Monthly Wrap Up- April & May

Hello bookworms!!!

Readers, I am not sure if you have noticed or not but I just didn’t do the monthly wrap up for April and then, by the time I actually felt like I am okay with blogging again, it was possibly too late for that.

So, I decided why not just combine the two wrap ups in one big wrap up? So, that’s what I did. A little of the format might be different because of that so beware! Also if you like this format then please, do share it in the comments so that I might just adopt this one into a regular one. Or blend the two or something.

I haven’t read much and it’s not gonna be a big post, despite me claiming just that above. So, let’s just dive right in, shall we?

I have not posted a lot and the reviews reflect that.

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

The Sisters Grimm by Menna van Praag

Then, there was also the pretty covers edition for the month of March which I did do! I thought I had completely forgotten about it but I didn’t! I am kinda proud of myself. Let me have this, okay? Of course, Down the TBR Hole continued in its glory.

Pretty Covers (March Edition)

Down the TBR Hole

So, now onto the books I read. I admittedly only read a total of 9 books in the months of April and May. Yes, it’s a bit sad but there’s literal four weeks between the two months that I did not read anything, I think. So, there’s that. None of them were super long except for maybe Warbreaker but even that wasn’t like super long.

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Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

What can I say about this book? I started it last year but couldn’t finish it due to mood reading and when I picked it up again, I sped through it as much as my work will let me. I really loved it, the sisters being so different and yet never losing the sense of sibling bonds and the whole concept of gods and the magic system really worked for me. I do wish that there was more explored but overall I loved it.

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

God, this book. It is such an informative look into sexual abuse and grooming, it also raises an important question of right and wrong and Vanessa struggling with it is the best thing I have read in a while. There’s just so much about this book that manages to shine some light on the themes and things that matter that I am sure I am not doing it any justice. The ambiguity of it makes My Dark Vanessa a great read.

The Switch by Beth O’Leary

This book was such a balm for my soul. I read it at a right time, I think this book is just wholesome and exactly what we need if we are to face the current situation without feeling too much stress. It also gave insight into familial relationships and how we sometimes let go of things we probably should have held on to, how we should communicate more and how important your self worth is, in general. Just a blessing of a book, to be honest. I have the author’s other book on my iPad and can’t wait to read it too!

The Sisters Grimm by Menna van Praag

This book was so refreshingly original and fun! I expected something and received something else entirely. I simply wasn’t ready for the kind of fantasy that I was presented with. I think this book is fairly original and does veer off from the original works quite a lot. It is not as grim but it is fresh and offers some truly interesting stories about four drastically different women that I really enjoyed.

Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops by Jen Campbell

This was such a weird and funny book! I read it too fast, probably. It’s a fast and thoroughly enjoyable read for sure and as an added bonus, a hilarious one too. I have no idea what the bookshop employees face on a daily basis but after reading this book, I have a slight idea and it’s equally funny and horrifying?

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

It’s a little hard to believe that this book was written in 1990s but then, there are some things I come across and I am reminded, yes. Yes, it was written in the 90s. However if we can look beyond that, this book is a story of how eleven year olds are important, how a witch can feel the pressure of carrying forward the legacy of accurate prophecies, a witchfinder trying to do his best (and kinda failing at it, let’s be honest), an angel and a demon duo that everybody falls in love with because despite being such powerful creatures, they are also a little bit dumb and silly and entirely too fond of earth than they ideally should be. Just read it, okay?

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

Now, I would like to say that for a debut book, this works really well. However if you have read anything by Schwab then you know how much the author has grown in terms of writing. In this book, I could see that writing style and her descriptive writing could take me near the moors and make want to learn more about the Near Witch but if you look at the plot itself then it is a bit…shall we say, not quite unique? It was enjoyable though and if you have never read a Schwab then definitely give it a try!

Saint X by Alex Schaitkin

Lush writing, great character study and amazingly handled themes. What else can I say about this one? It’s a murder mystery that isn’t really just a murder mystery. I loved the unlikable characters just as much as I loved the writing and the imagery. For a debut novel, the themes explored in this one were really done well and I frankly can’t wait to read more from this author.

The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty

This is a re-read for me in anticipation of the third and concluding novel coming up soon and I already have a copy of the ARC that I need to get to ASAP. I enjoyed the ride as much as I did the first time I read it and can’t wait to read more in this series. There were things I had completely forgotten and thank god for re-reads or else I would have been very lost otherwise.

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And that’s it for April and May.

I read a lot and I also enjoyed almost all of my reads and I am so glad for it. I am not sure how many of you are in the same boat as me and I hope everything turns out better and soon. Stay safe and take care of each other.

What about you guys? What was your best read or the worst one? Or, let’s not call it the worst, let’s call it most disappointing read. Tell me all about it in the comments.