[Wrap-up] June & July 2019
As most of the time recently I haven't been able to read as much as usual. And last month I was in a reading slump again. But it was a bit better this month so I finished 5 books in total. Because of time issues I won't be able to write out a detailed wrap-up like the last time so here is just a short one. But I hope you'll still enjoy it anway.
"Beartown" - Fredrik Backman
Pages: 489
Genre: Contemporary
Age Range: Adult
Year of Release: 2016
Read in: English
Original language: Swedish
This book ripped my heart out in all the right ways. Definitely a story that will stick with me for a long time. While I do agree with some people that the fake out cliffhangers can be annoying, at least for this story they help the reader keep guessing and going.
As this book mostly talks about things related to toxic masculinity I delved more into that in my full review, which you can read here.
4.5/5★
"The Book Thief" - Markus Zusak
Pages: 560
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Range: Young Adult
Year of Release: 2005
Read in: English
Original language: English
After hearing so many great things about this book I had to read it myself. And let's be real, I wasn't disappointed. While I do think it's not the most exciting story there is, it does describe in interesting detail Nazi Germany and how to live in it when you can't and won't conform. It's very much "literature" like what you would read in school but I feel that showing us this story through the eyes of Death himself is what makes it work and enjoyable.
4/5★
"The Witcher: The Time of Contempt" - Andrzej Sapkowski
Pages: 331
Genre: Fantasy
Age Range: Adult
Year of Release: 1995
Read in: English
Original language: Polish
Again a fantastic work in the Witcher series and I hope I can get to the next one soon because I really want to read more before the series is out.
This time we get a lot more to hear from Ciri's life and how she develops. It has coming of age elements as well as more information on the magic in this world. It also talks about the whole Witchers being neutral thing, highlighting how and why sometimes Geralt isn't being neutral. As someone who started with the games it's actually really fascinating to see this backstory unfold which explains many things about the games.
4/5★
"Mistborn Era 2: Shadows of Self" - Brandon Sanderson
Pages: 445
Genre: Fantasy
Age Range: Adult
Year of Release: 2015
Read in: English
Original language: English
I loved the first Mistborn era so much. It's such a great series. So I'm not surprised that the second era so far isn't as amazing in my eyes. It still is solid though and a lot of fun. The banter between Wax and Wayne is just so good. It's also interesting to see what happened after the end of Hero of Ages and the changes that happened to the public and what didn't change as much as people hoped for. I wasn't a big fan of the twist to be honest. It worked but it was still a bit on the "I don't really care" side for me. Though I'm guessing it will have an effect on the books to come so I'm curious to see that.
3.5/5★
"Illuminae files 2: Gemina" - Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Pages: 659
Genre: Science-Fiction
Age Range: Young Adult (later years because of fictional violence!)
Year of Release: 2016
Read in: English
Original language: English
Like the first book, this one is hilariously entertaining as well as entertainingly stressful. Our two new heroes are quite interesting again, with their own abilities that will help them to fight through what's coming for them. Unfortunately, personality-wise they are too similar to the main characters from the first book, in my opinion. Though I do think that the format of this trilogy helps in ignoring that. Also, the jokes. Seriously, I just love stupid teenage banter sometimes. I already got the third one from the library so I can finish this series.
3.5/5★
___
Disclaimer. All opinions are my own. I wasn't paid or asked to talk about any of these books or show them in any way. I apologize for any mistakes made as I don't have the time to check properly for them.
Follow me: Instagram | Goodreads | Letterboxd
"Beartown" - Fredrik Backman
Pages: 489
Genre: Contemporary
Age Range: Adult
Year of Release: 2016
Read in: English
Original language: Swedish
This book ripped my heart out in all the right ways. Definitely a story that will stick with me for a long time. While I do agree with some people that the fake out cliffhangers can be annoying, at least for this story they help the reader keep guessing and going.
As this book mostly talks about things related to toxic masculinity I delved more into that in my full review, which you can read here.
4.5/5★
"The Book Thief" - Markus Zusak
Pages: 560
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Range: Young Adult
Year of Release: 2005
Read in: English
Original language: English
After hearing so many great things about this book I had to read it myself. And let's be real, I wasn't disappointed. While I do think it's not the most exciting story there is, it does describe in interesting detail Nazi Germany and how to live in it when you can't and won't conform. It's very much "literature" like what you would read in school but I feel that showing us this story through the eyes of Death himself is what makes it work and enjoyable.
4/5★
"The Witcher: The Time of Contempt" - Andrzej Sapkowski
Pages: 331
Genre: Fantasy
Age Range: Adult
Year of Release: 1995
Read in: English
Original language: Polish
Again a fantastic work in the Witcher series and I hope I can get to the next one soon because I really want to read more before the series is out.
This time we get a lot more to hear from Ciri's life and how she develops. It has coming of age elements as well as more information on the magic in this world. It also talks about the whole Witchers being neutral thing, highlighting how and why sometimes Geralt isn't being neutral. As someone who started with the games it's actually really fascinating to see this backstory unfold which explains many things about the games.
4/5★
"Mistborn Era 2: Shadows of Self" - Brandon Sanderson
Pages: 445
Genre: Fantasy
Age Range: Adult
Year of Release: 2015
Read in: English
Original language: English
I loved the first Mistborn era so much. It's such a great series. So I'm not surprised that the second era so far isn't as amazing in my eyes. It still is solid though and a lot of fun. The banter between Wax and Wayne is just so good. It's also interesting to see what happened after the end of Hero of Ages and the changes that happened to the public and what didn't change as much as people hoped for. I wasn't a big fan of the twist to be honest. It worked but it was still a bit on the "I don't really care" side for me. Though I'm guessing it will have an effect on the books to come so I'm curious to see that.
3.5/5★
"Illuminae files 2: Gemina" - Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Pages: 659
Genre: Science-Fiction
Age Range: Young Adult (later years because of fictional violence!)
Year of Release: 2016
Read in: English
Original language: English
Like the first book, this one is hilariously entertaining as well as entertainingly stressful. Our two new heroes are quite interesting again, with their own abilities that will help them to fight through what's coming for them. Unfortunately, personality-wise they are too similar to the main characters from the first book, in my opinion. Though I do think that the format of this trilogy helps in ignoring that. Also, the jokes. Seriously, I just love stupid teenage banter sometimes. I already got the third one from the library so I can finish this series.
3.5/5★
___
Disclaimer. All opinions are my own. I wasn't paid or asked to talk about any of these books or show them in any way. I apologize for any mistakes made as I don't have the time to check properly for them.
Follow me: Instagram | Goodreads | Letterboxd
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