2018 Wrap-Up | September
So my favorite month has again come to an end. Based on my previous months, this has not been a great 30 days of reading. However, I filled my time with so many great people, excursions, and events, that I cannot say I’m disappointed not to have finished more books. So thank you September. I am sad that you are behind me, but I’ll be looking forward to 2019 you. Now, more about my reading…
Books I Finished:
Ponti by Sharlene Teo – I was lucky enough to win a giveaway for the ARC of this book (thank you Simon & Schuster!), and WOW. I was blown away by Sharlene Teo’s writing. The depth she gave her characters, the changing perspectives and time periods, the lessons of age and womanhood and culture all made me devour this book; I know it will be one I reread for years to come.
The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson – This is the first book in the Mistborn series, and I liked it. That may not sound very enthusiastic, but I truly did get engrossed in the plot, the characters’ histories, and the way of the world. The primary magic in this fantasy world is based on the burning of metals, or Allomancy, and this is mainly the reason why I’m not coming out with a rush of love and passion for this book. Allomancy just seems really cheesy to me. Whenever one of the characters who was an Allomancer “burned” any of their metals, it really jarred me out of the complicated and intriguing story. This seems to be an unpopular opinion – if you or someone you know feels the same way, please let me know! Anyway, I will be continuing the series – apart from the core magic of the world (nervous laughter), I am invested in the characters and want to know what happens next.
Ravens Gathering by Graeme Cumming – I was on the Blog Tour for this book (thank you Graeme and thank you Kelly from Love Books Group!), and it is phenomenal. You can read my review of it here, and if you’re looking for a spooky, unsettling, horrific, fourth wall-breaking novel to read in October, this is an excellent option. I will say that there is violence, death (suicide, murder), and rape, so if you cannot or do not read books with such subject matter, this is not the one for you.
Queen of Hearts by Colleen Oakes – I picked this book up the other night from my shelves because the books I’m currently reading are not exactly speaking to me, and I just needed an escape. Well what an excellent choice I made – I finished it within a few hours and the next day ordered the sequel. It’s an origin story for the Queen of Hearts from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and it is quite captivating, charming, and thrilling. And I have to give a shout out to the lovely hardcover edition – it’s white under the book jacket and has jet black writing that is so pleasing to the eye.
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Books I Did Not Finish:
The Queens of Innis Lear by Tessa Gratton – I have ultimately decided to DNF this book. I do like Tessa Gratton’s descriptive writing, but the switching timeline and slow pace are really throwing me off. I think this may be more of a mood read for me, and right now I just don’t have the focus that I think is necessary for me to really appreciate the book. I did read King Lear by William Shakespeare in college (which this book is based on/a variation of), and thought it was okay, so maybe if I read the play again first it will also help me with this book. But now I’m just rambling so let’s move on. 😝
Books I Added to My Bookshelf:
The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker – One of my Book of the Month selections
The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar – My other Book of the Month selection
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The Gilded King by Josie Jaffrey
Blood Moon (Parts I & II) by S. Yurvati
Books I Am Not Keeping:
The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce
Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
Ponti by Sharlene Teo
I explain why I’ve decided on these books in my September Book Unhaul post, as well as how you can scoop any of these titles up if you’ve been wanting to add them to your personal library.
I hope your September was as satisfying as mine – reading wise and/or otherwise. Share some of your favorite reads and moments in the comments below, and let me know what you are excited for in October. Happy reading!
-Kelsey
6 Comments
the bookaholic dreamer
I felt the same about The Queens of Innis Lear, I was so excited to read it but the pacing was really slow and the flashbacks didn’t really appeal to me. I need to read Final Empire too, I have read The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson and now I’m reading the second part in that series. It’s SO GOOD. I’m convinced that Brandon Sanderson is a wizard and I’ll need to read all of his books.
Kelsey
Yeah, it was really a big letdown. And I’m with you on Brandon Sanderson’s magic; I’m glad he’s written multiple large books and series so I can read him for the foreseeable future. 😎
TeaPartyPrincess
Queens of Innis Lear was a DNF for me too, I just wasn’t getting into it.
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
Kelsey
Yeah, it became a bit of a chore.
Evelina @ AvalinahsBooks
Looks like you read some great books in September 🙂 it’s too bad to hear you’ve DNFed Queens of Innis Lear – I haven’t read it myself, but it seems to be so hyped up.
I loved The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock, although it’s such a slow burn read. Such a beautiful edition though, isn’t it 🙂
Evelina @ AvalinahsBooks
Looks like you read some great books in September 🙂 it’s too bad to hear you’ve DNFed Queens of Innis Lear – I haven’t read it myself, but it seems to be so hyped up.
I loved The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock, although it’s such a slow burn read. Such a beautiful edition though, isn’t it 🙂