With May over, it’s time to share my reading wrap-up. This past month, I read eleven books. I have a feeling that having new jobs will help me slow down with my reading a little bit. Then again, I want to read so much this summer!
I’m starting to get back into the swing of things with blogging and Bookstagram as well. Although I’m not completely into my new schedule yet, the current way that I’m organizing myself has really helped. If it sticks, I’ll be sure to share!
Anyway, here’s everything I read this month. I hope you found some great new books this month too!
April In Stats
Books Read
Pages Read
Average Rating
%
Goodreads Goal Progress
BOOKS BREAKDOWN
- 10 PHYSICAL BOOKS
- 1 E-BOOK
- 0 AUDIOBOOKS
April In Books
Oddity by Eli Brown
Oddity is set in nineteenth-century America where ordinary everyday objects have special powers. It follows Clover, a young girl with an unknown oddity that her father left behind. Thrown into a journey on her own, Clover must find the truth about this oddity – and protect it at all costs.
This was an interesting middle-grade novel, and it’s been quite some time since I’ve read middle grade! And while I enjoyed the concept, I did struggle with the writing style at times – I felt like there were ways that more suspense and excitement could have been added into the story.
If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha
If I Had Your Face follows four young women living together in South Korea, and how society’s expectations and standards of beauty impact their well-being, despite their varied paths.
While this wasn’t a 5 star read for me, this is definitely a book that I’ve been thinking a lot about since I read it. I found myself so invested in the character’s stories and the character-driven nature of this novel in general. I highly recommend it!
A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark
A Master of Djinn follows Fatma el-Sha’arawi, the youngest woman working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities, but certaintly far from a rookie. Agent Fatma is called to the case of the murder of a secret brotherhood dedicated to one of the most famous men in history, al-Jahiz, who opened the veil between the magical and mundane realms before disappearing. The killer claims to be al-Jahiz, and Agent Fatma must solve the mystery of the imposter to save the city, or face the possibility of what could happen otherwise.
This was an excellent continuation of the short stories that I’d read previously by Clark in the same universe. This was definitely different from other mysteries that I’ve read because of the SFF elements, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger
Elatsoe takes place in an America where that has been heavily shaped by the magic and legends of its people. And while some kinds of magic are harmless and frequent, others are incredibly dangerous. Elatsoe can raise the ghosts of dead animals, which has been passed down through her family. When her beloved cousin is killed and her town remains silent, Elatsoe must find out the truth.
This was a really good book as well! I really liked Ellie’s character and the way that her character was written compared to a lot of YA books. I also really liked the way that Lipan Apache culture was integrated into this story and how it plays such a big role throughout.
Disability Visibility by Alice Wong
Disability Visibility is a collection of contemporary essays written from the lens of disabled voices. It features the everyday lives of the disability community while exploring the community’s past, its present, and its future.
Although I can’t say that I’ve read a ton of anthologies, this one is my favorite so far. This book is great whether you’re a part of the disability community or are looking to learn more about the daily lives of disabled people. I especially loved the stories on disabled joy!
The Empress of Salt and Fortune
The Empress of Salt and Fortune follows a young royal from the north who is sent to the south for a political marriage, only her servants on her side.
I’m actually not sure how to rate this one! I read this as part of the Trans Tales Book Club, and I’m looking forward to our discussion. I’m actually considering re-reading this book since it really started to connect for me towards the end! There’s a second book as well that I’m considering reading.
Heartstopper vol. 1 by Alice Oseman
Heartstopper is a graphic novel that follows Charlie, a Year 10, and Nick, a Year 11, at a grammar school for boys. This story follows how they’ve met, and how little by little their friendship becomes something more.
I picked this up on a whim from my library and I loved it! I loved Nick and Charlie and can’t wait to continue with their story. I just picked up volume 2 from the library so I look forward to picking it up soon!
Vengeful by V.E. Schwab
Vengeful directly follow the events of Vicious. Sydney is processing all that’s happened to her since she met Victor, and he doesn’t know she knows about his most recent act of vengeance. Meanwhile, while Victor has been keeping himself under the radar, he knows that Eli still must pay for what he’s done.
While this book didn’t quite match up to Vicious for me, it was so consistent in terms of the writing and storyline, so still very good! I just found out as well that there will be a third book. Even if the series ended here, I think it’s still great because it doesn’t suffer from second-book syndrome. Regardless, I’m looking forward to the final book!
The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton
The Andromeda Strain takes place in a time where re-entering space probes must be de-contaminated upon return to planet Earth. In a time where they realize the sterilization may be inadequate, a satelite falls to earth in a desolate part of Arizona. Not much later, nearby residents are found dead in the streets.
I buddy-read this book with Emma @ Words and Peace. I really loved the emphasis on the science and technology used throughout this book. Naturally, that meant that this book did lack in suspense a bit, but I loved the hard sci-fi element. It definitely has me looking forward to reading more hard sci-fi in the future!
The Fifth Season and The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin
The Broken Earth Trilogy starts with The Fifth Season. It follows Essu, who comes home to find out that her husband was murdered. The empire of Sanze collapses as most of its ctizens are murdered. And across the continent, a great rift tears into the Earth, spewing ash that darkens the planet.
This has been an excellent start to the trilogy and I look forward to reading more! I love the scientific nature of the plot despite it being primarily a fantasy book. It’s definitely different from a lot of books that I’ve read, but that’s what’s been making this trilogy really enjoyable for me.
How did your month go this May? What were your favorite reads? Let me know! I’d love to know if you’ve read any of these as well and what your thoughts were!
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I’ve read none of these 😂 and also read no books in May. I’m still in a reading slump. If I Had Your Face is on my tbr though
I hope your reading slump ends soon! If I Had Your Face was very good, I hope you enjoy it!
Great month! I’m curious to learn more about your organization, I need some ways to go back to more reviewing
Thank you! I think I may write about it next month. To be honest, I’ve decided to not review every book I read, but that’s also because I’m putting that time into both Instagram, writing other posts, and visiting more blogs. But I’ll start writing about it soon!
Sounds like you had a great bookish month! I’ve been meaning to read The Fifth Season for years now, so it’s good to know you loved it.
Thank you – I hope you enjoy it when you read it! It’s definitely a standout fantasy book.