These past few months have gone by so quickly, and I cannot believe it is the end of summer already. However, I am definitely not sad to see it go, as the heat is always unbearable where I live. Autumn and winter are my favourite seasons. I cannot wait for the cooler weather, the colour of the leaves turning, and wearing comfy clothes while snuggling with my dog and curling up with a good read.
My summer has been quite uneventful as I only kicked back and relaxed after a busy year. The new year also did not start off well, and these past few weeks have been hard as one thing after the other seems to happen.
Despite all this, I managed to read a lot of books. I don’t think I have ever read this many books for a wrap-up before, so I will keep it short. A few reads are still missing a (mini) Goodreads review, and I am still planning on writing full reviews for some of the books I have read, so keep an eye out! I find it difficult to keep up with the reviews and procrastinate writing them when they start piling up. Kicking this bad habit is a work in progress; what can I say.
It Starts with Us (It Ends with Us #2)
by Colleen Hoover
R A T I N G :
Since I read It Ends with Us at the beginning of 2022, I thought I should read the sequel before the year ends. The first book dealt with really important themes; however, I was not as blown away by the story as everyone else seemed to be. I also do not get the hype with these books.
I felt the same way about It Starts with Us. The writing was good, but the sequel felt utterly unnecessary. I also wish the author had left out a few things which put me off from the story. Overall, it was good reading about Lily and Atlas again, but you’re not missing out on anything if you don’t read it.
The review can also be found on my Goodreads here.
Five Survive
by Holly Jackson
R A T I N G :
After binging the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder trilogy a while back, I fell in love with Holly Jackson’s writing and I think the series is my all-time favourite young adult mystery/thriller books. So when I saw that she was releasing a new thriller, I had to read it as soon as possible.
This story was completely different to the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series but I could immediately tell that it was still a Holly Jackson work of art. It was fast-paced, action-packed and the story had me sitting on the edge of my seat. From the beginning of the book, I was completely captivated and could tell that it was filled with plot-turning secrets. Certain aspects of the story also reminded me a lot of Lord of the Flies.
The ending threw me off a bit as it was different but not unpleasant. It is definitely a story I will be thinking about for a while, and I am already looking forward to the next Holly Jackson release.
If you are looking for a young adult thriller that is fast-paced, action-packed, filled with dark secrets and that will have you biting your nails in anticipation, this one is for you!
The review can also be found on my Goodreads here.
A Duel with the Vampire Lord (Married to Magic #3)
by Elise Kova
R A T I N G :
Out of all the books I have read from the Married to Magic series, this one is, without a doubt, the best thus far. I loved the romance between Floriane and Ruvan, and the story’s complexity. The writing was amazing, and I loved the story so much. I cannot wait to see what’s to come next in the series.
The review can also be found on my Goodreads here.
Lovelight Farms (Lovelight #1)
by B.K. Borison
R A T I N G :
After seeing almost everyone read this in December and being recommended it by a few of my friends on bookstagram, I finally picked it up to read over Christmas. I did not think I would enjoy this one as much as everyone else did, but it exceeded my expectations.
I loved everything about this book—from the characters and their stories to the magical setting and the romance. It is the perfect holiday read, and I know I will reread it at the end of the year along with the rest of the books in the series.
The review can also be found on my Goodreads here.
Kill Joy (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder #0.5)
by Holly Jackson
R A T I N G :
The A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder trilogy is one of my all-time favourite series. I started missing Pip and her love for solving mysteries, so before the year ended, I finally wanted to tick the novella off my TBR. This was such a fun read. I was captivated the entire time, and despite knowing beforehand that it was all a game, I was still scared and found myself holding my breath at times. It was such a wonderful feeling to return to this world and the characters.
The review can also be found on my Goodreads here.
Nine Liars (Truly Devious #5)
by Maureen Johnson
R A T I N G :
After binging the Truly Devious series in 2022, I was looking forward to ending the year with a new book from this world. However, after finishing it and seeing some mixed reviews, I had to take a while to think about it.
Whereas the first four books felt connected, this one felt separate from the series. As always, I love the characters and mystery, but the resolution of this mystery felt rushed. The story started slowly, and the action only came at the end. I love Maureen Johnson’s writing, but this book was my least favourite from the series, and I almost gave it three stars. The ending also threw me off a little, and I honestly don’t know what to think of it.
This book had so much potential; the story scared me and kept me on my toes. I truly loved the mystery but wished a few things were different. It could then have easily been a five-star read. However, I look forward to the next book in the series to see where the author goes with the cliffhanger.
The review can also be found on my Goodreads here.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
by James Clear
R A T I N G :
I read this book for the first time in 2022 after seeing so many people like it throughout the years, and I instantly fell in love with it. It was one of my favourite books of last year, and I decided to reread it at the beginning of every new year.
I found it really helpful, and in the end, I understood myself better. It is the type of book that motivates you to improve and be the best version of yourself.
After rereading it as my first book of 2023, I loved it even more and enjoyed listening to the audiobook (which I borrowed from the Libby app) immensely as I read along.
Cannot wait to return to this one again and again!
The review can also be found on my Goodreads here.
House of Hollow
by Krystal Sutherland
R A T I N G :
This book has been on my TBR since its release, and I am so happy to have finally gotten to it. I was intrigued from the first page and constantly wondered what would happen next. It has been a while since I read such a dark book, and I can understand why there are so many trigger warnings. I do not usually read books like this one, but the story really intrigued me.
However, from the middle of the book until the last few chapters, the story felt quite repetitive, and I found that my enjoyment was diminishing. It felt as if nothing was happening and as if the story would end up going nowhere. I considered giving the story three stars at that point, but the ending honestly made the story and tied everything together nicely.
In the end, I am glad I finally read it and I cannot wait to discuss it for the Hollows Book Club!
The review can also be found on my Goodreads here. To read the full review on my blog, click here.
One True Loves
by Taylor Jenkins Reid
R A T I N G :
One of my 2023 reading resolutions is to get to all of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books that I have not read yet. So, to begin with, I picked up One True Loves as I saw so many people loving it.
I have been putting off writing a review for this one as I felt so many emotions whilst reading it. Taylor Jenkins Reid always manages to twist and turn my heart completely.
To keep things brief and without spoilers, this book is a fantastic and utterly heartbreaking story that emphasises the bitter truth: no matter how much a person loves another, nothing lasts forever, and people grow apart. It shows that despite desperately clinging to someone, you need to learn to let go. This is yet another unforgettable story from TJR, and even though I loved the story and writing, there were a few elements I did not like.
Overall, if you love the author’s writing and have not read this one yet, I highly recommend it!
The review can also be found on my Goodreads here.
The Stolen Heir (The Stolen Heir Duology #1)
by Holly Black
R A T I N G :
I am so happy to have finally gotten to one of my most anticipated releases of 2023! As with everything I have read of Holly Black so far, I loved The Stolen Heir.
It was a lot of fun returning to the world of Elfhame and seeing more of Oak, and I also loved Suren (Wren) more than I thought I would. However, I don’t think anyone will take the special place in my heart reserved for Jude and Cardan.
The cliffhanger has me thinking about this book daily, and I am counting down the days until the sequel comes out!
The review can also be found on my Goodreads here.
Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass
by Lana Del Rey
R A T I N G :
I finally picked this one up after wanting to for years. I have always loved Lana Del Rey’s music but completely fell in love with it in 2022. Over the past year later, I have been listening to her albums on repeat almost every day, and I’m collecting as many records as I can.
This is a beautiful poetry collection filled with photographs and typewritten poems. I enjoyed reading her words and looking through the book multiple times. Despite liking her poems, I expected them to be a bit different, but nonetheless, it was a good poetry book.
Hoping to listen to the audiobook, which she narrates, really soon!
The review can also be found on my Goodreads here.
Mrs Rosie and the Priest
by Giovanni Boccaccio
R A T I N G :
After receiving the Penguin Little Black Classics boxed set as a Christmas gift in 2021, I finally picked up the first one so I could make my way through them all.
I’m not a big classics reader (yet), and therefore I am not “experienced” enough to entirely give my thoughts on it. However, I was shocked by the short story this book was titled after. I did not know what I expected, but it certainly wasn’t what the short story was about, especially as it was written in the 1300s.
It was interesting enough that I’m wondering what the rest of the books will be about…
The review can also be found on my Goodreads here.
Open Water
by Caleb Azumah Nelson
R A T I N G :
Goodreads review to come.
Final Offer (Dreamland Billionaires #3)
by Lauren Asher
R A T I N G :
Goodreads review to come.
101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think
by Brianna Wiest
R A T I N G :
Goodreads review to come.
Daisy Jones & The Six
by Taylor Jenkins Reid
R A T I N G :
Goodreads & full blog review to come.
Selected Poems
by T.S. Eliot
R A T I N G :
Read this one for university. Goodreads review to come.
Waiting for the Barbarians
by J.M. Coetzee
R A T I N G :
Read this one for university. Goodreads review to come.
Dangerous Love
by Ben Okri
R A T I N G :
Read this one for university. Goodreads review to come.
The Bloody Chamber
by Angela Carter
R A T I N G :
Read this one for university. Goodreads review to come.
Macbeth
by William Shakespeare
R A T I N G :
Read this one for university. Goodreads review to come.
Hamlet
by William Shakespeare
R A T I N G :
Read this one for university. Goodreads review to come.
As always, if you want to see my thoughts on the books, I will be reading as I read them during the month, be sure to follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Goodreads.
Keep reading and never stop telling stories.
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