February '22 Reading Wrap Up

Hey hi hello friends, and welcome back to my blog! 

Okay, how the hell is it already March? Seriously, whoever is up there that is messing with time, I need you stop. 

All jokes aside, the speed in which the days are passing is actually messing with my anxiety and I don't like it. The only good thing to come out of this month has been my reading. And boy, did I read a lot. 

This month, I read 18 books: 10 novels, 2 novellas, 3 graphic novels, and 3 manga volumes. However since I was feeling so shitty this month, I only managed to get out one book review, so I apologize for that. Hopefully March will treat me a little kinder. Also, something interesting: only 4 of the books I read this month came from my own physical TBR, the rest I got from the library, either physical or e-book! Give your local libraries some love, folks. You can find so much there.

One more thing: I just want to point out that the books in this month's book haul were a gift and I didn't purchase them myself.

Okay, let's get into the books I read for the month of February.

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Novels

1. Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, YA
Star rating/CAWPILE: 4 out of 5 stars, 7.14 on CAWPILE
Page count: 325 pages
Date(s) read: 2.02 - 2.06
Goodreads thoughts: I really enjoyed this story! I loved learning more about different African cultures and mythos, something I can never get enough of, and Skin of the Sea taught me in a wonderfully digestible way, explaining the gods and goddesses without feeling patronizing. Also the added cultural stuff, like braiding maps into hair, I found fascinating.

The writing was a little repetitive at times, especially when it came to descriptions of people and places, but I can overlook that in favor of everything else. I hope we get even more mythology in book two!

2. My Contrary Mary by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows
Genre: Historical Fiction, Satire, Fantasy, YA
Star rating/CAWPILE: 4 out of 5 stars, 7.00 on CAWPILE
Page count: 512 pages
Date(s) read: 2.08 - 2.09
Goodreads thoughts: I really enjoyed this. I already knew that I liked the world from the previous book, My Lady Jane, which also is the only book I’ve read by this author trio that I have liked. It was wacky and convoluted and definitely illogical at times, but the characters’ emotions and the authors’ snark interjecting at points somehow worked. Really this is just an entertaining ride, might as well strap in and enjoy it to the best of your ability.

3. When the Reckoning Comes by LaTanya McQueen
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 4.5 out of 5 stars, 8.00 on CAWPILE
Page count: 237 pages
Date(s) read: 2.09 - 2.10
Goodreads thoughts: Tw: murder, gore, torture, mentions of suicide, rape, mentions of hanging

Damn. First, read the trigger warnings bc this definitely triggered me even knowing that there would inevitably be my trigger in here.

This is wonderfully written though. All the brutality and horror that was the plantation south is laid bare in this book and if you’re reacting right, it should make you feel physically ill, which is how you know it’s a damn good book. I’m not sure if I would really classify this as a horror novel though, because it wasn’t scary so much as unsettling. I think it’s probably because it all stems from something that was very real, and very much an actual horror for so many people. Either way, it was very good and I’m looking forward to reading from this author again.

4. Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson
Genre: Fantasy, Horror, YA
Star rating/CAWPILE: 4 out of 5 stars, 7.86 on CAWPILE
Page count: 400 pages
Date(s) read: 2.12 - 2.14
Goodreads thoughts: Another hit by Margaret Rogerson, though I did feel this was a bit forgettable. I definitely was having trouble remembering all of the names and terms that were thrown at us. But I liked the characters (especially the Revenant, it made me laugh more than once) and I liked that there was NO ROMANCE which is something you don’t see very often in a YA fantasy. And it was something I deeply appreciated. I hope the sequel continues with this decision. I will say that Margaret Rogerson is truly gifted with coming up with unique stories to tell, as I’ve never read anything like this before. I’m excited to see what she comes up with in the future.

5. The Color of Air by Gail Tsukiyama (Review here)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3.5 out of 5 stars, 6.86 on CAWPILE
Page count: 304 pages
Date(s) read: 2.10 - 2.18
Goodreads thoughts: This was very slow but the anxiety of the volcano really managed to keep me intrigued, even though this really isn't about the volcano at all. I don't tend to enjoy character studies very much, just because I find it hard to connect or relate to the characters we spend so much time on, and unfortunately that was also the case with this story. It was overall a fine story but one I don't see myself rereading or wanting on my shelves.

6. The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
Genre: Mythology Retellings, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 4 out of 5 stars, 7.57 on CAWPILE
Page count: 359 pages
Date(s) read: 2.15 - 2.22
Goodreads thoughts: A masterful story, and one close to my heart. As someone who’s always prided myself on my Viking, Norse heritage I have made a point of making sure I know my legends and myths, and Angrboda was always one that fascinated me, mainly because we know so little about her. So naturally I’d be drawn to a full novel about her, even if it’s one person’s rendition and not the end-all-be-all for her story.

But truly this was done beautifully. Angrboda really came alive in these pages, and she felt so raw and real it was like I was reading about a close friend or family member. I felt her pain and anger and sadness and joy.

My only gripe was the dialogue. Sometimes it felt much too modern, sounding almost like a romance novel, and that threw me off more than once. Literary whiplash, if you will. It was not something I cared for, but that’s a small problem in the overall scheme of things.

7. Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall (ONE DAY READ)
Genre: Horror, Mystery/Thriller, YA
Star rating/CAWPILE: 4 out of 5 stars, 7.00 on CAWPILE
Page count: 415 pages
Date(s) read: 2.23
Goodreads thoughts: I really enjoyed this, it gave me a sufficient amount of creeps and I like that the story felt much bigger than originally thought, and that there is a clear segue into more spooks by the end. A very good YA horror.

8. Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix (ONE DAY READ)
Genre: Horror, Humor, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3.5 out of 5 stars, 6.43 on CAWPILE
Page count: 248 pages
Date(s) read: 2.24
Goodreads thoughts: That was sufficiently terrifying, ghosts always get me. I definitely preferred this book over the other one of his that I’ve read (The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires) but it still wasn’t amazing. However it spooked me and that’s what I was looking for. Should I have read this right before bed? Probably not, but oh well.

This has given me hope about Hendrix’s other books though, because before I was definitely hesitant about his writing. But now I’ll most definitely be reaching for his other works.

9. The Monarchs by Kass Morgan and Danielle Paige
Genre: Fantasy, Horror, YA
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3.5 out of 5 stars, 6.14 on CAWPILE
Page count: 448 pages
Date(s) read: 2.25 - 2.26
Goodreads thoughts: Still as entertaining as the first book and still as frustratingly inaccurate about Greek life, but I suppose I can’t really expect anything different at this point. The stakes were definitely raised from the first book, and again the authors managed a twist that, while still predictable, was big and fun. There was twice the amount of relationship drama in this book, though, which we all know is something I would prefer to avoid.

10. You Must Not Miss by Katrina Leno
Genre: Magical Realism, Horror, YA
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3.5 out of 5 stars, 6.14 on CAWPILE
Page count: 290 pages
Date(s) read: 2.27 - 2.28
Goodreads thoughts: This felt like a slightly more unhinged Coraline, perhaps not as creepy but there were enough similarities to make the connection. It’s always interesting reading a book that follows a character slowly becoming more and more unhinged, a kind of study of the psychosis of teenage hood. I wish the ending was fleshed out more though, because it didn’t really answer any of the overarching questions of the story: what is Near, really? Where did those people go, and how did they come back? Etc etc.

Novellas

1. Tales From the Cafe by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Genre: Magical Realism, Science Fiction, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 4 out of 5 stars, 7.29 on CAWPILE
Page count: 145 pages
Date(s) read: 2.16 - 2.18
Goodreads thoughts: As delightful as the first book. I’d love to go to this cafe and just meet Kazu and Nagare, not even necessarily go to the past or future. I just feel like this book (and the first one) embodies a warm hug.

2. The Murders of Molly Southbourne by Tade Thompson (ONE DAY READ)
Genre: Horror, Science Fiction, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3 out of 5 stars, 3.71 on CAWPILE
Page count: 122 pages
Date(s) read: 2.23
Goodreads thoughts: Weird but not anything more than a crime story. Not creepy or haunting or scary, sadly. I’m more intrigued by the men that Molly had “infected” than anything to do with her doubles. Does this mean I’ll be reading the rest of the series? Yeah, probably. But they aren’t a priority.

Graphic Novels

1. Heartstopper vol. 1-3 by Alice Oseman (ONE DAY READ) (REREAD)
Genre: Romance, LGBT, Contemporary, YA
Star rating/CAWPILE: N/A
Page count: 992 pages
Date(s) read: 2.12
Goodreads thoughts: hhhhhhhh I love these boys so much, I can’t wait for the tv show!! I’m so excited to see all of my favorite moments on the screen!

Manga 

1. Komi Can't Communicate vol. 16-17 by Tomohito Oda
Genre: Shojo, YA, Humor, Romance
Star rating/CAWPILE: N/A
Page count: 384 pages
Date(s) read: 2.12, 2.24
Goodreads thoughts: vol. 17 - This is probably my favorite volume to date! I love the development between Komi, Rumiko, and Tadano, it made me squeal! This is such an amazing manga I love it so much. I can't wait for the next volume!

2. Tomie by Junji Ito (ONE DAY READ)
Genre: Horror, Seinen, Fantasy, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3.5 out of 5 stars, 6.43 on CAWPILE
Page count: 752 pages
Date(s) read: 2.22
Goodreads thoughts: Well, that was incredibly disturbing. This wasn't my first Junji Ito so I at least knew what I was getting into, but still there were some panels that were a little too horrific for my taste.

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Total page count: 5,933 pages

Favorite book of February: The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

Least favorite book: The Murders of Molly Southbourne by Tade Thompson

DNF'd books this month: Dragonspell by Donita K. Paul
                                            The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

Unfinished books this month: The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart

February book haul: The Dialogues of Socrates by Plato
                                    The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
                                    The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin
                                    The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin

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Alright, that's all for today! What was your favorite book of this month? Let me know in the comments, or tweet at me @AllyEmReads.

Until next time!