Hello friends! Am I the only one who found April to be a surprisingly long month? I hadn’t thought as much until drafting this post and seeing books that I felt like I read eons ago. Regardless, I read about half of the picks I had put on a tentative TBR for April (and temporarily DNFed Emma by Jane Austen from that list — absolutely not on the book, my attention span and mental capacity are just a bit too weak for it presently!), and found a five-star read among them (and, unfortunately, a 2.5-star read as well…)!
A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk & Robot, #1) by Becky Chambers
I started my reading month off with this book, and what a pleasant way to start indeed! This novella is an incredibly endearing story about Dex, a tea monk discontent with their life and on a journey away from the world, and Mosscap, a fabled robot, who cross paths on the edge of civilization. This is categorized as a sci-fi novel, specifically solarpunk, which is something I wouldn’t ordinarily pick up, but I’m quite glad I did. (4 stars.)
Siege and Storm (Shadow and Bone, #2) by Leigh Bardugo
I didn’t come into this book with very high expectations, and rightfully so. Its predecessor was only a mediocre novel, though that one laid the groundwork for a well-developed, compelling world beloved by many. Unfortunately, this second installment to the Shadow and Bone (formerly Grisha) trilogy was quite a lull in Alina’s arc. The main redeeming factor would be the introduction of a particular character, but otherwise reading this was a bit of a slog. I’m hoping it leads to a more fulfilling conclusion. (2.5 stars.)
Wicked Magic (Vampires of Oxford, #1) by Margot de Klerk
I was fortunate enough to pick up a copy of this novel via BookSirens, and it was a decent read. It follows Nathan Delacroix, an eighteen-year-old from a line of vampire hunters on the brink of his initiation, and how he gets tangled up in the politics of the triumvirate made up of the Hunter, Witch, and Vampire Councils. Alongside his best friend Monica, a witch, his new girlfriend Cynthia, a shapeshifter, and his hunter-turned-vampire uncle, Adrian, Nathan navigates these politics and calls into question the morals of the Hunters with whom he is brought up to behold and become. (3 stars.)
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
I was quite hesitant to pick up this book, familiar with the controversies over the inspiration for this novel, though I’m glad that I read it. While, admittedly, I’m still conflicted about my enjoyment of the novel, this was my first five-star read of the year, which restored my faith in the fact that I’m not destined to feel only mediocre about books from here on out. Chockful of dazzling settings, magical kids, eccentric caretakers, and a scrupulous caseworker, this is such a refreshing and nearly saccharine sweet story with quirky prose and infinite charm. (5 stars!)
We Are Okay by Nina LaCour
One of the oldest books on my Goodreads TBR, We Are Okay is a novel that I believe I wanted to pick up for the cover alone because come on, isn’t it pretty? As soon as I picked up this book, I couldn’t help being consumed by the idea that it was perfect for me, the mundane, melancholic prose, the complicated interpersonal relationships, and a spontaneous retreat from the world one has always known perfectly suited to my tastes. However, certain factors unrelated to the book kept me from drenching myself fully in the story, and I hope to reread this in a few years and feel its full effect. (3.5 stars.)
Heartstopper: Volume 1-4 by Alice Oseman
When I saw the trailer for the Netflix adaptation of this series, I was honestly not interested in diving into it. I’ve never thought of myself as a romance reader, and while the story seemed sweet, I wasn’t interested. On the day of the show’s release, though, I binged the series and my mind has been nothing but a vessel for Alice Oseman’s works since. This series of graphic novels is just about the sweetest, most wholesome slew of work I’ve witnessed, and I’m very glad I picked it up. This series is constantly met with raving reviews, and rightfully so. As it goes on, the story explores some more serious topics (notably self-harm and eating disorders), so mind the trigger warning, but I still recommend it strongly because it handles those conversations with care, and there is so much representation in these books ranging from gender identity and sexuality to said mental health struggles. Incredibly lovely, and dragged me right out of an encroaching reading slump. (>4 star-avg.)
This Winter (Solitaire, #.5) by Alice Oseman
Since completing the four published volumes of Heartstopper over a few days, I had to determine in what order I was going to approach the rest of Alice Oseman’s work. In scanning their website, I found a linear chronology of the books rather than the order of their publication dates and decided to pick up this novella tied to Solitaire, Oseman’s debut centering around Charlie Spring’s (of Heartstopper) older sister, Tori. This story covers the Christmas touched on in Heartstopper: Volume 4, and precedes Solitaire, the next Oseman book on my TBR. While this novella wouldn’t necessarily stand as much on its own, it’s a nice companion to the series and fills out the story well. (3.5 stars.)
Heir of Blood and Secrets (Devovea, #1) by Linda Xia
My final read of the month was this YA dystopian mystery, something a younger me would’ve picked up instantly, but something a little out of the ordinary for present me. Xia’s debut follows Scylla Delevan, daughter of a Magistrate, trying to exonerate her father who stands falsely convicted of murder. In this investigative endeavor, though, Scylla discovers troubling secrets she hadn’t known before in her place of privilege in higher society. Though a tad tropey and predictable, I quite enjoyed this novel’s mindfulness to craft a strong female lead separate from the oft-overdone “Not Like Other Girls” character, as well as dystopia’s general affiliation with classism. I’m planning on picking up the second installment, set to be released in August of this year! (3.25 stars.)
Books Completed: 11
Average Rating: 3.7 stars
Most Read Genre: Graphic Novel
Top Intended Audience: Young Adult
That eleven is an astonishing number for me, though it never would’ve happened without those four graphic novels and two novellas — all of which I was quite glad to have read, and doesn’t even include my five-star read. I’m glad to report a good reading month, though it didn’t look as such until I picked up Heartstopper (Siege and Storm was really bringing down the average there).
Have you read, or do you plan on reading any of the books mentioned in this post? If so, which ones? Did you like them? Why, or why not? What was your reading month like? Any May releases you’re looking forward to? I’d love to hear your thoughts below!
Little Bit of All That 