September 2020 Reading Wrap-Up

So we made it through through another month and I honestly cannot think of what happened in September other than our constant struggles to find a home learning routine that works for everyone. It hasn’t been easy, so let’s talk about happier things and move right into the reads!

I read a LOT of books (for me at least) this past month and I honestly don’t know how! Stress reading, I guess. I’ll rank them from favourite to least (5 star and down) although there are many tied for first this month. For picky reader me, I had a crazy good month of reads. All available reviews are linked.

5 Stars:

Piranesi

Written by Susanna Clarke

Published by Bloomsbury Publishing

What a wonderfully weird, completely immersive and whacky story. I sped through this incredible adventure/mystery/thriller/fantasy that gave me serious The Starless Sea vibes, but in a much faster (270-ish page) time. Completely obsessed with this one, even if I’m not certain I fully understood it!

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The Empire of Gold

Written by S.A. Chakraborty

Published by Harper Voyager

What a series! My ultimate favourite fantasy series I’ve read. While Empire of Gold is definitely a bigger chew at almost 800 pages and is the more political of the three books (normally not my favourite), Chakraborty gave us the satisfying ending we need – even if she might’ve broken us in the process. Glitteringly detailed, wholly imagined, completely beloved characters that just sparkled every step of the way through this enchanting, yet violent series.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The Boneless Mercies

Written by April Genevieve Tucholke

Published by Square Fish

Almost didn’t finish this one, and yet here it is, my first YA that will be on my favourites of 2020 list! If you’d like to read more on that journey, click on through to the review!

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The Cactus

Written by Sarah Haywood

Published by Park Row Books

(Audiobook)

Loved it, loved every second from the narrators first sentence. My curmudgeon-loving heart couldn’t get enough and found reasons to clean and bake just to keep listening. The exact right book for me at the right time – lovely, heartfelt and charming.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The Time of Green Magic

Written by Hilary McKay

Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books

Another story that just quietly snuck up on me with its charm and heart. I loved the somewhat eerie nature at the heart of this story – is the house enchanted, is the house evil? – but the familial dynamics, the heartwarming connections and the growth of the characters is what I fell in love with. This is the family I would want to be a member of.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Felix Ever After

Written by Kacen Callender

Published by Balzer + Bray

A fantastic, heartfelt, and honest read. A hard hitting YA contemporary that I absolutely adored – it was messy, it was beautiful, and it was very eye opening. I hope everyone will read this excellent book.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

Written by Jessica Townsend

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

(Audiobook)

A favourite. Still a favourite. Always a favourite. The audiobook is fantastic.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

4 Stars:

Star-Crossed

Written by Minnie Darke

Published by Ballantine Books

(Audiobook)

A charming rom-com that was quite enjoyable, even if the main heroine’s life decisions can be a bit tough to swallow.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

Written by Kwame Mbalia

Published by Rick Riordan Presents

Completely compelling and adventure packed – this story clops along at a good pace, but it is a bit dauntingly long and there were times I found myself confused. An overall excellent middle grade fantasy with fascinating & fantastic Black God folklore.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

3 Stars:

Where Dreams Descend

Written by Janella Angeles

Published by Wednesday Books

Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it. Just couldn’t absorb myself in it like I was expecting. I love Carnival/Circus settings, especially if there is something sinister afoot, wafting around with the scents of caramel popcorn. The beginning was incredibly strong and suck me in, I floundered along through a meandering middle towards an exciting ending … but was really just set up for book two. I was also incredibly befuddled by the romance … love triangle?

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Gemina

Written by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

Published by Ember

This was a surprising disappointment to me, not a mark against the writing by any means which is still as climatic and propulsive and heart pounding as Illuminae (which I adored) … it just lacked most of the elements I did love in book one. Namely Aidan. I can’t go into a lot of detail as to why I didn’t connect with this book without ruining it, but I will say it’s a “it’s me, not you” thing. I don’t generally like stories that go in the direction Gemina did and I personally didn’t love Hanna — who isn’t saddened by her father’s death?? Huh?

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

DNF’d:

How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse

Written by K. Eason

Published by Daw Books

I just could NOT get into this story … it puttered on and on and on without any strong character connection. It was the pretentious sort of science fiction that likes to keep the audience at arms length, basically if you aren’t well versed in science fiction we don’t want you in our club. Disagree with me over that statement or not, but that is how it felt to this reader. There is approachable science fiction and not approachable, Rory Thorne is the latter.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

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