Happy Show Us Your Books day with Steph & Jana! Very disappointed in myself for missing last month's SUYB - I haven't missed one since the beginning. Am I even a SUYB-er anymore?
I didn't mean to be gone for so long, mix of being busy, covid life and feeling like I had nothing to say. Well, I still don't have much to say in general, but can always talk about books, right?
So, here's what I've read since the last link up.
a girl makes a deal with the devil and is forgotten by everyone she meets
I fell in love with this book immediately. The writing was amazing, Addie completely captivating, the story fascinating. I liked the twists and how unique the story was. I read the first 40% or so in a day or two, then didn't pick it up again for a few weeks. That was me, not the book, but I do wonder if that is why I wasn't as invested in the second half. I was a bit meh about the last quarter/ending - mainly because I kind of lost the emotional connection to the story, not because of the actual ending itself. I just feel like the first part of the book packed such a huge punch that the last bit of the book felt like it was missing the oomph or something. Anyway. I was mostly satisfied with the ending - I won't lie, I'll always prefer a neater ending - but I wasn't mad about how it ended.
third in the nevermoor series
I really don't have much to say about this book that I haven't said about the first two in the series - freaking delightful. This world is fantastic, I adore the characters, I'm so intrigued and can't wait to see where it goes. Loved it, hate that I have to wait for the rest of the series.
elderly woman who wants to embrace death on her own terms
Took a bit for this book to worm its way into my heart, but it eventually did. Definitely reminded me of Ove. It was a quick read, I liked the characters, I felt feelings. Liked it a lot.
a library between life and death, every book shows you a different version of your life
Good lord. This book. It's our next book club book though I read it last year. I'm curious to see what they all think of it - I know I loved this book because of how much I could relate to a lot of it.. I'm curious to see how other people feel about it.. not that I think you need to experience depression or anxiety to feel feelings about this book, but I do wonder if that's why it attached itself to my heart. I loved it. I did a mix of the audio and ebook and Carey Mulligan was a fabulous narrator.
emmie is in love with her childhood friend who is about to marry someone else
This book. Heather had been... reminding... me to read it for quite some time because she flew through it and I'd say we have about 99% overlap in books (hold on, let me check goodreads - ok, goodreads says 92%, so close lol). Anywho. I wish I had written a review soon after I'd finished it so I remembered more, all I remember is that I adored all the characters, it made me feel lots of feelings, very emotional but very enjoyable. Someone else compared it to a Mhairi McFarlane book and I'd have to agree.
spin off of kate daniels series
Yeah, this isn't a book I'd recommend to just anyone, I think you should read Kate Daniels first, but goodness. I loved it. I loved being back in this world with this family and am dying for more. Julie reminds me of Jane in Miss Fishers, I don't know why. Anywho. I'd been struggling with actually reading books (mostly listening lately) but read this in about 24 hours. Just shows Ilona Andrews can do no wrong in my mind.
teenager discovers she has a secret sister via one of those dna services
Ugh, why don't I write reviews as soon as I finish books? My memory is horrible. I really liked Tweet Cute by the same author but I enjoyed this one much, much more. I don't read a ton of YA anymore and I think it's telling that I enjoyed the portion of the story about the grown ups more than the youngens. But it was very good, funny, quick, enjoyable. Kind of parent trap-y.
Received from Netgalley.
We do a fun little book club gift exchange for christmas and I ended up with The City of Dreaming Books - which super sounded like my jam, but I'm incapable of reading books in a series out of order, so made myself read these two... and am now officially cured of that. These books were SO LONG and such a slog and I still had to read the one I was gifted that came highly recommended. I wish I had not read these, because even though so far I am enjoying the third, I might have enjoyed it more on its own since I can't get these two out of my head or stop associating them with the third. Anywho. If you're into fantasy, maybe. I love fantasy but these two weren't for me.
I did not love the second book in this series, but everyone said the third was better so I'm glad I gave it a go. It was very entertaining and cute, the friends to lovers trope was done well (it's not my favourite, so hard to connect to). I have issues with previously absent fathers in books, but I'm used to them being handled somewhat unrealistically (in my opinion). It was definitely enjoyable and I quite liked it.
TL;DR - I recommend any of the books up the very top, but especially the midnight library I think.
Read anything decent lately?
