Does time have no meaning? Is it just an illusion? I feel like just yesterday we were all making Justin Timberlake May memes, but now I can barely believe we are nearing July.
And yet, it feels like a year has passed.
The events that came to a head over the last few weeks have been heart-breaking and inspiring, full of despair and hope, and I believe it is important to write here, loud and clear, that Black Lives Matter. This is a fact that is not up for debate.
If you feel alone, please know that I stand with you. If you feel conflicted on this issue, please ask yourself why, and do not detract from the issue at hand with retorts or deflections.
Do your own research, and remember that just because you may not see it doesn’t mean it’s not true.
Just listen, and try to be a good neighbor.
These are difficult times, and we shouldn’t underestimate that. Thankfully, to learn and to cope, we have books, and I remain grasping at them for comfort. I hope you are finding what helps you take care of you, now more than ever.
Take care, friends, and let’s talk books!
Bone Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie
Bone Crier’s Moon came into my life by way of Owlcrate, as many of the most beautiful books in my collection do, and this one was no different.
Bone Crier’s Moon has an epic premise with amazing lore, two endearing yet imperfect female leads, and unruly ghosts and yet – somehow – it missed the mark for me. I am absolutely flabbergasted. This book should by all accounts have been my favorite of the year, but it went on a journey I didn’t enjoy, as much as I really wanted to. I am sure many people will not have the same hang ups I did, and even with all my complaints I do encourage readers to give it a try, if for nothing else than to enjoy the moon magic!
For my full review of Bone Crier’s Moon, click here.
Through the Woods by Emily Carroll
Thank you to my local library for providing the ebook version of this graphic novel! If you are one of the strange, like myself, who enjoy and take pleasure in eerie, sinister atmospheres then you will need to pick up this book. Being a graphic novel, it is a quick read, but I spent extra time reading it because I was fawning over the gorgeous and vibrant art by Emily Carroll.
Oh, and “grotesque”. I should probably make clear that her art is that, too, for our more squeamish readers.
While the plot of various stories was left more open-ended than I expected, sometimes making me go, “huh? But then what happened?”, I figure that that was exactly the point- heavy on the suspense, and always leave your audience wanting more. And I really did! Overall, I would probably give this book a 4 star rating, but due to the fact that I kept finding myself grinning in anticipation and from sheer spook-factor while reading this book, I am throwing an extra star into the mix for a delighted 5 stars of chilling entertainment!
All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace
Another gorgeous book cover, and a book I have been meaning to read for months- All the Stars and Teeth is a passionate and immersive story about a princess who vowed to save her kingdom and win it back after a dramatic failure that results in her exile. Amora is a strong, determined, powerful young woman who is determined to establish her place in the world and learn what she can do to protect her people. I just loved following her and her crew on their adventures, and genuinely cannot wait for the sequel!
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Few books have crossed my Instagram feed as much as Beach Read, which came to me by way of Book of the Month! What can I say, I’m a sucker for a good book subscription.
The author’s writing was immersive and breezy, and I loved the parts that showed the life of a writer, such as the research, the hours spent unmoving while your brain spins a new world into existence, the morphing of an original idea into something new. I loved watching January’s characters grow into something she wasn’t expecting and watching her combat herself to find the right story. It felt very true to life for me.
For my full review of Beach Read, click here.
The Indian in the Cupboard
Back in April, I was studying hard to become a Curse Breaker at Hogwarts, and one of the O.W.L.s I had to complete was for Potions- a shrinking potion, to be specific. This meant reading a book that was less than 150 pages, which was surprisingly hard to find!
Along the way, my husband recommended a few shorter books he had on his shelves, including a childhood favorite of is, “The Indian in the Cupboard”. At 181 pages, it didn’t end up being my Potions O.W.L. Exam, but now intrigued, I didn’t give it back.
And I am so glad I kept it! I have so many thoughts on this book that I may have to give it its own post, but I certainly recommend it to readers along with a strong recommendation to embrace your curiosity and research Native American histories and cultures for yourself if that is something you have not done already.
Overall, May was full of books that helped me escape, and also books that helped me process a lot of my emotions and turbulent thoughts. For me, it is invigorating to read stories about strong people defying the odds and I think the books I gave lower ratings to simply did not provide the sense of strength I really want from my stories.
Please comment below if you know of any books I should check out, and if you liked the books I gave lower ratings to I would love to chat about them! Stay safe and healthy, friends, and remember- even socially distant, we stand together.
Leap to Fly 