Hello, hello!
Let’s start out with a few thoughts about reading and books, because you will soon notice (if you haven’t already) that I only read three books this month. Around these parts, that’s a little less than my average month, and because I am virtually surrounded by people whose monthly average is much higher, it’s easy to think negatively about that. But readers, why? There is no one definition of what it means to be “a reader”, no right way to read books. We-and I am speaking to myself here–can celebrate reading and the love of books and stories however it looks. As I have mentioned recently, in the past few months, much of my enjoyment of stories has been spent revisiting an old nostalgic television show (Boy Meets World), and some of that time has been spent writing (my WIP is SO FUN guys. Except for right now as I try to get my plotting to work. Why are plots so hard?), and some of it has been spent unfocused and distracted, the result of a busy season. But that’s okay! The books don’t judge us, so we shouldn’t judge ourselves over how much or how little we’re reading (or if we’re reading new books, or old books, or re-reading beloved favorites…you get the idea).
How about some reviews?
The Ballad Of Wallis Island (film). In an atypical turn of events, I am going to start with a movie this month, The Ballad of Wallis Island. It has been a long time since I watched a movie (Or read a book, frankly), that filled me with such joy. It’s a hot mug of tea with milk and sugar: cozy and sweet but with a touch of bitterness. Funny, dramatic, poignant, superbly acted.
Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab is the second book in the Shades of Magic series (book one is A Darker Shade of Magic). I won’t say much about the plot because it would spoil book 1, but I will say that the author continues to write characters and a world that feel both grounded and utterly fantastic. The story is moody, atmospheric, and visceral with complex characters that I can’t quite decide if I like, but I definitely want to know what happens. This book dragged a little for me in the middle, but I am putting the third on hold as we speak.
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell. This middle grade book is fantastic. The world building is stunning, the story emotional and powerful, and the writing lovely. It’s exactly the book to read when you want to dive first into a magical, fairytale world and fight a battle of good vs. evil.
Bystander by Salina R. Cruz was a surprise find at a recent author fair that I worked, the work of my neighbor at the event. It’s part coming of age story, part well-plotted mystery, with a touch of romance and poetic prose. It’s got a small town setting that is at times cozy, but also claustrophobic, as many small towns are. I really enjoyed it!
That’s it for now! As always, you can find my cozy, character-driven romantic novels here and here.
And inquiring minds want to know…how’s your reading going?
Talk again soon!
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