In March 2019 I managed to read a total of 14 books.
Audiobooks -
A Touch of Gold by Annie Sullivan
Narrated by Alana Kerr Collins
Length - 8h 52m
Star rating - 5 stars
I adored this book so much and highly recommend it. Read my full review here.
Mary Poppins by PL Travers
Narrated by Olivia Colman
Length - 3h 51m
Star Rating - 3 stars
I am sad to say this disappointed me quite a lot. After growing up with the Mary Poppins film (and the recent sequel too) I was looking forward to hearing the original tale but sadly the character of Mary was awful and the children rather dull. Overall it just didn't have to appeal to me that the movie did.
The Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke
Narrated by Saskia Maarlevand
Length - 8h 10m
Star Rating - 4.5 stars
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It took me a while to get into it but once it became a quest like story it had me hooked. I really liked Trigve and Frey, though I was hoping for something a little more there perhaps but overall it was a strong story with interesting characters. The ending felt a little anticlimactic perhaps but then perhaps that suited the slower style of the story. I liked it enough to recommend it to others though.
Circe by Madeline Miller
Narrated by Perdita Weeks
Length - 12h 8m
Star Rating - 4.5 stars
After reading and loving Song of Achilles and booking a ticket to meet Madeline Miller in April I decided to listen to Circe and I am so glad I did. The narrator, Perdita Weeks, was brilliant and the story had me gripped. I didn't know much about Circe or her story and seeing how much she actually had to do with other myths I had heard of was great. Definitely another solid read from Madeline Miller who is now on my autobuy author list.
Nyxia Unleashed by Scott Reintgen
Narrated by Sullivan Jones, Carol Monda, Alex Romashov
Length - 10h 43m
Star Rating - 4.75 stars
Well that is yet another cliffhanger ending! I should know by now. I forgot how much I like these characters and with this second book I got even more invested in their story. I really liked the twists and turns this book took. I was on the edge of my seat for a lot of the story and I cannot wait for the next book. The narration was spot on and I liked the addition of alternative voices for different characters/POV.
Our Little Secret by Darren O'Sullivan
Narrated by Darren O'Sullivan
Length - 8h 22m
Star Rating - 2 stars
I have to admit I am not an avid thriller reader. I have limited experience of the genre, but this one I found fairly predictable. I got the big 'twist' of the end from a few chapters in and nothing really came as a surprise. It wasn't badly written and most of the characters were pretty interesting (the main girl, Sarah, was irritating but the best friend Steve was really intriguing). The audio of this was performed by the author and while he did a decent job at times it suffered due to the lack of differentiation between inner monologue and speech as well as characters sounding alike.
Narrated by Alana Kerr Collins
Length - 8h 52m
Star rating - 5 stars
I adored this book so much and highly recommend it. Read my full review here.
Narrated by Olivia Colman
Length - 3h 51m
Star Rating - 3 stars
I am sad to say this disappointed me quite a lot. After growing up with the Mary Poppins film (and the recent sequel too) I was looking forward to hearing the original tale but sadly the character of Mary was awful and the children rather dull. Overall it just didn't have to appeal to me that the movie did.
Narrated by Saskia Maarlevand
Length - 8h 10m
Star Rating - 4.5 stars
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It took me a while to get into it but once it became a quest like story it had me hooked. I really liked Trigve and Frey, though I was hoping for something a little more there perhaps but overall it was a strong story with interesting characters. The ending felt a little anticlimactic perhaps but then perhaps that suited the slower style of the story. I liked it enough to recommend it to others though.
Narrated by Perdita Weeks
Length - 12h 8m
Star Rating - 4.5 stars
After reading and loving Song of Achilles and booking a ticket to meet Madeline Miller in April I decided to listen to Circe and I am so glad I did. The narrator, Perdita Weeks, was brilliant and the story had me gripped. I didn't know much about Circe or her story and seeing how much she actually had to do with other myths I had heard of was great. Definitely another solid read from Madeline Miller who is now on my autobuy author list.
Narrated by Sullivan Jones, Carol Monda, Alex Romashov
Length - 10h 43m
Star Rating - 4.75 stars
Well that is yet another cliffhanger ending! I should know by now. I forgot how much I like these characters and with this second book I got even more invested in their story. I really liked the twists and turns this book took. I was on the edge of my seat for a lot of the story and I cannot wait for the next book. The narration was spot on and I liked the addition of alternative voices for different characters/POV.
Narrated by Darren O'Sullivan
Length - 8h 22m
Star Rating - 2 stars
I have to admit I am not an avid thriller reader. I have limited experience of the genre, but this one I found fairly predictable. I got the big 'twist' of the end from a few chapters in and nothing really came as a surprise. It wasn't badly written and most of the characters were pretty interesting (the main girl, Sarah, was irritating but the best friend Steve was really intriguing). The audio of this was performed by the author and while he did a decent job at times it suffered due to the lack of differentiation between inner monologue and speech as well as characters sounding alike.
Novels -
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Length - 3h 51m
Star Rating - 5 stars
I love this book, it has been a favourite since childhood and the re-read was just as enjoyable. Matilda is a lovely child and Miss Honey is the most amazing teacher in the whole world. The story is engaging and imaginitive, as most Dahl books are in my opinion, and the years have not diminished anything. A great little easy read.
State of Sorrow by Melinda Salisbury
Length - 464 pages
Star Rating - 5 stars
This was a re-read led by Melinda herself in the run up to the release of the second book in the duology 'Song of Sorrow'. This was a favourite of mine in 2018 and I really enjoyed getting to read it again. We read a chapter a day which was a nice pace even if I did want to read ahead a few times in anticipation of what was going to happen next. I cannot wait to start Song of Sorrow and hopefully finish it in the next week.
The Storm Runner by JC Cervantes
Length - 448 pages
Star Rating - 3.5 stars
Overall I enjoyed this book, it was well written and I think kids who liked Percy Jackson would enjoy this. I liked the Mayan gods aspect as I knew nothing about that, so that was fun to learn - god of chocolate? Yes please! The pacing did feel a little off with a lot of information thrown at you in the beginning but the action picked up towards the end. I will probably read the next book but I won't be in a rush.
Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
Mitosis by Brandon Sanderson
Song of Sorrow by Melinda Salisbury
Length - 3h 51m
Star Rating - 5 stars
I love this book, it has been a favourite since childhood and the re-read was just as enjoyable. Matilda is a lovely child and Miss Honey is the most amazing teacher in the whole world. The story is engaging and imaginitive, as most Dahl books are in my opinion, and the years have not diminished anything. A great little easy read.
Length - 464 pages
Star Rating - 5 stars
This was a re-read led by Melinda herself in the run up to the release of the second book in the duology 'Song of Sorrow'. This was a favourite of mine in 2018 and I really enjoyed getting to read it again. We read a chapter a day which was a nice pace even if I did want to read ahead a few times in anticipation of what was going to happen next. I cannot wait to start Song of Sorrow and hopefully finish it in the next week.
Length - 448 pages
Star Rating - 3.5 stars
Overall I enjoyed this book, it was well written and I think kids who liked Percy Jackson would enjoy this. I liked the Mayan gods aspect as I knew nothing about that, so that was fun to learn - god of chocolate? Yes please! The pacing did feel a little off with a lot of information thrown at you in the beginning but the action picked up towards the end. I will probably read the next book but I won't be in a rush.
Length - 386 pages
Star Rating - 4 stars
This was a very different take on superheroes but it definitely felt more true to life perhaps than other stories about people with power. I liked the set up and the world, and while I did like the characters I didn't feel overly connected to any of them in particular. I did guess the way the plot was going but this didn't stop me enjoying it, if anything it made me want to read on and see if I was right. I will definitely continue on with this series.
The Clockwork Crow by Catherine Fisher
Length - 192 pages
Star Rating - 4 stars
This was a super cute and intriguing middle grade story. Our main character along with the crow are great characters who I liked a lot - especially the grumpy sarcastic crow. It was well paced and and gave just enough information to keep the reader going. I really hope this is not the last we've seen of them.
Length - 96 pages
Star Rating - 3.5stars
This was a short story set in the Steelheart world between books 1 and 2. I liked getting to see how the events of Steelheart have changed the situation in Newcago. I don't think it was overly important or necessary to read but it gave a little more insight into how David and the team are working together now. Looking forward to the second book hopefully by the end of the year.
Length - 384 pages
Star Rating - 5 stars
State of Sorrow was one of my favourite reads in 2018 and this sequel did not disappoint. Melinda Salisbury smashed it. I love Sorrow so much and really felt for her throughout this book - you can't read this book and not be moved I think. The romance was adorable (and I am not a big romance fan) and the political intrigue was exactly what I wanted. Also big shout out to Irris who I also adored. Once again this is definitely in my top 10 of 2019.
Warrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller
Length - 326 pages
Star Rating - 5 stars
This was such a fun quest book! I loved the characters, the plot, the setting, everything. I adored the Pirate King duology but this surpassed even that. Rasmira was such a brilliant lead and I really liked her wanting to find that balance between being a warrior and still being emotional. I also really loved the focus on friendships and the exploration of those too. Overall a fantastic read.
Looks like you read some pretty great books this month. Hope you have a good April.
ReplyDeleteI was very lucky this month overall I think. Thank you, hope you do too!
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