Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and are doing well. :) I can't believe how time has zoomed by and we're already somehow into the first week of January... I actually just try not to think about it, haha. I'm fairly late with my December wrap-up and, as usual, my 2022 'best books of the year' lists will be up sometime mid-month, and my end of the year yearly stats post will be up at the end of the month (hopefully). But it'll all get here eventually! I'm one of those that tends to wait until the year is over before I make my lists because I'm never sure if I'll end up reading a favorite on the last day of the year or something and I'd hate to miss it.
Anyway, how was everyone's December? Mine feels like a fever dream that rushed by, but always lingered. We had my aunt's funeral at the beginning month. Unfortunately in December we also lost my husband's grandma a few days after Christmas, as well as a close family friends' grandma who I've known most of my life and was always the sweetest woman–she felt like everyone's grandma! My husband's grandma was 102 years old and had a wonderful life, so there is a great celebration of life surrounding her death for me. The world lost some pretty incredible women in December, but I do feel better knowing they lived long and fulfilling lives.
There's not much more news on my end (which is probably a good thing, given the nature it's been taking, haha). My reading took a slight hit this month as well, and I'm wondering if I need to just back up a little and try to put less pressure on reading itself to maybe just sit back and enjoy more. Anyone else been feeling that way? I want to come at this new month with a fresh view and just remember to read at my own pace and enjoy things and put down books if I'm not focusing well. That being said, I did. manage to read some great books in December! The Ivory Tomb and The Magician's Daughter (2023 release) were both so much fun, and I had a lot fun with audiobooks again this month as well.
How was everyone else's month? Did you read any amazing books? Or terrible books? Let me know!
I hope you all had a really nice time over the holidays and I wish all of you a very Happy New Year!
# books read: 12
Empire of Ice and Stone: The Disastrous and Heroic Voyage of the Karluk by Buddy Levy ★★★★★
Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: I really liked reading about this journey! It's not one I'd heard of before so I loved learning about something new. My review is up here.
The Ivory Tomb (Rooks and Ruin #3) by Melissa Caruso ★★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: This was an incredible finale in a trilogy that I have loved so much. I can't recommend this series more and this was such a good book. My review is here!
The First Binding by R.R. Virdi ★★★
Source: Libby | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: I finally got around to this super hyped up fantasy release, and... I feel uncertain about it. It has a lot of promise and I see a lot of really good things about it, but... something about it felt a little like I've read it many times, and almost outdated at times (?) if that makes any sense. I'm not sure. I will definitely continue the series and we'll see how things go. Very promising, though!
The Spite House by Johnny Compton ★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: I really enjoyed this spooky house story. I liked the first half a lot more than the latter portion, but overall this was really solid. My review will be up soon.
Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield ★★★
Source: Libby | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was an odd little book that I really am not sure how to feel about. I liked the unique and very creative aspects of it, but not sure the actual characters and plot worked for me as much.
The Magician's Daughter by H.G. Parry ★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: This was a perfectly delightful and charming fantasy that I really had a good time with. It's out in a couple months and I think you should definitely keep it on your radar. My review will be up closer to it's publication.
The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten ★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: I liked this a lot more than Whitten's For the Wolf, but I still wasn't overly sold. I plan to read the sequel whenever it's out and see where things go, but right now I'm a little average on it. It has a lot of promise, but also feels a little predictable in a less positive way. Still, an entertaining read! My review will be up closer to publication.
The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton ★★★
Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: I already have a review up for this one and I really enjoyed it. I thought this was a really interesting look at how climate change could affect the world.
Episode Thirteen by Craig DiLouie ★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: This was a weird and engrossing haunted house story that I really had fun with! My review will be up very soon.
The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware ★★★
Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: I am just so unsure where I stand with Ruth Ware. I really liked The Turn of the Key and I loved the concept behind this one, but so many of her books just don't work at all for me. This is one that I wanted to like and had a really strong start, but the resulting plot and fallout felt kinda random and weird to me. It was alright.
City of Thorns (The Demon Queen Trials) by C.N. Crawford
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: I was recommended this as a fun dark fantasy romance so I tried it out on audiobook and it really was fun! Nothing groundbreaking, but I've enjoyed listening to some more fun audiobooks lately to unwind with and this was a great one for that. I'll continue the series!
Merciless Kings by Becca Steele
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was another recommended as a dark fantasy (?) romance (not sure if it's fantasy actually...) and I didn't enjoy it as much as others, but it was still a fun read.
DNF/To-Be-Finished:
None (?) I might have DNF'd something, but I honestly don't remember!
(other than reviews)
Can't-Wait Wednesday:
The Friday Face-Off:
