I wrapped up 2021 with a fairly strong December. I participated in the Reindeer Readathon and while I didn’t finish it this go around, I still read 7 books which since I wasn’t home for almost 3 weeks with the holidays, I think is pretty good.
Reading Stats
- Books Read: 7
- Pages Read: 2,198
- Average Rating: 3.57
- 4 – 3 stars
- 2 – 4 stars
- 1 – 5 stars
- Genre Breakdown
- Fantasy – 2
- Romance – 2
- Sci-Fi – 1
- Historical Fiction – 1
- Dystopia – 1
The Books
The Last She by HJ Nelson
3 stars – Full Review
First, I read my ARC of The Last She from NetGalley. I was really excited about this YA dystopian and it just fell a little flat. It felt like something was missing from the story and I kept feeling like I had accidentally started a series in the middle but it’s a standalone. Not a bad world or story but not well rounded at all.
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
3 stars
I’ve been meaning to pick up this series for a while and I don’t get the hype. It was ok but not at all what I was expecting. People said it was really fun and it’s about a Murderbot who has a personality, I thought it would be funny and I didn’t even get a chuckle out of it. Maybe my expectations were wrong but it was just an ok sci-fi novella. I don’t think I’ll be continuing the series, it’s just not for me.
Happily This Christmas by Susan Mallery
3 stars
Then I listened to the audiobook of Happily This Christmas in a single day when I drove almost 500 miles. It kept me interested but I don’t even really remember it at this point. It was fine and it was Christmas-y and available on Overdrive. So it did its job but not something I’ll really think about again.
Spellslinger by Sebastian de Castell
4 stars
Then I read Spellslinger and this one did not disappoint. I really got into this world and the characters. The morally gray characters with talking squirrel cats is just the kind of adult fantasy that I can invest my time in. This is the first book in the series so it was a little slow as everything was getting explained but it picked up by the end and I was totally hooked. I have the next book waiting for me on hold at the library and will be diving into it soon.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
4 stars
As I was getting ready to head home after Christmas, I decided I wanted an audiobook for the car. I decided to try Malibu Rising which I also had a physical copy of that I just haven’t been wanting to pick up. The premise did not sound interesting at all by it was Taylor Jenkins Reid. I’m really glad I listened to the audiobook. I actually finished it as an audiobook at my house (totally unheard of for me) rather than picking up the physical copy. This book is further proof that Taylor Jenkins Reid is in a different league than other authors. There really isn’t much of a plot and yet, I couldn’t stop listening. The characters are just phenomenal. I was ready to give it 5 stars after the first half but the second half when the party was actually happening wasn’t as good. It stopped the flashbacks and added side characters that I didn’t want to deal with. If it had stuck with the Riva children, it probably would have been a 5-star read for me.
A Stitch in Time by Kelley Armstrong
5 stars
I finished this book a week ago and I’m still thinking about it daily. It was so good! A historical romance with time travel, a mystery, and ghosts, this is not my normal type of book but it was so well done, it had me entirely hooked and invested throughout. The characters and spooky vibes were just perfect and I will definitely be thinking about this one for a while.
In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire
3 stars
I finished out the year by continuing my mixed relationship with the Wayward Children series. I liked this one more than the others since Every Heart a Doorway but I’m still frustrated and I think it’s because this series just isn’t about what I want it to be about. I want the stories of adventures these kids have when they go through their doors. McGuire is writing about why the doors exist and the aftermath of them going on adventures. Now that stuff is still interesting which is why I keep reading but seeing glimpses of these worlds and then jumping to the kid coming out of the door and crying about a wasp queen just makes me angry. I want to see everything! I’ll probably slowly continue my way through these as there is some great stuff in them and McGuire’s writing is fantastic but it will never be a favorite series of mine.
What’s Up Next
I’ve already finished my first book of January with When You Get the Chance by Emma Lord (review here). Here’s what else I’m thinking I’ll pick up in January.
Susan Lyn Knits and Reads 