So, it seems I managed to read a lot of books in October. To be fair, I tend to listen to the classics on audiobook while at work, otherwise I’m pretty sure I would not have gotten through Dracula so quickly.
Favorite book of the month: Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater.
The rundown:
Petty Magic by Camille DeAngelis • 1/5 stars
Petty Magic was a book I thrifted to get into the Halloween spirit, but it turned out to be a tough book to get through that I would have abandoned if I was better at abandoning books. It was a mix of historical fiction and contemporary fantasy that could have been done better.
Dracula by Bram Stoker • 4/5
I don’t know why I had low expectations for it, but I did, and the only reason I owned it was because I visited Whitby, England once (where it was written) and did the tourist thing and bought a cheap copy for like 2 pounds. It was slow at times, but I actually ended up really enjoying it. Full review.
The Gilded Years by Karin Tanabe • 3/5
I buddy read this book with a friend who had major expectations for it, but it ended up just being okay, and while I didn’t mind it, her expectations gave her major struggles with finishing it. Full Review.
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys • 5/5
This was fantastic YA historical fiction. Ruta Sepetys is just an amazing writer.
The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo • 4.5/5
This trilogy was SO good, and just a great adventure to read. It was awesome fantasy, full of great characters, and I love Leigh Bardugo’s writing. It was fun to get lost in, and I’m now reading Bardugo’s Six of Crows Duology, set in the same universe.
Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater • 5/5
Like last month, the Raven Cycle takes home the prize for my favorite read of the month. I am OBSESSED (ex. photo below). The Raven Cycle has taken over my life.
Persuasion by Jane Austen • 3/5
This was another book I mostly read via audiobook, and to be honest I think I finally have to admit that Jane Austen novels just aren’t my thing. I’ve read Pride and Prejudice and thought it was just okay, and I don’t really think I’ll venture into her other novels. I’d be interested in hearing your opinions on Jane Austen (Love her? Hate her? Think her books are just okay, like I do?).
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck • 4/5
I turned to this book when I decided I needed a break from fantasy after the Raven Cycle and Grisha Trilogy, and it’s…basically as far from fantasy as you can get (I told a friend that if The Raven Cycle is ice cream, The Grapes of Wrath is raw broccoli…straight from the ground). It wasn’t my first foray into Steinbeck, but man, his books are literally English Lit 101. It was a bit slow, but I ended up really liking it and appreciating it, and I’m glad I’ve finally read it so I can feel like a True English Major 😉 And dang….that ending. Steinbeck always gets me with the endings.
I’ll have more full reviews for a few of these coming up in the next few weeks!
Plans for November
Six of Crows & Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
I’m currently working on Six of Crows and will then be venturing on to its sequel Crooked Kingdom. I’m LOVING these books and their characters, and I think I’ll love them even more than the Grisha Trilogy.
The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater
The time has come to read the last Raven Cycle book. I’m so excited…yet do not want it to end. I’ve buddy read each book with a friend over the last three months, and it’s been SO MUCH fun. I’m not ready to say goodbye to Blue and my Raven boys…….yet I need to know what happens asap.
The Progeny by Tosca Lee
A friend who works for the company that published this sent it to me, and she loved it, so I’m pretty excited. It’s about a girl who is “the descendant of a serial killer. Now, she’s become the hunted.”
Pale Highway by Nicholas Conley
And the last book I have planned is a Fantasy/Sci-Fi novel. It’s about a man who invented a cure to AIDs and must now find a cure to a new horrific virus while he slips into the grip of Alzheimer’s in a race against his brain. It was sent to me for an honest review and I thought it sounded intriguing, so we’ll see!
Also, check out this AWESOME Raven Cycle phone case I bought from Society6. I told myself not to, but they were having free shipping AND $5 off phone cases the day after I found it. Everything’s a coincidence, isn’t it? 😉 I’m in love with it. Link.
Have you read any of these? What did you read this month?? Let me know below!
Lost: Purple Quill 