June Reading Wrap-up and Mini Reviews

1. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros (Adult Fantasy Romance) (623 pages) (4.25⭐️)

This is the sequel to Fourth Wing and follows Violet and her allies as they try to raise the wards to protect the revolution from the venin. This novel expands upon the world established in the first book while raising the stakes. Most of the characters from book 1 make a return with a few new additions. The one downside is the constant bickering between Violet and Xaden.

Full Review: Coming Soon to the Blog!

2. An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten (translated by Marlaine Delargy) (Adult Cozy Thriller) (171 pages) (3⭐️)

This book is a series of short stories about Maud, a woman in her late eighties who lives alone. While pretending to be frail and senile she is actually conniving and a secret killer. Maud is a fascinating character, but she's the only interesting thing about this book. The stories are too similar and the mental health representation is offensive.

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5880604404

3. Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flower (Adult Cozy Mystery) (345 pages) (4.25⭐️)

Violet returns to her hometown to care for her ailing grandmother only to find out her grandmother tricked her. Grandma Daisy wanted her to return so she can become the next caretaker of the magical books in her bookstore. Shortly after her return, Grandma Daisy's lover dies and she is suspected. I loved the whimsical setting and how the 'talking' books gave the mystery a uniqueness. It seems like Flower is setting up for a future love triangle between the police chief and Violet's high school sweetheart.

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6485473942

4. A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey (YA Contemporary) (308 pages) 4.5⭐️)

Lila's boyfriend breaks up with her, her best friend moves to Africa, and her beloved Abuela dies all within a short period of time. After Lila has a breakdown her parents send her to spend the summer at her aunt and uncle's inn in England. While there she meets local Orion and begins to rethink what she wants for her future. This was a moving depiction of grief and renewal and a nice coming of age story. I just wish it made more of its side characters.

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6584238395

5. That Night at the Library by Eva Jurczyk (Adult Thriller) (270 pages) (3.5⭐️

A group of seven college students (Faye, Davey, Soraya, Mary, Kip, Ro, and Umu) spend the night in the library basement to perform a ritual. Then the bodies start piling up and they're trapped until morning. If you are squeamish DO NOT read this book. If you want a pretty standard but tension filled locked room mystery then check it out!

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6610969487

DNFs

1.Out on a Limb by (Adult Romance) (Read 67 pages) (17%)

This novel is about Winifred 'Win' and Bo. The two have a one night stand and Win ends up pregnant. I had previously read and loved a romance by this author. I didn't DNF this book because of its quality. The main couple had strong chemistry. However, the subject matter, specifically about motherhood, was triggering me during this time and I decided to postpone reading it until a later date.

2. Murder at the Lakeside Library by Holly Danvers (Adult Cozy Mystery) (Read 140 pages) (41.67%)

This story follows Rain who has returned to her family's waterfront cabin that has a public but informal library after the loss of her husband. Shortly after her arrival, a body is found on the property. This book was more like a melodrama than a mystery. If I had picked up this book wanting to read a story about a woman's healing journey I would have probably finished it. I chose it for the mystery, though, and that part of the story didn't grab me.

3. Blazewrath Games by Amparo Ortiz (YA Fantasy) (Read 126 pages) (34.23%)

This book is about Lana Torres who lives in a world where there is a sport involving dragons known as the Blazewrath Games. She grew up loving the games and joins team Puerto Rico to represent them. The synopsis sounded like something I would really like. Unfortunately, the main character was unbearable to me. Lana was an ungrateful brat and I couldn't stand another page of being in her head.

TOTAL PAGES READ (JAN-JUN): 16,000

AVG. BOOK LENGTH (JAN-JUN): 365.91 pages

AVG. BOOK RATING (JAN-JUN): 164.25/210 ⭐️ (3.73⭐️)

AUDIOBOOKS (JAN-JUN): 12/44 (27.27%)

PHYSICAL READS (JAN-JUN): 32/44 (72.73%)

BORROWED FROM THE LIBRARY (JAN-JUN): 23/44 (52.23%)

DNFs (JAN-JUN): 13

REREADS (JAN-JUN): 6/44 (13.64%)