so it wasn't exactly for me, but I still really enjoyed it and will continue the series if there is more. 



Queens of Wonderland (Defender of Lore #2) by Gama Ray Martinez
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was a great sequel to God of Neverland, and was just as fast-paced as the first book. I love this author's creativity and how they crafted this Wonderland. There's never a chance to be bored!

Island of the Lost: An Extraordinary Story of Survival at the Edge of the World by Joan Druett
Source: Gift | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: I love reading survival stories and have read quite a few by now, and unfortunately this was my least favorite. I felt as though there was too much detail in some areas and too little in others, and the author relied much too heavily on long quotes from journals/diaries. A fascinating story, but simply not my favorite telling.




DNF/To-Be-Finished:
Infinity Gate by M.R. Carey
I started this one and it just felt like it was nothing but info dumping and hard science and I was not in the mood for it at the time. I'm hoping it evens out a bit, but as it is I'm not exactly feeling a rush to get back to it... even though I really want to read it, haha. 

The Company by J.M. Varese 
I am enjoying this one, but it's a slower paced story and actually reads more like a classic Gothic mystery, so I'll probably come back to it when I'm more int he mood for that. 



Original Posts:
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Can't-Wait Wednesday:

2 comments:

  1. I started The First Bright Thing but the writing is really tripping me up. I'm not enjoying it for that reason. But I'm going to try again since you loved it.

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  2. I'm finding it hard to believe it's already June! This year is flying by, although I feel like I say that every year. Grey skies every day must be so hard!

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