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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A Cuppa Cosy Reads – May 2022

Another month has come to an end and it’s time to talk about the books that I’ve read! I kind of wandered all over the place in terms of stories and genres. Part of it was not really know what I wanted to read, part of it was just life throwing curve balls all over the place. I went from wanting comfort to needing expansive stories, to wanting simple romance. It was all over, but it was also great fun and full of some good reads. I read 9 books and gave an average rating of 3.75. So, let’s just get into those books, shall we?

Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune 5 Stars Much like the first book of T.J. Klunes that I read, this is a feel good, life lesson in a soft cute way kind of book. We are following a man as he’s just died. In his path to “the final door” he learns about the meaning of life, love, and what really makes him happy. It was adorable and meaningful, and I definitely cried at the end. 

Miracle Creek by Angie Kim 5 Stars In a completely different direction, this is a court room murder thriller following the lives of several families after a massive tragedy. It is a unique look at parenthood with children who suffer from varying levels of disability as well as the immigrant experience in a small town. I found this to be incredible and I cried at the end. 

Book Lovers by Emily Henry 4 Stars This might have been the cutest, chinchiest book I’ve read this month. We follow to high powered editors who have one goal in mind for their lives, their careers. Of course, life never goes to plan, and they find themselves fighting against what they thought was impossible.  

Electric Idol by Katee Robert 3 Stars Look- I couldn’t help myself, especially after reading the first book in the series last month. This is the second book in the Dark Olympus series, which, at its core, follows four sisters as they live and fight in the city of Olympus. It’s a fun, smutty, reimagining of Greek g-ds that makes for light, but compelling reading. 

The Mayfair Bookshop by Eliza Knight 4 Stars My first proper historical fiction in a while, The Mayfair Bookshop follows two different women in different eras at crossroads in their lives. We see how a family, broken by different viewpoints in WW2 exists and leaves a legacy that intersects with our modern-day protagonist. I really enjoyed this one and would highly recommend it. 

Even If We Break by Marieke Nijkamp 4 Stars, I’ll be honest, this book freaked me out in so many ways, but also left me a bit confused (in a good way) by the end. We are following 5-6 friends as they are closing a chapter of their lives. Things are changing and we are seeing how they fall apart, come together, and fall apart again. All this on the back of a haunting, thrilling, mystery that you (as a reader) never quite know what is real and what is not. I found this to be incredibly well done and atmospheric as all. 

The Palace Papers by Tina Brown NR Here’s another one that…well I just couldn’t help myself when I saw it on sale. I’m a royal fan, and am fascinated by all the scandal, intrigue, and the dynamic of the family and the firm. It’s important to know that the woman who wrote the book has a background of tabloid sensationalism, so that’s good to keep in mind regarding some of her criticism and praise, but still…just soaking all the dynamics and drama. 

Snow White with the Red Hair Volume 1 by Sorata Akiduki 4 Stars I ended the month with a couple Manga options. This is a genre that I dip my toes in to from time to time, just when I need something quick, but storytelling and easy. I found comfort in this selection- even though absolutely nothing happens. It’s very much a slice of life manga, and it’ll be good for when you just want to read something comforting, but easy.

Spy X Family Volume 1 by Tatsuya Endo, translated by Casey Loe 5 Stars Ok, I loved this. I get the “mainstream” hype around it. We are following a spy as he forms this unconventional family with two people, he thinks are normal. But, as with anything else, not all is what it seems and, in this family, everyone has secrets. This is great- it’s easy and approachable for people just getting into manga, but if you’ve read and loved manga before it’s also great. 

And that’s it! Quite the variety to offer and I have a good sense for what I want to read moving forward. Any stand outs for you this past month of reading? Let me know!  

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