Last month I decided to do a TBR list. How did I do, you may be asking? Well, lets find out! First up, the four books not on my TBR!
The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain
This was a book club pick! The story of an adulterous relationship and murder! This story was written in the 1930’s and had a few, well, let’s just say problems, by todays standards. I gave it 3.5 stars. And I feel like that was maybe to high.
Low Vol 1: The Delirium of Hope by Rick Remender, Art by Greg Tocchini
The sun is dying and to survive the radiation, humanity has gone underwater, all the while still holding out hope for communication from missions to find livable worlds to inhabit. I didn’t really enjoy this particular trade paperback. I found the art a little jarring, which took me out of the story. I DNF’d it.
Of Sea and Shadow by Will Wight
Another book club pick! The story of Calder, a ships captain who must help install a new emperor on the thrown. But the Consultants guild wants the same thing. Who will succeed. This book is very unique in that it has a companion novel, Of Shadow and Sea, that was published at the same time. It’s basically pirates versus ninjas. And I loved it. 4 stars.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Ryland Grace wakes up alone on a space craft far from home with no memories of who is is or what he’s doing. What he doesn’t know is that he is humanities last hope for survival. I absolutely loved this book. A 5 star must read from me.
Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas
Wendy and her brothers went missing in the woods when they were children, but only Wendy returned. This story is a Peter Pan follow up? Retelling? Fan fiction? Long story short, I reviewed it. I also DNF’d it.
How Y’all Doing? by Leslie Jordan
The life story of Instagram sensation (and much lauded actor) Leslie Jordan. I listened to the audio book, which is narrated by the author. I loved learning about his life, especially his work during the AIDS crises. What a guy. I gave this 4 stars.
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Gideon just wants to escape her life, alas, she cannot. Also necromancers in space. And lesbians. What’s not to love? I really like the way this book kept me guessing, although I did figure out a plot twist or two, I didn’t see everything coming, which I appreciated. 4 stars.
The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood
When Csowre is set to be sacrificed to her God in it’s temple, a stranger gives her another chance at life and she takes it. I figured out the main twist to this book about 80 pages in and that made the rest of the book hard to get through because I knew what was coming. It took me an entire month to read this. 3 stars.
Stats time! I love looking at my stats! If you haven’t discovered The StoryGraph yet, here’s your chance!
Mood
My book moods for the last month seem pretty on point with 5 adventurous books. But 3 dark books? That’s a weird stat.
Pace
5 medium paced books seem about right. All I ever seem to read are medium paced books. Or is that it is all authors seem to write?
Page Numbers
The page number slices make sense. I definitely read several 400 page books this month.
Fiction/Nonfiction
I read a non fiction book! Go me! I really ne to try and read one a month. She says every month.
Genres
I don’t usually read so much Sci-Fi in a given month. Maybe this is indicative of a positive change?
Star Ratings
Only 1 five star book this month? Compared to previous months that’s positively terrible. Or, am I just getting more critical?
I managed to accomplish my TBR! Whoo hoo! Go me! It’s been so long since I finished a TBR. To be fair, it’s been a long time since I did a TBR, because mood reading.
It’s the end of the month, which means it’s monthly wrap up time! I love having all the posts I’ve done wrapped up in one place. It’s nice to look back at the work I’ve done.
Every Book I Read-May 2021: This is the monthly post that goes over every book I read in the previous month. It also includes my reading stats for the month. I love looking at my reading stats. I get them from The Storygraph and I absolutely love that website.
Every Book I Bought-May 2021: This particular monthly post was a doosey. I bought a few books during the month of May. And by a few I mean a lot of books. A lot of books.
Every New Release I Want-June 2021: I do this post every month too. I love plumbing the depths of the internet (*coughs* Amazon *coughs*) to find the newest releases I am most excited about.
A Small TBR: I had stopped doing TBR’s for a while because I am a mood reader. In June I decided to do an LGBTQ+ books TBR for myself. You’ll have to stay tuned to see how I did.
So given that it’s the middle of the year, I thought I would share with you my top 5 favorite books so far. Because why not?
Now, I haven’t read as much as I would like this year, but I’m working on it. I do have a few five star reads that I can choose from, however. So here they are, in no particular order. Because I’m cool like that.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
The story of Linus, who gets sent to investigate whether or not a group of magical children, who are extraordinarily unique, are being appropriately taken care of. This heartwarming found family story is like that feeling you get when you are wrapped in a warm blanket sipping on some hot cocoa. People have compared it to being wrapped in a warm hug, they aren’t wrong. It’s amazing. Truly.
This Place: 150 Years Retold by Various, art by Various
Indigenous persons of Canada tell their history of Canadian colonization in this graphic novel. It was painful and beautiful to read. I legitimately cried at some points. I was angry at some points. This book moved me. And I loved it so much.
Broken (in the Best Possible Way) by Jenny Lawson
Broken is Jenny Lawson’s newest memoir, and it’s wonderful. The way she talks about mental health, I only wish I was that open about mine. I loved this book. It made me laugh so much!
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Nora takes her own life and ends up in the Midnight Library, a place between life and death. From here, she’s able to live her life as if she made different decisions. I am still thinking about this book a month later.
Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
It’s the sequel to A Discovery of Witches, and I love that book (it was a five star read too), but this is my favorite book in the series. Probably because of the time travel. No, yeah, it’s definitely because of the time travel.
Don’t ask me to pick a favorite. That’s basically like asking me to pick a favorite child. Except I don’t have children, but I do have siblings and I know that parents always have a favorite. Sigh. If I had to pick a favorite, House in the Cerulean Sea and Broken (in the best possible way) are in the top spots I guess.
Well. How do I put this. I really wanted to like this book, and yet, alas, I did not.
Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas is a contemporary Peter Pan retelling. In the authors own words, it’s more like a fanfic. This one just happens to be a not so great fanfic.
Here’s the thing, the premise sounds great. Wendy and her brothers, John and Michael, disappear in the woods one day and only young Wendy returns. Fast-forward several years later and Wendy is freshly eighteen and two more children have gone missing in the woods. Wendy wants no part of any of it, until a she almost hits a boy, claiming to be Peter Pan, with her truck.
Just to reiterate, I wanted to like this book. I really did. I loved the author’s first novel, Cemetery Boys, and was hoping this book would live up to that promise and it just didn’t.
What was wrong with the book, you may ask? I just found it, well, boring. The first real action scene in the book and I wasn’t enthralled by it. This book just seemed to leave me wanting more, so much more, at every turn.
And that’s why, at 150 pages, I gave up. I was tired of wanting more from the characters, the world, the mythology, the world the author was building.
Am I still going to pick up their next book? Absolutely. But I had to give this one 1 star.
I know I said I wasn’t going to do it anymore, but I’m going to do it. There are a few books I want to read to celebrate Pride month. Maybe you’ll find one that you want to read too!
Also, I’m not gonna run myself ragged trying to read all of these. If I don’t finish this list, I will not be ashamed!
How Y’all Doing? by Leslie Jordan
When actor Leslie Jordan learned he had “gone viral,” he had no idea what that meant or how much his life was about to change. On Instagram, his uproarious videos have entertained millions and have made him a global celebrity. Now, he brings his bon vivance to the page with this collection of intimate and sassy essays.
Bursting with color and life, dripping with his puckish Southern charm, How Y’all Doing? is Leslie doing what Leslie does best: telling stories that make us laugh and lift our spirits even in the darkest days. Whether he’s writing about his brush with a group of ruffians in a West Hollywood Starbucks, or an unexpected phone call from legendary Hollywood start Debbie Reynolds, Leslie infuses each story with his fresh and saucy humor and pure heart.
Oh my word! I restarted my audible subscription for this book. I’m a sucker for memoirs where the author narrates it. Who doesn’t love Leslie Jordan at this point?
The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood
Csorwe does—she will climb the mountain, enter the Shrine of the Unspoken, and gain the most honored title: sacrifice.
But on the day of her foretold death, a powerful mage offers her a new fate. Leave with him, and live. Turn away from her destiny and her god to become a thief, a spy, an assassin—the wizard’s loyal sword. Topple an empire, and help him reclaim his seat of power.
But Csorwe will soon learn—gods remember, and if you live long enough, all debts come due.
I bought this last year and just haven’t gotten to it yet. I’m hoping to get to it this month!
Lost In the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas
It’s been five years since Wendy and her two brothers went missing in the woods, but when the town’s children start to disappear, the questions surrounding her brothers’ mysterious circumstances are brought back into the light. Attempting to flee her past, Wendy almost runs over an unconscious boy lying in the middle of the road…
Peter, a boy she thought lived only in her stories, asks for Wendy’s help to rescue the missing kids. But, in order to find them, Wendy must confront what’s waiting for her in the woods.
I pre-ordered this one cause I like Cemetery Boys so much. Here’s hoping I like it just as much. It would be nice to have another author whose works I collect.
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
The Emperor needs necromancers.
The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman.
Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead nonsense.
Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skillfully animated as arcane revenants. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy.
Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service.
Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will be become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.
Of course, some things are better left dead.
Another book I’ve had since last year and just never got around to reading. Here’s hoping!
Well, there you have it. The 4 books I’m wanting to read this month. Not a long list, but it works for me. Send good vibes my way that I can get to all of them!
Since I gave up on my book buying ban, I am open to the possibilities of purchasing new books! I’m still gonna try to keep it small though.
I said try Husband! I can see you smirking at me from the other room!
For The Wolf by Hannah Whitten-June 1st
As the only Second Daughter born in centuries, Red has one purpose—to be sacrificed to the Wolf in the Wood in the hope he’ll return the world’s captured gods.
Red is almost relieved to go. Plagued by a dangerous power she can’t control, at least she knows that in the Wilderwood, she can’t hurt those she loves. Again.
But the legends lie. The Wolf is a man, not a monster. Her magic is a calling, not a curse. And if she doesn’t learn how to use it, the monsters the gods have become will swallow the Wilderwood—and her world—whole.
I may have already pre-ordered this one for the Kindle. Maybe. Sorta.
Beyond by Mercedes Lackey-June 15th
Within the Eastern Empire, Duke Kordas Valdemar rules a tiny, bucolic Duchy that focuses mostly on horse breeding. Anticipating the day when the Empire’s exploitative and militant leaders would not be content to leave them alone, Korda’s father set out to gather magicians in the hopes of one day finding a way to escape and protect the people of the Duchy from tyranny.
Kordas has lived his life looking over his shoulder. The signs in the Empire are increasingly dire. Under the direction of the Emperor, mages have begun to harness the power of dark magics, including blood magic, the powers of the Abyssal Planes, and the binding and “milking” of Elemental creatures.
But then one of the Duchy’s mages has a breakthrough. There is a way to place a Gate at a distance so far from the Empire that it is unlikely the Emperor can find or follow them as they evacuate everyone that is willing to leave.
But time is running out, and Kordas has been summoned to the Emperor’s Court.
Can his reputation as a country bumpkin and his acting skills buy him and his people the time they need to flee? Or will the Emperor lose patience, invade to strip Valdemar of everything of worth, and send its conscripted people into the front lines of the Imperial wars?
I’m not gonna lie, I pre-ordered this one the moment I learned about it. I have always wanted to know the story of the founding of Valdemar, and it looks like I get my chance!
The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo-June 1st
Jordan Baker grows up in the most rarefied circles of 1920s American society—she has money, education, a killer golf handicap, and invitations to some of the most exclusive parties of the Jazz Age. She’s also queer and Asian, a Vietnamese adoptee treated as an exotic attraction by her peers, while the most important doors remain closed to her.
But the world is full of wonders: infernal pacts and dazzling illusions, lost ghosts and elemental mysteries. In all paper is fire, and Jordan can burn the cut paper heart out of a man. She just has to learn how.
This one sounds interesting. And it’s got a lot of early buzz. I have high hopes.
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri-June 8th
Exiled by her despotic brother, princess Malini spends her days dreaming of vengeance while imprisoned in the Hirana: an ancient cliffside temple that was once the revered source of the magical deathless waters but is now little more than a decaying ruin.
The secrets of the Hirana call to Priya. But in order to keep the truth of her past safely hidden, she works as a servant in the loathed regent’s household, biting her tongue and cleaning Malini’s chambers.
But when Malini witnesses Priya’s true nature, their destines become irrevocably tangled. One is a ruthless princess seeking to steal a throne. The other a powerful priestess seeking to save her family. Together, they will set an empire ablaze.
This sounds so good. I wants it!
Boundless by Jack Campbell-June 15th
Geary believed in the Alliance. Even when he uncovered overwhelming evidence that the highest echelons of the government and fleet command were involved in secret programs and prison camps, he believed it was worth saving. And that his duty was to see that justice was served even though some factions feared that revealing the truth would cause the Alliance to crumble.
But after narrowly surviving two assassination attempts when he brings evidence of the misdeeds to the capital star system, Geary realizes that some have decided the easiest way to make the Alliance’s problems go away is to get rid of him. He finds himself ordered to undertake a perilous new mission outside of the reaches of human-occupied space while the Senate clashes over the evidence.
Geary’s warships must escort a diplomatic and scientific mission across the dangerous, disintegrating remnants of the Syndicate Worlds empire. But even if he can make it to Midway Star System, the gateway to alien-controlled space, Geary will face former Syndicate officials who have rebelled and regard the Alliance with deep suspicion. And that will be the easy part. . .
This one sounds pretty interesting. Space battles ahead!
The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid-June 8th
In her forest-veiled pagan village, Évike is the only woman without power, making her an outcast clearly abandoned by the gods. The villagers blame her corrupted bloodline—her father was a Yehuli man, one of the much-loathed servants of the fanatical king. When soldiers arrive from the Holy Order of Woodsmen to claim a pagan girl for the king’s blood sacrifice, Évike is betrayed by her fellow villagers and surrendered.
But when monsters attack the Woodsmen and their captive en route, slaughtering everyone but Évike and the cold, one-eyed captain, they have no choice but to rely on each other. Except he’s no ordinary Woodsman—he’s the disgraced prince, Gáspár Bárány, whose father needs pagan magic to consolidate his power. Gáspár fears that his cruelly zealous brother plans to seize the throne and instigate a violent reign that would damn the pagans and the Yehuli alike. As the son of a reviled foreign queen, Gáspár understands what it’s like to be an outcast, and he and Évike make a tenuous pact to stop his brother.
As their mission takes them from the bitter northern tundra to the smog-choked capital, their mutual loathing slowly turns to affection, bound by a shared history of alienation and oppression. However, trust can easily turn to betrayal, and as Évike reconnects with her estranged father and discovers her own hidden magic, she and Gáspár need to decide whose side they’re on, and what they’re willing to give up for a nation that never cared for them at all.
Another book with a wolf in the title. Apparently there is a theme this month.
Daughter of Sparta by Claire M. Andrews-June 8th
Seventeen-year-old Daphne has spent her entire life honing her body and mind into that of a warrior, hoping to be accepted by the unyielding people of ancient Sparta. But an unexpected encounter with the goddess Artemis—who holds Daphne’s brother’s fate in her hands—upends the life she’s worked so hard to build. Nine mysterious items have been stolen from Mount Olympus and if Daphne cannot find them, the gods’ waning powers will fade away, the mortal world will descend into chaos, and her brother’s life will be forfeit.
Guided by Artemis’s twin—the handsome and entirely-too-self-assured god Apollo—Daphne’s journey will take her from the labyrinth of the Minotaur to the riddle-spinning Sphinx of Thebes, team her up with mythological legends such as Theseus and Hippolyta of the Amazons, and pit her against the gods themselves.
Another month, another myth retelling. I still want it though!
Well, I can’t believe. I think my reading slump is over (runs and knocks on every wood surface she can see). Now I just have to stay off of TikTok to stay where I am!
Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs
A small commune mysteriously disappears without a trace and Anna and Charles are sent in to discover why. I love the universe Patricia Briggs has built here, and this book was pretty good. I liked learning more about Leah, who, up until now I have not liked. 4 Stars.
Broken (in the best possible way) by Jenny Lawson
An autobiographical tale of the authors mental health journey, this book made me laugh. A definite must read for anyone who feels alone in their mental illness. Or anyone who just wants a laugh. 5 Stars.
Crave by Tracy Wolff
So I tried to read this book about a teen who looses her parents only to move in with her Uncle at his boarding school. Did I mention the vampire love interest? I just couldn’t with this writing style. This book reminded me why I stopped reading YA for so long. On Storygraph I gave it no stars and on Goodreads I gave it 1 star.
The Perfect Mother by Amiee Molloy
The story of a mommy group and what happens when one of the babies goes missing. I just couldn’t get into this book at all. My book club seemed to like it though. 1 Star.
A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians by H.G. Parry
Set in the time of the American revolution, but with governments strictly controlling magic users. I didn’t finish it. But I have a feeling this was more of a right book wrong time situation, so I will try and come back to it. Hopefully. 1 Star, for now.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
The story of Nora, after she takes her own life she ends up in the Midnight Library where she sees all the possibilities of her life. You can read my full review here. 5 stars.
Skyward by Joe Henderson, art by Lee Garbett
Imagine a world where gravity stops working. That’s the world that Willa grew up in. This volume collects issues 1 thru 5 of the comic. I loved it! 5 stars!
Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View by Various
This is the story of Star Wars: A New Hope as told by a whole host of secondary characters. From a random stormtrooper to an imperial droid to Wedge Antilles. Some of these stories made me feel things. Some didn’t. 4 stars.
Now on to the best part, the stats!!! As always, these stats are brought to you by the amazing website The Storygraph!
So, it would seem that I read 8 books this month. However, I did DNF three of them.
5 adventurous books for May! That seems low, but Broken (in the best possible way) couldn’t really be considered adventurous.
And that’s 4 fast paced books for me this month. Although I did DNF 2 of them. Oh well.
The page number stats make sense. Usually 400-ish pages is my average.
I read one non-fiction book this month. Which is great, cause one of my year goals was to read more non fiction. Maybe I should try to read one non-fiction book a month?
Oh look, the genre I read the most in was fantasy. Go figure.
Do you see that? Storygraph lets you rate books with 0 stars! Also, I may have been over 5 star happy this month. Oh well, the books made me happy!
Well, how did I do on my book buying ban this month?
I bought books, that’s how I did.
Welp. Here is the damage.
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Young Hiram Walker was born into bondage. When his mother was sold away, Hiram was robbed of all memory of her—but was gifted with a mysterious power. Years later, when Hiram almost drowns in a river, that same power saves his life. This brush with death births an urgency in Hiram and a daring scheme: to escape from the only home he’s ever known.
Just the first couple of lines of the description had me sold on this book. That’s not the full description mind you. I do fully expect this book to wreck me.
The Black Gryphon by Mercedes Lackey
The story of Skandranon, the titular black gryphon, and his human best friend Amberdrake. Did I mention the Mage War? I already own this book, but I had read it so much it was falling apart, so I picked up a new copy at my local used book store. It’s in pretty good condition too!
The Return of Nightfall by Mickey Zucker Reichert
The story of the Nightfall continues. I’ll be honest, I’m not really sure what this is all about, but I bought it, because I have the first on, which I haven’t read yet. But I needed the second one before I could read the first one. That makes sense, right?
This Alien Shore by C.S. Friedman
A powerful guild has control over space travel, and the rest of the planets want to topple them. I love C.S. Friedman’s books. Well, the three I have read anyway. The Coldfire trilogy was amazing, so I have high hopes for this one.
Broken (in the best possible way) by Jenny Lawson
Jenny Lawson writes about mental illness amazingly and I have never felt so seen. This is her newest autobiography and I can’t wait to read it. In fact, I may start it to today!
So It’s not’s so bad. Could be worse. I say as I made it worse during May. You’ll see.
The story of Angrboda, who bears Loki three children, among other things. I didn’t finish this one. In fact, you can read all about it here.
I started two other books this month, but one of them got returned to the library before I could finish it. And the other I finished on May first, so I’m not counting that one.
On the plus side, I have already started anther book. No spoilers!
Well, it’s been a while since I’ve written one of these hasn’t it! Two months, at least!
I thought I’d dip my toe back in the reviewing pool by reading The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec.
It’s the story of Angrboda, a witch who was burned by Odin because she wouldn’t give him what he wanted, and who falls in love with Loki.
Here’s the thing, I didn’t like this book. I didn’t even finish it, but I think it may be that it’s a case of right book, wrong time.
See, I understand that Angrboda had been put through the ringer by Odin, but I just couldn’t connect with her. Don’t get me wrong, I love a heroine who has suffered just as much as the next person, but this character just didn’t resonate with me for some reason. And characters like this usually always resonate with me.
The writing style was fine, I have no problems with it. It wasn’t overly lyrical or particular forced, it was just there. Solid recommendation, I know.
I just, I don’t know. I struggled for two weeks to read the first one hundred pages before I finally just said “self, don’t do this, put it down and walk away.” And by “it” I mean my phone because I picked this book up through the Libby app. Thank you library.
I’m sad, because I really wanted to like this book. And I just didn’t.
What do you think, should I give this book a second chance?
Lauren Corcur 