April was a fantastic reading month for me. I participated in Realmathon and ended up reading the most books in one month that I ever have. Plus, my team won, go Serane! So here is my very belated wrap up.
Reading Stats
- Books Read: 19
- DNFs: 1
- Pages Read: 5,634
- Average Rating: 3.78
- 1 – 1 star
- 1 – 2 stars
- 2 – 3 stars
- 12 – 4 stars
- 3 – 5 stars
- Genre Breakdown:
- Fantasy – 8
- Biography – 4
- Romance – 3
- Science Fiction – 2
- Contemporary – 1
- Historical Fiction – 1
- Paranormal – 1
- Format:
- Novel – 10
- Graphic Novel – 8
- Novella – 1
- Manga – 1
The Books
Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
4 stars
I finally finished the Shadow and Bone trilogy. This may actually be my favorite of the three, I quite enjoyed it. I still didn’t love these books, there’s just something missing. I do plan to move on to Six of Crows since I hear it’s better, hoping for the best.
Misrule by Heather Walter
5 stars – Full Review
I adored the second book in the Malice duology. This Sleeping Beauty retelling is so creative and I wasn’t expecting where it went, but I loved it.
Temeraire 1 and 2 by Naomi Novik
His Majesty’s Dragon: 4 stars
Throne of Jade: 4 stars
Then I read His Majesty’s Dragon and later in the month, I picked up Throne of Jade. I’m really enjoying this series. It is a little slow at parts but Temeraire is adorable and they’re a lot of fun. I picked up the first one to get Realmathon points for a second chance author because I absolutely hated A Deadly Education but this is like it was written by a different author entirely. I really am enjoying them and have the third one on my shelf to read soon.
Saga 5 and 6 by Brian K Vaughn and Fiona Staples
Volume 5: 3 stars
Volume 6: 4 stars
Then I read two more volumes of Saga. The fifth volume continued the scattered family drama of the fourth volume which I didn’t love. Then the sixth volume was back to a cohesive story and so much fun.
The Queen of Ieflaria by Effie Calvin
3 stars
I continue to struggle with novellas. The story just isn’t complete and I had a hard time connecting to the characters. This was an odd one because in some ways, I thought they tried to do too much. There was some complicated religious stuff that was confusing and totally unnecessary. If that time had been given to developing characters or the world more, maybe I could have enjoyed it more. It was pretty middle of the road.
Heartstopper 2, 3, and 4 by Alice Oseman
Volume 2 – 4 stars
Volume 3 – 4 stars
Volume 4 – 5 stars
The 48-hour readathon part of Realmathon was a great excuse to read Heartstopper again. The library didn’t have the first one but I reread volumes 2 through 4. They’re still adorable and a great way to spend a few hours.
Satoko and Nada by Yupechika
2 stars
This was my first manga….and maybe my last. Is manga supposed to have a cohesive story? This read like a series of pieced together cartoons. I really didn’t like it at all but maybe it’s just me.
March Volumes 1 to 3 by John Lewis
4 stars for each
To round out my weekend of reading, I picked up the March graphic novel series. This was really well done and I learned some details of things I only knew a little about. My only really complaint is the art. There are really well known people in these and I couldn’t recognize them. If I can’t pick out JFK, there’s a problem. These are really people and even if they are caricatures, they should be distinguishable.
Wundersmith by Jessica Townsend
4 stars
Then I read the sequel to Nevermoor and actually liked it better than the first one. I still think there’s better middle grade out there but it’s fun.
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
4 stars
As part of Eurovisionathon, I listened to the audiobook of a YA historical fiction for Lithuania. This was pretty good, just not my taste. But 4 stars from me for historical fiction is really good.
A Twist of Fate by Kelley Armstrong
5 stars – Full Review
I loved this! Gothic time travel romance with ghosts! There is no way to go wrong and I loved this one the same as the first.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
4 stars
After loving Strange the Dreamer, I finally picked up another book by Laini Taylor. I was absolutely in love with the beginning of this book. Then I didn’t love the reveal and subsequent flashbacks. I still gave it 4 stars but it was headed to 5 before it got bogged down in the past.
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
DNF
OK, this was my fault but oh boy, this was horrible. I wanted an audiobook that fulfilled a Eurovisionathon country and I saw this and knew it was a romcom type movie. I was not prepared for a preachy biographical memoir. Not not style and I hated it. I never would have picked it up if I knew what it was so I didn’t even rate on Goodreads.
A Curse of Roses by Dian Pinguicha
1 star
Then I read a contender for the worst book I’ve ever read which has thrown me into a reading slump (I did take a vacation but it’s the 16th and I haven’t finished a single book in May). So here’s my rant: This was bad. I really didn’t like any of it. The initial premise seemed interesting but it quickly turns to a story of homophobia, misogyny , and hate. The triggers right in the front of the book warn of these things but I’ve never read a book where not only are these things so blatant but there’s no turning point and the main character buys into it completely. I kept reading expecting Yzabel to stand up for herself or realize the terrible things she’d been doing to herself and I never got it. The unrelenting religious talk and religion being used as a reason she causes herself pain turned me off entirely and I may have been able to scrape up a second star if that was ever resolved or properly addressed but it wasn’t. It never comes out and says it was wrong. I find this entirely unacceptable and in poor taste.
Knitting Update
I started a knitting project in April to be finished in May. Should have a few things to show for May.
What’s Up Next
As I said, I’m not doing well in May at all. I haven’t finished any books yet but have a couple in progress. Also kind of enjoying the break between readathons although really looking forward to Whateverathon in June. Here’s some things I’m thinking about in May.
Susan Lyn Knits and Reads 