First of all, I would like to apologize for not posting what I read in October! I thought I had for some reason, but then when I was looking for it, turns out I never made it further than a draft! So two months at once, let’s go!
October:
1.) A Fate of Wrath and Flame by K.A. Tucker
Enjoyable series, though there’s a connection to our world that was more confusing than it needed to be. Reminded me of the From Blood and Ask series, and I’m really excited to read the third book.
2.) Beach Read by Emily Henry
Love an Emily Henry. This one had a few darker moments, but was still very light and heartwarming overall!
3.) Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Read this with my Book Club, and was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. It’s short and an easy read, and does a great job taking the reader through the emotions of someone you love dying. Lots of wisdom, and I wish this was something they’d made us read in school; I know some people had to.
4.) The Defining Decade by Meg Jay
This was recommended to me by a friend, and I wrote down so many points of wisdom while reading this! It’s a psychologist’s discussion of how important your twenties are, and I resonated a lot with it! Would highly recommend to other recent graduates, as well as anyone feeling a little lost in life.
5.) When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill
This was our next Book Club read, and I may or may not have read ahead and finished it early! The story really drew me in from the start, and though it felt like fantasy in the beginning, the ending was more non-traditional for fantasy, and I think it read more like realistic fiction. That being said, it was a fabulous metaphor, and is a fun piece of feminist literature for sure.
6.) A Curse of Blood and Stone by K.A. Tucker
This was book 2 of the series above, and I enjoyed the story progression. It ended on a cliffhanger that will either be great, or will feel like an easy answer, so I’ll have to wait and see!
7.) Fireborne by Rosaria Munda
This book was amazing. Hands down, I text-yelled at a friend to read it with me so we could discuss. In addition to being well written with a unique set-up for the two main characters, the questions of government, equality and leadership were fabulous. I couldn’t tell who was in the right some of the time, and it was such an interesting social structure. I arguable would say it could be put into a utopic literature class, because the questions I had about the society were the same as for Plato’s Republic, Brave New World, etc. I loved this book, and I think it will become popular really soon. I haven’t read it yet, but the book world has been loving Iron Flame, and this is another fantasy series with dragons, so I can only wait to see it blow up on social media.
8.) People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Yes, I love an Emily Henry, but this was my least favorite thus far. The chapters kept switching between past and present, and I actually got annoyed because I wanted to know what was happening in larger chunks, rather than constantly having to remember where the character’s relationship is. Still good, but I definitely wanted to skip flashbacks after a while because I’d gotten the point.
9.)Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
This is more self-helpy than fun, but I was very interested in learning more about Shonda Rhimes herself, as well as her quest to say yes. I really saw myself in this book, and took away a few nuggets of wisdom,
10.)The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
I’d heard many good things about The Alchemist, but didn’t find it as profound as I’d hoped. Just not for me!
11.) One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
This book was amazing. I was a little nervous it would be scary based on the cover and back cover summary, but it was not! The idea of another consciousness in your head like this could have been creepy, but in this case it was so cool, as I’d thought about a similar situation for a book a few years back! However, the cards that give their wielders specific powers with some intense side-effects were entirely unique to me, and I absolutely loved it! The cards in particular were so so well thought out.
12.) Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig
I loved the first book so much that instead of having to wait for the second book, I bought it! A great conclusion, and I wish this was a much longer series.
13.) I also re-read the entire Court of Thorns and Roses series (5 books)
What can I say? One of the best series I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading, so I felt like re-reading!
November.
1.) Flamefall by Rosaria Munda
So so good! I was a bit worried that the sequel wouldn’t be as good, but it did not disappoint! It introduced a new form of government, that helped me answer some of my questions from the first book! A good take on conquered peoples as well.
2.) Furysong by Rosaria Munda
Probably my least favorite of the 3 because things got so serious and complicated that the book felt rather heavy to read, but a fabulous series that I would recommend to everyone
3.) House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A Craig
I really enjoyed this book, though all of a sudden it was more of a thriller than fantasy, and I found myself getting a little creeped out, and a tad confused. However, it was fun and had a distinctive feel to it, so I could picture the world very easily!
4.) House of Roots and Ruin by Erin A Craig
This book was also more thriller than fantasy, but I wasn’t too scared by the first book, so I gave this one a go! Sadly I liked it less, as there were a few twists at the end that I didn’t love, but the book was not disappointing, and was a good way to explore the world more. I will say the main antagonist was more disturbed this time around though, so more creepy, though I knew it was coming this time!
5.) To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
This was a fun take on the little mermaid, where the mermaid is a ruthless killer. However, that (spoiler alert) changes throughout the story, so it was easy to see what was going to occur. The world building was pretty good, though I thought the prince character was a little lacking.
6.) Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
A hate-to-love type, though not exceptionally unique in my opinion. An unusual twist near the end though, and I liked the magic type-writer! However, I don’t think I will read the second/other books.
7.) Magyk by Angie Sage (the Septimus Heap series)
I read this series as a kid, and thought it was high time to see if it stood up as an adult. It absolutely did, and I would put them among the Harry Potters/Keeper of the Lost Cities/Percy Jacksons! So so enjoyable, and very whimsical, though in a very consistent way! A very unique take on multiple perspectives, which I wasn’t able to appreciate until now! SO GOOD!
8.) Flyte by Angie Sage (the Septimus Heap series)
9.) Physik by Angie Sage (the Septimus Heap series)
10.) Queste by Angie Sage (the Septimus Heap series)
11.) Syren by Angie Sage (the Septimus Heap series)
12.) Darke by Angie Sage (the Septimus Heap series)
13.) And I’m in the middle of Fyre, the last book in the Septimus Heap series!
I actual never read this one as a kid, thinking the series stopped at Darke, so it’s exciting, but it is also trying to wrap everything up, so there’s a bit more focus on the interpersonal rather than adventure, and there haven’t been many new characters so far.
Photo by Valdemaras D. on Unsplash
Leann I Am 