October 2024 Reading Update
Nov. 6th, 2024 08:37 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
penwallaWe're back on track! I don't think I'm gonna hit the numbers I hit last year, but I think we can make it to 150. Right now the goal is just to get through all the things i planned to get through this year...On nights through December, which has historically been very good for my reading, so we shall see.
Currently Reading:
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
I may actually finish this before Onyx Storm comes out.
Running Close to the Wind by Alexandra Rowland
Don't know why I've made no headway on this but I'm going to try again.
Queer Transfigurations: Boys Love Media in Asia by Thomas Baudinette
Almost done with this and have enjoyed it.
The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera
This is the last of the Hugo nominees I wanted to read and so far I really like it.
New Reads:
Confounding Oaths by Alexis Hall
5/5. Another stunning historical romance from Alexis Hall, featuring a realistic treatment of race and class with nuance, a surprisingly tender romance, an unlikely hero, and a narrator who is horrible in the best way. I love this series and don't think there's anything out there really like it.
Triple Sec by T.J. Alexander
5/5. I don't read a lot of poly romance so I was glad to get this in. Really enjoyed it. I think it does the smart thing of building out the two love interests just enough, while leaving it as Mel's story.
Saved by Mr. Darcy by Claudia Lomond
3/5. Another mediocre P&P variation where the author removes the conflict of the actual novel, replacing it with an intense feeling of boredom as you wait for E and D to get on with it, already. Did think it contains a good portrayal of PTSD and disability, though.
A Bride for the Prizefighter by Alice Coldbreath
4/5. A very hyped romance that I mostly enjoyed? Needs more groveling from the hero, I think, and the sexual dynamic was not really doing it for me. Interested to see more of the author's work.
Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher
4/5. A subversive take on a fairytale. It's sweet, but nothing special. I feel like a lot of Kingfisher's books are like this for me: good but not great, successful but not lasting in my mind.
Annie Bot by Sienna Greer
3/5. I feel like the pacing of this is what makes it bad for me: lots of interesting stuff is explored, but the book doesn't actually get to the point until the very end, so you're just watching this woman get abused for most of the book with no outcome.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
4/5. So glad I picked this up--it's creepy and fascinating, a great October read.
A Haunting on a Hill by Elizabeth Hand
2/5. Meh. None of the characters are any fun: they suck but in a boring way with no development or real arcs to keep the book moving. And the book just kind of ends with no resolution.
Ballad of Sword and Wine Vol. 2 by Tang Jiu Qing
5/5. The romance is so satisfying in this volume. It all comes together, can't wait to read more.
The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton
4/5. Mostly a riveting mystery, falls down at the end with an ending that feels completely disconnected from the rest of the book. I feel like Turton is a bit in love with his own cleverness.
What Manner of Man by St. John Starling
5/5. Technically this could be a reread, but since I went to the trouble of following the author and getting an ARC of the book, I will call it a new read. I don't go in for vampire books usually, but I found this one via the Dracula Daily craze last year and really enjoyed it. It's a lush and creepy romance, with a desperation that makes it engaging.
Rereads:
A Summon to Greystone Hall
The Mysterious Earl
Season of Grace
Miss Brookdale's Dowry
by Perpetua Langley
5/5. These are like...Halloween candy. There's no substance, there's no realism, this is the fantasy of a Regency with no thoughts whatsoever. But it's a lot of fun to read--you'll just want something with actual depth afterward. I love these and think they were formative for me as a writer.
Ballad of Sword and Wine Vol. 1 by Tang Jiu Qing
4/5. Reread this since the next volume was out, enjoyed it. I think it's a little slow to get going, but worth it.
Currently Reading:
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
I may actually finish this before Onyx Storm comes out.
Running Close to the Wind by Alexandra Rowland
Don't know why I've made no headway on this but I'm going to try again.
Queer Transfigurations: Boys Love Media in Asia by Thomas Baudinette
Almost done with this and have enjoyed it.
The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera
This is the last of the Hugo nominees I wanted to read and so far I really like it.
New Reads:
Confounding Oaths by Alexis Hall
5/5. Another stunning historical romance from Alexis Hall, featuring a realistic treatment of race and class with nuance, a surprisingly tender romance, an unlikely hero, and a narrator who is horrible in the best way. I love this series and don't think there's anything out there really like it.
Triple Sec by T.J. Alexander
5/5. I don't read a lot of poly romance so I was glad to get this in. Really enjoyed it. I think it does the smart thing of building out the two love interests just enough, while leaving it as Mel's story.
Saved by Mr. Darcy by Claudia Lomond
3/5. Another mediocre P&P variation where the author removes the conflict of the actual novel, replacing it with an intense feeling of boredom as you wait for E and D to get on with it, already. Did think it contains a good portrayal of PTSD and disability, though.
A Bride for the Prizefighter by Alice Coldbreath
4/5. A very hyped romance that I mostly enjoyed? Needs more groveling from the hero, I think, and the sexual dynamic was not really doing it for me. Interested to see more of the author's work.
Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher
4/5. A subversive take on a fairytale. It's sweet, but nothing special. I feel like a lot of Kingfisher's books are like this for me: good but not great, successful but not lasting in my mind.
Annie Bot by Sienna Greer
3/5. I feel like the pacing of this is what makes it bad for me: lots of interesting stuff is explored, but the book doesn't actually get to the point until the very end, so you're just watching this woman get abused for most of the book with no outcome.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
4/5. So glad I picked this up--it's creepy and fascinating, a great October read.
A Haunting on a Hill by Elizabeth Hand
2/5. Meh. None of the characters are any fun: they suck but in a boring way with no development or real arcs to keep the book moving. And the book just kind of ends with no resolution.
Ballad of Sword and Wine Vol. 2 by Tang Jiu Qing
5/5. The romance is so satisfying in this volume. It all comes together, can't wait to read more.
The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton
4/5. Mostly a riveting mystery, falls down at the end with an ending that feels completely disconnected from the rest of the book. I feel like Turton is a bit in love with his own cleverness.
What Manner of Man by St. John Starling
5/5. Technically this could be a reread, but since I went to the trouble of following the author and getting an ARC of the book, I will call it a new read. I don't go in for vampire books usually, but I found this one via the Dracula Daily craze last year and really enjoyed it. It's a lush and creepy romance, with a desperation that makes it engaging.
Rereads:
A Summon to Greystone Hall
The Mysterious Earl
Season of Grace
Miss Brookdale's Dowry
by Perpetua Langley
5/5. These are like...Halloween candy. There's no substance, there's no realism, this is the fantasy of a Regency with no thoughts whatsoever. But it's a lot of fun to read--you'll just want something with actual depth afterward. I love these and think they were formative for me as a writer.
Ballad of Sword and Wine Vol. 1 by Tang Jiu Qing
4/5. Reread this since the next volume was out, enjoyed it. I think it's a little slow to get going, but worth it.
