March 2023 Wrap Up

Well, another month has gone by.

I think my March was less rough than my February, but I am still dealing with unpleasant things at work and in my personal life. That has been rather discouraging. Maybe one day I will discuss some things, but not right now.

I have been floating some other ideas for blog posts around my head lately. There are a couple of things that I'd like to write a little something about that aren't related to my monthly wrap ups and book reviews. My main problem is finding the time, motivation, and energy to do them. That is my problem a lot these days. I think work just takes it out of me. And my little ratties are getting older and having more health problems so they need more attention and care. So when I have time I just want to zone out or read a book or do a puzzle. At least I want to read, for a while there that was not the case. Also, if anyone has recommendations for smaller, book-ish puzzles, I want to hear them! I love the ones I have, but I can always use more.

I wish I had something amazing or profound to share, but I don't.

I did read some books though! Mostly I continued reading Maggie Stiefvater's Raven Cycle and Dreamer Trilogy. I have still been listening to Boyfriend Material a lot because it is comforting and familiar, but not as much as I did in February, I think. And I don't really know what I will move onto reading next. Part of me just wants to go back to the Raven Boys and read the series all over again.

Here are some quick book reviews.

Titles: Blue Lily, Lily Blue and the Raven King

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Narrator: Will Patton

 

Synopsis and thoughts: I finished my re-read of the Raven Cycle this month. I was surprised at how much I didn't remember. But I think I enjoyed them more the second time through. I did a mix of audiobooks and physical books. And can we talk about Ronan for a minute?? I greatly disliked him when I first read the Raven Boys. Then I felt like I understood him better (but didn't like him better) after reading the Dream Thieves. But then sometime during Blue Lily, Lily Blue, he suddenly became my favorite character. I have no idea why. But he still is. I love his story and I love that he is so full of emotions that he can't figure out how to express them so he's just angry. It was so much more obvious this time around how absolutely loyal and devoted he is to his friends, which I also love. I actually love all of the bonds and friendships between the characters in these books. I also think that Ronan and his pranks are often quite funny and I especially like it when Noah is involved in the pranks.

 

Rating: 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

 

 

Title: Opal

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Narrator: Will Patton

Synopsis and thoughts: This is a short story that follows the Raven King. I read it on my Kindle a few years ago (but hadn't remembered the Raven Cycle very well at the time) and I am not sure if I reviewed it. But it is from the perspective of Opal, Ronan's hoofed dream girl who came to live with him in at the Barns. It is interesting to see things from a non-human, outsider point of view. Parts of it are sweet and parts are sad. It isn't crucial to read it before the Dreamer Trilogy, but it is a little stepping stone that has important information in it. You get that information eventually in the Dreamer Trilogy, too, so it isn't required. I think the sadness and oddness of this story makes it less of a favorite for me, but I'm still glad that I re-visted it.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

 

Titles: Call Down the Hawk, Mister Impossible, and Greywaren

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Narrator: Will Patton

Synopsis: The Dreamer Trilogy primarily follows Ronan after the Raven Cycle ends. It also follows the stories of his brothers Declan and Matthew. Ronan starts to discover other dreamers, like him. And he discovers the people who are trying to destroy the dreamers in the name of saving the world. Declan is trying to protect his brothers: Ronan who is a rouge dreamer on the run, and Matthew who is having an existential crisis about being a dream-thing. Meanwhile, Hennessy and her "girls" (duplicates of herself that she has dreamed into existence) are art forgers trying to make it in the world, while keeping Hennessy secret. Her first duplicate, Jordan, loves Hennessy, but also longs for a life as an individual. All of their stories (and others) collide and intercept with those of other humans and dreamers. More discoveries are made about their world, about dreamers, and about the Lynch family.

Thoughts: These were intense books. I did a mixed audiobook and physical book reading of these, too. It took me a while to get into the first one, but once things were moving, they were really moving. I got so emotional a bunch of times, especially when Declan had his run-in with Mór Ó Corra and the new Fenian and learned about his parents. I had lots of strong feelings when I learned about the extent of Ronan's dreaming abilities and his history, especially with his father and Declan (side note, learning more about Niall just made his murder so much worse). And I just wanted everything to be OK. I ended up liking Declan (which I didn't before) and I really liked Jordan. I didn't always love Hennessy, but she was hilarious. And I just wanted Ronan and Adam to be in love and be together (though Ronan's emotional crisis when Adam didn't text him back did kind of crack me up). And the way they tell each other "I love you" is so them and I couldn't get enough of it ("Tamquam. Alter idem." Right in the heart every time). I will say, I kinda missed Ronan's pranks and the Murder Squash song. But that's alright. I really enjoyed these books. Sometimes I forget how much I love Maggie Stiefvater's writing. This was a good reminder. And the audiobooks were great. All of them have music written by Maggie Stiefvater and there is a little discussion at the end of Greywaren with Maggie Stiefvater and Will Patton, who narrated all of her books. Worth listening to, for sure.

Rating: 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

 

Favorite book read this month: I can't choose. I loved them all.

Least favorite book read this month: Opal had the lowest rating, but I still liked it.

I have now read 33 books towards my goal of 75.

I didn't finish any Owlcrate books (unless you count Greywaren since I ordered it from them?). But I am working on one that is good so far and planning to start a second one.

...But I kind of just want to re-read the Raven Cycle again... I'm a big mood reader, so we will see what happens.

February 2023 Wrap Up

February was… a month. We had some ups and downs, most of which I am not going to get into. Some has to do with work and some has been personal. Some possibly big things might be happening at work (some bad but some potentially very good) and I think I’m mixed up in it, for better or for worse, but probably better?

I’m also not going to get into all of my personal stuff. But Kevin and I had our sixth dating anniversary, which was lovely. I’ve gotten to spend time (in person, online, and via text) with friends. That has been a highlight for the month. Festus passed away sort of suddenly. I miss my dragon boy but it seems like he didn’t suffer too long, which I am glad for.

Books. It’s a good thing I read the rest of Fruits Basket this month or I would have fallen behind on my reading goals. My main problem was that parts of the month were hard and so I wanted to comfort read. Which I did in the form of listening to Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall over and over and over… I don’t even know (or want to know) how many times. But I find it so freaking funny and sweet. Then the characters all feel like friends I can’t get enough of so I start over again. Hopefully I will move past that within the next few weeks, but we will see. I'm only counting it once towards my reading goal.

I also casually participated in a read-a-long of the Raven Boys. This was a re-read, but it has probably been six or so years since I first read it. I forget how much I love Maggie Stiefvater’s writing and her characters. So that was great and kicked off a re-read of the series. And I plan to jump right into the Dreamer trilogy afterwards now that it is complete.

Since I read a few books, I will do some short reviews!

Title: Fruits Basket Volumes 4-12

Author:  Natsuki Takaya

Synopsis/Thoughts: Tohru's adventures with the Sohma family continue and conclude! I didn't know the whole story since I had only seen the anime, which doesn't go very far in the series. But it was so readable and I loved it. And the ending gave me warm fuzzies.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

Title: Wild Beauty

Author: Anna-Marie McLemore

 

Synopsis: The Nomeolvides women have lived at and tended the grounds of La Pradera for generations. Each woman is bestowed with a gift to grow flowers. But the family is also haunted by a curse: if they fall in love too deeply, the object of their love will disappear.

Thoughts: This was an old Owlcrate book. I really liked it, maybe more than I expected to. I loved the Nomeolvides family and the book was sweet, sad, and lovely.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

 

Title: Boyfriend Material

Author: Alexis Hall

Narrator: Joe Jameson

 

Synopsis/Thoughts: I have reviewed this book at least once before, possibly more. I love it. It is so funny and sweet (and occasionally so awkward in the most charming way). The narrator is great. And does anyone aside from me want more about Ben and Sophie and the James Royce-Royces? Because I would be 100% here for more of them.

Rating: 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Titles: The Raven Boys and the Dream Thieves

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Narrator: Will Patton

 

Synopsis/Thoughts: I think I have reviewed this series before, too. I did a mix of reading the books and listening to them. It is the 10 year publishing anniversary of the Raven Boys so I participated in a read-a-long through Owlcrate. And of course, I love her writing and characters. I think I am liking them even better this time around. They have been holding my attention well so I am excited to finish this series and get into the Dreamer Trilogy.

 

Rating: 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Favorite book read this month: They were all really good!

Least favorite book read this month: Honestly, none of them. 

I have now read 27 books towards my goal of 75. And I completed one Owlcrate book. Can I also count the Raven Boys since I bought the special anniversary edition from them? No, I don't think so. I still need to do more Owlcrate catch up.

January 2023 Wrap Up

Just like that, January is over.

I wish I had more to report for this month, but I think I've just been working all of the time. The big study I am leading is underway and it requires a ton of my time and attention. Plus I have other studies that also need my time and attention. Constant prep work and paperwork, being on call and working late/long hours/weekends. I haven't even been able to do laundry which is desperately needed.

But things are starting to wrap up. By the end of February my time should be a little less chaotic.

Despite the craziness, I managed to read more books than I expected. I will keep reviews short since I know this post is already a bit late.

Titles: Cold Fire and Shatterglass

Author: Tamora Pierce

 

Synopsis/Thoughts: These are the last two books of the Circle Opens quartet that follow Daja and Tris, respectively, as they travel and take on students. More comfort reads of course, but these two books are some of my favorites by Tamora Pierce.

 

Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

 

 

Title: Attachments

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Narrator: Laura Hamilton

Synopsis/Thoughts: I have read and reviewed this book a few times. It is a good read and I love the email communications between Beth and Jennifer. It is an easy, lovely read.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

 

 

Title: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Author: Mark Twain

Narrator: Nick Offerman

 

Synopsis/Thoughts: I feel that this classic doesn't need much introduction. After seeing the Mark Twain house and museum in Connecticut, I figured I should read more than one story, so I did! It was a bit young, but still enjoyable.

 

Rating: 3 stars out of 5 stars

 

 

Title: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Author: Lewis Carroll

Narrator: Scarlett Johansson

Synopsis/Thoughts: Another classic that needs no real introduction.  Another one I had never read before and it was a fun little listen. While I didn't LOVE it, it was still good.

 

 Rating: 3 stars out of 5 stars

Title: The Ballad of Perilous Graves

Author: Alex Jennings

Narrator: Gralen Bryant Banks

Synopsis: In an alternate version of New Orleans, ghosts are real, zombies work in the town, animals speak like humans, and music is the magic that holds the world together. When the core songs that protect the city escape and someone begins killing them, Perry (Perilous) and his friends and family must save the city.

Thoughts: I started reading this many months ago. It is actually quite good, but it didn't hold my attention well. That was completely on me, though, not the book. I just wasn't in the right head space for this type of story. It is one I will consider revisiting another time.

Rating: 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

 

Title: The Depths

Author: Nicole Lesperance

 

Synopsis: Addie, having recently survived a near-death accident, is required to tag along to a remote island with her mom and new step-dad for their honeymoon. But the island is inexplicably strange; beautiful and unsettling and covered in mysteries. As she gets deeper into the islands mysteries, the island and its inhabitants seem determined to keep her.

 

Thoughts: This was an Owlcrate book from September that I started in October since it is a spooky book. There are two "ghosts" on the island (they are called ghosts, but they are really zombies if you ask me). One is good and the other gave me the worst creeps. Spoiler: that ghost is also good, but we don't know it right away. I only mention it because I was glad of that when it came out. Parts of this books were definitely eerie and creepy. I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

 

Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars 

Title: The Secret Garden

Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett

Narrator: Carrie Hope Fletcher

 

Synopsis/Thoughts: Yet another classic that needs no introduction which I had never read before. I didn't actually know what to expect, I knew so little about this story. But it was a sweet, enjoyable read.

 

Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

Title: Four Dead Queens

Author: Astrid Scholte

Narrators: Amy Shiels and Elizabeth Knoweiden

 

Synopsis: Quadara is a nation is divided into four quadrants (Toria, Ludia, Archia, and Eonia), each ruled by a different queen. Keralie is a Torian thief and steals comm discs from an Eonian messenger. When things suddenly go wrong, she watches the comm discs and sees the four queens each being murdered in different, horrible ways. She and the messenger, Varin, set out to save the queens. But they don't know who they are looking for.

Thoughts: This was an older Owlcrate book that I finally picked up. The mystery was super intriguing and I loved the twists. It was so much more enjoyable than I thought it would be. If you are looking for a neat, captivating mystery, I highly recommend this one.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

 

Title: Something Fabulous

Author: Alexis Hall

Narrator: Nicholas Boulton

 

Synopsis/Thoughts: I ADORE Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall, so I thought I should read this, too. It takes place in the past and involves a Duke falling in love with the brother of his meant-to-be bride. So some parts were funny and entertaining and some of the characters were fun. But there were um... spicy parts in this book that were a bit much for me. That usually isn't my favorite thing to read anyway, but I don't normally have to actually skip parts of the book. Which I definitely had to do a couple of times. That probably says much more about me than about the book itself though. I will keep Boyfriend Material (and re-read it soooooo many times), but I think I will leave this one behind.

Rating: 2 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

 

Title: Lunar Love

Author: Lauren Kung Jessen

Narrator: Raechel Wong

 

Synopsis: Olivia is in the process of taking over the family match making business when she discovers a dating app that also uses the Chinese zodiac to match people. She infiltrates their app in order to meet the creator to try to bring him down. But Bennett is not quite what she expects and they keep getting thrown together. Then feelings happen.

Thoughts: This was a pick for the Happily Ever After group run by Jenny Lawson and it sounded interesting so I wanted to read it. It was interesting and I enjoyed some of the Chinese culture that we get to see. And the way Olivia and Bennett's relationship develops was different than most of these that I have read. But in a very good way.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

Title: Fruits Basket, volumes 1-3

Author: Natsuki Takaya

 

Synopsis/Thoughts: Inspired by Lunar Love, I wanted to actually read these since they have the zodiac animals in them. I have seen the anime (many years ago, but still) and I have liked reading them very much. They are cute and fun and easy to read.

 

Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

 

 

Favorite book read this month: Probably have to pick Four Dead Queens

Least favorite book read this month: Something Fabulous

 

I have read 14 books towards my goal of 75 for 2023.

I want to work my way through some Owlcrate books (including the extra classic books that they sometimes send) and I managed to read 4 this month. I have some others in progress.