Somehow in all of the chaos I managed to read 50 books in 2019. Still not sure how, and though I set the same goal for this year, I’m not sure I’ll manage to make it again what with school and work and kids and hubby and Disney and all of that good stuff.

Still, I’m making an effort, and working to keep a record again somewhere other than Goodreads.

Onto the post:

What I Read

 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (audio)

Yes, yes…AGAIN.

Like I said on Twitter recently…I will ALWAYS go home to Hogwarts.

Though I enjoy reading the books myself, there is something fun and magical about listening to the audiobook version that makes me happy and makes driving in this atrocious traffic less of a bother.

(Yes, I know about the controversy and I do not condone or agree with Rowling’s actions…and will never purchase another book first-hand. However, I will borrow the series and read my well-worn copies because the stories go beyond her narrow views.)

 

 Hunting Prince Dracula (audiobook)

I own this and the first in the series in hardcover (GORGEOUS books, mind you)…but the narrator of the audiobooks is such a delight that it makes listening to them fun and engaging.

The second in the series began a little slow, but had its own sort of impact.  After the events of Hunting Jack the Ripper, our heroine Audrey Rose is suffering a bit of PTSD.  One of my delights in this book is that Maniscalco does not shy away from this fact, or the fact that she should be suffering PTSD in the first place. What was suffered in the first book begets such a thing.

The way she struggles adds an extra haunting note to the story, and the location of Bran castle only increases that feeling. After such trauma it takes AR some time to get her ‘sea legs’ so to speak.  Despite the bumbling attempts of the frustrating adorable and obtuse Thomas Cresswell, her struggles remain. When she first picks up a scalpel again we begin to see hints of the AR we know and love. A little less innocent, sure, but still smart and cunning, and almost too daring.

On a personal side note: I totally want to create the tea Thomas mentioned creating…Audrey Rosehips.  It sounded delicious.

All the Missing Girls (Audio)

Yup, another audio, and one out of my normal wheelhouse of books. I used to read a lot of mysteries some years ago…but dropped them in favor of YA and romance and fantasy, etc.  Recently, I’ve begun to try to expand what I read again, and this fit the bill.

The story was intriguing, and the result truly had me by surprise. The twist on format, going backwards in time, was done well enough.

The characters were not always likable, and the ending a little sketchy on morality, but I really enjoyed it and was completely satisfied with how things turn out.

It’s not often a mystery/thriller takes me by surprise and this one managed it.

ARK by Veronica Roth &

Summer Frost by Blake Crouch

I put these two together, but separate because they are part of a series of standalones, each set in both the near and far future.

ARK was an enjoyable, quick read for me. About a group of scientists gathering every bit of data they can about life on earth (as in plant life) before the big asteroid hits. On their last day before boaring the third and final Ark to depart the earth, the MC stumbles on something amazing. It was touching, heart-breaking, and beautiful all at once.

Summer Frost was good, just not my cup of tea. I found myself having to push my way through it. I enjoy Blake Crouch’s writing, I just didn’t really connect with the story after a certain point. I wanted to, but after the first few scenes it just lost all appeal. Going forward with the collection, though…It’s a fun way to get a glimpse of different authors I’ve never read.

What I’m Reading Now

  Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (audio)

I finished the first and the second came right along to ease my loneliness.

While COS is not my favorite Potter read, I don’t like skipping books…besides, there’s some lovely details in this one that help.

Plus, where would we be without kitty Hermione?

Plus, as I said above, the narration is always pleasing and it’s a nice way to pass the time in the crazy trafficness that is Florida.

 

  Psychic Witch

(Book releasing 2/8/20)

I have, admittedly, been “currently reading” this one for a while now. Mostly because I want it to get my full attention and I so rarely have that for book time. I’m a major multi-tasker and this book deserves more.

I really like it, and the way the theory and practices are presented. The author has an easy voice to read, and everything clicks in my head when I read it. I’d like more time to put everything together and into practice.

*This is a book I received via netgalley. All opinions are my own*

  Mask of Shadows

I was intrigued by the book when the blurb mentioned the MC is gender fluid. I’d never read a book with such a main character, and the premise of the story (a competition to the death!) while familiar, appeared to have a new spin on it.

It’s a good, quick read when I remember it’s waiting for me (I’m currently trying to find where my Kindle is…I seem to have misplaced it and I don’t like reading longer stories on my phone)…my biggest issue is just what drew me in. Sal is gender-fluid. It’s mentioned in the blurb…but I feel like the first 1/3 of the book is kind of bashing you over the head with it a little. I DO like how those around Sal approach their fluidity, both with and without grace, to identify how to address them.

As for the meat of the story, so far it’s a tangled web of intrigue and action. From essential street-urchin into a death battle with highly trained adversaries isn’t easy…and this book isn’t making Sal a miracle expert at everything. They struggle to survive and fight, and the whole thing is rather intriguing.

I hope to get back to this ASAP…if I could only figure out what I did with that Kindle…

*This is a book I received via netgalley. All opinions are my own*

 

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What are you reading these days?  I’m always looking for suggestions!

Stick around…more updates coming soon!