It’s a busy month for everyone, but I’ve managed to fit in more reads than expected. Unfortunately, I’m still battling with finding anything to exceed the reading month I had in October.
Let’s start with my best read of the month. Even better? I got this on sale and went in with zero expectations. I’m a fool for dystopian, but have never edged towards the viral post-apocalypse––THIS is the exception. ALL THAT’S LEFT IN THE WORLS by Erik J Brown is a beautiful queer romance between two teenage boys who find and help each other through this new world. It’s funny, adorable, and brilliant. The discovery of the world outside the cabin, and of the people they’ve become, is an amazing journey. It’s so great that I’ve purchased book two straight away.
A long time TBR of mine has been the modern classic THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chbosky. At first, I thought I would struggle with the diary entry format, and with every book’s slow start, I wasn’t sure how I would fare. There are not many books I’ve read where nearly each chapter says something beautifully profound. It was thought-provoking. The characters reminded me of how difficult those teenage years can be, and it was such a fulfilling journey to watch Charlie navigate high school and coming of age.
I LOVED Project Hail Mary after listening to the audiobook earlier this year, so it would make sense to try out another Andy Weir book. I figured I would love THE MARTIAN based on this movie being done years ago, and my adoration for Ryland Grace, but it didn’t hit the same mark. I probably held the expectations too high on this one. The solo character environment was more prevalent in this storyline, and I wanted probably a little more character focus elsewhere, which of course is impossible to do due to the plot. I also found the science much heavier in this one. I actually felt like I understood the Project Hail Mary lingo, but there were many times when I was lost and phasing out on this one. My brain just does not compute.
I loved the RUINOUS LOVE trilogy by Brynne Weaver. Did I think I’d love TOURIST SEASON as much? No, because I knew it wasn’t going to touch the beauty of the Kane brothers and their adventures. It was good. The slow-burn and enemies-to-lovers tropes are always a trope I’ll buy into, but I didn’t love these characters. But I will always watch out for Brynne Weaver.
Special mention to those who don’t need more saying about them other than, “I read them.” FAN SERVICE, which I bought after a recommendation, and wish I’d just DNF’d. MEDEA was this month’s book club read, and it’s not often a book leaves me angry, but this really bothered me. Of course it’s a Greek tragedy, but ––URGHHH–– this left me wound up for days afterwards.
