Number of Books Read: 8

I always seem to do really well with my reading challenge in January. It’s like, yes. A brand new start. So excited. So inspired! So I’m not even going to say how happy/excited I am because who knows what’ll happen next month lol.

| City of Ghosts by Victoria Schawb

Okay, this book took me by surprise. I LOVE Middle Grade books because I always feel like they pack such a hard punch when they have some sort of meaning or lesson attached. And when you’re really not in the mood for a romantic element in a book, MG is the way to go.

I had put this down when it was first released because I was being a wimp and getting scared. Yo, there’s nothing SCARY about this book. Every element that is suppose to be creepy, I mean is, but I found it all to be so much more fascinating. I wanted to know more about Cassy and why she can do what she does. And how does it all work. And I’m still trying to figure out if her parents actually see/believe in ghosts…. or? I had thought to binge this series but the last book doesn’t come out until I think March. And yes, I pre-ordered the OwlCrate exclusive! Even though I don’t own the other 2 in physical form but that is OKAY.

There’s just so much I could gush about when it comes to this book but I linked my review instead!

| The Prince and the Troll by Rainbow Rowell

Unpopular opinion but… for some reason it bothers me when there’s real life things in books or tv shows. By “real life things” I mean brand name things. I don’t know if I’ll formally review t’his book or series because it just keeps getting worse with each book. I was a bit disappointed with this one because Rainbow Rowell, hello! And because for literally the entire book up until the last 2 pages, NOTHING MAKES SENSE. The ending itself didn’t make sense either. NOTHING. MADE. SENSE. OMG.

The ending was equivalent to when you’re in bed with someone and you’re really close to an orgasm and they’re like “yeah no, let’s switch” and you’re left feeling super confused, a little angry and totally unsatisfied. I literally can’t think of another example to explain how this book made me feel.

| Unmade by Sarah Rees Brennan

I DID IT. AFTER LIKE 8 YEARS I FINALLY FINISHED THE SERIES. Because my stubborn ass just couldn’t cope with the fact I’d have to say goodbye to Kami, Ash and JARED. So I figured if I held off on this book, they could (somehow) live forever… floating around somewhere in my mind. I have no idea ok. But I just wasn’t ready.

And it turns out, you shouldn’t wait that look to finish a series you loved. Because 1) your tastes in genres/book may have changed 2) you’ll probably forget what the heck even happened in the prior books and 3) SOMETHING SO TRAGIC COULD HAPPEN THAT YOU DONT KNOW HOW TO FEEL ANYMORE. I took like a week off after reading a particular part that just… HOW COULD YOU SARAH, SERIOUSLY?!?!?!

I also found myself rooting for Ash. Which… was weird. Also, I have questions. How did people not like over throw Rob? Just for like fun? I haven’t written a review for this yet but I think it might be time to.

| The Haunting of Beatrix Greene by Rachel Hawkins

Ya’ll I don’t know what was happening here but can you say ~ sexual tension ~? I really need to read the rest of this mini series thing they’re doing. Also, a part of this book creeped me out more than any part in City of Ghosts did.

| Hazel and Gray by Nic Stone

Guys, I literally don’t even want to talk about how disappointing this book was.

| The Princess Games by Soman Chainani

At this point I’m ready to just DNF the rest of the series. Idc if I just wanted to get to the last book. The thing is, these don’t even have an order. They all read like solo book because NONE OF THE DAMN THEMES MAKE ANY DAMN SENSE.

THIS. BOOK. WAS. WTF. LEGIT IDK WHAT ELSE TO SAY EXCEPT WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCK?!

My review of this book: JUST NO.

| Kawaii Kitties

This is the second art book I’ve requested from NetGalley and they’ve both been super cute, super helpful and super easy to understand. I did pre-order this because I need it in my collection that is just now starting. With this book.

| Love, Almost by Hayley Doyle

I have mixed feelings about this book; on one hand I remember when I was 5 months in with my ex husband. He proposed somewhere in there at Disneyland and I remember feeling like this is my forever and I mean he was, until we were 30. I remember that the thought of him dying legit killed me inside. It was a fear we both had of each other. Last I talked to him years ago he said he still checks my social media to make sure I’m still alive. Not sure if he still does but I gotta admit hearing that put me off and kinda irritated me.

Learning to live without someone that you feel like your life JUST began with can be just as heartbreaking as living a whole lifetime with them. While my ex husband didn’t die, the him I knew and loved did. And sometimes it’s still hard for me to remember I don’t know who he is now, and he doesn’t know who I am. It’s hard to remember that I have memories he wasn’t there for. It’s such a incomplete feeling almost. This book definitely triggered those memories for me.

BEST READ: City of Ghosts

LEAST FAV READ: Hazel and Gray // The Princess Games

What was your favorite read of January or what are you looking forward to reading in next month?