July 2021 Reads

August 02, 2021 by Haley Burrill in Books

My, oh my, July was a lengthy month.

Although I read about the same number of books I usually read in a month, I have to admit, my reading slowed down substantially after I finally hooked up my Roku lol. Ya girl had some Marvel shows to catch up on, so a couple of weekends were spent bingeing said shows instead of reading. In addition to, of course, all of the weekly tv shows that started in July - Big Brother and Love Island - that I had to prioritize before they were no longer free on On-Demand lol.

Time well spent to say the least. :)

Anywho, let’s jump into what I read in July!

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION by Emily Henry

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Poppy and Alex have nothing in common. She’s a wild child with an insatiable wanderlust; he wears khakis and prefers to stay home with a book. And, somehow, they are the very best of friends. For most of the year, they live in different states, but every summer, for a decade, they have taken one glorious week of vacation together. Until 2 years ago when they ruined everything and haven’t spoken since. Poppy has everything she should want, but is stuck in a rut. When someone asks when she was last truly happy, she knows it was on that ill-fated, final trip with Alex. And so, she decides to convince her best friend to take one more vacation together. Miraculously, he agrees. Now she has a week to fix everything. If only she can get around the one big truth that has always stood quietly in the middle of their seemingly perfect relationship. What could possibly go wrong?

My Thoughts: This book was an absolute delight and the perfect summer read. I adored Poppy and Alex. All of the personality traits that made these characters different on an individual level, also made them shine so freaking bright when they were together. Their quick, witty banter was TRULY aspirational, and the pure admiration they had for each other was genuinely heartwarming to say the least. Not to mention, living vicariously through them on each of the summer trips to the coolest destinations was so fulfilling for the travel bug in me. Poppy’s premise of not knowing what really fulfills her anymore after she achieves everything she thought would make her happy was also incredibly relatable. Especially after quarantine forcing us to slow down and re-evaluate our lives, I find myself wondering quite frequently what is it that makes me most happy, yanno? The author made it so easy for me to understand what she was going through on a mental and emotional level. This book was the perfect mix of laugh out loud moments, gut wrenching interactions, and some spicy lil scenes - it was honestly just impossible to put down. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a summery contemporary romance!

A SKY BEYOND THE STORM by Sabaa Tahir

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: The long-imprisoned jinn are on the attack, wreaking bloody havoc in villages and cities alike. But for the Nightbringer, vengeance on his human foes is just the beginning. At his side, Commandant Keris Veturia declares herself Empress, and calls for the heads of any and all who defy her rule. At the top of the list is The Blood Shrike and her remaining family. Laia of Serra, now allied with the Blood Shrike, struggles to recover from the loss of the two people most important to her. Determined to stop the approaching apocalypse, she throws herself into the destruction of the Nightbringer. In the process, she awakens an ancient power that could lead her to victory or an unimaginable doom. And deep in the Waiting Place, the Soul Catcher seeks only to forget the life and love he left behind. Yet doing so means ignoring the trail of murder left by the Nightbringer and his jinn. To uphold his oath and protect the human world from the supernatural, the Soul Catcher must look beyond the borders of his own land. He must take on a mission that could save or destroy all that he knows.

My Thoughts: I’M NOT CRYING, YOU’RE CRYING. Bleeding Skies! Though I know this isn’t the perfect book for everyone, I feel like it was the perfect ending to this beautiful series. There is a lot of anguish, grief, and sorrow throughout, but it’s not without love, joy, and an undying trust to match. For starters, we finally get the origin stories of a few characters who, up until this point, have basically been enigmas to everyone else. It was really satisfying getting a better understanding of why some characters are the way that they are, yanno? Similar to the last book, A LOT happens in this one. We are NEVER short of any action scenes, and the amount of emotional hits I took to the heart cage in my chest was unreal. With this book covering the finale of everything we’ve worked up to in this series, I really admired that the author did not cater to the readership by keeping some favorite characters alive. Cue my waterworks. However, on the other side of that coin, I’m glad she continued to include characters from the last three books to not only pay them respect, but also help show how all of this came full circle. There was a SMALL disconnect for me related to the magic of everything, but I really can’t get into too much detail in this review without giving things away. That said, all I have to say is I really love this series, and highly recommend it.

THE UNHONEYMOONERS by Christina Lauren

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Olive is always unlucky. Her identical twin sister Ami, on the other hand, is probably the luckiest person in the world, and has managed to finance her entire wedding by winning a series of Internet contests. Worst of all though, she’s forcing Olive to spend the day with her sworn enemy, Ethan, who just happens to be the best man. She braces herself to get through wedding hell, but when the entire wedding party gets sick from food poisoning, the only two people who aren’t affected are Olive and Ethan. And now there’s an all-expenses-paid honeymoon in Hawaii up for grabs. Putting their mutual hatred aside for the sake of a free vacation, Olive and Ethan head to paradise, determined to avoid each other at all costs. But when Olive runs into her future boss, the little white lie she tells him is suddenly at risk to become a whole lot bigger. She and Ethan now have to pretend to be loving newlyweds, and her luck seems worse than ever. But the weird thing is that she doesn’t mind playing pretend. In fact, she feels kind of lucky.

My Thoughts: I had heard great things about this book, and every other Christina Lauren novel I’ve read, I’ve absolutely loved. This one, although I enjoyed it for sure, didn’t necessarily wow me. I thought the setting of a Maui vacation was awesome and extremely easy to dive into for a book escape. Olive and Ethan were great main characters, their banter alone had me grinning throughout, and the endless swoony micro-moments made it easy to ship them. That said, the pacing was a little unsatisfactory in that you saw the transition from enemies-to-lovers, but it takes a while for anything to truly transpire between them. When they return from vacation in the last chunk of the book, it kind of hits an odd wall. It felt like I had been floating on a rom-com cloud while they were in Hawaii, and then once they returned home, the cloud dissipated and left me stumbling to find my footing again. It just took me from this light and fluffy experience to hard and fast drama that felt a little rushed. There was also some manufactured snarkiness that didn’t always seem necessary or appropriate for the moment. All of my critiques aside, page turning was effortless and the epilogue made it all worth it. Like I said, I absolutely adore Christina Lauren and highly recommend you give them a try if you haven’t yet! However, this was not the dynamic-duo’s best novel.

BEARTOWN by Fredrik Backman

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: People say Beartown is finished. A tiny community nestled deep in the forest, it is slowly losing ground to the ever encroaching trees. But down by the lake stands an old ice rink, built generations ago by the working men who founded this town. And in that ice rink is the reason people in Beartown believe tomorrow will be better than today. Their junior ice hockey is about to compete in the national semi-finals, and they actually have a shot at winning. All the hopes and dreams of this place now rest on the shoulders of teenage boys. Being responsible for the hopes of an entire town is a heavy burden, and the semi-final match is the catalyst for a violent act that will leave a young girl traumatized and a town in turmoil. Accusations are made, and they travel through Beartown, leaving no resident unaffected. Beartown explores the hopes that bring a small community together, the secrets that tear it apart, and the courage it takes for an individual to go against the grain.

My Thoughts: Whew this book was a doooozy. I’m not really sure where to start with this review because there’s so much to unpack here. This was my first Fredrik Backman book, and as a character-driven reader, I loved this style of writing. It made the many layers of this story even more complex because it gave insight into how everyone is connected in this diehard hockey town. The number of emotions that swirled through me while I experienced this community in turmoil was absolutely unreal. I’m not a crier and found myself in full blown sleeve-to-cheek-wiping tears multiple times. That said, there were also moments that made me smile, fist pump in triumph, and melt with the amount of love I felt radiating from these pages. I have to say, this is a pretty heavy book and I don’t think I’d be able to read it if I wasn’t in a good headspace. However, if you’re ready to be emotionally wrecked by a book and are confident you can handle the subject matter, then this is for you because although it made me question why I was still putting myself through its emotional wringer, I really did love the book overall. Which leads me to the last part of this review that I did not have the courtesy of knowing before going into this book. Content/Trigger Warnings: rape, rape culture, victim blaming, suicidal thoughts, violence, body dismorphia, child mortality, guns, and homophobia.

BEACH READ by Emily Henry

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire case. The only thing these authors have in common is for the next three months, they’re living in neighboring beach houses, broke and bogged down with writer’s block. Until one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She’ll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he’ll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult. Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.

My Thoughts: What a freaking delight! Not only does the book take place along Lake Michigan (fictional city, but still the Mitten), but the characters, pacing, and overall premise of the story were satisfactory across the board for me. After having read a few romance novels recently, I have to say, one of my favorite parts about this book was that the main characters, January and Gus, actually communicated pretty solidly. Meaning there weren’t any last-minute misunderstandings that caused unexpected fights. I would say 80% of the time, they talked it out right then and there, and that was very refreshing as a reader. It was also really cool getting insight into the process of writing and publishing a book. Obviously, what was explained via the characters was probably extremely abbreviated, but I have to assume it was at least accurate. Aside from enjoying the characters, the overall plot line was so fulfilling - there were several steamy scenes, the right amount of emotional moments, and a fair share of witty banter. This book definitely had a different type of substance to it that I haven’t experienced with other romance novels and I highly recommend it!

CITY OF GIRLS by Elizabeth Gilbert

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: In 1940, 19-year-old Vivan Morris has just been kicked out of Vassar College. Her affluent parents send her to Manhattan to live with her Aunt Peg, who owns a flamboyant, crumbling midtown theater called the Lily Playhouse. There Vivian is introduced to an entire cosmos of unconvention and charismatic characters. But when she makes a personal mistake that results in a professional scandal, it turns her new work upside down in ways that it will take her years to fully understand. Ultimately though, it leads her to a new understanding of the kind of life she craves - and the kind of freedom it takes to pursue it. It will also lead to the love of her life, a love that stands out from all the rest. Now 95-years-old and telling her story at last, Vivan recalls how the events of those years altered the course of her life - and the gusto autonomy with which she approached it.

My Thoughts: The way I recently described to a friend how this book left me feeling was, “Reflecting back on it, I’m so thankful to have had that literary escape experience.” For starters, the writing provides an immersive experience for the reader and made it feel like I was riding shotgun in Vivan’s life as she recalled her youth with all of its pleasures and regrets. Not to mention, I was obsessed with her as a main character both as a naive 20-year-old running rampant through 1940s New York, and as the delightfully quirky, elderly woman describing her experiences so unapologetically. Vivian Morris is a character that will stick with me for a while. Plus, I absolutely adored all of the supporting characters and how each one shaped and changed the course of her life. The premise of this book alone keeps you on your toes, including how it explores the topic of female sexuality and promiscuity. For a majority of the book, I assumed I knew where it was all heading, but the unexpected plot twist put me to shame. Honestly, there wasn’t one part of this book I didn’t enjoy, and I am marinating in the feeling it’s left me with. I can’t say this book is for everyone, but it was the perfect historical fiction for me personally. To finish this review, enjoy a few of my favorite quotes below :)

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle.”
“Life is both dangerous and fleeting, and thus there is no point in denying yourself pleasure and adventure while you are here.”
“At some point in a woman’s life, she just gets tired of being ashamed all the time. After that, she is free to become whoever she truly is.”

THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS by Chloe Gong

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: It’s 1926 in Shanghai, and a blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city helpless in the grip of chaos. At the heart of it all is 18-year-old Juliette Cai, a former flapper who returned to assume her role as the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang - a network of criminals far above the law. Their only rivals in power are the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. And behind every move is their heir, Roma Montagov, Juliette’s first love and first betrayal. But when gangsters on both sides show signs of instability culminating in clawing out their own throats, people start to whisper. Of a contagion, a madness. Of a monster in the shadows. As the deaths pile up, Juliette and Roma must set their guns and grudges aside and work together, for if they can’t stop this mayhem, then there will be no city left for either to rule.

My Thoughts: I was under the impression going into this book that it was a full-blown fantasy. What I quickly realized is that it’s more of a historical fiction retelling of Romeo and Juliet with some fantasy aspects sprinkled into it. It was a mindset adjustment to say the least. This book was a little lackluster for me. It was not a bad book by any means, but I honestly just don’t feel strongly either way about it. A couple of characters won my heart by the end - mostly side characters who made the experience much more enjoyable. The pacing of the story, though, felt kind of confusing because it was both fast and slow. Meaning, there’s a lot happening in each chapter action-wise (fast), but the time it takes for the protagonists to have a “rising action” epiphany (that I thought we had already like 130 pages ago) makes the book as a whole feel so slow. Like I don’t regret reading it, and I haven’t decided if I’m going to read the sequel or not, but this just won’t be my first historical fiction nor fantasy rec.

2021 Book Count: 55/55 - I should probably increase my goal lol.

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June 2021 Reads

July 01, 2021 by Haley Burrill in Books

Despite the extreme humidity, a full moon, and Mercury being in retrograde for a majority of it, June was a pretty okay month!

On a book-related note, I managed to finish a giant pile of library books I’d been working on since May which allowed me to tap into some of the books I own. Of course, that only lasted a moment because I’m an impulsive book requester at the local library and started accumulating a new small pile of library books that I have to work through again lol. But, the library is free and saves me money which prevents me from buying books I end up not liking. So, I’m calling it a win.

Anyway, enough rambling. Let’s jump into the books I read in June!

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

RING SHOUT by P. Djeli Clark

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: D.W. Griffith is a sorcerer, and The Birth of a Nation is a spell that drew upon the darkest thoughts and wishes from the heart of America. Now, rising in power and prominence, the Klan has a plot to unleash Hell on Earth. Luckily, Maryse Boudreaux has a magic sword and a head full of tales. When she’s not running bootleg whiskey through Prohibition Georgia, she’s fighting monsters she calls “Ku Kluxes.” She’s damn good at it too, but to confront this ongoing evil, she must journey between worlds to face nightmares made of flesh - and her own demons. Together with a foul-mouthed sharpshooter and a Harlem Hellfighter, Maryse sets out to save a world from the hate that would consume it.

My Thoughts: This was probably one of the best novellas I’ve ever read, hands down. Starting with how brilliantly the author included historical facts and events - such as the Tulsa Massacre and The Birth of a Nation inspiring the formation of the KKK - and blended them with the fantasy imagery to illustrate how strongly hate produces more hate and creates monsters out of people. Maryse, Sadie, and Chef were straight up bad asses, and I loved how the dynamics of their friendship mixed with each one’s character development. Though this experience was only 180 pages, it was action-packed, extremely well-paced, and I never felt like part of the story was missing. The gore, horror and overall symbolism included in this book to depict the ugliness that festers from racism was unapologetic and deeply felt. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a short, but impactful read.

THE BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK by Kim Michele Richardson

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: In 1936, tucked deep into the woods of Troublesome Creek, KY, lives blue-skinned 19-year-old Cussy Carter, the last living female of the rare Blue People ancestry. The lonely young Appalachian woman joins the historical Pack Horse Library Project of Kentucky and becomes a librarian, riding across slippery creek beds and up treacherous mountains on her faithful mule to deliver books and other reading materials to the impoverished hill people. Along her dangerous route, Cussy, known to the mountain folk as Bluet, confronts those suspicious of her damselfly-blue skin and the government’s new book program. She befriends hardscrabble and complex fellow Kentuckians, and is fiercely determined to bring comfort and joy, instill literacy, and give to those who have nothing, a bookly respite, a fleeting retreat to faraway lands.

My Thoughts: This book had a mildly slow start, but once it picked up about 30 pages in, I was invested. Cussy Mary is not your traditional protagonist. She isn’t overly defiant, she’s not outspoken, she doesn’t like creating waves with people who look down on her, and she doesn’t make any grand scenes. However, as the Pack Horse Librarian who delivers books to Eastern Kentucky people living in poverty, she is their heroine. Seeing Cussy through the eyes of her patrons makes you realize how brave, kind, and resilient she is as the main character. You will truly go through a slew of emotions following the highs and lows of “Book Woman’s” experiences. Also, I really thought the concept of Cussy’s blue-skin heritage was the fictional part of this historical fiction novel. However, after Googling it, there was indeed a lineage of blue-skinned people with a gene deficiency who settled in Kentucky in the early 1900s - which made this narrative even more interesting and impactful. This was a really lovely book that reminds us how important it is to be kind to others and the value of books in general. I definitely recommend this if you’re looking for a well thought out and researched historical fiction book!

Sidenote: I read The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes last year - which is also about the Pack Horse Library project in Kentucky - and though some people feel these books are the same, there are significant differences between them. So, in case you’re trying to decide whether to read one or the other, my recommendation would be to read both because each book is special in its own right. This one felt a little more researched and historically accurate tho.

A TORCH AGAINST THE NIGHT by Sabaa Tahir

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Elias and Laia are running for their lives. After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire. Laia is determined to break into Kauf - the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison - to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars’ survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom. But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against them. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies. Bound to the Emperor Marcus’s will, Blood Shrike Helene faces a torturous mission of her own - one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturious and the Scholar slave who helped him escape and kill them both.

My Thoughts: What a WILD ride this book was. It had my heart pounding, mind racing, and the pages quickly turning. The author made a seamless transition from the first book (An Ember in the Ashes) into this one and the plot never skipped a beat - which was so satisfying because I fell right back into where I left off at an extremely steady rhythm. There were plenty of action-packed events, strategic scheming from all parties, and just a sprinkle of intimate emotional moments guaranteed to mess up your head and heart. Laia’s character development was a lot more satisfying this time around as we watched her shed some innocence and naivety that was a disadvantage in the first book. Elias’s story went nowhere I expected it to go lol, but I still love him as a main character. Helene’s POV surprised me the most in that I wasn’t expecting to be so invested. She goes through hell and back MULTIPLE times, and has to make the most difficult decisions out of any other character while battling her internal conflicts. I literally do not have one bad thing to say about this book and am here to admit that I’m whole-heartedly obsessed with this series- like please read it so I have someone else to talk about it with lol. :’)

BETTER THAN THE MOVIES by Lynn Painter

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Liz Buxbaum has always known that Wes Bennett was not boyfriend material. You would think that her nextdoor neighbor would be a prince candidate for her romantic comedy fantasies, but Wes has only proven himself to be a pain in the butt, ever since they were little. Flash forward 10 years, and it’s Liz’s senior year - a time meant to be rife with milestones perfect for any big screen, and she needs Wes’s help. See, Liz’s forever crush, Michael, has just moved back to town, and - horribly annoyingly - he’s hitting it off with Wes. Meaning that if Liz wants Michael to finally notice her, and hopefully be her prom date, she needs Wes. He’s her in. But as Liz and Wes scheme to get Liz her magical prom moment, she’s shocked to discover that she actually likes being around Wes. And as they continue to grow closer, she must re-examine everything she thought she knew about love - and rethink her own perception of what Happily Ever After should really look like.

My Thoughts: Y’ALL. This was everything I could’ve asked for in a rom-com-themed, enemies-to-lovers-trope YA romance novel. It was adorable and mischievous, the pop culture references were on point, and the main characters played off of each other perfectly with clever banter. Wes was my favorite - like ya girl was smitten with this thoughtful lad. If this book had existed while I was in high school, Wes FOR SURE would have set the bar for my expectations - I mean, I’m 27 and would love a guy as genuinely caring as Wes lol. Liz’s character had me banging my head against a wall a few times, but she was likeable and quirky enough that I couldn’t not root for her. Let me just say, was this an incredibly predictable plotline? Heck yes. Did I expect it to be predictable? Of course! However, I think that allowed me to enjoy the experiences of Wes and Liz so much more. It gave me all the swoony feels and laugh out loud moments without playing with my heart or leading me astray. Honestly, if you love rom-com movies or love some cheesy stories about love, I highly recommend this book!

ACE OF SPADES by Faridah Abike-Iyimide

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Welcome to Niveus Private Academy, where money paves the hallways, and the students are never less than perfect. Until now because anonymous texter, Ace, is bringing two students’ dark secrets to light. Talented musician Devon buries himself in rehearsals, but he can’t escape the spotlight when his own photos go public. Head girl Chiamaka isn’t afraid to get what she wants, but soon everyone will know the price she has paid for power. Someone is out to get them both. Someone who holds all the aces. And they’re playing much more than a high school game.

My Thoughts: Before buying this book, I saw it was described as “Get Out meets Gossip Girl, but make it Black and queer,” and, by golly, is that accurate. This whole experience was just a WILD ride and had me saying “holy shit” out loud multiple times. It was dark, thrilling, and impossible to put down. The author did an incredible job of creating a twisted story that addresses the ugliness of timely issues including institutionalized racism, socioeconomic inequities, white-washed education system, and more. I liked that the book was in a point of view format, so that you got to see how Aces was affecting both Chiamaka and Devon on a personal level. The writing made it easy for me to vicariously feel the anxiety they were having in relation to the paranoia of not knowing who to trust, when Aces was going to strike next, and whether their lives were in physical danger. It was suspense city the entire time, and although the ending felt mildly rushed, this book was truly an experience I definitely recommend ya try.

ONE LAST STOP by Casey McQuiston

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: For cynical 23-year-old August, moving to NYC is supposed to prove her right: that things like magic and cinematic love stories don’t exist, and the only smart way to go through life is alone. She can’t imagine how waiting tables at a 24-hour pancake diner and moving in with too many weird roommates could possibly change that. And there’s certainly no chance of her subway commute being anything more than a daily trudge through boredom and electrical failures. But then there’s this gorgeous girl on the train - Jane. August’s subway crush becomes the best part of her day, but pretty soon, she discovers there’s one big problem: Jane doesn’t just look like an old school punk rocker. She’s literally displaced in time from the 1970s, and August is going to have to use everything she tried to leave in her own past to help her. Maybe it’s time to start believing in some things after all.

My Thoughts: This book has been getting hella hype and was definitely a “bookstagram made me buy it” purchase. I also read McQuiston’s Red, White, & Royal Blue a couple of years ago and enjoyed it, so I was excited to dive into this one. For starters, the writing in this sci-fi love story has a whimsically poetic quality to it that makes the whole “falling in love slowly, then all at once” experience feel like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket. The connection between the main characters, August and Jane, was undeniable and felt at the core of every new interaction they shared on the subway. I absolutely ADORED the secondary/supporting characters and this book would not be the same without them. Specifically, Myla, Niko and Wes - August’s roommates. Their personalities added such depth and kept the pace moving forward. Though there are only 422 pages to this novel, A LOT happens - which is both a pro and con for me. At one point about halfway through, the pace slowed down significantly, and I was like “Okay, this honestly probably could’ve been over by now.” However, I pushed myself to keep going, and it picked up again shortly after. This was a unique book to say the least and if you’re looking for an unconventional romance story, I recommend picking this one up for sure.

A REAPER AT THE GATES by Sabaa Tahir

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Helene Aquilla, the Blood Shrike, is desperate to protect her sister’s life and the lives of everyone in the Empire. Yet danger lurks on all sides. Emperor Marcus, haunted by his past, grows increasingly unstable and violent, while Keris Veturia, the ruthless Commandant, capitalizes on the Emperor’s volatility to grow her own power - regardless of the damage she leaves in her path. Far to the east, Laia of Serra knows that the fate of the world lies not in the machinations of the Martial court, but in stopping the Nightbringer. During the hunt to bring him down, Laia faces unexpected threats from those she hoped would help her, and is drawn into a battle she never thought she’d have to fight. And in the land between the living and the dead, Elias Veturius has given up his freedom to serve as Soul Catcher. However, in doing so, he has vowed himself to an ancient power that demands his complete surrender - even if that means abandoning the woman he loves.

My Thoughts: Well hot dang. I thought the second book in this series was eventful (see: A Torch Against the Night), but this one moved QUICKLY. From the moment you crack this book open until you hit the “Acknowledgements” page, there is so much to sort through. Dare I say, almost too much? Each character is caught up in their own sticky situation and though some of those journeys overlap, most are experienced by the individual - which means you gotta pay attention or else you’re going to miss something. Basically, everyone is fighting their own battles, but each of those battles is leading to an inevitable giant war between the mortal and immortal worlds. Because there’s so much going on, I felt like the character development wasn’t AS clear in this book as it has been in the past two. The only person you can clearly feel is going through some shit at a core level is Elias. His story has taken a TURN and requires this extremely empathetic character to give up the things that make him human (love, kindness, etc.) to fully take on his new role - which throws him into a TIZZY. Helene’s and Laia’s paths end up crossing a bit more than I was anticipating, but I loved the strong, woman-leader camaraderie. Obviously, I’m going to continue onto the fourth book of this series because I love it, but the amount of information and number of events that were packed into this one was mildly overwhelming, so make sure you’re paying pretty close attention to it. (Hence 4 stars instead of 5.)

LAST CHANCE BOOKS by Kelsey Rodkey

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Summary: Madeline Moore feels most like herself inside the musty bookstore, Books & Moore, that her family has owned for generations, and nothing is going to stop her from coming back after college to take over the store from her beloved aunt. That is, until a chain bookstore called Prologue opens across the street and threatens to shut them down. Madeline sets out to demolish the competition, but Jasper, the guy who works at Prologue, seems intent on ruining her life. Not only is he taking her customers, he has the audacity to be extremely cute as well. But that doesn’t matter because Jasper is the enemy and he will be destroyed. All’s fair in love and (book) wars.

My Thoughts: Ugh I wanted to like this book so much, but it just didn’t do it for me. The main character, Madeline, was really hard for me to like. She’s 18 years-old, but acted more immature than that. She’s incredibly impulsive and blinded by her own paranoid narrative that Prologue is out to get Books & Moore, that she’s just constantly plotting with no regard to how it will affect those around her - like someone got hit by a car as a side effect of her shenanigans. I found myself extremely frustrated with her for a good chunk of the book - especially, how unaware she was that Jasper had a crush on her. Like, girl?? He LITERALLY said, “Madeline, I like you.” And, she STILL thought it was a ploy to take down her store…..?????? Jasper’s character wasn’t annoying by any means, but there wasn’t a lot of depth to his personality. The storyline was a really cute concept, the pace was pretty decent and never hit a slow spot, and the small wins that happened throughout the book were enough to keep me reading. However, I know there are better YA romance books out there, so this wouldn’t be my first recommendation in that category by any means.

2021 Book Count: 48 down, 7 to go.

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May 2021 Reads

May 31, 2021 by Haley Burrill in Books

You know what? May is a really long month. Like a lot of stuff happened recently, and in my head, I’m like, “oh yeah, that definitely happened in April, right?”

Nope. It was May.

It also starts during Taurus season and ends in Gemini season. So, that in itself is a wild transition to go through in the span of just one month.

Anyway, I read a bunch in the last 31 days and wrote out all of my thoughts for you to consider before picking up any of the said books.

I’m TRYING to keep my reviews shorter, but if you’ve ever heard me try to tell a “quick” story in-person then you know how hard this is for me. :’)

All righty, here we go!

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

START WITH WHY by Simon Sinek

Rating: 2/5 stars

Summary: In studying the leaders who’ve had the greatest influence in the world, Simon Sinek discovered that they all think, act, and communicate in the exact same way - and it’s the complete opposite of what everyone else does. Sinek calls this powerful idea The Golden Circle, and it provides a framework upon which organizations can be built, movements can be led, and people can be inspired. And it all starts with WHY.

My Thoughts: I had to read this book for work, and I have to preface this review by saying, I’m not a non-fiction type of gal. I’ve seen Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle TED Talk more times than I can count, and is it a solid presentation? Yeah, for sure. Is there enough material there to extend it into a book? Absolutely not. Though there were a few key points I took from the book, this honestly could have been 100 pages shorter. It was extremely repetitive, pretty dry, and hard for me to get through because it honestly just didn’t keep my interest. I’m sure if you’re the “read to learn” type of person who usually enjoys books like this, then you’d appreciate it. I’m just not that person and that is WHY this book was not my jam lol.

NAMESAKE by Adrienne Young

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: With the Marigold ship free of her father, Fable and the rest of the crew were set to start over. That freedom is short-lived when Fable becomes a pawn in a notorious thug’s scheme. In order to get to her intended destination, she must help him to secure a partnership with Holland, a powerful gem trader who is more than she seems. As Fable descends deeper into a world of betrayal and deception, she learns that the secrets her mother took to her grave are now putting the people Fable cares about in danger. If Fable is going to save them, then she must risk everything - including the boy she loves and the home she has finally found.

My Thoughts: Similar to the first book in this duology, Namesake uses incredible imagery that amplifies and illustrates this sun-kissed, sea-misted world perfectly. It gave us all the bright and colorful descriptions we know and love, so that it feels like you’re on the ship with the crew or walking through a gem encrusted palace. A lot more tea was spilled in this book - figuratively and literally. In Fable, the author provided a small glimpse into each of the characters’ origin stories, but Namesake truly cracked open the family albums like embarrassing parents on a bad first date and allowed us to dive deep into each person’s history. I do wish the secondary characters such as Willa, Paj, Auster, etc. had gotten more page time because they provided a lot of depth to the story in Fable, but at least we saw a different side to Koy, who had previously left us with the impression that he was just a bloodthirsty jerk. My other critique is that this book wasn’t as eventful, and there were some scenes that felt as though something BIG was about to happen, and then they just fizzled out. West’s and Fable’s romance storyline was a lot more straightforward, which I appreciated, and though the ending felt kind of rushed, I was extremely pleased with it. Overall, I think if you enjoyed Fable, then you will appreciate Namesake!

JOSH AND HAZEL’S GUIDE TO NOT DATING by Christina Lauren

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Hazel Camille Bradford knows she’s a lot to take - and frankly, most men aren’t up to the challenge. If her army of pets and thrill for the absurd don’t send them running, her lack of filter means she’ll say exactly the wrong thing in a delicate moment. Their loss. She’s a good soul in search of honest fun. Josh Im has known Hazel since college, where her zany playfulness proved completely incompatible with his mellow restraint. From the first night they met, Josh has always thought of Hazel more as a spectacle than a peer. But now, ten years later, after a cheating girlfriend has turned his life upside down, going out with Hazel is a breath of fresh air. Not that Josh and Hazel date. At least, not each other. Because setting each other up on progressively terrible double blind dates means there’s nothing between them, right?

My Thoughts: This was the cutest book I’ve read in a while and I was absolutely smitten. It was the perfect blend of mildly cheesy parts, borderline saccharine interactions, and comedic moments that had me grinning like a doofus. Starting with Hazel, her whimsical, free-flowing spirit was excessive, benevolent, and perfect. I absolutely loved her character and think we all need someone like this in our lives to remind us not to take anything too seriously and appreciate being authentically ourselves. Josh’s character was calm, grounded, warm, generous and the perfect balance to Hazel. I thoroughly adored and enjoyed watching them go from college acquaintances to mutual friends via Josh’s sister to best friends to something a little more. The entire experience of this book was incredibly heartwarming - especially being buckled into the ride that is Hazel and Josh learning they may not be the perfect fit for everybody, but they’re perfect for each other :’). Plus there were a couple of v hot scenes sprinkled throughout, so it’s not all just “cute” lol. If you’re looking for a quick, fun romance read, this would be my recommendation for sure!

TW: I do want to note a potential trigger warning of emotional abuse. It’s not talked about outright, but through the explanation about one of Hazel’s previous relationships, it’s clear that she was being manipulated.

AN EMBER IN THE ASHES by Sabaa Tahir

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free. Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Empire risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear. It is in this brutal world that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the impoverished backstreets and do not dare to challenge the Empire.

When Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, she is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy. There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier - and secretly, it’s most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize their destinies are intertwined - and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

My Thoughts: This was so different from other books that I’ve read, and definitely kept me on my toes. It was the perfect mixture of action-packed battle scenes, thoughtful emotion-provoking events, and varying perspectives that make you continuously question where everyone’s motives lie. That said, this book is pretty dark and stress-invoking - especially, in relation to the military academy - depicted through blatant cruelty, violence, and brutality towards slaves/Scholars and defecting students. There were a few times I found myself wanting to “cover my eyes” like if I was watching a scary movie during a suspenseful scene lol. The main characters had a great connection and are easy to root for. However, I definitely liked Elias a little more than Laia. I understand Laia had to blindly put her trust in the Resistance to get her brother out of prison, but she made some decisions that put me ON EDGE a few times and she is literally the worst spy ever lol. Elias just had a really genuine innocence and benevolence about him. Even as he’s cutting people down with swords, his internal conflicts about it made him so much more human and warm than the character he’s supposed to be. If that makes sense? The only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars is because it’s randomly revealed that a second-tier character has a magical power. But, like, that was it lol. The author didn’t unpack that any further. We don’t get to know why she has it or how she got it or if any of the other characters have similar gifts - the story just keeps on pushing after that quick plot detour. So, I’m hoping there’s more explanation and insight into that discovery in the next book because I’m definitely going to continue with this series!

Trigger warning: rape is mentioned a bit in this book.

REBECCA by Daphne Du Maurier

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: The novel begins in Monte Carlo, where our heroine is swept off her feet by the dashing Maxim de Winter and his sudden proposal of marriage. Orphaned and working as a lady’s maid, she can barely believe her luck. It is only when they arrive at his massive country estate that she realizes how large a shadow his late wife will cast over their lives - presenting her with a lingering evil that threatens to destroy their marriage from beyond the grave.

My Thoughts: The last time I read a book in the classics genre, I was in high school. So, I wasn’t confident in how much I was going to like this one, but was pleasantly surprised! Though it took me about 30ish pages to get into, I was really impressed with the contemporary writing style. There was definitely still the essence of it being written in the 1930s and the dialogue was a little ridiculous - like I was literally lolling at how absurd some of it was - but, overall it was easy to read. Unaware of what this book was about going into it (lol), I was tempted to put it down a couple of times because I couldn’t figure out where it was going and felt like I was just wandering aimlessly around Manderley, but after the author threw in a couple of creepy scenes and unexpected plot twists, I was invested. I also found it extremely impressive that she never used the main character’s first name. All in all, I enjoyed this book and recommend it if you’ve been considering branching out from your usual genres and want to dabble in the classics.

LOVE FROM A to Z by S.K. Ali

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: When Zayneb gets suspended for confronting her Islamophobic teacher, and he starts investigating her activist friends, Zayneb heads to her aunt’s house in Doha, Qatar for an early spring break. She resolves to try out a “nicer” version of herself in a place where no one knows her.

Then her path crosses with Adam’s. Since he got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the fall, Adam stopped going to classes with the intention of keeping the memory of his mom alive for his little sister and keeping his diagnosis a secret from his grieving father.

Alone, Adam and Zayneb are playing roles for others, keeping their real thoughts locked away in their journals until a marvel and an oddity occurs: Adam and Zayneb meeting.

My Thoughts: This was an absolutely lovely book and a much-needed narrative. I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never read a book that centers around Muslim characters, and after reading other Goodreads reviews, I realize how few and far between books like this are. This book expanded my understanding of Islam in general, the microaggressions people of that religious community face every day, the significance of Hijabs, and more. It was cool to see that the main characters, Adam and Zayneb, had different levels of religious practice and backgrounds. Zayneb was raised in a Muslim family, she wears a hijab, attends prayer at the Mosque occasionally, and her parents are more relaxed when it comes to the traditional rules for their daughters to date. Whereas Adam converted to Islam when he was nine after his mother passed away, he practices the daily prayers and attends service at the Mosque every week, and his dad is also laid back when it comes to dating. The love story of this book was cute, but I wasn’t as fully connected to it as I was to the educational aspect of this narrative. In addition to the meet-cute romance and learning portion, the storyline involving Adam’s multiple sclerosis hit close to home as someone in my family has that disease and it can be very scary. There really wasn’t anything to dislike about this book, however, there were a couple of areas where the writing style felt mildly choppy or staccato (?), I guess, would be the best way to put it. Overall, I highly recommend this read to everyone. Periodt.

TW: Islamophobia, racist micro-aggressions, cultural appropriation, death of family members, and war/victims of war.

LAST NIGHT AT THE TELEGRAPH CLUB by Malinda Lo

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can’t remember exactly when the question took root, but the answer was in full bloom the moment she and Kathleen Miller walked under the flashing neon sign of a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club. America in 1954 is not a safe place for two girls to fall in love, especially not in Chinatown. Red-Scare paranoia threatens everyone, including Chinese Americans like Lily. With deportation looming over her father - despite his hard-won citizenship - Lily and Kath risk everything to let their love see the light of day.

My Thoughts: This book was an absolute delight, and will definitely hit you in the heart and feels. This was ultimately a coming of age story about seventeen-year-old Lily Hu who is navigating her sexuality in 1950s San Francisco Chinatown. I loved how easy it was to connect with the main characters, Lily and Kath. They felt genuine and innocent at their core which made it extremely satisfying when their rebelliousness came out as they took risks to follow their hearts. The various glimpses into the past that we get from other characters’ perspectives throughout the book added the perfect amount of depth to understanding Lily’s family dynamics and melding together the overall story. The plot is pretty straightforward, but with so many different themes woven into this novel, it was hard to put down. Definitely recommend this book!

YOU SHOULD SEE ME IN A CROWN by Leah Johnson

Rating: 3.8 out of 5 stars

Summary: Liz Lighty has always believed she’s too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it’s okay - she’s got a plan to get out of Campbell, Indiana forever: attend Pennington College, play in their orchestra and become a doctor. When the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, she’s reminded of her school’s scholarship for prom queen. There’s nothing Liz wants to do less than endure the social media trolls and catty competitions, but despite her fear of the spotlight she’s willing to do whatever it takes to get to Pennington. The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack, who is also running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams or make them come true?

My Thoughts: I recently realized there are a bunch of audiobooks available on Spotify and being a novice to them, I figured I’d give it a try. This was a very cute, “rooting for the underdog” type of story. Though the plot was pretty predictable, it was still enjoyable. Liz’s character development was probably my favorite thing about this book. At the start, she’s quiet, keeps to herself, and is struggling with anxiety. Over the course of the story, she becomes confident in who she is and isn’t afraid to take up space that originally wasn’t available to her in this podunk town. Plus, as she grows, so do the relationships with those around her. I absolutely loved watching Liz rediscover her friendship with Jordan (he is just the most genuine soul <3) and watching her fall in love with Amanda (who is definitely cooler than me). There are your fair share of awkward, teenage, cringe-worthy moments, but empathizing with secondhand embarrassment is good for the soul, right? Overall, I really enjoyed this book and all of the messages the author layered throughout. My only critique, and this is just because it’s my first audiobook experience, I don’t think I was as invested as I would’ve been had I been reading it. The narrator (Alaska Jackson) did a phenomenal job, but I wasn’t motivated to listen to this every time I put my earbuds in, yanno?

THE EMPRESS OF SALT AND FORTUNE by Nghi Vo

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: A young royal from the far north, In-yo, is sent south for a political marriage in an empire reminiscent of imperial China. She has few resources, fewer friends and has to choose her allies carefully as she plans her enemies’ demise while in exile. Rabbit, a handmaiden, sold by her parents to the palace to pay a debt, befriends the emperor’s lonely new wife and gets more than she bargained for.

My Thoughts: “Angry mothers raise daughters fierce enough to fight wolves. I am not worried for her in the least.” Can I get a “yussss”? This 120-page gem was the perfect mix of feminism and fantasy and we were here for it. We follow a non-binary cleric named Chi and their bird (it’s a hoopooe, but like Google that and it’s a bird) named Almost Brilliant (I’d be mildly offended, but like ok?) who are trying to learn as much as they can about the previous empress’s experience in exile from a former handmaiden, Rabbit. To keep it brief, the empress is a badass who shows her enemies what she’s made of, and the power she can muster in the middle of nowhere. This was a beautiful book about resilient and rebellious women, dripped in feminism and mythology, sprinkled with a cast of queer characters and topped off with a delightful storytelling experience. :) The only thing that threw me off was the riddle-ish writing. I got used to it, but it took a minute.

THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END by Adam Silvera

Rating: 3.8/5 stars

Summary: A little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They’re going to die today. Though they are complete strangers, for different reasons, they’re both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: there’s an app for that. It’s called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure - to live a lifetime in a single day.

My Thoughts: LOL. This book was different to say the least, and boy did it prove me wrong in my assumptions of where the plotline was leading. Though I didn’t connect to the characters until I was about 45% into the book, the premise of this story kept me interested enough to get me there. The main takeaways were perfectly illustrated through the character developments of Mateo and Rufus - i.e. living without fear or regret, letting go of what you can’t control, focusing on all the good around you, and finding the beauty in the unplanned or unexpected turns in life. The blooming friendship to romance between the two main characters was v cute and an endearing part of an otherwise mildly morbid novel. It was kind of slow at parts that made the experience mildly meh, but there also were some plot twists towards the end that I didn't see coming - specifically, how their last day ends lol. I didn’t get emotionally wrecked by this book (as I’ve seen many people say they were in other reviews), and if you’re not big on the writing format of constantly changing POVs, then this probs isn’t for you. Otherwise, I’d say it’s worth the read if it has piqued your interest.

THE INHERITANCE GAMES by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But her fortunes change in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves Avery virtually his entire fortune. The catch? Avery has no idea why or even who Tobias Hawthorne is. To receive her inheritance, Avery must move into a sprawling, secret passage-filled Hawthorne House, where every room bears the old man’s touch - and his love of puzzles, riddles and codes. Unfortunately, the House is also occupied by the family that Tobias just dispossessed. Including the four Hawthorne grandsons: dangerous, magnetic, brilliant boys who grew up with every expectation they would one day inherit billions. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive.

My Thoughts: The best way I can describe this book is that it’s like if Gossip Girl and Knives Out had a baby. I thoroughly enjoyed trying to figure out the riddles and mysteries that are Avery’s connection to Tobias Hawthorne. Admittedly, I don’t read a ton of mystery novels, but there was not one moment while reading this book that I thought I had it all figured out. Avery, the main character, was a strong lead to this story, but I think the four Hawthorne grandsons are what made it interesting. Their personalities are so contrasting to one another, and the brotherly-love dynamics truly served us some dramatics to say the least. If you like the sound of “unsupervised rich kids solving a mega rich grandfather’s last twisted riddle” and are looking for a quick read, then I highly recommend this for you. :) The sequel doesn’t come out until September, but I am definitely planning to get my hands on it!

2021 Book Count: 40 down, 15 to go.

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YOUR TURN! Let me know in the comments below what books you’re planning to read this summer. :)