Bryanna’s Monthly Reading Wrap-Up
Welcome to the newest segment of the Ink Drinkers book blog. Because I know you’re dying to find out, I’ll keep you updated monthly on what I’ve read, my ratings for each book and my Top Three. I’ll keep it short and sweet because I’m not The New York Times and I know you all have lives. But, if you’re interested, this will hopefully (and I mean that in the sense that I hope I can keep this up…) let you follow along with what I’m reading, as well as my recommendations, if you’re looking for that next great read. I will also let you know if we have it in the shop already, or if it’s available.
So here goes and happy reading!
And yes, I realise it is mid-September. Cut me some slack.
August’s Reading List:
Top Three: (In a definite order)
1. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë: I loved everything about this book. It’s like Anne took every happy marriage trope in Jane Austen and turned them on their heads. What happens after the marriage to the hot guy with some behavioural issues? Spoiler alert: it’s not good. If I had read this book when I was 17… well let’s be real I still would have made stupid decisions. But I truly believe every woman should read this (and you too guys… it’s a manual of what not to do…) For every girl who has ever thought “It’s ok… I can fix him’”, my God this book is for you.
2. The Evening and the Morning by Ken Follett: Well coloured me surprised. I am not usually a fan of historical fiction, let alone medieval historical fiction but I literally could not put this book down. I forgot to eat, drink water, do my chores (ok I wilfully neglected those) and I had to force myself to put the book aside to participate in things. I did not want to. But I was strong. It’s fun, it’s gasp-worthy. It’ll make you yell at it and want to throw it against a wall. Is Follett’s writing great? No. Is he going to win a Nobel Prize for this? No. Is it fun as hell and a good story? Yeah.
3. The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher- If you’re looking for a low-stakes horror book for spooky season, this might be for you. I love Kingfisher’s antagonists and her sense of humour. The story is just the right amount of creepy without nightmares, and page-turny enough to keep you going. And as much as I love the wordy classics, Kingfisher knows how to keep it short and sweet. Plus there’s oversized otters and sentient trees. So… need I say more?
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (only started it… am slowly working my way through it. Love it.) In stock!
Dracula by Bram Stoker- Duh. Loved it. 5/5 stars. In stock!
When the Crow’s Away by Auralee Wallace- Cute, cozy mystery vibes about three witches who help solve murders in their small town. 4/5 stars.
The Match by Harlan Coben- Page turner, he never disappoints. 4/5 stars.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë - What can I say… this is one of my new favourite books. Loved it. Love her. 5/5. In stock!
The Hollow Places by T.Kingfisher- I always love her stuff, but this was one of my favs. Creepy, weird, kinda sci-fi, kinda fantasy, all atmosphere. 5/5. In Stock!
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides- Meh. Disappointed. Bored. Understood its merits, but did not enjoy. 2/5 stars. In stock!
The Evening and the Morning by Ken Follett- I will never stop talking about this book. I friggin’ loved it. 5/5 stars. Am reading all of the series now. In stock!
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett- I told you I’m reading all of it. This one is a bit long, and does drag a bit at times, but still loved it. 4/5 stars. In Stock!