Hello allll!! HAPPY NEW YEAAAARRRR🎉🎉🎉.I hope you guys have been doing well and staying safe during this time. I haven’t read as much in these past few months as I did in the beginning of the year. That is part of the reason why I chose to combine my recent reads instead of doing monthly wrap ups. I’m sorry about my absence, I just didn’t feel motivated to create posts but with the new year one of my goals was to post more. I would like to do more on my blog since I’m no longer on YouTube. If you’d like to know what I’ve been reading for the past few months, grab some tea because this is going to be a long one and keep on reading! 🦋
In the month of September I read…
1. Wilder Girls Rory Power – I didn’t this book at all, it took me almost 3 weeks to finish. I had to keep restarting it, I hate DNFing books but coming into 2021 I’m not wasting my time. The story didn’t stick with me, and the characters were bland. I’m sure there’s people out there that would like this but it wasn’t for me. I typically like books that have school and pandemic/contagion settings but it seemed as though it wasn’t enough to make me like this. Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️
2. Allegedly Tiffany D. Jackson – This book started off with a bang I listened to it via audiobook and finished in one sitting. I was so enthralled and engaged by the story and the outcome. A 9 year old convicted of murdering a 3 month old infant. The challenges Mary faced while fighting for her innocence as well as her freedom. There was a lot of character growth in this story, I feel like I forgot a lot that Mary was only 15. If you’re interested in reading this I’d check out the trigger warnings. Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3. Becoming Michelle Obama – I really enjoyed listening to this audio being narrated by the queen herself. Listening to her backstory and how Barrack came to be president and what they did with their life before that. I loved reading about how Michelle wasn’t your average First Lady. I definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to become more knowledgeable about the Obama’s. It was a great read and went by pretty quickly. Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4. Monday’s Not Coming Tiffany D. Jackson – This book will always hold a special place in my heart and I’ll definitely be picking up the physical copy. I started the audio and finished it within a sitting. That’s how deep I was into this book and the story, I couldn’t put it down. I needed to know what happened. This book follows two best friends Monday and Claudia. They’re inseparable until one day Monday just doesn’t show up at school. Claudia is the only one who realizes and cares that her bestfriend is missing. Claudia won’t stop until she finds out what happened to Monday. This story pulled at so many heart strings. It spoke to the thousands of little missing black girls that no one cares to look for. They go missing without a trace CPS isn’t following up on cases. This book has so many trigger/content warnings i definitely recommend it, but please make sure you’re in the right space mentally. It’s a tough deep read, but It’s a story that needs to be heard. An outstanding read. Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5. the Obelisk Gate N.K. Jemisin – I really enjoyed the story line of this book and the characters. The fight and action scenes in this book were amazing. Seeing Nassun’s relationship with her father and finding out his past. Nassun has a lot of character growth and she matured at a young age. We found out more about Alabaster and the reason why he wanted Essun to be able to do certain things. I really enjoyed this book overall I don’t want to say too much because it’s the second book isn’t the trilogy. A lot of people don’t like this book as much because not a lot happens. I definitely found it entertaining, and enjoyed the science and learning about the Obelisks. These books are so deep and have so much meaning it definitely takes rereading some passages of following with the audiobook and ebook. Overall it was pretty good and I’ll definitely be picking up the next book. Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
6. Days of Blood and Starlight Laini Taylor – This was just as good amazing as the first book. The relationship between Zuzana and Karou is one of the most beautiful friendships. Zuzana and Mik are too cute like seriously I love them. There are sooo many things I’m curious about that will happen in book three. This series is definitely at the top of my favorites list. I’m going to start book 3 right now!! Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
7. Dreams of Gods and Monsters Laini Taylor – Where do I start… this book starts off with Eliza who I didn’t know what her purpose was until 45% through the book. I had no interest in Eliza’s point of view I just didn’t understand the point of making her a lead character especially after Brimstone’s death. I was so attached too the characters in books 1 and 2. Then it was just so much time hopping and point of view changing I couldn’t and didn’t care too keep up. This finale book had way too much going on in my opinion and she should’ve stuck with the original characters and a different plot line for this book. I couldn’t make it past the 60% mark. I still love Karou, Mik and Zuzana they will always hold a special place in my heart ❤️. Rating ⭐️⭐️
9. the Dragon Republic R.F. Kuang – Wow just wow sooo much happened, plot twists super crazy. I loved this so much more than the first book. Rin is starting to grow on me I didn’t care for her in the Poppy War but her character is growing. I really enjoyed this and can’t wait too read the Burning God. Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In the month of October I read…
1. Unravel Me Tahereh Mafi – I was starting too get tired of Juliette and Adam honestly. The plot twist that’s in this is huge and it definitely changes things. I think the plot twist made me more excited too continue reading. I enjoyed this and definitely want to pick up the next one. I’m curious too see where things will go now. Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2. Room Emma Donahue – This story follows a woman held in captivity that gives birth too a little boy named Jack. She was kidnapped by this man he’s been holding her since she was 18. This was a disturbing read there were things that made me CRINGEEEE. Omg ugh it was a good read but it definitely has trigger warnings. If you’re interested just them out before. Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3. the Stone Sky N.K. Jemisin – I’m not going too lie, the last half of this is pretty confused but I was just ready too be done. I really enjoyed this trilogy, I liked the growth of Essun’s character. Seeing Nassun’s travels, I would read this trilogy again but I want to read more of N.K. Jemisins works now. Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5. A Gathering of Shadows V.E. Schwab – I really enjoyed continuing the story, of kel and Lila. We found out more about Kel and Rhy in this story. Emery had me fooled I thought he was gunna go for Lila. There’s character growth, great plot, I really enjoy these books. I will definitely be picking up the next book in the trilogy. I need to know what’s going to happen to Kel. Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
6. the Astonishing Color of After Emily X.R. Pan – This book follows Lee as she goes in search of her recently deceased mother, that she believes has turned into a bird. This book definitely has trigger warnings so i would look into them if needed. I really enjoyed this book and the emotions I felt. This book is gut wrenching, but it’s soo good and just it definitely puts you in the feels. I will definitely have to read this again. Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
7. Internment Samira Ahmed – I really enjoyed reading from Layla’s perspective. Seeing everything she had too go through just being Muslim but also an U.S. citizen. I could never imagine being put in an interment camp, her life was literally flipped upside down. I love books with strong female leads and this was one of them. Even as just a teenager Layla knew she wouldn’t hold her tongue, she had too speak out. She knew the treatment they were experiencing was wrong and refused too let it happen. This was a book that I would definitely read again. Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
8. Lair of Dreams Libba Bray – This book had some funny parts, a great plot amazing characters I love the Diviner’s. Henry, Evie, Theta, Jericho and even Sam Lloyd he’s growing on me. I love the banter between these characters and the relationships between them. I love the diversity between them this book had LGBTQ rep and Disability rep. I love this series and can’t wait too complete it and own all the books. Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
9. Ignite Me Tahereh Mafi – Wow I’m slowly finding myself loving these books more and more. The friendship between Juliette and Kenji I love the banter. I loved the character growth of Juliette I’m so happy too see how far she’s come. I’m glad that she also let that dead weight go, that was only going to become toxic. She literally thought he was the best thing since sliced bread. I was surprised that the plot twist and how things changed, I’m loving the direction the story is heading. Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
10. the Way of Shadows Brent Weeks – I really enjoyed this story, the banter between the characters. The character growth as well as the world building and the story line. The plot was very interesting, I listened too this via audiobook and there was just so much going on it was hard for me too keep up. I still really loved the story and want too continue on within the series. There were quite a few characters as well but I was still able too follow along and keep up. I caught myself laughing a lot while reading this book. Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
11. A Conjuring of Light V.E. Schwab – It took me quite a while to get through this audiobook. I really enjoyed the first and second books in the Shades of Magic Trilogy. I loved the story line, characters and banter. I don’t know why but it seemed like once I got halfway through the audiobook. The second half just dragged I felt like it was repetitive and I had heard the story before. I’m used too listening to longer audiobooks but I just got bored with it. I also started to just kind of get bored of the same story, I stopped caring about the characters. I was just ready for it to be over with. I tend to not like the finale books in series, the ending is just never how I think it will be. Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️
November and December were a lot slower months for me just as everyone as I’m sure.
1. The Silent Patient Alex Michaelides – This book kept me on the edge of my seat holy crap the plot twists, the action, the characters. I loved every second of this story it was a wild ride. The last hour of the audiobook I started putting the pieces together. I was understanding what had happened and holy cow just wow. This was a great but twisted story. The story of Alicia and her past then Theo’s character. I can’t get over this ending right now, this was so good. Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2. The Burning God R.F. Kuang – I’m speechless.. I have no words but whhhyyyyyy?!?!?! It was so amazing but 😭😭😭😭. I need this trilogy in my physical library ASAP. Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3. Dark Matter Blake Crouch – This was hella confusing in the beginning but things definitely started coming together shortly after the start. Everything was influenced by the choices made and what was most important to you. I loved the concept of the multi universe, I thought this was thrilling and full of suspense. I wasn’t expecting this story to go the way it did but I’m glad I picked it up and finished it in one sitting. Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4. The Chain Adrian McKinty – I prefer to go into books not knowing, I recently picked up this book from the bargain outlet near me. My boyfriend picked it up and read the synopsis which I normally don’t. I don’t like to know anything about the book before I go into it, especially suspense or thriller books. The book started off good I read this via audiobook and I had no attachment to the characters. It didn’t keep me intriguing and on the edge of my seat, it was more or less I was waiting for it to be over. I picked up the physical copy for cheap but not I’m wishing I would t have cause I’m sure I won’t read it again. Rating ⭐️⭐️
5. The Year of the Witching Alexis Henderson – This book definitely on my list of favorites for the year. The story line the characters, Immanuelle and Ezra. The relationship she had with her family. The curse their was more than one plot to this story which I enjoyed. This 300 page book Which normally would be a quick read for me. I enjoyed and slowly took this book in bit by bit. I didn’t want to rush and consume it too quickly because it was just that good I didn’t want it to end. Then like 93% into the ending I check on goodreads to see when book two will be coming out. Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
6. Girls of Paper and Fire Natasha Ngan – I really loved this book from the start. I previously picked the ebook up but I put it down for no particular reason, I just hadn’t picked it back up. I decided to try the audiobook this time and absolutely loved the story. This book is by no means an easy read due to some things that happen and the premise. The relationships built and the friends made. I loved the Lei and Ren, I will be picking up the next one very soon. Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In December for my birthday I hauled these graphic novels I loved all of them! I still have Rat Girls vol. 2 to read. I don’t think I’ll continue with Snot girl but I really enjoyed the Rat Queens. Average rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I hope you enjoyed this post and would like to see more from me! I will be putting out more content this year, until next time and keep reading. 🦋
Black Lotus Reads 