A Cuppa Cosy Reads – May 2023

***Before I get into this post- I recognize that it’s been radio silent over here for the full month. I’m sorry- More info coming soon!!***

Another month has come to an end and boy was it a doozy. I saw a reel that talked about how May is busier than December and, to be honest, I wholeheartedly agree. It was incredibly busy, with changes and meetings and a whole lot of waiting around for documents. But it was also good- we got a taste of Spring, a taste of Summer, and I got a whole weekend to myself when the boys went camping. I didn’t think I was going to have the greatest reading month, but I am here to say- it wasn’t as bad as expected! I somehow managed to read 7 books and give an average rating of 3.1. I keep wondering- as life gets busier, when will my reading slow down a bit more, but I don’t know that it will. I’ve found myself trying to be better about turning to books (rather than my phone) to wind down and decompress (aka disassociate after being around people so much). It’s a slow, over time goal, but it’s happening. 

So, the books…

Paper Cuts by Ellery Adams 4 Stars As always, I really enjoy stepping back into this town, into these characters and the stakes stay low but not too low. It’s more lifechanging stakes rather than death stakes and I really appreciate that in a cozy mystery. This book was unique to the series as we learned a bit more of our main characters backstory and history prior to present day. 

Authentically Izzy by Pepper Basham 3 Stars So…I enjoyed this- it’s written 60% in emails and such between our characters and while I felt like that added to the story, it then made the “in person” interactions feel different. It was a fine romance and one I enjoyed but I found the main character to be a bit too much of a pushover at times and it took her a bit to figure herself out (which I get is normal and human, but for me was a bit…much).

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros 5 Stars Welcome to my new obsession. I’m in love. I’m going to push this book on to everyone that I can. Picture- dragons, dragons that actually play a prominent and important role, picture a school where all the kids are above age, picture a rivals to lover’s slow burn, and then picture a twist at the end that leaves you wrenched out of yourself. Enjoy!

The Marriage Act by John Marrs 3.5 Stars I feel like John Marrs is one of those authors I will always buy because I know the books will be good, even if they start to get a bit…tried and true and old at times. This is the third of his (I think) in this futuristic world- post The One. I would say this was probably my least favorite of the bunch, mostly because I think something needs to change in these novels. It’s becoming a bit – same plot, different characters/story. 

One of Us is Dead by Jeneva Rose 3.5 Stars I was hesitant to pick this one up after the disaster that was The Hunting Wives, but I’m glad I did. It’s fast paced, well written, and the small rich community politics is…accurate. The twist was…not shocking, but it didn’t ruin the vibe the book was going for and I enjoyed it. 

Awakening The Zodiac Academy (1) 0 Stars I despised this book, and I don’t know how much of that is the author’s fault- because had I been fully aware of the trope this book follows (and it’s a bully romance so there you go), I would have never picked it up. I spent the entire time beyond uncomfortable and I got rid of the book almost immediately. 

One for My Enemy by Olivie Blake 3 Stars So this would be my second Olivie Blake book. I read 75% of Atlas Six, which I ended up having to put down as it just went…too far and too overcomplicated in the plot, and I am not sure if she is the author for me. I LIKED this book; HOWEVER, I feel like in the last two acts it became to wrapped in making this grand plot work, this large overarching scheme to the story, which then led to the actual story becoming tedious and…not boring but boring. And I think this was a similar problem that I had with Atlas Six. So, I’m not sure where I stand with Olivie Blake. 

And that wraps up my May! I’ve kicked off June with a reread and a whole bunch of new books! 

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A Cuppa Cosy Reads – April 2022

How is it already May??? Just how? April has completely flown by, and I don’t even know where it went. It’s been a wild time over here- a life update is coming your way very soon, but I still somehow managed to read several books and they were almost all wins! I read a total of 9 books with an average rating of 4.22. A win indeed!

Severance by Ling Ma 4 Stars – I enjoyed this though I recognize that this will definitely not be for everyone. In fact, I don’t know many that I would recommend this to. There is a pandemic which leads to a commentary (which is what I would say this book is) on capitalist society and its’ downfall. It looks at the downside and maybe leads the reader to what maybe we could do differently, though it’s not a full condemnation of capitalist society. There isn’t much plot propelling the story forward, which is why I think it leans more towards commentary. 

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson 4 Stars I just really enjoyed this murder mystery. It’s a fun one from start to finish and even though the twist wasn’t really my favorite thing ever, it’s one that I didn’t see coming and one that I don’t feel like detracted from my feelings about the book as a whole. The only reason it’s a 4 is I feel like the narration got a bit…much at times. 

The Reunion by Kayla Olson 4 Stars Oy- it’s a romance. I’m reading romance from time to time, mostly because I don’t think I’m finding what I really want in my fantasy romance areas- it’s either too much for me, or it’s just not capturing me. So, I’m leaning more into traditional romance that meets some of the niche things that I like (multimedia, royal, celebrity). And this one I really enjoyed! The multimedia is…slim but added to the story and the romance was sweet. 

The Savior’s Book Café Story in Another World Vol 3 & 4 by Kyouka Izumi 5 stars each I’ve read the next two volumes in what is easily my favorite manga at the present. I mean this woman is living my dream life (except I already have the husband and kids’ part). 

Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen 4 Stars This one is the one I’m not sure that it’s really worth the 4 stars that I gave it. I enjoyed it well enough, loved the twists it presented, loved the whole conversation around counterfeit merchandise, but I also recognize that this didn’t really do anything super groundbreaking. It was a fun ride when I read it and then it was over. 

Royal Blood by Aimee Carter 4 Stars Ok, this filled all my niche Royal needs, and I loved it every step of the way. It is a YA and definitely reads it, but I enjoyed it none the less. And it’s a series so looking forward to the next one.

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz 4 Stars This is a mystery, almost a thriller but not quite, that I don’t think will be for everyone. It’s a slice of life meets secluded cabin mystery, and I really enjoyed it. If it could do anything better it would be the balance of the book- it felt a bit…off in the pacing, but again didn’t entirely detract from my enjoyment. 

Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke 4 Stars Ok, I haven’t read a book in that IM format in a long time, and I really think it’s a great format for storytelling. It certainly adds something to the storytelling and makes the reader feel a certain way. I might be looking for more of these…but anyways- this is a book following a short period of time and a person who has “fallen into” a computer. Talking, again, about what’s important, how you can have feelings about people through the office lens you view them in, and remote work. 

And that was it! A really solid reading month. I’m hoping to keep the same upward ratings for May, though we will have to see how that goes.

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A Cuppa Cosy Reads – March 2023

Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like the month of March really dragged by. I’m not sure what it was about it, but it was just slow moving…and not in a good way! I honestly don’t know what to really say about my reading- it was alright, but I feel like none of my ratings are really sticking- they may change over time, they may not. But here we are- I read a total of 7 books and gave an average rating of 3.43 and wow is that average beyond average. Let’s get into it. 

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas – 3.5 Stars This was my second time reading this and once again, I found it alright. Having read her other works, I can definitely tell this is a debut (and to be honest- I only set out trying to read this series as to how it will potentially tie in to her other two series). I enjoyed it, but I will say- I DNF’d the second book in the series and I don’t know that I’ll be trying again…in all honesty I’ll probably watch some review/spoiler videos/blog posts to get my information about this series at this point. 

The Dark King by Gina L. Maxwell – 3 Stars. This was ok- standard fantasy romance, not quite enemy to lovers, but along those lines. I will say- as of writing this review, I read this book not quite a week ago and I’m struggling to remember any further thoughts about this book. So maybe that says something.

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano – 3 Stars I feel like this series had a strong start, a stronger second book, but has lost readers a bit in this third book. I enjoyed it, but also felt bored at moments (this is a theme for the first half of the month I suppose). I’m glad I got it from the library and while I will probably check out the fourth book when it comes out, I don’t think I would go much further past that. It’s losing steam across the board. 

A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers – OOF I don’t know what I rate this one. I was so intrigued by this book, and it started off so strong, but then it just…withered and died- like our main character would do I imagine. There was just so much…I don’t know, dynamic missing in this whole book. It felt so flat, and I don’t know if that is because we are reading from a self-proclaimed psychopath or if the author was not able to engage the reader in a meaningful way- as we should have had such a great book from this premise.  

Planning Perfect by Haley Neil – 4.5 Stars – I really enjoyed this book. This is a YA contemporary romance that features a Jewish main character on the ace spectrum with an anxiety disorder. To be honest this felt very much like if Gilmore Girls was Jewish and queer. I loved it. I’ll have more to talk about in a Jewish Literature Edition, but again- a big hit! 

Skyward Flight by Brandon Sanders – 4 Stars Oh Brandon Sanderson has me wrapped around his finger. At this point, I just pre order whatever it is that he’s publishing, and I ask questions about those decisions later. This is a collection of short stories that are set in the Skyward world. I love Skyward and I loved this collection and being about to read other perspectives from some of my favorite side characters. And it got me back in to the world- now eagerly waiting for the next full book in the series!

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murder by Jesse Q Sutanto – 4 Stars I’m really liking the adult comedy of error stories that Jesse is publishing. She really has a way with them that allows them to be funny, for the reader to suspend their beliefs, and just enjoy the ride. This is the third that I’ve read now, and I’ve loved every single one. 

And that’s it! I did DNF two books, though one I do plan on picking back up (when it’s not just me in the house). I DNF’d Simone St. James Silence for the Dead- I think this was on its way to being great, it just wasn’t quite doing that for me. Especially after reading The Book of Cold Cases, which was much eerier and dread inducing. I also DNF’d Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill. I hope to pick this one back up once my husband is back- as it is definitely unnerving, but also because I need to wrap my head around the main characters POV. So, all in all I think a good month, if not as strong as my prior ones. Looking forward to April, which has already been strong!

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