Months have been passing by so fast and we are already halfway through the year. The month of May has been good, reading and otherwise. I have read a total of 8 books and 1 novella. I enjoyed my time reading but I know I can do better if I didn’t get a minor slump near the end of the month.
However, 8 books and 1 novella are still a lot to talk about plus I also have an exciting book haul! So let’s get to it.
Reading Wrap-Up📚
Deviously Sincere by Alayna Hallward
Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
↠I love the concept of this book. However, I feel like the main character is lacking in the self-confidence aspect with regards to her species. Oddly enough, I think I like the serial killer much better than the main character. His character is more complex and since this is a first book in the series, I am looking forward to reading the next one and see where the author is going with the story.
Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett
Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
↠This is another book that I picked up because the plot has the penpal trope like You’ve Got Mail. I love this book and I enjoyed it more than I expected. I just wish that I did not know first who the mystery penpal on the other side is because it kinda kills the excitement of it all. Moreover, we did not get to see more of the online friendship and it does not feel like a big aspect of the plot.
Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi
Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
↠The more that I think about this book, the more that I can see that the plot was much better than the original trilogy. There is a political conflict, more world-building, and we get to see the expanse of power in this world. But enjoyment-wise, I prefer the original trilogy because some part of it drags a little for the build-up of the climax. But it was still good. However, I have yet to continue on with the rest of the books.
Shadow Me by Tahereh Mafi
Rating:🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
↠I love reading Kenji’s POV. He surely saves the 4th book when the story feels so dragging. But seeing the ending of this novella is the reason why I have yet to pick up the next book. I still feel conflicted with the ending and I am not sure as to how the story will progress.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
↠I don’t know how many times I have reread this book but each time, it justifies itself as one of my favorite books of all time. The older I get and the more that I read this book, the deeper the meaning of this book is. It was dark, brutal, and disturbing at best. If you have not read it, I suggest that you do it now.
Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum
Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
↠This book has everything that I wanted with the mystery penpal trope. However, the writing style of the author puts me off. But other than that, I love this book. And just by looking at the cover reminds me of the things that I love about this book. Be sure to check it out!
![5.5 x 8.5 Cover ][.indd](https://adaughterofparchmentandpaper.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/42478887._sy475_.jpg?w=194&h=300)
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
↠This book is about a war strategy that has been mentioned in a lot of fiction books and has been known as some well-known political leader’s favorite book. It was a very interesting read. However, the ending felt too repetitive and some topics have been discussed more than once in a different chapter. If you are to read this book, avoid the version with this cover. The translator has inappropriate commentaries sometimes that do not correlate with the topic being discussed.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
↠I love this book but I think not as much as I first read it. This used to be my favorite THG book but I’m not so sure right now. The beginning is dragging, I’m already 150 pages in and I feel like nothing is happening. But once the story picks up, it does not stop. I love the 75th Hunger Games. I also like the political struggle that we see in this book. But this book is also heartbreaking at best. A lot of scenes made me emotional.
The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
Rating:🌕🌕🌕🌖🌑
↠I am disappointed with this book. I have a very high expectation after reading Elantris. But the main character, Vin, is frustrating at best. She doubts everyone except the handsome guy that she just met. And I feel like the build-up of the story does not pay off with the ending. It’s surprising but somehow it felt lacking. I would still continue on with the series though.
That is all for my wrap-up. I have a good reading month even though I have not read as much. But enough of that, now it’s time for the book haul.
I think it took me long enough to buy this series. If it weren’t for the adaptation, I would probably put off buying these books again. I’ve been meaning to buy these for a while now but when the new adaptation was announced, stocks are getting sold out. I am lucky to still find a cheap set online.
So that is all for my May Wrap-up and book haul.
Until next time!
Maria❤
A Daughter of Parchment and Paper 