kickin' it

Kickin' It: April 2023 Wrap Up

Friday, April 28, 2023

 
Kickin’ It is a feature at The Bucket List where I round-up the whole month in one post, bringing you a list of all the books I read this month, some amazing books coming out next month, and sometimes even what I’m currently obsessed with in other media besides books. April was a good reading month. I read quite a lot and enjoyed almost everything I read. Overall, I completed 20 books. Here's what I read:



City of Nightmares by Rebecca Schaeffer (4 stars): This was the most chaotic book I've ever read in the best way possible. It follows a coward, living in a city of literal nightmares. It gives Welcome to Nightvale vibes right from the start. I can't wait to read the sequel.  

Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson (3 stars): My expectations were a little too high with this. True crime-obsessed protagonist falling for her next door neighbor sounded great but it took me a long time to get into the story.

Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson (3 stars): I read an Enchantment of Ravens when it first came out and while the writing was gorgeous, almost otherworldly, the book just wasn't for me. Unfortunately, I felt the same about this one. 


Windfall by Jennifer E Smith (3.5 stars): This follows a boy who wins the lottery and how that changes the relationships around him. While I've enjoyed previous books by Smith much more, Windfall was a solid YA contemporary. 

A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn (5 stars): This is the forth installment of the Veronica Speedwell mysteries. I have adored each and every book in this series and this one is no exception. 

The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead (4 stars): This is also the forth installment of the Bloodlines series, the spinoff series of Vampire Academy. While I thought the beginning dragged a bit, the end made up for it with edge of your seat action. Can't wait to read the fifth book!


The Paris Key by Juliet Blackwell (3 stars): I'm not sure what it was about the audiobook of this, but I found it difficult to stay focused with it. The structure jumped several years with different timelines every chapter and it was hard to keep everything separate from each other. I want to try again, reading the book physically, but for now it will remain 3 stars.

Well That Was Unexpected by Jesse Q. Sutanto (4 stars): This one was so fun! The author of Dial A for Aunties brings her laugh out loud humor to this YA contemporary romance. 

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin (3.5 stars): I've wanted to read this nonfiction book for a while so I'm so glad I was able to fit it in this month. It had some interesting bullet points about happiness but most of the information wasn't anything new. It did frame goals and resolutions in such a way that I want to try that specific structure for myself. Overall, a good and informative read!


Being Mary Bennet by JC Peterson (4 stars): When I first started this, I had a bit of trouble warming up to the protagonist, Marnie. Yet as she grew, I found I adored her journey of self acceptance. It was a lovely story and I'm excited to read Lola at Last, the companion novel to Being Mary Bennet. 

Atonement by Ian McEwan (4 stars): This has been on my shelf for a long time so I'm happy I finally picked it up. The writing was really lovely and the story was heart wrenching. I can definitely see why this is so widely loved. And now I can watch the movie adaptation!

The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly by Jamie Pacton (3 stars): While I adored the setting of Medieval Times, my expectations may have been too high for this one. 


A Lot Like Adios by Alexis Daria (4 stars): I really enjoyed this one! It had plenty of my favorite tropes. Plus, it showcased both a great romance and strong family relationships. Can't wait to read the next book in this series!

A Taste for Love by Jennifer Yen (4 stars): I didn't know this one was a Pride and Prejudice retelling first going in. However, I was pleasantly surprised by it. I adored the elements of Jane Austen coupled with a baking competition. It was so lovely, a perfect read for spring!

Mastering the Art of French Eating by Ann Mah (3.5 stars): This was a sweet memoir of Mah's time in France. While I was expecting more food and less memoir, I still enjoyed getting to learn more about the French culture and her life as an expat in France. 


Slammed by Colleen Hoover (2 stars): I love slam poetry so a romance that incorporates slams sounded fantastic. Plus I've enjoyed Hoover's work previously so I thought Slammed was going to be a great time. Most scenes were terribly cringy. And I found that the high school student and teacher romance is just not a plotline I enjoy to read.

The Forbidden Game by LJ Smith (4 stars): This one has been optioned for a film so I made it a priority to finally get to it this year. While the three volumes in this bind-up got quite repetitive, reading them one right after another, it was still a fun book.

The Shadowhunter's Codex by Cassandra Clare and Joshua Lewis (3 stars): I feel like this book is meant to be more of a collector's edition and less of a book you read. However, in attempt to read all the books I own, I read this from cover to cover. The content reads like a textbook. Yet, the handwritten notes from the characters of the Mortal Instruments series were my favorite part. It makes me want to reread all of Clare's books again!


Until the Beginning by Amy Plum (3 stars): Science fiction/dystopia novels aren't really my thing. However, the survival elements with fun action sequences and magic make this series definitely worth the read if you haven't read this one yet. 

Maybe This Time by Kasie West (4 stars): The structure of this was so clever; the book is divided into sections of several catered events where the two characters interact and their romance develops throughout the course of a year. It was such a cute book!



A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand (5/9/23): I am still working my way through Legrand's Furyborne trilogy, but I definitely want to pick up this new release. This will be Legrand's debut adult fantasy and I know it is going to be amazing!

Lying in the Deep by Diana Urban (5/2/23): A semester at sea. Twists and turns. A murder on a cruise ship. That's what sold me on this. All authors have to do is put a bunch of characters in an isolated setting and the protagonist has to uncover the mystery-- I'm there.

The Immortal Games by Annaliese Avery (5/11/23): I saw this one getting some early buzz on TikTok and it sounds fantastic! A YA fantasy romance that follows Ara as she plans to get her revenge. It is marketed as The Hunger Games meets Lore. Since I adored both of those, I know I am going to love this!

How was your April? Did you read any amazing books?

kickin' it

Kickin' It: May 2022 Wrap Up

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

 


Kickin’ It is a feature at The Bucket List where I round-up the whole month in one post, bringing you reviews you may have missed, other awesome bookish things, and even what I’m currently obsessed with in other media besides books. May was an okay month. As I am settling into my new job, I’m getting back into reading more and more. It just took me some time to work out a schedule, fitting in reading when I could. While I didn’t read as much as I have been these past few months, I would say this month was a more average reading month, as far as quantity and quality. Overall, I was able to finish 10 books. Here’s what I read in May:


Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci (4 stars): Whenever I come across a celebrity memoir, I usually always add them to my TBR. Tucci’s memoir is no different. However, instead of discussing his life as an actor, he explored his relationship with food. I highly recommend giving the audiobook a listen since it’s narrated by Tucci himself. It was a fresh take on a celebrity memoir that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Long Way Home by Katie McGarry (4 stars): Throughout 2022, I am slowly trying to finish as many series as I can since I tend to shy away from finales. I’m delighted to have finished another series and only wish that there was more in McGarry’s series to continue with, because I loved these motorcycle gang romances so much!

Where I End and You Begin by Preston Norton (3 stars): I went into this expecting major Freaky Friday vibes, but left feeling disappointed. Sure, these two characters switch places and some of their struggles are mentioned, I never felt connected to anyone to care a whole lot about their situation. While there was an unexpected amount of cursing for a YA novel, I also found the focus and the message of the novel to be missing something big. I’m willing to try reading from this author again, but this book was just not for me.


The Princess Saves Herself in This One by Amanda Lovelace (3 stars): I have always enjoyed slam poetry so I thought I may enjoy Lovelace’s style. However, it turned out just to be okay for me.

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin (4 stars): For a readathon I participated in, there was a prompt to read a book under 100 pages. Realizing I don’t own any book under 100 pages, I chose this children’s picture book at my local library. It was a cute read of dragons eating tacos. 

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur (4 stars): While the style between Kaur and Lovelace were quite similar, I enjoyed the more flowery writing of this poetry than the other.


The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan (4 stars): This is the second book in the Kane Chronicles series. I decided to continue in this series, while I was devouring Moon Knight, Marvel’s latest television show on Disney+. They both involve Egyptian folklore and myths. There was even some overlap in the mythology mentioned—it was a lot of fun to read and watch at the same time.

And With Madness Comes the Light by Karina Halle (4 stars): It’s no secret that I completely adore the Experiment in Terror series by Halle. This is a novella that takes place between books 6 and 7. While I usually don’t read novellas, this is one of the first times readers are introduced to the male character’s perspective in first person.

Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson (4 stars): The premise was over-the-top adorable. Plus, I love a fantastic romance set in a publishing house. While I was disappointed with the lack of development at the end as this book should have been a bit longer than it was, Ferguson still delivers a cute, clean romance that had me smiling ear to ear.


In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens (4 stars): In the vein of The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, readers are given a lovely adventure on the open seas. This one was such fun and the perfect book to ring in the summer season!



Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer (6/7/22): Kemmerer is back with a new series set in the Cursebreakers world. Do you know what that means? Some of my favorite characters will be making an appearance! This is going to be such a fantastic book!

For the Love of the Bard by Jessica Martin (6/28/22): I am such a Shakespeare nerd so when I heard about a contemporary romance that involves Shakespeare, I knew I needed to pick it up.

Our Crooked Hearts by Melissa Albert (6/28/22): I adored The Hazel Wood books. However, I am kind of hesitant as this one involves witches, which aren’t my favorite stories to read. The cover has me intrigued so I will be picking this one up!

How was your May? Did you read any amazing books?

kickin' it

Kickin' It: April 2022 Wrap Up

Saturday, April 30, 2022

 

Kickin’ It is a feature at The Bucket List where I round-up the whole month in one post, bringing you reviews you may have missed, other awesome bookish things, and even what I’m currently obsessed with in other media besides books. April was probably the worst reading month I have had all year. While I completed a ton of books, there were several two and three stars. Honestly, by the end of the month, I feared a complete reading slump, but I have been powering through my current reads so far. Overall, I was able to complete the month by reading a total of 21 books. Here’s what I read in April:


The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse (3 stars): I’ve seen a lot of reviews say how this was dreadfully slow. While I didn’t think it was slow, I think the atmosphere made the entire book. It was fine, but I was hoping for something a little more scary and less investigative mystery.

The Deal by Elle Kennedy (4 stars): This was a lovely new adult romance. I couldn’t help but think that if I was still in college, I would have probably given it 5 stars. However, it was super cute and I would love to continue reading the rest of the series.

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston (3 stars): I am quite disappointed at these turn of events. When McQuiston first announced this upcoming release, it was being marketed as a sapphic Kate and Leopold reimaging. Kate and Leopold is one my favorite movies of all time so my expectations, especially after loving Red, White, and Royal Blue, were at an all time high. While I can see the Kate and Leopold-ness of it, I just think this one missed the mark for me.


My Squirrel Days by Ellie Kemper (3 stars): This was a rather short memoir that I have had on my radar for a while. It was cool to get some behind-the-scenes of Kemper on the set of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. However, overall, it was just fine.

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy (2.5 stars): I loved Dumplin’ back when it released so I was expecting to love this. The premise was so promising, especially bringing a plus-size girl to the forefront on a Bachelor-esque television show. However, the entire romance fell flat and all the interactions the male lead had with the other contestants felt so genuine, leaving this grand romance feeling incredibly fake.

Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson (2 stars): I am not really into thrillers. I rarely read them but I read and enjoyed Eight Perfect Murders when it came out and thought I’d give Swanson’s latest release a try. It wasn’t great. All of the characters were unlikable, which I wouldn’t have minded except readers are meant to be rooting for the protagonist. This was supposedly meant to be feminist-focused, but the story came across incredibly slimy and disgusting. On top of that, it was dreadfully predictable. ☹


All Fired Up by Dylan Newton (4 stars): All Fired Up is the perfect book for the summer. Newton’s lovely writing coupled with amazing characters makes this book fantastic for fans of romance. You definitely do not want to miss this cute read (it releases in May)! I am so excited to read more from Newton in the future.

Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine (3 stars): I had high hopes for this one and they just weren’t entirely met. I’m going to continue reading the series and hope they get better.

Better Together by Christine Riccio (2 stars): I was stoked to read Riccio’s debut last year but after reading all the negative reviews on it, I thought I would wait until this one released to try out this one instead. And the writing wasn’t for me. The minuscule fantastical elements had no place in the plot except to be disgustingly convenient. The premise sounded so promising with a Parent Trap-esque plan, but it turned out to be too far-fetched with two unlikable characters. It just wasn’t for me.


The Fine Print by Lauren Asher (4 stars): Set in a Disney World-esque theme park, where the Imagineer falls for the CEO. This was so much fun and adorable! I initially picked it up because of the cover, but I am so excited to say that I loved this. I can’t wait to read the sequel.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown (3 stars): Just like thrillers, I rarely read mystery. However, The Da Vinci Code is a classic, isn’t it? Plus, my mother recommended it to me and how could I say no? I didn’t not like it, but it wasn’t for me. I found the story to drag quite a bit.

Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney (4 stars): This one was like a breath of fresh air. It was a fantastic high school romance that focuses on completing a list of to-dos. I really loved the discussion about race in this as well. I can’t wait to read Goffney’s next book.


Stroke of Midnight by K. Webster (3 stars): I found this for free on Apple Books and was like, “why not?” It was an okay romance. However, the stepbrothers’ obsession with their stepsister was so disturbing that I doubt I’ll ever pick up the sequel.

Lore by Alexandra Bracken (4 stars): I adore anything Greek mythology so I knew I was going to love this. It started off extremely slow but by the end, I was invested in the characters and their mission.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (3 stars): I have tons of classics I want to read someday and I was happy to finish one of them. This is supposed to be a comedic science fiction book. While there were some funny parts, it was a little too nonsensical for me. I didn’t quite understand it.


Wicked Villains Shorts by Katee Robert (3 stars): This was fine. I finished the Wicked Villains series last month and decided to read through all the short stories of the series. 

Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett (5 stars): You know those books where you just read it at the right time, the time you needed that book the most. I feel like Chasing Lucky was one of those books. It came into my life at the time I needed it and I connected to it on such a personal level. Jenn Bennett is a phenomenal contemporary author and I can’t wait to read her next book.

Love in the Library by Maggie Tokuda-Hall (4 stars): This was such a lovely picture book. It brings awareness to a major historical event and gives readers a message of hope.


A Tyranny of Petticoats by Jessica Spotswood (3 stars): I was excited to dive into this one because the author lineup seemed so star-studded and fantastic. Yet, most of the stories in this anthology felt unfinished. And while I enjoyed getting a fictional dramatization of real-life stories of strong women, it felt like I needed to know more about them within history in order to better enjoy the short stories. 

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas (5 stars): My love. My heart. This was fantastic and I am obsessed.

Fated by Alyson Noel (3 stars): I feel like I would have devoured this series when I was in high school and now, I just felt indifferent to the whole thing. It was a bit slow and the fantastical elements seemed underdeveloped and rather stereotypical. I own the rest of the series though, so I will probably pick up the rest of the books someday.



A Little Bit Country by Brian D. Kennedy (5/31): A YA romance set at a theme park? Yes, please!

See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon (5/3): The author that brought you the 5-star reads of Today Tonight Tomorrow and We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This comes a time loop romance. I am completely sold; can’t wait for this one!

Only on the Weekends by Dean Atta (5/12): I read Atta’s gorgeous book written in verse, The Black Flamingo, and it was the highlight of my year. This one is also written in verse, following Mack falling in love with two people! It’s going to be good!



How was your April? Did you read any amazing books?

kickin' it

Kickin' It: March 2022 Wrap Up

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

 

Kickin’ It is a feature at The Bucket List where I round-up the whole month in one post, bringing you reviews you may have missed, other awesome bookish things, and even what I’m currently obsessed with in other media besides books. March was a fine month. I tried to tackle some of the bigger and more daunting books on my TBR pile. However, not all books were amazing and I even felt a reading slump coming on but I decided to power through, hoping it would pass by reading books I knew I would love. Overall, I was able to complete the month by reading a total of 24 books. Here’s what I read in March:




People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (5 stars): This one most definitely drew some inspiration from one of my favorite movies ever, When Harry Met Sally. The nonlinear narrative gives readers enough time to develop the two protagonists’ friendship. It was such a well-structured friends to lovers romance. I can’t wait to see what Henry writes next!

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong (4 stars): I’ve seen this everywhere and it seems everyone has been recommending it. While I don’t think I feel very strongly about this one, the writing was absolutely fantastic! Gong immerses the reader in Shanghai of the 1920s. It was a bit slow, but it definitely picked up near the end. I’ll probably be reading the sequel to finish the duology.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black (4 stars): I was so hesitant to start this, because I didn’t know if I was going to like a bully romance and the hype for this book never seems to die down. I was expecting the romance to be in the forefront of the narrative and was shocked to find that it isn’t. I enjoyed the good balance between faerie court politics and childish antics from the young royals. I’m excited to see where the series goes from here.


You Had Me at Hola by Alexia Daria (3.5 stars): This one had all the Jane the Virgin vibes, probably because they were filming a telenovela. This one definitely had a swoonworthy romance, but I didn’t think the highpoint of the novel was as strong as it could have been. However, I will definitely continue in this series.

Dead Sky Morning by Karina Halle (4 stars): This is the third book in the Experiment in Terror series. I haven’t heard many people discuss this one, but I highly recommend it if you adore those ghost hunting shows. This one was probably the scariest installment yet! Halle also adds romance into the mix and each novel so far has been such a great time.

Elemental Claim by Miranda Grant (3 stars): I found this recommended on TikTok last month and thought I’d try it out. I don’t read a lot of self-published work, but this urban fantasy romance was calling my name. The premise was incredible, but the worldbuilding was a bit messy. And the instalove really killed the romance for me.


The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks by Mackenzi Lee (4.5 stars): The book I didn’t know about until recently and the one I am so glad I read. The anxiety representation in this was impeccable. Though, I’m sad to see this series come to a close.

Escaping from Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco (4 stars): I adore the Stalking Jack the Ripper series! The writing is always amazing and I’m continuously surprised by the unpredictable investigations Thomas and Audrey Rose get tangled into.

Becoming the Dark Prince by Kerri Maniscalco (5 stars): After adoring the third installment of Stalking Jack the Ripper, I decided to pick this novella up on a whim. This really cleans up the abrupt ending of Escaping from Houdini. Plus, it was dark, riveting, and absolutely heart-wrenching!


Honor Lost by Rachel Caine and Ann Aguirre (2.5 stars): Something is definitely lost, for sure, in this third and final book in The Honors trilogy. I feel like the authors really struggled to end the series, so they chose three plot points to focus on that made the narrative a mess. I loved the first two in the series, but I’m so disappointed that this one just wasn’t for me.

Crave by Tracy Wolff (2 stars): I don’t truly understand what this book was. I was so excited to pick this one up—vampires in a boarding school setting in Alaska—how cool does that sound? The slang and pop culture references will most definitely age this in ten years, if not sooner. Plus, there was barely any worldbuilding, such a lack that the plot became borderline nonsense. I really wanted to like this, but I just couldn’t get into it.

How the Light Gets In by Katy Upperman (4 stars): This book only solidified my idea that I should read everything and anything by Upperman. It was equal parts haunting and romantic. I adored the elements of self-discovery and the exploration of grief in this. It is such an underrated book and I highly recommend it.


The Accidental Apprentice by Amanda Foody (3.5 stars): I tend to never pick up middle grade but I won this book in a giveaway package and decided to give it a go. It’s a lovely adventure story that had so much heart and tons of fun.

Neon Gods by Katee Robert (4 stars): Having just finished the first two in Scarlett St. Clair’s Hades and Persephone series, I wanted to let enough time pass before going into another Hades and Persephone retelling. However, both series are quite different from each other that I didn’t have to worry. Neon Gods was fantastic and I can’t wait to read the sequel.

A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee (3 stars): So much dark academic vibes with this one! It was actually more haunting than it was meant to be because it took place at a fictional boarding school near where I live. The whole narrative felt strange, which was probably the intent, but I’m thinking dark academia is probably just not my thing.


Lying Season by Karina Halle (4 stars): Another book in the Experiment in Terror series, which follows amateur paranormal investigators and potential romance interests as they film their findings in haunted locations. This book revolves around a local haunted asylum. It’s a true mashup of genres from horror, paranormal, and romance. I love the series so much!

On Demon Wings by Karina Halle (4 stars): I may be obsessed with the Experiment in Terror series. I don’t even know why because I’m not giving any of them above a 4-star. This one was probably the most ambitious installment yet--instead of following the formula we have been following with the team investigating a haunted location, this one took place much closer to home and dealt with demon possession. It was absolutely fantastic! However, Halle just leaves each book on such a cliffhanger that I can’t help but go immediately to the next book. 

Old Blood by Karina Halle (3.5 stars): I was quite caught up in the Experiment in Terror series and decided to read this novella. It went by quickly and follows a side character’s life story. While I learned some things about one of the protagonist’s childhood, I didn’t find this as compelling as I was expecting. It was quite slow and overall, it was very sad.


The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow (3.5 stars): The writing in this is gorgeous! I’m willing to read anything by Harrow now because the writing was so phenomenal. However, the story dragged a bit and I wasn’t entirely captured by it as I would have liked. Plus, it reads more like a literary fiction than a portal fantasy if that makes any sense.

The Sea Witch by Katee Robert (3.5 stars): I’m slowly on my way to finish the Wicked Villains series. This one is the fifth book and follows The Little Mermaid characters. Being deliberately vague, I found the circumstances that the protagonist found herself in to be unforgivable. Despite that, I will definitely be continuing in the series since I only have one more to go.

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang (4.5 stars): A lot of the reviews I’ve read before diving in warned me against this one. Thus, I went into this not expecting a cute romance like the other two in the series had been. I must admit that this book delves deeper into mental health and other darker topics than the former books. However, I found myself connecting to the story in such a personal way. It was fantastic and I would love to reread it again soon.


Well Matched by Jen DeLuca (4 stars): I’m so happy I loved this one! I found the previous book in the series to be quite disappointing and I was extremely hesitant to continue, even though I adore the Ren Faire setting. I’m so glad I read this one, because it included several elements I love like a home improvement narrative and fake dating. It was the right amount of fluff and exactly what I needed at the time!

Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff (3 stars): This is the first time I read a book by Kristoff, besides Illumanie, and I will most definitely be reading more from him in the future. His writing was fantastic, and I found myself highlighting quotes and scenes from the book. The book is told in an interview-style after the protagonist is kidnapped with no hope of escape. This narrative style told readers how the book is going to end. Plus, it continuously would jerk readers out of the main narrative so the historian could ask a follow-up question or two. While epic, the book wasn’t my favorite and I don’t think I’ll be continuing in the series.

Paris is Always a Good Idea by Jenn McKinlay (3 stars): I was really looking forward to reading this. Romances that include traveling abroad are always a favorite. It was unfortunate that I didn’t feel as connected the main protagonist as I would have hoped. 



With and Without You by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka (4/19/22): The dynamic author duo we all love is back with another YA contemporary romance that touches on elements from the couple’s own real-life romance. 

Flirting With Fate by J.C. Cervantes (4/19/22): Not even the second sentence into the Goodreads synopsis and if it’s likened to Jane the Virgin, I will be reading it! 

Blood to Poison by Mary Watson (4/14/22): I adored Watson’s The Wren Hunt and The Wickerlight so I will pick up anything by her at this point. This follows Savannah, who is cursed to die tragically young unless she can figure out how to save herself.



How was your March? Did you read any amazing books?

kickin' it

Kickin' It: February 2022 Wrap Up

Friday, February 25, 2022

 


Kickin’ It is a feature at The Bucket List where I round-up the whole month in one post, bringing you reviews you may have missed, other awesome bookish things, and even what I’m currently obsessed with in other media besides books. February was an alright month. After my grandmother passing in January, I found it quite a success to be able to go out and not have the urge to burst into tears. Despite still grieving and burying myself in books, I did begin making Youtube videos again (something I haven’t done since high school) and it has been such a nostalgic experience for me. Overall, I was able to dive into a total of 23 books this month, some amazing and some not so great. Here’s what I read in February:



The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World by Eric Weiner (3.5 stars): I went into this expecting a travel memoir, but this turned out to be more experiment on the happiest places of the world than one man’s journey. It was interesting.

As You Wish by Jackson Pearce (4 stars): Though I dislike the cover of this, As You Wish was such a surprise. It follows a protagonist, who summons a genie to grant her three wishes. It was an unexpected delight and super fun.

Her Dark Curiosity by Megan Shepherd (4 stars): I enjoyed the first book in this series, The Madman’s Daughter, and have been waiting on this one for a long time. I had wanted to read the classic, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (which is what Her Dark Curiosity is reimagined from) before devouring this one, but it wasn’t necessary. I thought the first book was dark, but as we went deeper into the story, it got darker still. And that ending; amazing! 


The Wolf by J. R. Ward (2.5 stars): I have never read anything by Ward before. While I am willing to read more from her in the future, this read was prompted after receiving it in a “Blind Date with a Book” at my local library. It was quite instalove-y and I probably would have enjoyed it more and understood a bit more if it wasn’t a sequel.

Radiance by Grace Draven (5 stars): I have been sleeping on this. Radiance has been sitting on my Kindle for a long time and I decided this month was the time to read it. It was exactly what I needed! The friends to lovers trope is magnificent in this. I read this entirely in one sitting and I immediately purchased the sequel. I can’t wait to read that one.

Any Way the Wind Blows by Rainbow Rowell (4 stars): It’s so sad to know that this is the conclusion to the Simon Snow series. I was ready for Rowell to write several more in this series—I always love catching up with Simon and Baz. Since this was the end, I really wanted a bit more with the ending, but it felt too rushed to be satisfactory.


The Way I Heard It by Mike Rowe (3 stars): I’ve been wanting to pick this up for a while. I was a big fan of Dirty Jobs growing up, so I was expecting to love Rowe’s memoir. Yet, it turned out to be a series of essays that Rowe wrote on various topics, ranging from Agatha Christie to his father. I suppose I wanted a more insider’s look at Dirty Jobs than a collection of informational essays.

Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village by Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper (3.5 stars): While I have read books by Maureen Johnson before, I’ve definitely never read anything like this from her before. This funny travel guide, complete with illustrations, was a short read that, while strange and ridiculous, was actually quite fun.

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman (3 stars): I know I’ve mentioned it before: my dislike for talking animals in books. And I went into this knowing that there was talking animals! I’m glad I finally read it since The Golden Compass is such a classic. However, I do not think I will be continuing in the series.


The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg (4 stars): I wanted to read Atomic Habits by James Clear, but that book has a several weeks-long hold at the library so I decided to read this one instead. While it didn’t serve as a how-to on habits, I enjoyed Duhigg’s marketing stories on how businesses entrap consumers into habitual practices with their products. 

Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne (5 stars): I adored this one! I was so hesitant to begin, because I didn’t like Thorne’s last book, 99% Mine, that much. However, I don’t know if it was the setting of the senior care community or the dynamic of the bad boy, good girl relationship—I just really loved every second of this book.

Buzz Kill by Beth Fantaskey (3.5 stars): I was a huge fan of Fantaskey in high school and picked up almost everything by her. I had this book sitting on my shelves since that time and finally read it! It was very Nancy Drew-esque which I thought was entertaining. 


The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan (4 stars): I am so happy I finally picked this one up. I finished reading Percy Jackson awhile ago and have been meaning to pick up more books by Riordan. I decided to start with The Kane Chronicles, because I adore Egyptian mythology. Riordan definitely delivered; I can’t wait to continue in this series!

Namesake by Adrienne Young (4 stars): I’m glad this is only a duology, because I didn’t like this one as much as Fable. In Fable, I felt the stakes were higher. However, there were some scenes in Namesake that made my heart stop. Young is such a superb author and I’m excited to see what she writes next.

Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein (2.5 stars): I went into this expecting a cute romance, and that’s not what I got. While Orenstein brings relevant and important discussions center stage, I was hoping for a bit more.


Heartstopper: Volume 4 by Alice Oseman (4 stars): The Heartstopper books are always adorable. This volume is no exception. I’m eagerly anticipating the fifth volume!

A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair (5 stars): It’s no secret that I adore retellings of Hades and Persephone. In this highly readable retelling, the writing, the narrative, everything really captured me and refused to let go until the very last page. It was fantastic! 

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price (4 stars): This one is a lovely retelling of Pride and Prejudice, if Elizabeth was an aspiring detective. Price truly took Austen’s tale and gave it a fresh new spin. It was loads of fun!


The Boyfriend App by Katie Sise (3 stars): I probably would have liked this book much more if I had read this years ago. I appreciated the representation of girls programming and web coding. However, the ending was too abrupt.

A Taste of Sage by Yaffa S. Santos (2 stars): I didn’t like this one at all. It was fine in the beginning, setting up the ingredients for a good romance. However, somewhere in the middle, it lost me with the strange fantastical elements and the fact that the love interest refused to take no as an answer. Ugh, this one was most definitely not for me.

The Rosie Result by Graeme Simsion (3.5 stars): I enjoyed the first and second Rosie books, which both involved their romance. However, this third novel focused on the son and father relationship, which I didn’t love as much. It was a fine conclusion to the series though.


Blood and Honey by Shelby Mahurin (4.5 stars): I was obsessed with Serpent and Dove! And I wanted to give this sequel the same praise. Yet, I couldn’t give it the full 5-stars because a lot of this book was just setting up for the third. Plus, I didn’t like the darkness that Lou was facing and the ending was a bit pointless. Overall, though, I found Blood and Honey to be wildly riveting; I couldn’t put it down. Yet, I will most definitely continue in the series!

My Fine Fellow by Jennieke Cohen (4 stars): I adored Cohen’s debut, Dangerous Alliance, and went in to this expecting a lovely historical romance. While historical, the romance took a back seat in this one. Still, it was a gorgeous, historical narrative that endlessly made me want to bake all the food (there’s even some recipes listed in the back of the book that I want to try!).



Gallant by V. E. Schwab: A standalone novel from V. E. Schwab that is marketed as The Secret Garden meets Crimson Peak? Yes, please.

From Dust, A Flame by Rebecca Podos (3/8): I’ve never read anything by Podos, but I’m excited to dive into this one! The book follows Hannah, when she wakes up one morning completely mutated from the girl she once knew. That event sparks Hannah’s determination to break the curse.

Kiss and Tell by Adib Khorram (3/22): While I didn’t think the sequel of Darius the Great is Not Okay was as amazing as the first, I have been eagerly awaiting Khorram’s next release. This one is another lovely coming-of-age story, this time following a boy in a band. Swoon, it’s going to be fantastic!



How was your February? Did you read any amazing books?