A Lot of "W" Books | April 2023 Reading Wrap Up

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

Whew, it's May! This year is really just flying by, it's weird. April in particular went by very fast, probably because there weren't any life-shattering events that happened to me this month, which was definitely a nice respite from how the year has been going so far. 

Alright, let's talk books. In the month of April, I read 23 books: 4 novels, 1 poetry collection, 1 short-story collection, 4 graphic novels, and 13 manga volumes. Or 2 graphic novels and 15 manga volumes, I guess it depends on how you look at it. I read the two volumes of the Fangirl "manga" that are out, but they're formatted like graphic novels, so personally I will be categorizing them under the graphic novels section of this wrap up. 

I'm a little frustrated that I didn't get to any nonfiction this month, and I also didn't read any translated fiction outside of the manga, which of course counts but I've been trying to read novels in translation. I also didn't read any classics this month, so I managed to fail every single monthly goal in April. I mean, go big or go home, am I right?

Another failed goal for this month is book reviews. I just wasn't feeling up to reviewing any of the books I read this month. I try to only do dedicated reviews for books I'm either really enjoying, or books I think will spark a good discussion/debate. And none of the novels I read really fit those prompts, aside from a sequel, which I try to also avoid writing reviews for since it would require spoilers.

One big thing I accomplished is my massive book haul. Like, it's a little embarrassing in all honesty. I'm sure you'll understand why once you read the end of this post.

Something I find super interesting (and also a little funny) is that I read a lot of books with a "W" in the title. Every novel, plus the short story collection, has at least one word starting with a "W." I swear I didn't plan that, but I definitely like that it ended up that way. It's a small boost of dopamine that I can't afford to turn away at this point. 

Okay, enough chit-chat. Let's get into the wrap up!

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Novels

1. Weyward by Emilia Hart
Genre: Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3.5 stars/5.86 CAWPILE
Page count: 336 pages
Day(s) read: 4.03 - 4.04
Goodreads thoughts: TW: domestic abuse, abortion/miscarriage, suicidal thoughts, hanging, torture, rape

I thought this was a very solid debut novel. Each of the three women we read about had distinctive voices and there was no danger of losing track of who was speaking. But there were a lot of triggering things happening so I had some trouble finishing the book, unfortunately. I think if it either didn't include these triggers, or if I was aware of them beforehand and had the chance to prepare, then I would have enjoyed it a lot more.

2. Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield
Genre: Horror, Literary Fiction, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3.5 stars/6.00 CAWPILE
Page count: 240 pages
Day(s) read: 4.12 - 4.16
Goodreads thoughts: This was very strange and very quiet horror. Even though it had supernatural elements, it was very much about grief and what it feels like to drift away from your partner. I feel like there is a lot that can be discussed in this book, like it would be good for a book club.

3. Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 5 stars/9.14 CAWPILE
Page count: 1088 pages
Day(s) read: 4.05 - 4.16
Goodreads thoughts: I enjoyed this book a lot more than book 1, which I find a little surprising because I REALLY enjoyed book 1. But the pacing was so much better, and I wasn't bored during any parts this time. Plus this story was way more satisfying, some characters got the comeuppance I was waiting for, and the reveals felt stronger and more important. I'm super intrigued to see what book 3 brings, because the way the story has ended it feels like it should be a trilogy. So I'm wanting to see how it expands enough to warrant another two books (in this arc) after.

4. A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, YA
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3.5 stars/5.86 CAWPILE
Page count: 384 pages
Day(s) read: 4.23 - 4.27
Goodreads thoughts: This was fine. I wasn't really invested in the characters or their romance, which unfortunately was the main plot point of this book, with the things I was curious about--the magical fox and the hunt and the alchemy--took a backseat. I was hoping I would really enjoy this because I've been super curious about this author, but sadly I don't think her writing is for me.

Poetry

1. Rose Quartz by Sasha Taqweseblu LaPointe
Genre: Nonfiction, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: N/A
Page count: 136 pages
Day(s) read: 4.22 - 4.27
Goodreads thoughts: Very poignant and emotional. I'm always astounded that poets can publish something so clearly personal to them, I could never have that level of confidence. I'll be looking out for more from Sasha in the future, she's definitely an author to keep an eye on.

Short-Story Collections

1. What We Fed to the Manticore by Talia Lakshmi Kolluri
Genre: Fantasy, Literary Fiction, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3 stars/5.57 CAWPILE
Page count: 200 pages
Day(s) read: 4.18
Goodreads thoughts: This was so sad, what the heck!

My favorite stories were the titular story (What We Fed to the Manticore), May God Forever Bless the Rhino Keepers, and The Dog Star is the Brightest Star in the Sky.

Graphic Novels

1. Sheets by Brenna Thummler
Genre: Paranormal, Coming of Age, YA
Star rating/CAWPILE: 4 stars/7.00 CAWPILE
Page count: 239 pages
Day(s) read: 4.18 
Goodreads thoughts: Omg that was so precious!! Not only was the illustration style cute and aesthetically pleasing, but the story was hard hitting as well as being easily consumable for young readers. It talks about grief and loss in ways few middle grade books manage to do well. As well as conquering your fears. I’ll definitely be coming back to Brenna Thummler in the future.

2. Delicates by Brenna Thummler (Sheets #2)
Genre: Paranormal, Coming of Age, YA
Star rating/CAWPILE: 4 stars/7.00 CAWPILE
Page count: 320 pages
Day(s) read: 4.18
Goodreads thoughts: I thought this was a good sequel, though there wasn't anything really new. No added lore or anything like that. But I thought Brenna handled Eliza's character with care and dignity. Not only was it good rep for depression (middle-schoolers are so mean) but I also totally see Eliza as autistic. I see a lot of myself in her, with her "weird" interests and her inability to really make friends without having things in common with them. I wish I had this graphic novel when I was in eighth grade, I think it would have really helped me get through it.

3. Fangirl vol. 1-2 by Rainbow Rowell, Sam Maggs
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Coming of Age, YA
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3.5 stars/6.00 CAWPILE    
Page count: 440 pages
Day(s) read: 4.19
Goodreads thoughts: I liked the art style, it's a nice way to read one of my favorite stories. Although it definitely makes me challenge the way I see the characters in my head.

Manga

1. Assassination Classroom vol. 12 by Yusei Matsui
Genre: Science Fiction, Crime, Shonen
Star rating/CAWPILE: N/A
Page count: 200 pages
Day(s) read: 4.27
Goodreads thoughts: Ms. Vitch needs a heckin reality check, honestly.

2. Yona of the Dawn vol. 4-15 by Mizuho Kusanagi
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Shoujo
Star rating/CAWPILE: N/A
Page count: 2,195 pages
Day(s) read: 4.28
Goodreads thoughts: N/A

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Total page count: 5,386 pages

Favorite book of April: Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson (I mean, obviously)

No DNF's this month

No unfinished books this month

April book haul: Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
                              Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
                              If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha
                              Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
                              Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
                              Of Love and Other Demons by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
                              Cassandra by Christa Wolf
                              Greek Myths by Olivia Coolidge
                              Grendel by John Gardner
                              Pandora's Jar by Natalie Haynes
                              The Red Palace by June Hur
                              Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour
                              The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison
                              The Bone Shard Emperor by Andrea Stewart

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Alright, that's it for April! Thank you so much for reading until the end. I'd love to know what the best book you read this month was! Leave a comment below, or DM me on Instagram (link in sidebar under the header "More Media"). 

Until next time!