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Hello Hello! How are you?
Leading on from my previous post and my sudden appearance back on my blog after quite a few months completely absent, I thought it would be a good idea to start with a short wrap-up post to tell you all about the books I’ve managed to read so far this year!
In my last post, I mentioned that I had set my Goodread’s reading goal at 50 books for 2024, and so far I’ve managed to read a total of 13 books, which I don’t think is half bad considering how unwell, fatigued and busy I’ve been since the new year started!
I’m going to do a breakdown of what books I’ve read per month, so keep on reading to find out all about them.
BOOKS I READ IN JANUARY
Christmas Present (#4.5 The Chronicles of St Mary’s) by Jodi Taylor — 5 stars
The first book I read on the very first day of 2024 was the next instalment in the Chronicles of St Mary’s series by Jodi Taylor that I started either last year or the year before. I’m currently on the 5th short story out of the collection, soon to embark on the 6th full-length novel, and each book and short story is just such a joy. Out of all the short stories, I think this one has to be my favourite so far, it was just as fun and wacky and crazy as all the previous stories and novels, but this one had such an emotional edge to it. It firmly cemented this series as one of my all-time favourites and I can’t wait to continue the series with all my favourite characters. Jodi Taylor truly is a joy to read, I highly recommend this series!
Enterrer la lune by Andrée Poulin and Sonali Zohra — 5 stars
I picked this book up from work as it called to me through its stunning illustrations and the mesmerising blurb. This book is more of a poetry collection, as it is based in fact and is written in prose. It’s not usually my kind of thing, but the premise captivated me and I needed to know more. The story is set in India and it is about how women and female children must go out into fields and forests in the middle of the night to go to the toilet, especially in extremely poor areas because there are no means of sanitation. I’ve read a few things about this in previous books and I wanted to know more. I was also really intrigued by the illustrations by Sonali Zhora as she is from the same town my great-great grandmother was born in! All in all, this was a stunning but heartbreaking story about what women in Indian society have to go through every day, the risks they take to go to the toilet, the continued inequality between sexes and the dire state of sanitation in places where it is just not accessible. It broke my heart, but the author’s penmanship and the illustrations also brought me hope for the future, and I pray that with more stories like this one, changes will slowly be implemented to help people who truly need them. I adored this book, it opened my eyes and it will forever have a special place in my heart.
Entrez dans la danse by Richard Guérineau — 4 stars
This was a graphic novel I picked up from work and it is actually adapted from the novel written by Jean Teulé, which has been sitting on my shelves at home for YEARS. I was intrigued by it in graphic novel format and it was a very interesting and quick read. It’s about a strange and unsettling pandemic that touches a whole community in Strasbourg and forces mostly everyone to dance until they literally die. It seems really dark and horrible when said that way, but I actually really enjoyed it. It also has some political and religious elements to it which were also interesting and more than likely historically accurate, so that was a nice touch! I think I’ll prefer the novel to be honest, and it’s really short anyway, but I just felt like reading this and it definitely intrigued me.
La petite lumière by Grégory Panaccione — 4 stars
This next book was also a graphic novel that I picked up from work, and actually one of our recent purchases. It also actually turns out to be adapted from the novel written by Antonio Moresco which I’m hoping to read as soon as my hold comes in. I must say that from the blurb and the start of the story, I didn’t expect it to go where it did, but it was a very different, unique and intriguing story that will stay with me for quite a while. I really liked the art style which is usually the thing that makes or breaks a graphic novel or comic for me. This is also a historical graphic novel, set in Italy and about a kind of hermit who sees a light shining out on the opposite mountain from his cabin every night. When he eventually finds the provenance of the little light, he discovers a young boy living there alone, and this discovery quite literally changes his life. I thought this story had a lot of power, without it being too emotional or too complex. It was a really enjoyable story and I’m looking forward to reading the full-length novel sometime soon hopefully!
The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler — 4.5 stars
Ever since I read and reviewed Bad Habits by Flynn Meany a few years ago, I’ve been so intrigued about The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler that was mentioned in that book, and on which the play in the story was based on. I finally managed to get my hands on a copy of the original play through work and I really enjoyed it! I read it in French, which I usually don’t do for translated works, but it didn’t bother me in the least because the way it was written was very open and easy to read. It was funny, powerful, heartbreaking, hopeful, eye-opening, and I honestly think that everyone should read it. I’ve recommended it to all my colleagues and most of them have read and really enjoyed it too. I highly recommend this quick and short play, and I feel that it is a really important feminist resource. I might have to buy myself a copy to keep on hand as I think it’ll be a reread multiple times in the future, and definitely recommend it to my mum and husband!
Dieu était en vacances by Julia Wallach — 5 stars
And the final book I read in January was also one I got from work and this WWII autobiography was such an impactful and important read for me. If you’ve followed my blog or social media for any length of time, you’ll know I’m very interested in anything World War II related and that I really enjoy reading a lot of nonfiction, especially historical nonfiction. I read another WWII autobiography at the end of 2023 and have been searching our library shelves high and low ever since for more like it. The title, translated to “God was on holiday” really drew my eyes to this book and let me tell you, it definitely packs a punch. I also like learning about Holocaust survivors and no matter how many atrocious testimonies I read, there are still horrors to be unveiled and new things to be learned. I always feel weird rating nonfiction, especially anything about WWII, but I had to give this one 5 stars because it was just heartbreaking and powerful. Again, it’s strange saying that reading something so terrible could be enjoyable, but I’m sure you know what I mean. I definitely recommend this one to all history readers!
I think my favourite book for the month of January definitely has to be Enterrer la lune by Andrée Poulin and Sonali Zohra for the reasons I explained in that paragraph. It was a stunning story, with so much power, truth and hope. I highly recommend it.
BOOKS I READ IN FEBRUARY
In February I only managed two books, but it was a tough month for me with fatigue and increased morning sickness, so my symptoms definitely took a toll on my body and my reading abilities. That being said, I really enjoyed the two books I read in February.
The Traitor Queen (#2 The Bridge Kingdom) by Danielle L. Jensen — 4.5 stars
At the end of 2023, my best friend and I started buddy-reading this series and we were instantly hooked. We had seen it all over social media for the past couple of months and it was finally with the stunning French editions being published that we bit the bullet and picked up the first book (she read it in French and I read it in English). We loved it and quickly continued on with the second book in the series. This book definitely did not suffer from “middle book syndrome,” which I was really happy about, and it had so much going for it! I loved being back in this world with these characters, I loved seeing how Lara moved on from everything that happened in the first book and tried to build up confidence, trust and come to the aid of those in need. I loved how action packed and fast-paced this book was without feeling rushed and I really enjoyed the dual POV. We are hoping to read the 3rd book in the series soon. I definitely recommend this series for lovers of low fantasy, enemies-to-lovers, magical settings and amazingly strong, resilient and loveable characters! I’ll have to read more by this author soon.
Iron Flame (#2 The Empyrean) by Rebecca Yarros — 4 stars
And the second book I managed in February was also a sequel, and again a very popular one at that. I absolutely fell IN LOVE with Fourth Wing when I read it at the end of last year and I honestly just jumped into the sequel and gave myself wholeheartedly do the next part of this epic story. This second book took off literally right after the events at the end of the first book and I was once again hooked into this world, the setting, the atmosphere and the characters. This is another enemies-to-lovers series that I am so into and I’m so glad I finally gave in to the hype and picked it up. What I will say, and the reason for the 4-star rating, is that for me personally this book felt like it did suffer from the “middle book syndrome” slightly, especially in terms of pacing and content. I really, really enjoyed it, but in the middle of this sequel, it just seemed to drag a little. The political aspect, while really important in understanding past events and preparing for future ones, just felt a bit too heavy at times and it seemed to take over the major part of the story. I also feel like this whole book could have been separated into two distinct tomes and maybe the author could have taken more time with some plot points. The romance portion of this book got really spicy, really quickly, and I was definitely fully invested in Violet and Xaden’s relationship. And the last reason for me knocking this rating down by a whole star was that ending: OH MY GOD WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL HAPPENED? Not to spoil anyone, but that ending is one of the biggest and wildest plot twists I have ever read in a book and I was just reeling for ages at the end. I’m pretty sure I had to go back and read the final chapter about 3 times because I was so shocked. I have no idea where there 3rd book will go after that cliffhanger, I’m almost too scared to find out. It’s going to be a nightmare waiting until next year for the next instalment and I’ll have to reread the first two books before the publication of the third, but that’s fine, because I love this series so much (minus that ending that tore my heart out and broke my brain at the same time!).
And despite my very long and probably not very eloquent paragraph on Iron Flame, I think I have to say that my favourite book of February had to be The Traitor Queen by Danielle L. Jensen. The story felt very well-executed, I liked how the characters were pushed to new limits and I overall enjoyed how everything was brought together at the end. February was a really good reading month for me in terms of quality, and I’m hoping I can have more months like this, with really enjoyable reads!
BOOKS I READ IN MARCH
No Time Like the Past (#5 The Chronicles of St Mary’s) by Jodi Taylor — 4.5 stars
In March, I only managed to read one book, but it was a really enjoyable and emotional one. I’ve been reading The Chronicles of St Mary’s series for about 2 years now I believe, and with every book I’m still in awe of how brilliant Jodi Taylor is. There are so many interesting historical facts to discover in these books and the characters at St Mary’s are some of the best I’ve ever had the honour to read about. Max and her team are such daredevils and my heart is always in my throat in those moments where I think the author is about to kill another of my beloved friends off — believe me, it has already happened a lot! I can’t remember everything that happened in this instalment apart from a wild fete that took place at St Mary’s involving another incident on the lake, lots more scary and dangerous moments, but also lots of heartfelt and ridiculously funny times. I can’t even begin to tell you all how much I adore this series, it is such a joy to read and every book brings me so much entertainment. I’m really looking forward to reading What Could Possibly Go Wrong? — the 6th book in this series, as soon as I can!
BOOKS I READ IN APRIL
Good Girl, Bad Blood (#2 A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder) by Holly Jackson — 5 stars
My fourth 5-star read of the year so far was actually another sequel and a YA mystery. I read A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (the first instalment) ages ago and absolutely loved it. I think I read it in only a day or two, and the second book was no different. It took me a couple of chapters to get back into the vibe of things after lots of fantasy, but when I had finally remembered all the events of the first book and gotten myself properly situated, nothing could stop me. I really appreciated that Holly Jackson brought a lot of emotions and private thoughts of Pip’s to the forefront of the story. In the first book, Pippa Fitz-Amobi (Pip for short), solved a really terrible cold case in her home town of Little Kilton, and while the second book is about a missing person that needs to be found, a lot of things from her first investigation crop back up here. I really enjoyed how Pip’s brain works and how she figures things out, how strongly she advocated for finding Jamie and how strongly she fought to be listened and believed by the people around her. As always, Ravi is literally the best book-boyfriend ever and I was so chuffed to see them working together again to figure everything out. I’m so glad I picked this book up last month as it really helped me get back into the swing of reading after quite a few on-and-off months. I’m really looking forward to reading the last book in this series soon!
A Court of Frost and Starlight (#3.5 A Court of Thorns and Roses) by Sarah J. Maas — 3.5 stars
Continuing on the theme of sequels, I also managed to re-read the next instalment in A Court of Thorns and Roses in my series reread I’m doing with Candyce from The Book Dutchesses! I first read this series years ago and it quickly became one of my all-time favourites, but the 4th book, A Court of Silver Flames had been sitting on my shelves ever since it’s publication. We decided it was high time we got to it, so started our reread of the series a few months ago. The first time I read this novella, I remember enjoying it more than I did this time, and I think it just had to do with my book tastes back then. There was absolutely nothing wrong with this book, but I think that today I would class it more a just a filler between tomes instead of an important instalment in the series. It’s a cute, quick read, and it goes over a lot of characters’ emotions leading on from the war with Hybern in the 3rd book. I enjoyed it because it brought me back into the world and I liked seeing more than a dual POV and especially having insights from characters such as Cassian and Mor. I’m currently about 22 chapters into the next book, and let me tell you, it is NOT the same ball game, but I’m definitely enjoying it immensely.
Le royaume de Kensuké by Michael Morpurgo — 3 stars
From work last month, I managed to pick up a Michael Morpurgo book that I had never read before. Growing up, I read so many of his books and loved them, but as I got older I stopped reading them, which is a shame as his books are always enjoyable and unique. So when I saw this one come across the desk and that I’d never heard of it before, I jumped at the chance to read it. Unfortunately, this one just flopped a bit for me. I think I should have read it in English because the French translation wasn’t the greatest and it made the story suffer for me. It was a coming-of-age adventure story about a shipwrecked boy and his dog who end up on a seemingly deserted island, but find an old Japanese man has been living there for years. Through this discovery, Michael (the young boy) learns lots of life lessons thanks to Kensuké and spends about a year on the island before finally being rescued. I did enjoy it, but it just fell short for me to be honest. I was expecting to be swept away like with The Butterfly Lion or his other books, but it just wasn’t one for me!
Les enfants terribles de Bonaventure by Cecile Hennerolles — 4 stars
And the final book I read in April was another French book from work and I’m happy to report that it was just what I needed to finish off the month strong. This is set after World War II on a small island off the coast of France where life is still very independent from technology, electricity, running water and education, but that’s not to say that the inhabitants are uncivilised or ignorant, quite the contrary! It is told from the POV of one of the residents when he is an old man telling his grandchildren about his wild days on Bonaventure and how the mainland tried to make them fit into boxes and conform to set ways. I loved reading about the islanders’ ways, their culture, their food, the fun the children had everyday and how close and supportive everyone was to one another. I also loved how they rebelled against the system for things they believed in and how they fought hard to keep their island separate from the mainland, even though it was eventually linked by a bridge, it didn’t change their ways of living. This was a very quick read and it had a real nostalgic and sweet feel about it. I enjoyed it immensely and it reminded me just how lovely middle-grade stories can be. I definitely recommend this one, hopefully it’s translated in English by now!
And my favourite book out of those I read in April definitely has to be Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson. I enjoyed this sequel immensely, I loved how Pip’s emotions, fears, doubts and apprehensions were put into contrast with her confidence as to solving the case and finding Jamie alive, and I loved how Ravi believed in her and helped her through the whole investigation. Overall, I would definitely say that the Good Girl Guide to Murder series is a wonderful YA mystery series which should definitely be on everyone’s TBR, especially for fans of crime and mixed-media in books!
2024 READING STATS SO FAR
Number of books: 13
Number of pages: 3,186 pages
Star ratings:
3 stars: 1 book
3.5 stars: 1 book
4 stars: 4 books
4.5 stars: 3 books
5 stars: 4 books
Average rating: 4.30⭐
Favourite book of the year so far:
Genres: 1 fantasy time travel short story, 1 French middle-grade poetry, 2 French historical graphic novels, 1 feminist play, 1 French WWII nonfiction, 2 new adult fantasy romance, 1 fantasy time travel, 1 YA mystery, 1 YA fantasy romance, 1 middle-grade adventure coming-of-age and 1 French historical middle-grade.
That’s all for now, I hope you enjoyed reading my post!
See you soon, stay safe,
Ellie xx