Last month I said that February was a busy month, but I now realize that was a very naive statement, as March has complete blown February out of the water with regard to being busy. I felt like I was constantly scheduling some sort of meeting or appointment and then attending said meetings and appointments and all in all, it was just a lot, haha. I'm also getting a little bit tired of all the rain we've had here in Southern California, and as much as "we needed it" and all that, I think we're saturated now. I certainly am, at least.
That being said, I still managed to read a number of great books! I dove into some more nonfiction this month and learned a lot of fascinating things, which was a great time. I always seem to forget how much I enjoy it when I do read some good nonfiction books, so hopefully I remember that and continue incorporating them here and there–I've found it's really just about making sure they are about topics that are really personally interesting. I also finished a trilogy (Empire of the Wolf) and continued one that I've been loving (Jekua). And most notably (for myself), I read a book that's been on my TBR for years–The Windup Girl–and am so glad I finally got around to it! Overall, I can't complain about this month's reading (except for a thriller I tried to read called You Shouldn't Have Come Here... that one was... not good).
How was your March? Let me know how your month was below and what you've been reading!
That being said, I still managed to read a number of great books! I dove into some more nonfiction this month and learned a lot of fascinating things, which was a great time. I always seem to forget how much I enjoy it when I do read some good nonfiction books, so hopefully I remember that and continue incorporating them here and there–I've found it's really just about making sure they are about topics that are really personally interesting. I also finished a trilogy (Empire of the Wolf) and continued one that I've been loving (Jekua). And most notably (for myself), I read a book that's been on my TBR for years–The Windup Girl–and am so glad I finally got around to it! Overall, I can't complain about this month's reading (except for a thriller I tried to read called You Shouldn't Have Come Here... that one was... not good).
How was your March? Let me know how your month was below and what you've been reading!
# books read: 13
The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi ★★★★
Source: Owned | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: This is one of those books that had been on my TBR for so many years it was almost embarrassing. I had started it a few times here and there, but realized I was never in the mood for it at the times I picked it up, so this time I made sure I was ready and dove in. I had a really great time with it and think it explored a lot of really fascinating themes and ideas!
The Trials of Empire (Empire of the Wolf #3) by Richard Swan ★★★.75
Source: Publisher | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: I've loved the Empire of the Wolf series immensely, so I was actually really surprised by how.. disappointed (?) I felt with this final book in the trilogy. There were some good moments, but overall this was surprisingly not anywhere close to being as good as the first two.
The Cloud Roost (Jekua #5) by Travis M. Riddle ★★★★★
Source: Author | Format: eARC
Thoughts: I have just loved this series, and this was another phenomenal installment. I can't wait for the next book, but I also am so sad it'll be over soon.
Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen ★★★★
Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: This was a pretty horrifying read and I've already written a review for it (you can find a link for that below!). Not for the faint of heart, but certainly a good reminder of the dangers of nuclear war/weapons (as if you needed a reminder. but still).
The Aquariums of Pyongyang: Ten Years in the North Korean Gulag by Choi-hwan Kang ★★★★★
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was a very sobering nonfiction account of a man and his family who were sent to a 'labor camp' in North Korea.
The Last Yakuza: Life and Death in the Japanese Underworld by Jake Adelstein ★★★★
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
The Last Yakuza: Life and Death in the Japanese Underworld by Jake Adelstein ★★★★
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: Apparently this was quite the nonfiction reading month for me, haha. This is a history of the yakuza centered around the life of one member, Makoto Saigo, and it was absolutely packed with information about the yakuza and even elements of Japan's history, culture, and customs. A fascinating read!
Baby Bird by Travis M. Riddle ★★★★
Source: Owned | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: This was a really fun little horror novella that I had a great time with. I'd recommend it for any horror fan looking for a small fix.
Fathomfolk (Drowned World #1) by Eliza Chan ★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: I had so many mixed feelings about this book! It had so many things going for it, from the world-building to the different types of characters, but unfortunately the execution just didn't work out for me.
A Feather So Black (Fair Folk #1) by Lyra Selene ★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: This was an interesting fae fantasy read that I liked a lot more than I expected. I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about it overall, but I'm definitely curious enough to read the sequel.
Mal Goes to War by Edward Ashton ★★★★
Source: NetGalley | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was an interesting and amusing sci-fi read that I don't think I loved, but that I still had a good time with and appreciated. I listened to an audiobook copy of it and thought it was really well done.
Beyond the Wand by Tom Felton ★★★★★
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: I've been a fan of Tom Felton since I was a teen so I'd been looking forward to checking this one out! It was a really pleasant read and had a lot of fun stories and anecdotes as well as some moments of thoughtful reflection and poignancy that really added some depth. I listened to the audiobook which Tom Felton narrates and I'd highly recommend that route if you are able!
The End of the World is a Cul de Sac: Stories by Louise Kennedy ★★★
Source: Library | Format: Ebook
Thoughts: I expected to like this a lot more than I did and was a little disappointed by it. Tha tbeing said, there were still some strong stories that were worth the read.
You Shouldn't Have Come Here by Jeneva Rose ★★
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was really, really not great. I thought it sounded good, but.. the execution was not there.
DNF/To-Be-Finished:
None that I can remember!
Posts:
Month in Review: February 2024
New Release Spotlight: All Our Yesterdays by Joel H. Morris
Anticipated April 2024 Releases
New Release Spotlight: All Our Yesterdays by Joel H. Morris
Anticipated April 2024 Releases
Blog Memes:
Can't-Wait Wednesday:
3/6: Ghost Station by S.A. Barnes & A History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks by David Gibbins
3/13: The Vanishing Station by Ana Ellickson, Lake of Souls by Ann Leckie, & A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland
3/20: Indian Burial Ground by Nick Medina, A Short Walk Through the Wide World by Douglas Westerbeke, & Your Blood, My Bones by Kelly Andrews
3/27: Mal Goes to War by Edward Ashton, The Stone Home by Crystal Hana Kim, & A Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall
3/6: Ghost Station by S.A. Barnes & A History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks by David Gibbins
3/13: The Vanishing Station by Ana Ellickson, Lake of Souls by Ann Leckie, & A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland
3/20: Indian Burial Ground by Nick Medina, A Short Walk Through the Wide World by Douglas Westerbeke, & Your Blood, My Bones by Kelly Andrews
3/27: Mal Goes to War by Edward Ashton, The Stone Home by Crystal Hana Kim, & A Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall
