Monthly Wrap-Up | May 2020

Hello everyone!

I hope you’re doing well and staying safe.

Last month we moved! It was time to finally get out of the stuffy apartment. It certainly wasn’t easy moving in the middle of a pandemic, but worth it for more space and a backyard. Things have been ramping up at work as restrictions slowly ease, so I wasn’t able to read as much as I wanted to this month.

I was planning on reading The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, but my copy has yet to arrive as of writing this. I was going to cancel my preorder and do a curbside pickup order but ultimately decided against it. That was a mistake.

During the month of May, I read 10 books and 2 novellas.

So, here are some stats!

Number of pages read: 4653
Number of print books: 6
Number of e-books: 6 
Favourite quote of the month:

“‘You’re still trying to protect me. Real or not real? he whispers.
‘Real,’ I answer. ‘Because that’s what you and I do, protect each other.'”
– Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins

 

Without further ado…. here is my favourite books of the month from differing genres. I usually don’t feature rereads here, but I couldn’t resist with Mockingjay.

 

 

 

Break Me was incredibly hot and sexy. It will probably be my favourite of the series because of something happens well into the novel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mockingjay is a masterclass in character work. This is my third time rereading it and I’ve found a new appreciation for it. Though it differs greatly from the previous novels, Mockingjay gives readers the cold hard truth regarding the trauma the characters endured and the lasting effects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Girl and the Stars is an interesting enough fantasy novel but lacks clarity in its world building and development in its characters.

 

 

Storm and Fury is easily some of Armentrout’s best fantasy work. It features the perfect balance between fantasy and romance elements.

 

 

Rage and Ruin is a slower paced sequel as Armentrout dives into the nitty gritty of Zayne and Trinity’s relationship. This almost singular focus doesn’t always serve the plot, but it’s definitely entertaining.

 

 

All Systems Red was a unique novella that sets up future stories that I will be definitely checking out. If you’re looking for a quick read that’s fun and unique, look no further!

 

 

Artificial Condition is an excellent sequel that ups the stakes while also developing Murderbot as readers learn about its past.

 

 

The Dragon Republic is an excellent sequel that showcases the horrors of war and its costs. Kuang puts on a masterclass of character development with Rin.

 

 

Bossman is the perfect novel to curl up with outside to soak up the rays. It features Keeland’s funny banter, a swoon worthy love interest, and some heaviness to keep the story from getting too fluffy.

 

 

A Faint Cold Fear is an excellent mystery that subtly lays the groundwork for what’s to come.

 

 

I’m glad I reread Wuthering Heights even though I didn’t enjoy it as much as I wanted to. The characters are annoyingly awful, but the atmosphere makes up for how terrible they act toward each other.

 

 

Teach Me was incredibly disappointing after the brilliance of its predecessor. It features annoying tropes and misogynistic characters that frustrated me to no end.

 

 

 

Have you read any of these? What did you think? What did you read in the month of May?