I read eight books in August, despite a reading slump, and it’s strange because I didn’t love a lot of what I read either. There were two stand-out books; Magisterium: The Iron Trial and The Copper Gauntlet, but the rest didn’t blow me away. And I’m in a reading slump now where everything I pick up, I just hate. I need a really good book to blow me away, recommendations always welcome!
From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris
After All Together Dead I was so hyped about the Sookie Stackhouse books. I was excited about Quinn, and the action, and the consequences. But after that explosive book, this felt like I was wandering around the world with ringing ears. This book had about four plots that were going on at the same time but weren’t truly gone into. Normally Harris can balance multiple plot lines at the same time and go into both in detail but I think there was just too many going on. It felt like they were all just skipped over where there was potential for real drama.
“Okay, you’re right. It would hurt me if you died. Also I would have died, too, most likely, so it wouldn’t have hurt for long.”
✮✮✮
Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris
And we bounce back. A little. I think I liked this book more as I read it than I do now as I think it over for my review. It’s bouncing between three and four stars. As far as the plot went, it was a fleshed out idea with Weres and shifters of the world coming out with their existence. But I wanted way more of that and way less of the whole fairy thing. I wanted more reactions and repercussions to the reveal, but we got enough I guess. If this is something that interests you then the Carrie Vaughn Kitty Norville books are probably more up your alley.
It ended on a pretty uneven note for me too and I was a little- oh. That happened. Okay.
It was too late. I was on my high horse and I was riding it out of Merlotte’s.
✮✮✮✮
Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris
Sookie is in a bad place in this book. The whole ‘oh’ ending in Dead and Gone not only came out of nowhere, but had some serious repercussions. Amelia leaves too who was one of my favourite characters and that sucks. There is a really lovely couple of chapters with Sookie’s nephew who is absolutely adorable. It’s just a shame there wasn’t more of the little guy. Harper saved this book for me and I hope we see more of him.
“I thought you might enjoy knowing before you buy their clothes. You colour-code babies, I believe.”
✮✮✮
The Black Spider by Jeremias Gotthelf
You can read my full review here!
The were reluctant to take this new to their homes, for they did not want to pour new grief onto old misery.
✮✮✮
Magisterium: The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
You can read my full review here!
His whole life, he had managed not to make pieces of paper fly around classrooms.
✮✮✮✮✮
Magisterium: The Copper Gauntlet by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
You can read my full review here!
“If that doesn’t work, then, like they say, ‘If you love someone, set them free. Don’t lock them in an underground cavern.”
✮✮✮✮
Dear Nobody by Berlie Doherty
I wrote about this very briefly in my 5 Books, 7 Days readathon wrap up but basically I’ve owned this book for a long long long time. I’m not sure why I even picked it up because it doesn’t sound like a book that younger Imogen would like, which might explain why I never finished it as a child. Ever a completist, I picked it up because it was short and I was curious how it ended.
The problem with the book is that it was written 25 years ago and it feels like it was written 25 years ago. What should be a relatable story about a teenage pregnancy and the consequences, isn’t, because it just hasn’t aged well. The description is shoved wherever it will go, long flowery sentences that don’t match the subject matter or the audience.
There’s barely any difference between Chris’s internal monologue and Helen’s letters to the baby. But this won the Carnegie Medal, I’m just not sure what I’m missing.
She has terrible handwriting. It’s like unravelling a tangle of inky knitting.
✮✮
Asking For It by Louise O’Neill
My full review is here!
The morning is creeping under the curtains like it is hunting for me.
✮✮✮
*I was sent/ given these books for review. I am not obligated to talk about them.
Imogen's Typewriter. 