QUARTERLY WRAP-UP: Jan-Mar 2021

I feel like we’re all saying this all the time now but the months are flying by way too fast, how on earth are we a third of the way through the year already!? 😩

Other than a slight slump in January I’ve managed to keep on track with my reading so far this year! January had me watching a lot more TV though (my TV Time stats show that I watched 98 episodes in that month, my average is usually way below 50 which says a lot 😂)

SHOWS THAT I’VE BEEN WATCHING

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If you watch any of these shows please know I am always down to talk about them!

Now back to the books. For this years reading goals my main aim was to focus on reading more sci-fi than fantasy because last year I read soooo many fantasy titles. Now i’m sort of succeeding here and sort of not and I blame Orbit books! 😂😭 They keep sending me all their new brilliant releases, the majority of which are fantasy and they all sound so good that I can’t help but neglect the tbr 💀 (But for real thank you so much Orbit and Nazia, I really appreciate all the proofs and adventures you’re sending my way 🥺❤️️)

I think it’s an even split so far with how many titles of each genre I’ve read but I’m definitely going to push to read the more of the sci-fi titles I have in the coming months! I also plan to try and finish as many of the series I have already started and not finished (which will hopefully help me get through a chunk of my owned books) and to also try and cut into my backlist more!

I’ve read 16 out of my reading challenge goal of 52 – here’s what I read!

– JANUARY –

Persephone Station REVIEW | Make Up, Break Up STORYGRAPH REVIEW | The Gilded Ones REVIEW

– FEBRUARY –

Winter’s Orbit REVIEW | The Mask of Mirrors REVIEW | The Last Human STORYGRAPH REVIEW

– MARCH –

Skyward Inn MINI REVIEW | The Glass Hotel STORYGRAPH REVIEW | The Unbroken REVIEW

SOME STANDOUT READS

THE TEIXCALAAN DUOLOGY by Arkady Martine

This is an absolutely all-engrossing and sapphic political sci-fi – book 1 having a side of murder mystery and book 2 having a first contact scenario – that also meticulously addresses the themes of culture, language and remembrance when it comes to imperialism. It has breathtaking world-building, fascinating technological concepts and endearing characters. I listened via audio to both books and immediately missed being immersed in the universe Martine has created and Amy Landon’s narration is perfect!! GIVE ME MORE WOMEN AUTHORED AND WOMEN CENTRED SPACE OPERAS!!!

THE MASK OF MIRRORS by M. A. Carrick

I’ve gushed in my review and I shall gush some more – the writing and storytelling and outfit descriptions were so entrancing, I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed into this book. It has a comprehensive tarot and spirit related magic system, a fascinating web of characters and political intrigue. Immediately after finishing I wanted to dive back into this world so the sequel can’t come soon enough!! I’ve heard book 2, The Liar’s Knot is releasing at the end of this year and that makes me very, very happy that the wait isn’t going to be too long 👀

THE BONE SEASON SERIES by Samantha Shannon

Let me introduce you to a new all time favourite series of mine, I am absolutely kicking myself at the amount of times I’ve walked past these books at the library and said to myself “later”. THEY’RE SO DAMN GOOD!!!

Book 1 has some 2012/13 YA book vibes (which is when it was written so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯) and that may not be some people’s cup of tea but I absolutely loved it!! It has an alternate dystopian London/world, a badass female lead (truly would lay down my life for Paige Mahoney) and an intriguing clairvoyant and spirit based magic/power system which along with the plot gets more and more interesting with each book. Oh and a slow burn, enemies to lovers romance that just makes my heart want to BURST😩💖 GO READ ITTTTTT (and then come and suffer in the long wait for the next 3 books with me 🙂)

YOU DESERVE EACH OTHER by Sarah Hogle

It’s rare a romance book hits my favourites list because I hardly read them so you best believe this book was brilliant! If you like the second chance romance and lovers to enemies to lovers tropes, oh and the love interests just pranking and messing with each other then go pick this up NOW! I loved this book so much it warmed my heart, it had me laughing and face palming and just falling in love with Nicholas and Naomi’s love 🥺

I caved and preordered Sarah Hogle’s new book Twice Shy (out April 6th) because I really loved her writing and need more of it as well as more heart-warming and humorous romance stories in my life!!

SAINTS AND MISFITS by S. K. Ali

You can always count on S. K. Ali for wholesome Muslim rep! I’ll be honest I was worried I wouldn’t enjoy this one as much in comparison to Love from A to Z as it set such a high bar but I shouldn’t have worried because this was great. Yes it had it’s cliché and predictable moments but along with discussions of heavier topics, the good balance of humour makes it a light and empowering read! Really looking forward to the sequel Misfit in Love (out May 25th).

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