2019 Q4 Reading Round-Up
During the past three months I read 84 books, which brings my total for the year to 378, which is 3 ahead of schedule to hit my updated goal of 375 books for the year. 46 of the books were M/M Romances, which means 38 of the books were not, and 2 of those books were Pulitzer Prize winners. This puts me at 18 out of my raised goal of 18 Pulitzer Prize winners for the year, which would be an average of 1.5 a month. I also read 1of the hard-copy books I own, which puts me at 4 of my goal of 4 for the year.
FAVORITE BOOKS:
YA Sci-Fi/Fantasy: Supernova (Renegades #3) by Marissa Meyer
SUCH a great conclusion to the series! I really adore this author's works, and this series was FASCINATING. It actually had a lot of stuff that reminded me of fanfic and Harry Potter-type tropes, despite being very different.
Sci-Fi: Wayfarers Series Books 1 & 2 by Becky Chambers
Another super brilliant author, and one who's been reminding me how much I adore sci-fi! Very character-focused (which I prefer) and also very queer and charming and relatable and thought-provoking, and engaging. Highly recommend!
M/M Romance: Best Man by Lily Morton
I really enjoy this author and this one was just a lovely, well-written read!
Fantasy: Nightrunner Series Books #6-7) by Lynn Flewelling
This series was highly recced when I went out searching for queer fantasy, and I can definitely see why. It was such a treat getting 7 substantial books with bisexual MCs where the relationship was definitely key and important, but there was also lots of super fascinating and engaging plot! Very satisfying ending to the series.
RUNNERS UP:
Memoir: Gender Outlaw by Kate Bornstein
I really fucking loved this book. I listened to the audiobook, which is read by the author, and they did SUCH a great job. Really fascinating, smart, funny, poignant, thoughtful look on the construct of gender.
M/M Romance: Second Song by Edie Danford
This was a longer book, which I don't always love in this genre, but the length was actually justified here and I thought the pacing was spot-on. Gorgeous, lyrical, and emotional.
Nonfiction: Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado-Pérez
This was FASCINATING and a bit terrifying, and absolutely worth a read! As a woman in th world, it's not like I was unaware that the world was designed for and by white men, but the degree to which those decisions reverberate throughout life is really interesting and disturbing.
Historical Fantasy: Reticence (The Custard Protocol #4) by Gail Carriger
Another author that I love basically everything by! Wonderful conclusion to this spin-off series, though I'm bummed I no longer have a new book/series to look forward to from this author! Eagerly awaiting her announcement of her next main project!
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Historical Fiction: The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
I really enjoyed this one, though I didn't LOVE it the way everybody told me I would. But it was certainly interesting, and I imagine it would be even more so for those with a great familiarity with the biblical story it draws inspiration from.
M/M Romance: Mastering the Flames by S.J. Himes
I really have been enjoying this supernatural series, and this book was pretty much exactly what I was wanting!
YA Fantasy: Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell
Lovely sequel! I will say, I hadn't realized it was part 2 in a triology when I read it (I thought it was the final book) so I wasn't quite prepared for the super open ending, but generally very much enjoyed.
Nonfiction: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
I didn't have super high expectations here, but I LOVED this one! Beautifully written, poignant, emotional, and really just a wonderful read.
UGGHH:
M/M Romance: Angel's Sing by Eli Easton
I generally reall like this author but this was a massive miss for me. Too much kid!fic, a way-too-fast and fairly bland relationship development, and a backstory that totally put me off.
Non-Fiction: The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan
I just found this really boring. I wanted to love it, but it was a mega slog. Some interesting information that still applies, but man, it was not an easy or enjoyable read.
YA Fantasy: Earthsea Cycle Books 1-2 by Ursula K. Le Guin
I've only read the first two so far, but I have to say, I'm not overly impressed. They're just... boring? They move very fast, and I just don't end up really connecting with the characters or the story at all.
HARDCOPY READ:
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Wasn't sure what to expect with this one, but I quite enjoyed it! Not a topic I particularly cared much about to begin with, but the author really drew me in. Super interesting style where this non-fiction book reads like a traditional novel.
COMING UP:
These are just a handful of books/series that are on my TBR list. Many I plan to read in the next 3 months, though I definitely won't get through all of these. The ones with (*) are books I own a hard copy of and my goal is to read at least one of those per quarter.
* The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende
Record of a Spaceborn Few (Wayfarers #3) by Becky Chambers (currently reading)
Gilded Cage by K.J. Charles
The Dark Artifices Series by Cassandra Clare
Playing in the Dark by Avery Cockburn
Taji from Beyond the Rings by R. Cooper
Arden St. Ives Series Books 2-3 by Alexis Hall(will need to re-read book 1 as well)
Seven of Spades Series Books 3-5 by Cordelia Kingsbridge (will need to re-read books 1 & 2 as well)
Bell, Book, & Scandal (Bedknobs and Broomsticks #3) by Josh Lanyon
After Ben by Con Riley
* The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skoot
Call Down the Hawk (Dreamer #1) by Maggie Stiefvater
Bitter Springs by Laura Stone
rock by Anyta Sunday
This entry was originally posted here on Dreamwidth. Please comment there using OpenID
FAVORITE BOOKS:
YA Sci-Fi/Fantasy: Supernova (Renegades #3) by Marissa Meyer
SUCH a great conclusion to the series! I really adore this author's works, and this series was FASCINATING. It actually had a lot of stuff that reminded me of fanfic and Harry Potter-type tropes, despite being very different.
Sci-Fi: Wayfarers Series Books 1 & 2 by Becky Chambers
Another super brilliant author, and one who's been reminding me how much I adore sci-fi! Very character-focused (which I prefer) and also very queer and charming and relatable and thought-provoking, and engaging. Highly recommend!
M/M Romance: Best Man by Lily Morton
I really enjoy this author and this one was just a lovely, well-written read!
Fantasy: Nightrunner Series Books #6-7) by Lynn Flewelling
This series was highly recced when I went out searching for queer fantasy, and I can definitely see why. It was such a treat getting 7 substantial books with bisexual MCs where the relationship was definitely key and important, but there was also lots of super fascinating and engaging plot! Very satisfying ending to the series.
RUNNERS UP:
Memoir: Gender Outlaw by Kate Bornstein
I really fucking loved this book. I listened to the audiobook, which is read by the author, and they did SUCH a great job. Really fascinating, smart, funny, poignant, thoughtful look on the construct of gender.
M/M Romance: Second Song by Edie Danford
This was a longer book, which I don't always love in this genre, but the length was actually justified here and I thought the pacing was spot-on. Gorgeous, lyrical, and emotional.
Nonfiction: Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado-Pérez
This was FASCINATING and a bit terrifying, and absolutely worth a read! As a woman in th world, it's not like I was unaware that the world was designed for and by white men, but the degree to which those decisions reverberate throughout life is really interesting and disturbing.
Historical Fantasy: Reticence (The Custard Protocol #4) by Gail Carriger
Another author that I love basically everything by! Wonderful conclusion to this spin-off series, though I'm bummed I no longer have a new book/series to look forward to from this author! Eagerly awaiting her announcement of her next main project!
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Historical Fiction: The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
I really enjoyed this one, though I didn't LOVE it the way everybody told me I would. But it was certainly interesting, and I imagine it would be even more so for those with a great familiarity with the biblical story it draws inspiration from.
M/M Romance: Mastering the Flames by S.J. Himes
I really have been enjoying this supernatural series, and this book was pretty much exactly what I was wanting!
YA Fantasy: Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell
Lovely sequel! I will say, I hadn't realized it was part 2 in a triology when I read it (I thought it was the final book) so I wasn't quite prepared for the super open ending, but generally very much enjoyed.
Nonfiction: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
I didn't have super high expectations here, but I LOVED this one! Beautifully written, poignant, emotional, and really just a wonderful read.
UGGHH:
M/M Romance: Angel's Sing by Eli Easton
I generally reall like this author but this was a massive miss for me. Too much kid!fic, a way-too-fast and fairly bland relationship development, and a backstory that totally put me off.
Non-Fiction: The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan
I just found this really boring. I wanted to love it, but it was a mega slog. Some interesting information that still applies, but man, it was not an easy or enjoyable read.
YA Fantasy: Earthsea Cycle Books 1-2 by Ursula K. Le Guin
I've only read the first two so far, but I have to say, I'm not overly impressed. They're just... boring? They move very fast, and I just don't end up really connecting with the characters or the story at all.
HARDCOPY READ:
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Wasn't sure what to expect with this one, but I quite enjoyed it! Not a topic I particularly cared much about to begin with, but the author really drew me in. Super interesting style where this non-fiction book reads like a traditional novel.
COMING UP:
These are just a handful of books/series that are on my TBR list. Many I plan to read in the next 3 months, though I definitely won't get through all of these. The ones with (*) are books I own a hard copy of and my goal is to read at least one of those per quarter.
* The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende
Record of a Spaceborn Few (Wayfarers #3) by Becky Chambers (currently reading)
Gilded Cage by K.J. Charles
The Dark Artifices Series by Cassandra Clare
Playing in the Dark by Avery Cockburn
Taji from Beyond the Rings by R. Cooper
Arden St. Ives Series Books 2-3 by Alexis Hall(will need to re-read book 1 as well)
Seven of Spades Series Books 3-5 by Cordelia Kingsbridge (will need to re-read books 1 & 2 as well)
Bell, Book, & Scandal (Bedknobs and Broomsticks #3) by Josh Lanyon
After Ben by Con Riley
* The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skoot
Call Down the Hawk (Dreamer #1) by Maggie Stiefvater
Bitter Springs by Laura Stone
rock by Anyta Sunday
This entry was originally posted here on Dreamwidth. Please comment there using OpenID