Hello hello!
While I've been away from the blog, I've managed to nearly finish the plans for my wedding, finished up a manuscript editing gig (second rounds will begin once edits are complete - yay!), I've dropped down my hours at my full-time gig, and started back at my old library job (with a raise and a staff-position!). Alex and I have also gone through some weird changes - he has a full time job teaching English to high school students, we somehow lost the apartment we had been planning on living in, and we've found another to apply to. Throughout it all, I've also managed to read 21 books and graphic novels.
These past two months have been really bad when it comes to focusing on physical books. My brain has had a hard time focusing on anything but everything else going on around me. Hopefully, after the wedding I will be able to buckle down on this blog, my Instagram (follow @livthebooknerd), and maybe start up a TikTok? (Follow @livthebooknerd on there too!)
J U L Y reads:
Stealing Thunder by Alina Boyden
Rating: 2 stars
When I first started Stealing Thunder, I was obsessed. It had such a great start, but as I kept getting further into the story, I just wasn't a fan. I don't think I'll be continuing with the sequel. I just did not enjoy this book. Full review to come!
A Sky Beyond the Storm (Ember in the Ashes #4) by Sabaa TahirRating: 4.5 stars
What an excellent ending. The only reason I didn't give this book the full 5 stars was because I just felt like there was something missing. This is wholly on me. There wasn't anything wrong with the book. I definitely cried at a couple points, but I just can't pinpoint why it wasn't 5 stars for me. Definitely read this series!
Dream Daddy: A Daddy Dating Comic Book (#1-5) by Leighton Gray, Vernon Shaw, Wendy Xu, Lee C.A., C. Spike Trotman, Josh Trujillo, Ryan Maniulit, Jack Gross, Jarrett Williams, Drew Green, D.J. Kirkland, Matt Herms, Reed Black, Jeremy Lawson, & Kris Anka3 stars
What a hilarious read! This collection of short stories in graphic novel form introduced you to so many great dads! I'll definitely be keeping out an eye for more from this series. The various art styles were so much fun and each of the stories were so compelling. I do believe I read this one in one sitting.
Bridge of Souls (Cassidy Blake #3) by Victoria SchwabRating: 5 stars
Once again, Victoria Schwab can do no wrong. This was such an excellent finale to such an addicting middle grade series. I absolutely adore Cassidy Blake. She's such a relatable and fun main character and heroine. Her continued story was so much fun to experience. I had the pleasure of listening to all three of the books in the trilogy and I cannot recommend that medium enough. The focus on friendship in these books is so lovely and the spooky elements are just perfectly executed.
This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity #1) by Victoria Schwab
Rating: 4.5 stars
TW: parental neglect and abuse, violence, blood
While this isn't my favorite of Victoria Schwab's, I'm still absolutely obsessed. Who's surprised? This book was so different from what I've read before. The world building, the characterization, and the conflict were structured and executed so unlike any other book I've read. Naturally, it had the best qualities that come from a Schwab novel (addicting worlds, interesting power dynamics, unconventional relationships, and morally gray situations and people), but this story was lyrical, dark, and sometimes incredibly hard to read. Since finishing this book, I haven't been able to leave the world she's created. Having my own little VE/Victoria Schwab reading marathon was probably the best thing I could have done for my reading habits and my mental health.
Wynd by James Tynion IV and Michael Dialynas
Rating: 2 stars
I had the hardest time actually getting through this book. I have no recollection of what it's even about. I just remember enjoying the color scheme? I'm not sure. Just entirely forgettable and I won't be continuing on with the series.
The Archived (The Archived #1) by Victoria Schwab
Rating: 5 stars
TW: violence, mental abuse, death of a loved one
This was so excellent. Schwab did a great job of setting up the twists, creating a whole new facet to death and the afterlife and history, and I love the mystery and darkness that permeated this story. Now, there WAS a love triangle; but that’s just a product of the time. 2013…whatcha gunna do? It wasn’t all that bad either. I love Wes & Mac. I think their part of the love triangle was deliciously angsty and not all that romantic. It was more for them to actually make a friend that they can be wholly honest with. A partner. I thought that was lovely.
Lightfall by Tim Probert
Rating: 3 stars
This was also pretty forgettable, but I remember way more than I do of Wynd. This story had such an adorable art style. I really enjoyed the characters and the beginnings of the story it established. I had wished for more from it, but I'm more likely to continue with this series. It picked up toward the end.
The Unbound (The Archived #2) by Victoria Schwab
Rating: 4 stars
TW: self harm, PTSD, assault
Wow. This book was so powerful and so hard to read at the same time. I think that this book really suffered from second-book-syndrome -- but also not really? This book wasn't different from The Archived, but it was slower paced, Mackenzie was more in her head, and there wasn't as much action I would say. It was excellent -- that's for sure -- but I really wish that Schwab had been able to get a third book published. You're really left wanting more -- that cliff hanger! Maybe if this book becomes more popular, her publisher would let her write the end of M's story.
Leave the Window Open (The Archived #2.5) by Victoria Schwab
Rating: 5 stars
This was just a little short story from Wesley's perspective. It was absolutely perfect and it just made me want to know more about the events following The Unbound. I neeeed it!
Catwoman Soulstealer: The Graphic Novel by Sarah J. Maas, Louise Simonson, and Samantha Dodge
Rating: no stars
This was just incredibly boring, badly thought out, and badly executed. You can definitely tell that SJM was on a time crunch and maybe lacked passion for her subject? I see so many wonderful elements that can lead to a great time, but those elements weren't exactly true to Catwoman's story. I don't know. I just really wasn't into this at all.
Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger
Rating: 5 stars
This book was absolutely phenomenal. I cannot wait to read more from Darcie Little Badger. This had everything I wanted and needed. Paranormal vibes, ghosts, queer rep, Apache representation, whimsically atmospheres, darkness(!), an alternate, magical United States setting, compelling characters -- this book was absolutely everything and is everything to me. This will be one of those books that I push into the hands of anyone who vaguely wants something magical or wants anything that even remotely relates. Read. This. Book.
A U G U S T reads
The Night Swim by Megan Goldin
Rating: 4.5 stars
This was an excellent read. I switched back and forth between the audio and the physical formats, but I primarily stuck with the audio. This book is written in both the prose format and in the style of a true-crime podcast. The audio was so well produced and the narrator was just so talented at differentiating voices and the performance aspects of the story. If you love books that focus on relevant and hard hitting topics, you definitely need to give this a read.
TW/CW: battery, assault, rape, threats of violence & death, blood, threats of rape, sexism, and neglect
The Unraveling of Cassidy Holmes by Elissa R. Sloan
Rating: 4 stars
This was such a fascinating read. I'm so curious about the behind-the-scenes aspects of Hollywood and stardom. This book essentially looks at the dark side of fame in the 1990s and into current times. The book follows a very Spice Girls-esque girl group as they grow into their fame and stardom. The book begins as one of their members, Cassidy, is found dead from suicide. The story flashes back and forth between present day, the moments in the past that led the girls to rise of the girl band, and the moments that caused their band to disband. I couldn't put this book down. It was really dark at times, really hopeful during others, but it was just so addicting. I didn't want to put this book down for one moment.
Spy x Family Volume 2-5 by Tatsuya Endo
Ratings:
Volumes 2 - 4: 4 stars
Volume 5: 3 stars
I'm already so addicted to this manga series. It's so entertaining and the dynamics between the characters are so much fun to read about. If you love spies, assassins, and mind-readers -- you have to check out this series. I can't get enough of it.
The Way of the Househusband Volume 1 by Kousuke Oonu and translated by Sheldon Drzka
Rating: 5 stars
I'm obsessed. Everyone needs to read this manga series. I didn't expect to find new manga favorites, but now I have found 2 in August. What a world. Read this! And when you're finished, the first few episodes are on Netflix and cover the first couple of volumes. It's amazing!
Our Dark Duet (Monsters of Verity #2) by Victoria Schwab
Rating: 4 stars
This was a painful ending. It was definitely bittersweet. While I didn't enjoy this as much as This Savage Song -- the pacing was different and a bit slower for me -- I still really liked how it wrapped up.
TW/CW: PTSD, violence, gore, death, cancer, loss of loved one(s)
Isn't It Bromantic (Bromance Book Club #4) by Lyssa Kay AdamsRating: 4 stars
This is definitely the best of Adams' Bromance Book Club books out so far. Wow. Just so excellent. If you've loved The Russian in the first three books, you have to read this one. I just adore him so much. Elena I could give or take, but I really enjoyed how their romance and relationship grew. I just didn't really enjoy how long it took them to use their words. The amount of time that it took them to get past the miscommunication trope was just a bit much for me (hence the 4-star rating).
Tropes: marriage of convenience, childhood friends, book within a book
Well, it's taken me months to just finish this wrap up, so stay tuned for another coming soon!
I'm officially married and moved into my place, so now I'll actually have time to write about books! Let's go!
Also, I'm 24 now. How wild!
Happy reading!
Olivia
