October 2018 Reading Wrap-Up + Book Haul

 

Despite the fact that October was absolute chaos for me as per usual, I had a decent reading month and an even better book haul month…

Reading wise I didn’t stick to my October TBR as much as I wanted… I blame this fact on three books I had placed on hold ended up coming in this month.  All three happened to be Halloween-ish reads, so no harm done.

I really hadn’t been buying many books this year, but I definitely made up for that in October.  It’s not my fault though… I attended two book events, Kate Morton’s book tour for The Clockmaker’s Daughter and the Books by the Banks book festival.  Also a bunch of my highly anticipated books came out in October as well… my hands were tied.

» The Heart Forger (The Bone Witch #2) by Rin Chupeco

*4.5 Stars*

Feelings in a few thoughts:

• Huge thanks to Lilly @LairOfBooks for send me her extra copy of this book!  Honestly I am not sure I would have actually picked this book up had she not have sent it to me…
• When I read the first book, The Bone Witch, earlier this year I thought the world & magic system was fascinating, but had a hard time connecting to the characters & the slow moving plot.  Ultimately I gave the book a 3/3.5 star rating.  I was open to continuing on with the series, but it wasn’t going to be a high priority.  When I decided to make September a “series September” I went ahead and decided to give it a go.  I am so happy that I continued on with this series!  The second book is SO. Much. Better!
• Much like the first book, The Heart Forger, I really like how Chupeco tells this story alternating between the present & the past.
• The Heart Forger is much quicker paced & action packed than the first book.  There is more magic, fighting, political intrigue, etc.
• If you read The Bone Witch and it was just “okay” I highly encourage you to continue on with the series!!

» The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

Feelings in a few thoughts:

•  I read Good Omens which is a collaboration between Terry & Neil Gaiman, but this was my first solo Terry Pratchett book.
• I’m starting to discover that audiobooks are probably NOT the way to go when reading a Terry Pratchett book.  Terry likes to go off on random tangents throughout his books, so following along via audiobook has been tricky.  I think I am going to try giving my next Pratchett book a go in print form.
• I adored the main character, Tiffany, a young girl that is strong, smart, clever, & determined.
• I am not sure how to classify The Wee Free Men… The content is older MG to younger YA, but there is plenty of humor that would go over the heads of that demographic.  I think this is why Pratchett’s books appeal to so many people.  They span age groups.
• I love the clever & witty humor.    The Wee Free Men are a new cast of favorite side characters.  I laughed out loud on multiple occasions.

» Everealm (Everealm #1) by J.D. Wright

Feelings in a few thoughts:

• Everealm is told in third person omniscient POV, which made the book feel jarring with all the POV switches.  It was also hard to connect with any of the characters.
• This book is basically YA erotica.  I have no issues with the inclusion of sex in a YA book, but the sex scenes were a tad on the crude side for a YA book.
• The writing was on the basic side.  I think there is a lot of room for development & polishing.
• The plot was more about the various romances than about anything else.  Not a lot actually happens in the book.

» Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer #2) by Laini Taylor

Feelings in a few thoughts:

• This duology (or is it?) was absolutely fabulous!  I really like how Taylor left things a little open ended.  I really hope she writes more books in this world.
• These books are just so unique & the writing is breathtaking, both make for such a immersive reading experience.
• If you haven’t read this duology, what are you doing with your life?  These books have earned a spot on my favorites list!

» The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy (Guide #2)by Mackenzi Lee

Feelings in a few thoughts:

• This book is feminist AF and I’m here for it!
• I LOVE what Mackenzi Lee is doing for YA historical fiction.  She is really proving that HF is far from boring!  I also love that she is highlighting how challenging the plight of women was in the 1700s (and let’s face it, beyond.)
• As per usual Lee made me laugh out loud on many occasions.
• Positive & realistic female friendship for the win!
• If you were to ask me if I loved it as much as A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, I’d have to honestly answer no, BUT that doesn’t mean this book wasn’t fantastic.

» Small Spaces by Katherine Arden

 

Feelings in a few thoughts:

• I would say the target audience for this one is on the younger side of the middle grade range, around the 3rd – 4th grade range?
• Perfect book to read during Halloween time!  All the scary elements were all age appropriate.  Small Spaces gave me 90s Goosebumps vibes.
• While I did enjoy the overall plot/story, I was slightly disappointed with the character development & rushed plot, but I attribute this more to the target audience.  I almost wish Arden would have written this book for the older MG audience.

» The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White

Feelings in a few thoughts

• I LOVED Kiersten White’s And I Darken series, and I’m here to say she has done it again!  She is quickly becoming a favorite author in my eyes
• This retelling of the classic Frankenstein is on point.  I really believe that Mary Shelley would be proud.
• Perfect book to read during the Halloween season, or during the fall/winter months.
• This book was deeply unsettling.
• .I highly recommend you going into this one only if you’ve read the original Frankenstein.  You really need to be familiar with the original to appreciate the brilliance of White’s retelling.

September 2018 Reading Wrap-Up + Book Haul

October 2018 TBR

Book Blogger Recs: Bloggers to Follow for Horror Readers #BookBloggers

Book Event: An Evening with Jacqueline Woodson in Conversation With Sharon Draper

6 Middle Grade Books to Read This Halloween

Book Review: The Tea Planter’s Wife by Dinah Jefferies

Physical Books:

» The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy (Guide #2)by Mackenzi Lee

» Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer #2) by Laini Taylor

» West (East #2) by Edith Pattou

» Vengeful (Villians #2) by V.E. Schwab

» Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak

» A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult

» The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton

» Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram

*Signed by Author at BBTB*

» The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik by David Arnold

*Signed by Author at BBTB*

» Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

*Signed by Author at BBTB*

» We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices

*Signed by Jason Reynolds & Sharon Draper at BBTB*

Which books did you read this month?

Have you read any of the books I read or hauled this month?  If so, what did you think?

Did you buy any books?  If so, which ones?

Comment below & let me know 🙂