The end of March sneaked up on me. I was not prepared for this blog post, so I am sorry about that.
March has felt insane. Work has been slower mostly, I don't have a lot of bench work right now, mostly paperwork and training some of our newer people. It is nice to be able to catch up on some things, but work goes by faster when you are busy!
Kevin and I have been trying to get ready for India. We still have some forms to fill out and submit and paperwork to print/copy, but it is coming together. And I think we have our pet care situation handled. That was stressing me out pretty badly for a while there. I'm so glad that I have made some friends here who are willing and able to help me. And I know that I can trust them.
I read quite a few books this month and they were all enjoyable! That was nice. Since I am running late on this blog post, I will try to keep them short.
Title: Once Upon a Broken Heart
Author: Stephanie Garber
Narrator: Rebecca Soler
Synopsis: In a desperate attempt to keep her love from marrying another, Evangeline makes a deal with Jacks, the Prince of Hearts. But the price he asks may change everything.
Thoughts: When I finished the Caraval trilogy, all I really wanted was more about Jacks. I was thinking this would be more about Jacks' past, but it isn't, it follows the Caraval series. And I will take it. I will continue to read just for him.
Rating: 3 1/2 to 4 stars out of 5 stars
Title: The Bennet Women
Author: Eden Appiah-Kubi
Narrator: L. Morgan Lee
Synopsis: A modern Pride and Prejudice retelling about three close friends at Longbourn University. EJ is an ambitious black engineering major who loves dance. Her best friend Jamie is a newly out trans woman studying French and theater. And Tessa is a Filipina astronomy student with boyfriend trouble. When Lee and Jamie start to fall for one another, EJ is stuck with Lee's best friend, Will and she could not be less thrilled.
Thoughts: I enjoyed this book a lot even though I had not actually read all of Pride and Prejudice. And while I didn't always love the story between EJ and Will, I did love the side story about Jamie and Lee!
Rating: 3 stars out of 5 stars
Title: Pride and Prejudice
Author: Jane Austen
Narrator: Rosamund Pike
Synopsis: I think the classic story that is Pride and Prejudice needs no introduction.
Thoughts: I read about a quarter of this book many, many years ago but then my copy was destroyed by a leaking water bottle. But I finally read it and I absolutely loved it. I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did.
Rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars
Title: Five Dark Fates
Author: Kendare Blake
Narrator: Amy Landon
Synopsis: The conclusion to the Three Dark Crowns series! What will finally happen to the three (four?) queens of Fennbirn? Arsinoe is helping lead the rebellion to put Jules on the throne. Mirabella and Arsinoe have become close, but she leaves to try to save Katharine from herself. And Katharine, as the Queen Crowned and host to the dead queens is trying to keep her country safe and under her control.
Thoughts: Admittedly, I put off reading this book for quite some time. I actually adore this series. Though I read them all really far apart from each other and really need to go back and re-read the whole series. I am just sort of obsessed with the Queens. And even though I should not like Katharine, I really do. The poisoners fascinate me as much as they repel me. And I love Braddock the bear. I'm glad that I finally read the conclusion. I am a little sad that it is over and that Fennbirn is forever changed. But Three Dark Crowns merchandise is always a favorite with me and I own an awful lot of it. I just can't help it!
Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars
Title: The Penelopiad
Author: Margaret Atwood
Narrator: Laural Merlington
Synopsis: This is the classic story of Odysseus as told from his wife, Penelope's point of view. Penelope reflects on her life and story as she wanders the fields of Asphodel.
Thoughts: This book was recommended to me by a friend who always recommends great books. And I really enjoyed this story and Penelope's perspective. It is creative and well-researched. Definitely worth the read.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars
Title: The Stone Sky
Author: N. K. Jemisin
Narrator: Robin Miles
Synopsis: The final installment of the Broken Earth trilogy. The fate of the world and humanity is in the hands of Essun and/or her daughter, Nassun. Both have mastered the Obelisk Gate and have some conflicting information and views of how the world should be.
Thoughts: This is a series I have been meaning to finish for a while. The first book was amazing and I have enjoyed following the stories. The characters are so imperfect and different and it makes them all feel more real, I suppose. I was a little shocked about the ending with Essun and Nassun, but oddly actually pleased in the very end. Very good series, definitely recommend it!
Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars
Title: The Prince and the Dressmaker
Author: Jen Wang
Synopsis: Frances is a dressmaker who dreams of becoming a famous designer and dressmaker. Her unique designs gain the attention of Prince Sebastian who hires her. The prince secretly enjoys wearing dresses and Frances helps create his persona as Lady Crystallia. But the prince is afraid to let people know, which ends up keeping Frances from gaining the fame she deserves. But maybe these two friends can find a way to overcome all of the odds.
Thoughts: This graphic novel was recommended to me by a lady I used to work with and someone I follow on Instagram. I forgot my book when I had my hair appointment so I pulled this up on my phone Kindle app. It isn't very long and I finished it within a few hours. It was cute and gave me warm fuzzy feelings.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars
Title: Unravel the Dusk
Author: Elizabeth Lim
Narrator: Kim Mai Guest
Synopsis: This is the second book in the Spin the Dawn duology. Maia managed to sew the dresses of the sun, the moon, and the stars, but at a terrible price. When one of the magical dresses lashes out at the emperor's wife-to-be, Maia is forced to take her place while she recovers. But the bride's father eventually sees through her disguise. With the peace of her country in tatters and her humanity slowly draining away by the demon that possesses her, Maia will do nearly anything to save her country and the people she loves.
Thoughts: In some ways I feel like each of these books had two separate parts and sometimes I forget the other parts. I can't describe it without giving things away, you will just have to believe me. Overall I enjoyed it, but for a while I felt like it was dragging and I just wanted to finish the book. But then something would take me by surprise and I would find myself tearing up at certain parts. I was more invested than I thought I was.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars
Favorite book read this month: There were a lot of great ones this month. If I have to choose one, probably Pride and Prejudice
Least favorite book read this month: They were all so good, but probably Unravel the Dusk.
I have read 15 books towards my goal of 60 books. According to Goodreads, I am one book ahead of schedule. Which is good since I don't know how much reading I will be able to do while we are on vacation. On that note, my next blog post will almost definitely be late. I apologize in advance.
There were several series that I wanted to finish this year. As of this month, I have completed almost all of them. The only series I have left to finish is the Vicious duology (and I am so close to finishing Vengeful). And I suppose the King of Scars duology. That was not originally on my list but I feel like I should add it. It feels good to have met some of my reading goals. I just have to figure out what I want to read next.
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