It's time for monthly stats! I can't believe October is tomorrow. September was not so bad for reading: I read 10 books for a total of 3,649 pages. That's one book less than last month, but only 100 fewer pages because my average page count in September was 365 pages/book. I read 122 pages/day, which significantly beats my average last month of 121 pages/day (sarcasm is hard to convey through a screen). My average rating was 3.61 due to the fact that I had NO 1 or 2 star books this month! I don't know if that's ever happened (probably has, several times, I just feel like celebrating it this month). Anyway, here're the books:
1. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.93/5)
All I knew about this book going into it was that it was about a grumpy old man whose life is changed by some people so that he becomes a less grumpy old man. This is, honestly, a pretty good representation of the plot of the book. However, I did not realize that this would have so much of the grumpy old man's past in it, nor was I aware that this was a tragic love story. And it was wonderful. Check out my full review HERE.
2. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.00/5.00)
This was a moving, well-developed novel with highly memorable characters and messages. I honestly enjoyed this novel so much, and I definitely recommend the audiobook. I honestly can't give many specifics on what made this so good--just excellent writing, relatable characters, and an intriguing plot. The timeline was a little hard to follow, however, for example: nearing the end of the book Kennedy is in her thirties but then it jumps back to her being in her early twenties. Other than that and a slow start to the book, I enjoyed this completely.
3. From Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (2.85/5)
The ending of this book was hot mess, and for that reason alone I don't recommend it. I just can't support the messages that are in the book and backwards character development and the messy worldbuilding. I still give the book some credit for being intriguing and enjoyable for the first half at least, but in general if you're looking for fantasy romance I would just skip this one and head on over to the SJM shelf. Check out my full thoughts HERE.
4. The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.00/5)
The premise of this story is pretty cool--it's based on speculation that a lot of Mozart's music was written actually by his sister. I loved that aspect of the book. However, the book is also about a magical fictional kingdom that the two children played when they were young. The fantasy elements of this made-up world are tied into their reality, and their musical careers are intertwined with the characters they meet in the Kingdom of Back. To be honest, I think I would have preferred the book if it was just a historical fiction about music from Nannerl's perspective, nixing the fantasy elements of the book altogether. It was enjoyable enough, but the fantasy of the Kingdom just didn't enrapture me the way I feel it should have. The parts that really moved me were about the familial relations and Nannerl's coming-of-age, separate from the Kingdom.
5. The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.71/5)
I loved the Alaskan setting and the atmosphere was set perfectly. The characters were distinct and all interesting with compelling backstories, and I liked how they were all interwoven (although, debatably, they were woven together a little too perfectly to the point of having to question the plausibility of the story). I really think this book held all the right emotional moments, I just wish it had been a bit longer so the plot could have developed more, it felt kind of fast when instead it maybe should have stewed longer.
6. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.57/5)
This book was initially hard for me to get into (first 50 pages or so) due to the stream of consciousness style of writing and the small plot. After I got used to the writing style though, I was thoroughly invested and got through the pages very quickly. I do agree with the general consensus that the book's plot is basic--exactly the stuff you'd expect from a post-apocalyptic world book. However, I didn't mind that much because I was so emotionally involved with the character's well-being that I felt the suspense of just wanting them to make it out of every situation okay. The writing style did give me a bit of trouble because it flipped between really intricate prose and overly simplified narration. All in all, the writing and the plot are the weak spots of the book, but they are made up for by the characters, atmosphere, and intrigue.
7. The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.28/5)
Apollo is hilarious. I actually LOL'ed several times while reading this. Sure, sometimes his flamboyance is a little too much, but it's just so... Apollo. Apollo is basically what would happen if a Percy Jackson book was from the perspective of Tamaki Suoh from Ouran High School Host Club, and it's glorious. Not to mention Percy is one of my favorite book characters of all time, so I will read anything that has even a fraction of him in it. I thought this book had a nice balance--it focused mainly on Apollo and Meg, but had some Percy and Leo fan-service thrown in. I also love the references toward previous books. In general I really like interconnected series (aka series written within the same world), but this one is particularly well done.
8. American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
Rating:★★★★☆ (3.92/5)
For the most part I enjoyed this story--I felt suspense at the right times, I empathized with the characters, and I really found them to be compelling people. I did think some of the "ease" of their journey was unrealistic (i.e. how easily they saved the sisters from the kidnapping). Also the way that the drug cartel situation with Javier was wrapped up was weird but also touching. This book is a really solid four-star read, and I'd recommend it to everyone.
9. Poison Princess (The Arcana Chronicles #1) by Kresley Cole
Rating:★★★★☆ (4.07/5)
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. I found the concept to be fresh and exciting, yet it's still based on tarot so that's really interesting. I found Evie, the main character, to show a lot of development by the end of the novel, and her previous airiness lent more realism to the book (too often, female heroines are the picture-perfect strong female lead, and it just doesn't happen like that IRL). It's been a while since a romance has made me feel the way I do about this one -- it's toxic AF, but I couldn't help rooting for them despite knowing they are better off not being romantically involved with each other. I liked the personalities of the characters, I thought Finn was particularly funny. My major complaints with the book are some of the logic issues with it. The way the characters interact/their dialogue many times was cringe-worthy because of how unnatural it sounded. I would say the same thing about Selena's character on the whole, she isn't really presented as a character herself but as an object that serves to further the romantic plot. I'm hoping this changes in the next book; I really want to see Matthew, Selena, and Finn's characters fleshed out.
10. You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (2.79/5)
I enjoyed this book, but I doubt I'll remember the plot or any of the characters' names by this time next year. It was wholly unmemorable on account of the fact that it does what every single other YA book out there is doing right now: the same high school setting, the same central conflict, the same lineup of characters. Maybe this book is just unlucky because I've read it after reading so many of these, but it just fell flat. Like I said, I enjoyed it, but it didn't move me. I also thought it was lacking in logic, and I have to wonder if adults who write books for teens have any idea how teens think and speak to one another. Also, some of the problems weren't addressed? Like Gabby being a totally horrible person: they address how she was wrong for not giving Liz the letter from Jordan, but NONE of the other ways she was a terrible friend/person? So yeah, I liked the book but I won't reread it and I won't be highly recommending it. I would recommend it to people who like basic YA contemporary romance/slice of life.
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