So April wasn’t the most productive month for me, but when you’re going on a two-week honeymoon these things tend to be allowed. 😀
I only got to read four books this month (hopefully five if I can finish The House of Broken Angels in a day). Most of the books I read were pleasure reading and one was a doozy of a new fantasy novel.
I feel like when you’re on vacation, you want to be as relaxed as possible and that includes reading books that may not be the most “intellectual” reads. Give yourself a break every now and again and allow yourself to read something fun. I know I’m never not reading for fun.
Funnily enough, my choices are very representative of my favorite genres and reads. Even when I’m reading for fun it’s always in the genres that I prefer. And while I only read four (or five) books this past month, I feel like I represented myself fairly well.
Here’s what I read:
Playing with Matches by Hannah Orenstein
This one definitely is a charmer and while it won’t be out until June, I think it’s going to be one of those great summer reads. It’s about a young woman who starts a new career as a matchmaker and just when she thinks she has it all, it all kind of swoops out from under her.
Pick this one up if you’re on your way to the beach or the park because it’ll put a little smile on your face and remind you that maybe not everything is packaged together.
Emergency Contact by Mary HK Choi
This was also a super fun one and probably the most representative of a young generation all attached to their phones. I was just thinking about how not enough YA represents young people well enough and then I remembered that this book existed.
It’s a super quick read and if you love a little romance amongst people who can basically be your friends, then you’ll like this one too. I really loved this one and I highly recommend it!
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Here we go. This was the big book of my month and it took me quite some time to finish it. I started it first when I went on vacation and then had to put it down because it was filled with too many elements that my vacation-addled brain couldn’t keep track of.
However, once I got back I read this book and wow, dumbstruck. The book is super rich with a ton of world building without taking away from the action. Lots of stuff happen in this one and the ending leaves you both satisfied and anxious for the next one to come out.
Also, there’s some small notes on the representation and the Author’s Note will leave you with a tear in your eye.
The Summer of Us by Cecilia Vinesse
If you’re just getting out of school, work, or life this summer and you’re planning on doing some traveling, then this is the book for you. Even though it’s YA and the themes were a little young for me, I definitely resonated with the feeling of strain in your friendships. You know that feeling when you’re about to leave for college and you may not see the friends you grew up with ever again? This will definitely resonate with you.
There wasn’t a lot of conflict here aside from some light cheating and miscommunication, but the bigger theme was friendship and how sometimes not all friendships last a lifetime. Sometimes they’re just for a few brief years while you’re growing up, but its specialness is something you’ll cherish for the rest of your life. You got to love a book like that!
What did you read this month?
Simone and Her Books 