Happy end of January!
I’m trying out a new review format: I’m going to post mini-reviews at the end of each month while still posting full-length reviews for ARCs and maybe a couple books that really knock it out of the park.
Here’s what I read this month.
Stay Sexy and Don’t Get Murdered by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
I picked up this audiobook looking for the same snarky humor and sharp wit as their podcast, and this book delivered. Karen and Georgia are bracingly honest about their pasts and send the message that it’s okay to make mistakes while you’re young, just don’t join cult and stay out of the forest.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
After listening to this inspirational audiobook about saying “no” to the lies we tell ourselves in pursuit of being our best selves, I feel like I could do 10 loads of laundry while clearing my own acne, saving the bees, and destroying the patriarchy with one hand tied behind my back. If you’re in need of a motivational boost, I can’t recommend Girl, Wash Your Face enough.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Hex Hall was a fun story about Sophie, a young witch whose powers are too conspicuous for the mortal world and land her in Hecate Hall: a boarding school for the ill-behaved Prodigium (witches, shapeshifters, faeries, etc). I enjoyed Sophie’s casual narration; it felt like she was recounting her story to me, even though that made the writing style a little more simplistic.
Rating: 3/5 stars
The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur
I’ve been meaning to pick up some of Rupi Kaur’s poetry and reading this was an interesting experience. Kaur’s work has reintroduced a huge body of people to poetry and made poetry “cool” again, which I recognize and think is incredibly important. However, her work wasn’t for me. I liked her messages, but her poetic style was very dry and blunt. I like a little bit of flowery language and opportunity for poetic analysis, and I didn’t get that here.
Rating: 3/5 stars
Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter
I loved rereading this middle school classic! This is the kind of book that, even though it’s not the most flowery or well-crafted, it’s a darn good story, and that makes it worth the read. I’m always happy to dive into the world of teenage spies and international intrigue, and the nostalgia factor only serves to sweeten the experience.
Rating: 3/5 stars
Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
I enjoyed reading this book about an alternative early 1900s New England and the witchhunts that take place there! The romance was as swoony and unrealistic but still delicious as you’d expect, and the worldbuilding was confusing at first but ended up being interesting. I have some questions about the magic system still and see a lot of holes in the narrative, but it was an enjoyable read and I’ll probably continue with the series.
Rating: 3/5 stars
I also read and ARC of What the Other Three Don’t Know by Spencer Hyde and my full review will be posted closer to the release date.
What did you read this month? Any recommendations?
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I really appreciate the way you describe The Sun And Her Flowers, as it is exactly how I feel :). I admire what it did for poetry as a genre but I don’t really enjoy it myself. What kind of poetry do you like?
I’m not a huge poetry fan, but I have really random tastes! I have this journal that I write all my favorite poems in and it’s such a random assortment.