Wednesday, April 24, 2019

A Very Late March Wrap Up!

Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and well, I haven't been active too lately. Why, you ask? Well, my blog went to the wayside after being a full-time student and working two internships. Honestly, what was I thinking? This semester has been very rewarding, but exhausting as well. I'm looking forward to to when the semester ends this beginning of May!

Without further ado, here are the books I read all the way back in March!

I didn't read too much, only six books. In actuality, I probably read around 10 to 13, but a good portion are from my internship at Algonquin books. Since I am reading prospective manuscripts, I can't talk about those manuscripts. Also, I've been doing a ton of research for papers, but I've only been reading large chunks and chapters, not a complete book, so I couldn't count anything on goodreads.

There's Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Menon

Goodreads

Right once I got accepted for an e-arc of There's Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Menon, I went ahead and read it. I didn't care that the novel was being published May 14, I was so read a YA romance with fat rep! As a person who is overweight myself, There's Something About Sweetie really spoke to me. I knew I would love the book right from the introduction letter, and I was not disappointed by the rest of the novel. I laughed, I cried, and I recommend. 

The Surrounded by D'Arcy McNickle

 Goodreads

I was required to read The Surrounded for a class this semester. Out of all the novels we had to read for the class, this was my least favorite. I do think it shows how reservation life can be so unrelentless to Native Americans. My issue was with the writing style; I felt disconnected from the characters and didn't think there was decent foreshadowing in preparation of key plot points. However, I do think that the narrative is important and that Native Americans should be more well-read. 

 Wild Thorns by Sahar Khalifeh

Goodreads

I also read Wild Thorns for a class, and honestly, I don't have much to say about it. It was a short, quick read, but didn't make a lasting impact on me. Since I was required to read this within a week, I did skim the novel. The situation of my reading definitely did impact my experience, but I also don't think I will go back and read this again. Wild Thorns was a solid read: not exceptionally great, but it wasn't bad at all, and provided a nuanced look into the Palestine occupation. 

Consumed by J.R. Ward 

Goodreads

Consumed was my first audiobook of the month. It followed the trend of March: it was just all right.  The novel is part romance, part murder mystery, and part fire-fighter drama. My main issue with Consumed were the characters. I didn't empathize with anyone outside of Anne Ashburn. I thought most of the other characters were grating, quick to jump to assumptions, and sexist. Time was taken to expand upon secondary characters, but to the point that it was obvious that Ward was setting up other books and it felt more like a marketing tactic rather than a way to round of the plot. I won't be continuing the series. 


Tracks by Louise Erdrich

Goodreads

I read Tracks for class. I don't have much to say about it, as is the case with many books I read for school. I did enjoy Tracks quite a bit, but I have discussed this book for over a week with my classmates, so I'm a bit tired out from it. I did like the take on who is your family and how you can make your own family.

Cream of the Crop by Alice Clayton

 Goodreads

Many a moon ago I read Nuts by Alice Clayton. It wasn't my favorite romance, but it was pretty entertaining. Cream of the Crop is the same. When I was reading it, it had my attention, but it didn't stay with me after I finished the end of the audiobook. The main character, whose name I no longer remember, was pretty immature at times, and I couldn't connect with her until about halfway through the book. I think I will continue on with the series, just because Clayton's writing is solid and so are the romances, even if they aren't my favorite.

Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston 

Goodreads

I started off March with a new favorite, and I ended the month with the same. Red, White, & Royal Blue was on my radar after seeing it on Netgalley. I requested it after seeing it several times on the site, and I'm thrilled that I was accepted. Red, White, & Royal Blue left me (literally) laughing out loud, holding back tears, and making my heart warm. This one will go down in the books as one of my favorites of the year. To be honest, I kind of want to reread it! 



So those were the six books I managed to complete in a very busy month for me! Have you read any of them? What did you think?

Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

12 comments:

  1. Red, white and royal blue is definitely on my list!

    Lotte | www.lottelauv.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was definitely my favorite of the month (along with Sweetie!)

      I hope you love it Lotte!

      Delete
  2. The internship sounds like itsi going well!

    I agree with you about Nuts which is most likely why I haven't continued the series. I really enjoyed Wallbanger though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, it went really well! I just finished it up and it was a great experience. :)

      I enjoyed Wallbanger a lot more, but I haven't read the sequel yet. I'll probably get to it around the summer though!

      Thanks for stopping by Amber. :)

      Delete
  3. I've seen Red, White & Royal Blue around a bit - it sounds cute, and I love books about royalty!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's definitely getting some attention now! It's really cute and tugs at your heartstrings. I hope you pick it up. :)

      Delete
  4. Glad it was a productive month, although flip it sounds hectically busy! I've surprised you managed to get these books in!

    So happy you enjoyed Sweetie. I'm dying to read it - it looks like so much fun :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Amy! Yes, it totally was, and I'm just finishing up exams right now. Hopefully I'll get back in my blogging groove this summer. :)

      Yes, it was so much fun and really spoke to me on a personal level.

      Thanks so much for visiting!

      Delete
  5. Ohhh good luck with school and the internships! I haven't read any of these books but I do like the sound of Red, Whit & Royal Blue :)

    Elle Inked @ Keep on Reading

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you so much! I'm doing finals right now, and just finished up my internship at the publishing house, which was such a great experience. I highly recommend Red, White, & Royal Blue!!

      Delete
  6. I have Sweetie and Red, White & Royal Blue coming up soon, and I am really excited about both. So glad to hear they were hits for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm really looking forward to seeing your thoughts on Sweetie and Red, White, and Royal Blue! I hope they are hits for you as well. :)

      Delete