JUNE READING WRAP UP 2016

In June I read 6 books, including 1 audiobook. In June, my mum and I discovered Audible and it has changed our lives; initially I was reluctant, I was snobby and didn't think an audiobook was the same as reading a physical book, but I've tried it and I've really enjoyed it. I wasn't going to count my audiobook towards my reading goal for the year, but Goodreads counted it automatically for me and, frankly, I couldn't be bothered to go through the effort of changing it. Expect more audiobooks to come. I'm also currently reading 'Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer' by Rick Riordan; I'm feeling a bit reading-slumpy (after 'The Crown') so I'm taking it slow but I'm getting through it. (Also yay I'm officially on my summer holidays).

Books Read: 

1. 'Red Rising'- Pierce Brown
I downloaded this book over a year ago on Kindle and it had been weighing on my mind to read it soon; honestly, if I didn't already have it on Kindle, I don't think I would've bothered to read it. (I only finally decided to read it because I watched a load of Pierce Brown and Tashapolis videos on Youtube). I went into this book completely blind, the only thing I knew was that it was set on Mars, and still it was nothing like I thought it was going to be. I really wasn't enjoying it, I considered giving up around 30% of the way through, but I decided to give it a bit more of a chance and I ended up quite enjoying it. I enjoyed the links with Greek and Roman mythology, especially since I've been reading a lot of Rick Riordan lately. I don't think I'm going to be continuing with the series, but it was quite an enoyable read.

2. 'A Court of Thorns and Roses'- Sarah J. Maas
I'd put off reading this for so long, despite really enjoying the 'Throne of Glass' series, because I'd kind of misinterpreted what it was going to be about. I thought I wouldn't like the fae element, as that's sometimes hit-or-miss for me, and I thought Tamlin was going to be some creepy, pervy, way older guy. I decided to finally pick it up after all the incredible hype and feedback of the second book, and I really, really enjoyed it. Sarah J. Maas is still a reigning queen of fiction. I'm really looking forward to picking up the second book (hopefully) in July and seeing where the story goes next.

3. 'The Crown'- Kiera Cass
Lets start by saying that a spin-off series to the Selection was 1001% NOT NEEDED. AT ALL. Obviously, because I loved the Selection series, I was going to try out the spin-off, but when it came to this one I literally couldn't remember a single thing that happened in the book before. I had to read a full recap of the Heir, but I still couldn't remember who half the characters were. It's the Selection world so obviously this book was still a lot of fun, I just had way more problems with it than with any of the other books. Everything major in this book (particularly one thing which I won't mention because spoilers) felt really random, out of the blue and rushed. There was no sign that some of these things were about to happen and they were literally just thrust in your face. There was a distinct lack of romance in this book which I was not okay with, I came for the romance, not the politics. (I love politics usually, just not in the Selection). Overall, this spin-off duology was okay, but not a patch on the original trilogy (which I'm now tempted to read again because I need that slushy romance and princesses in my life).

4. 'The Hidden Oracle'- Rick Riordan
I was so, so, so excited for this book because... Apollo. Human. Camp Half Blood. Percy. Camp Half Blood. Apollo. Chiron. Greek mythology. Camp Half Blood. Yay. I hate to say it but this book disappointed me ever so slightly, it felt slightly too young (though I understand it is marketed towards younger people), but it's the usual Rick Riordan genius Greek mythology in the modern world, so it was still pretty fab. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in the rest of this series/trilogy/series/I-don't-know-what-it's-going-to-be.

5. 'Bossy Pants'- Tina Fey (audiobook)
I'd wanted to read this for a while, particuarly last year when I went through a faze of reading non-fiction by famous females (particualrly comedians), but I couldn't get my hands on it then. I jumped when I saw it on Audible, especially since it was read by Tina Fey, and I really enjoyed it. I like Tina Fey anyway, but I'd highly recommend listening to this one (and other books by female comedians) on audiobook, as it's really fun to hear them read it themselves, and it puts a different spin on it than when you read it yourself. This book was a lot of fun.

6. 'Shadow and Bone'- Leigh Bardugo
I'd wanted to read this for a long time, so I pounced immediately when I saw it was only 99p on Kindle. I read Leigh Bardugo's 'Six of Crows' at the end of last year which I really enjoyed, and due to that and the premise of this book, I had high hopes. I feel a little let down, it was good, but no where near the level of 'Six of Crows'. The fact that I could feel a reading slump didn't help, I had to force myself to read it a lot of the time, but the story wasn't gripping me so much anyway. Like with 'Red Rising', I enjoyed this book but I won't be continuing with the triology. I just really expected to love this one and I didn't.

Rosie

Nearly caught up on all Rick Riordan