What I read in April 2024

I'm currently reading The cabin at the end of the world by Paul Tremblay. I'm listening to the audiobook. Reading this for the Magical Readathon for Conjuration with the prompt: colour wheel. This is an adult horror book with LGBTQ+ characters.

I watched the movie for this book and really enjoyed it, so wanted to see what the book was like. So far I really enjoy it. I think the adaptation is great, very accurate so far. Really love that the author put some casual LGBTQ+ characters in the book, appreciate that so much. Story is very tense. I do know the twist of course, but that is fine. Curious to see if there will be any changes from the book.

I did not completely finish this book, was a bit done with it at the end part. A certain character had a perspective and I just couldn't. I think the movie is better, so would recommend that. I do think they changed a certain thing there, which was why I did not enjoy the book that much.

I'm currently reading The ocean squid explorers' club by Alex Bell. This is the fourth book in The explorers' club series. I'm reading a copy from the library whilst listening to the audiobook. Reading this for the Magical Readathon for Alchemy for the prompt: circle on the cover. This is a middle grade fantasy book series.

Loving this so far. I had to wait quite some time to continue this series, because not all the books were available at my audiobook app and library. But my library finally has them all, so I can finally read the rest of the series. Fortunately this book is with a different set of characters from the first three books, so you can see this as a separate series (you do have to read the other books first). I really like the characters in this book. The audiobook is the absolute best and am very sad that for the other two books I don't have the audiobooks.

This was a super fun read, really enjoyed it! The ending was a bit abrupt and convenient, so therefore not the full five stars. Very excited to read the next book!

I have read The last house on Needless Street by Catriona Ward. I read the Dutch ebook. Read this for my in real life book club. It was my choice. Chose this one, because I thought it would be fun to read a thriller and I thought this one was good for the discussion. This is an adult thriller book with some horror vibes.

I read this over a longer period, so therefore didn't update at the beginning. The beginning started out pretty good. It was fun to guess what had happened and who was the person who did it. The characters we followed were a bit weird, but that was also pretty fun. It was definitely a fun book to discuss with the group.

However... there was a certain "twist" in this book that I just absolutely hated. I think it's very problematic. Even more so with the afterword where the author explains things. I just hate when thrillers do twists like this, but it is hard to avoid apparantly. I think it would have been a better idea if the author wrote a contemporary book with what the "twist" was about. And another book that was a thriller with the original story she made up. Very much don't recommend reading this book.

I'm currently reading The golden yarn by Cornelia Funke. This is the third book in the Reckless series. I'm reading the ebook. This is my second time reading this book. Reading this for the Magical Readathon for the Quest. This is a young adult fantasy book series (I don't really think it is young adult).

Loving this one more then the other books in the series. It's so fast paced and so suspenceful. I just want to keep reading. Again could not remember anything from this book even though I have already read it. Which is super fun!

This was great again! I really enjoyed the new characters introduced in this book. Story was also very good and can't wait to see where it goes.

I have read Alyssa's ring by Julia Gray. This is the fifth and final book in The guardian cycle. I read a copy from my father. Read this for the Magical Readathon for the Quest. This is an adult fantasy book series.

I finally finished this series! I have been working on it for 4 years. Feels good to have finished it. It was a very good ending, really enjoyed it. I don't think this series is very well written, but it is a fun one to read. I especially love the characters and the themes in the series.

I have read Gezinsverpakking (Family package) by the family Chabot. I read an owned copy. Read this for the Magical Readathon for Psionics & Divination with the prompt: prediction bingo. This is an adult literary nonfiction book in short story format.

I really enjoyed the book of one of the brothers in the family, so really wanted to get this collection for the Dutch Book Week. I'm very glad I did. I enjoyed all the stories a lot, but especially the ones by the mother and the one by the second to oldest brother. Really loved that the dog was a big part of the collection. Would love to read more by this family.

I have read If this gets out by Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich. I read a copy from the library. Read this for the Magical Readathon for Shapeshifting with the prompt: read from author who blurbed your last 5 star read. This is a young adult contemporary romance book with LGBTQ+ characters.

This book was just okay unfortunately. I enjoyed the beginning, especially the characters. I did not like the story though. It was very bleek and depressing. The romance was very much in the background. So I mainly gave this a high rating because of the characters.

I have read Wonder by R.J. Palacio. I read an owned copy. Read this for the Magical Readathon for Spells & Incantations for the prompt: random number generator title length. This is a middle grade contemporary book.

I really loved the movie when I saw it and have been curious about the book for a while. Fortunately I found it in a thrift shop recently, so I could finally read it. It was a wonderful book. I don't understand how people can be so cruel, but it was good to read about. And it was great to see the other side as well. The different perspectives were especially amazing.

I'm currently reading Living shadows by Cornelia Funke. This is the second book in the Reckless series. Reading the ebook. This is my second time reading this book. This is on my Series TBR. Also reading it for the Magical readathon for Elemental studies with the prompt: source of light on the cover.

Enjoying this so far. I think as much as the first book. Did not remember much from when I first read it, but that has been years so makes sense. I really like the characters in this series and really like the worldbuilding. Story so far is fun.

This was great! Cliffhanger at the end, so immediately went into the next book.

I have read The ultimate guide to growing dragons by Andy Shepherd. This is the sixth book in The boy who grew dragons series. I read a copy from the library and listened to the audiobook. Read this for the Magical Readathon for Animal studies for the prompt: yellow title. This is a childrens fantasy book series.

I really enjoy this series and this book was great as well. I listened to the audiobook for the first time and would recommend it, it was amazing. This book felt a bit chaotic, because it was part guide and part continuing the story of book five. But I did enjoy it.

I have read November by Thomas Olde Heuvelt. I read a Dutch copy from the library whilst listening to the audiobook. I tried this book before, but I wasn't in the mood for horror then, so wanted to try it again now. Read this for the Magical Readathon for Alchemy with the prompt: circle on the cover. This is an adult horror book.

First time this book was a bit too scary for me, but now I was really in the mood to read horror. This was perfect for that. I really love how the author writes his characters, they feel very real. The story was great and it was really tense throughout. Ending was a bit too much for me, so therefore not the full five stars, but still really loved it.

I have read Perfect remains by Helen Fields. This is the first book in the D.I. Callanach series. I read a copy from the library whilst listening to the audiobook. Read this because this series has been on my tbr for a while and I really wanted to read a thriller. Hope I can fit it in for Magical Readathon somewhere, but we shall see. This is an adult crime thriller.

This was great. I have found out that these are the thrillers I actually enjoy. Basically detectives (or someone else like a journalist) figuring out who did it. I also like that we have the perspective of the killer as well. In this one I really liked all the characters, which is great because I can continue the series. The plot was very well done as well.

I have read The twisted ones by T. Kingfisher. I read the ebook and listened to the audiobook. This was my second time reading this book. Read it for the T. Kingfisher readalong I'm doing on Discord. Also read this for the Magical Readathon for Restoration with the prompt: book you think could cure a slump. This is an adult horror book.

This was great. I really love the writing of T. Kingfisher. I also really love the humour and how she writes characters. It was also a really spooky and creepy read. Especially a certain scene. The pace did feel off sometimes again, so that is something I don't enjoy in her books. Also the sentence concerning the twisted ones was used so many times it got really annoying. But overall a good read.

I have read You need more sleep by Francesco Marciuliano. I read the ebook. Read this, because I have read another book by this author and want to read more. Logged this for Magical Readathon for Demonology with the prompt: book you did not pay for. This is a nonfiction self help book for adults.

Did not know this wasn't poetry as the first book was, so that was a bit of a surprise. But it was a fun read. I enjoyed the pictures in the book a lot, all the cute cats. Want to make an effort to read more from his books, because they all look great.

Stats & Wrap Up March 2024:

What I read in March 2024

I have read The empress of salt and fortune by Nghi Vo. This is the first book in The singing hills cycle. I listened to the audiobook. Read this because it was recommended a lot and wanted to listen to something short. This is an adult fantasy book with LGBTQ+ characters.

Dit not really like this. I think the audiobook had a lot to do with it, because I think the book was structured in a certain way and that did not come across on audio really. The story also felt a bit too random to me.

I have read The last bookwanderer by Anna James. This is the sixth book in the Pages and Co. series. I listened to the audiobook. Read this to finish the series. This is a middle grade fantasy book series.

Did not really like this one. The series went downhill for me from book four. I am glad I finished the series, just so I can recommend it or not to people. I do still really like the concept and the characters, but I did not like where the story went.

I have read Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer. This is the first book in the Southern Reach trilogy. Read a copy from the library whilst listening to the audiobook. Read this because I have seen the movie a few years ago and was really intrigued. So was excited to see what the book would be like. This is an adult science fiction horror book.

Really enjoyed this. It was a bit different from the movie, which was actually fun. It was very creepy which I liked. The ending was pretty good and am very curious to see what the rest of the series will be like.

I have read Razorblade tears by S.A. Cosby. I read a Dutch copy from the library whilst listening to the audiobook. Read this for my Reading Authors challenge, because I loved Blacktop wasteland. I have also suddenly been in a thriller mood again, so leaning into that. This is an adult mystery thriller.

Loved this of course, did not expect anything else. These are the kind of thrillers I enjoy. A bit more action packed and just a fun time. I also really appreciate all the diversity in this book. It was in a casual way which is also appreciated. Can't wait to read more by this author.

I'm currently reading A wizard's guide to defensive baking by T. Kingfisher. I'm reading the ebook from Kobo Plus. This is my second time reading this book. Reading it, because I'm doing a T. Kingfisher readalong with online friends. This is a young adult fantasy book.

Wanted to reread this, because I really enjoyed it the first time I read it. Wanted to see if I could get a higher rating for it. Don't think that will happen, but still really enjoying this book. I really love the magic system and especially our main character with her baking magic. The story itself is good, but there are some slower parts that don't feel right for the pace. But it is a really fun read.

Not a higher rating, but still a really fun read. The pace is off in the book, so therefore not a higher rating. But I really love the story and characters.

I have read Holly by Stephen King. This is the third book in the Holly series, but in my opinion it's actually the sixth book. Read a Dutch copy from the library whilst listening to the audiobook at the same time. Picked this up last week from the library, because I was suddenly in the mood to read a thriller/horror. I also love Stephen King's books most of the time, so new this was probably going to be a win. This is a crime book with horror and mystery elements.

I absolutely love Holly as a character, so was super excited when I saw King came out with this book. I knew it was not going to be a disappointment and it definitely wasn't. The plot was very good and well done. It was pretty horrific, but not too much for me. Holly was of course the absolute best and it was also fun to see the other characters again.

If you want to pick this book up, but you haven't read the other books: I think you will be fine. There are some things mentioned from books before, but not very often and it is not that important for the book. You do miss some character background of course, but don't think you miss much for this book. King does explain some basic things you should know about the character dynamics. So feel free to pick this up, but I personally enjoyed the other books a lot too, so if you can, pick those up as well.

I'm currently reading New from here by Kelly Yang. I'm listening to the audiobook on BookBeat. Again wanted to make the best of my free trial, so therefore picked this one up. I have wanted to read something from Kelly Yang for a while, so this is the perfect time. This is a middle grade contemporary book.

Really loving this. I love the diversity in this book and love to learn about different experiences. This book is about the start of the pandemic (so be warned) and it is very interesting to read from a different perspective then my country. I also love the ADHD representation for the main character. Also love that this is a mixed family and two of the kids pass as white and one of them doesn't. You learn in this book how difficult that can be. Just... amazing. High rating for sure.

This was the absolute best. I loved this so much. Learned a lot. Lovely ending. Just great.

I'm currently reading Assassin's quest by Robin Hobb. This is the third book in the Farseer trilogy. I'm reading an owned copy whilst listening to the audiobook. This is my second time reading this book. Reading this, because I have wanted to since I finished book two in September, but I finally have room to read it now. This is an adult fantasy book series.

Loving this of course. It did break my heart immediately when I started, but that is to be expected from this series. I did not remember that well what happened in this one. The whole story of Fitz has blended together a bit in my head. But have remembered and yeah... Hope my heart can handle it.

My heart could handle it fortunately. Was a little emotional at the end, but not that much. The ending was beautiful and I can't wait to read Tawny man.

I have read Spellslinger by Sebastien de Castell. This is the first book in the Spellslinger series. I listened to the audiobook. Read this for the Year in Aeldia challenge. Also read this because it is on BookBeat and want to make the most of my free trial. I also heard a lot of good things about this series and was curious. This is a young adult fantasy book series.

The beginning was pretty promising. I really liked the set up of the story and the magic was pretty intriguing. But after that I did not enjoy it that much. The characters, especially the main character, are not really my taste. It also feels like a pretty generic fantasy story with some small unique things added. But the story was pretty good and the ending was a good cliffhanger. So think I will read book two, but not sure if I will read the whole series since it is long.

I'm currently reading Finding bear by Hannah Gold. This is the second book in The last bear series (duology?). I'm listening to the audiobook. Reading this one, because I read book one and really enjoyed it. Saw on my audiobook app that this just published, so therefore reading it now. Also reading it for the Orilium challenge for my second character. This is a middle grade book and apparantly magical realism? but I would just call it contemporary.

Enjoying this so far. Did not remember much about book one, but that is not really a problem. Really like the main character. I especially love what this book has to see about climate change and taking care of animals.

Wasn't a great book in the end. Felt like a pretty unnecessary sequel. Do still enjoy the main character, but the story was a bit meh.

I'm currently reading Paladin's hope by T. Kingfisher. This is the third book in The saint of steel series. I'm listening to the audiobook. Reading this for the T. Kingfisher readalong I'm doing with a group. I skipped the other books in the series. Also reading this for my Authors TBR. This is an adult fantasy romance book with LGBTQ+ characters.

Enjoying this so far. I really love how the author writes. The humour is excellent. I also think the mystery in this one is pretty good. I am curious to see where it will go though. The characters are great. Am reading this one and not the rest of the series, because it is a male/male romance and I only enjoy those.

Yes this was really good! I enjoyed the romance a lot! Not extraordinary, but really fun nonetheless.

I'm currently reading The petrified flesh by Cornelia Funke. This is the first book in the Reckless series. I'm reading the ebook. This is my second time reading this book. Reading this, because the newest book has been out for a while and I really want to read that. So I need to reread the rest of the series to read that one, because it has been years since I read it. This is a young adult fantasy book series.

So far this is really good. I did not remember a lot, but only some small parts. I really like the set up of this book. I'm also not sure if this is actually young adult since the characters are in their early twenties. Story so far is really good and can't wait to read this whole series again.

This was super fun to reread! Very glad I decided to do that. I especially love the characters in this book. The world building is also great. Very excited to continue with the series.

I'm currently reading The shadow of what was lost by James Islington. This is the first book in The Licanius trilogy. I'm reading the ebook that I bought. Reading this, because I have wanted to read this series for a while and finally decided to just buy it on my new ereader. This is an adult fantasy book.

This is good so far. The worldbuilding is exactly how I like it. Enough to understand everything, but not too much so you get overwhelmed. The magic system is pretty cool. The story itself is well set up and it is not easy to figure out where it will go, which I like a lot.

This was amazing! This is exactly the kind of fantasy I love. There was literally nothing about it that I did not enjoy. I especially loved the plot twists near the end, even though I did see some coming, that did not matter at all. Super excited for book two!

Stats & Wrap Up February 2024:

What I read in February 2024

I have read All that's left in the world by Erik J. Brown. This is the first book in the All that's left in the world series (duology?). I read a copy from the library whilst listening to the audiobook. Read this because I'm interested to read more in this genre and always fun to read a book with LGBTQ+ characters. Also read this for the weekend readathon. This is a young adult dystopian book with LGBTQ+ characters.

I loved this so much! Loved it from page one. I especially loved the audiobook, would highly recommend. There were two narrators for each of the boys and when they narrated parts that the other boy said something it was as if the other narrator said it. They changed there voice so well. The story itself was really well done. I loved everything about it. The pace, the plot, all the characters, just great. Definitely want to reread this and see if I want to own it.

I have read Feather by M.G. Leonard. This is the fourth book in The Twitchers series. I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author herself. Read this because I love M.G. Leonard and I love this series. I saw that there was a new book published so immediately read it, which was a fun experience. Read this for the Orilium challenge. Also read this for the readathon weekend. This is a middle grade mystery book series.

Love this series a lot and love M.G. Leonard. I love how she writes about nature. I also really like all the mysteries in this series. They are all well done. Very fun to have another perspective change in this book, so we are getting to know all the characters even more. Highly recommend this series!

I have read Gender queer by Maia Kobabe. I read a copy from the library. Read this because I was interested in the topic. I also had a weekend readathon and wanted to read some short books then. This is a memoir graphic novel about gender with LGBTQ+ people.

This was a very interesting read. I think it's important to learn about different experiences people had and it was good to read about Maia. I did think this was a young adult book, because it was in that section at my library, but it was definitely adult. Which bothered me, but that is more a me thing and not the books fault of course. I really liked the set up of this book and the drawings were done very well.

I'm currently reading Notes on a nervous planet by Matt Haig. I'm reading the Dutch ebook. Reading this for my Authors TBR. This is a self help book with themes of health and psychology.

Already very good of course. I really love the author's nonfiction books. Very curious what he has to say about this topic and what I can learn from it.

Did not like this one as much as his other book I read. This one felt very chaotic and I don't really like that. What he had to say was interesting, but it felt like it didn't go anywhere really.

I'm currently reading The sky blues by Robbie Couch. I'm listening to the audiobook. I'm reading this, because I got a 60 day free trial for a BookBeat and want to use that as much as possible with books that are not on Storytel. This is a young adult contemporary romance book with LGBTQ+ characters.

Loving this so far. Which is pretty easy with these genres. I really like the main character and I love the diversity in this book. Story itself is pretty standard, but I don't really mind that.

So... that took a turn. I was going to give this 3 stars. When the story evolved certain things were not done very well in my opinion. But this is a debut, so that is sort of expected. It was still a fun story. But: there were quite a few HP references. This book came out in 2021. There is a trans character in this book. No. Just no. Don't do that. So therefore I removed another star from my rating. This is just not okay.

I'm currently reading The return of the king by J.R.R. Tolkien. This is the third book in The lord of the rings trilogy. I'm reading an owned copy whilst listening to the audiobook. Reading this for my Rereading Challenge. This is an adult fantasy book and is considered a classic.

This is my favorite book in the trilogy (I do love the Hobbit more). I think this is still the case. I'm already reading this one way faster than the second book. I also don't mind in this one that we have the two parts with the different characters. I did not like that in the second book, but it makes a lot of sense in this book. It also adds a lot of tention.

Yes this is still my favorite of the trilogy. I just love it. I also really love that we have a longer ending in the book then in the movies. Appreciate that a lot. Just love this series so much and will probably reread it next year or the year after.

I'm currently reading Beartown by Fredrik Backman. This is the first book in the Beartown series. I'm reading an owned copy. This is my third time reading this book. Reading this for my Rereading challenge. This is an adult contemporary book.

What can I say about this? It's just one of my favorite books of all time. I love Backman's writing of course. But in this book it is mainly about the characters for me. The detail he brings into the characters is amazing. The story itself is powerful and a must know for people.

Just... an awful beautiful heartbreaking story.

I'm currently reading The lights on Knockbridge lane by Roan Parrish. This is the third book in the Garnet run series. I'm listening to the audiobook. This is my second time reading this book. Reading it for my Rereading TBR. This is an adult romance book with LGBTQ+ characters.

Just loving rereading lately, so continuing with that. I just absolutely love this series and this one is also super fun. I also love that we see the characters from the previous books in here and even a character from the next book (which I didn't realize the first time I read this). I also love that we have so much diversity in this series. In this one for example a father that divorced his husband and now needs to take care of his daughter alone. The other character has, I think, social anxiety and I think that is handled very well. Just love it.

This was such a delight to read, I absolutely loved it. There was a third act conflict in this one, but it made sense to me. Can't wait to read the rest of the series!

I'm currently reading Strong female character by Fern Brady. I'm reading an owned ebook. Reading this because I heard good things about it and want to read more books from autistic authors. This is an adult memoir with topics of feminism and health.

The start was a bit difficult to follow, but after that the author went in chronological order, so now it is easier. I find this a very interesting read and to see her perspective on autism. But also what her life was like with no diagnosis. Certain things I don't like to read about, but that is a me thing and not the book.

Solid book. Well written, although it was a bit chaotic sometimes. I actually hope Fern will write a part two in a couple of years time when she has had her diagnosis longer.

I'm currently reading To sleep in a sea of stars by Christopher Paolini. This is the first book in the Fractalverse series. Not sure if the second book is actually a sequel, but we shall see. I'm reading a copy from the library whilst listening to the audiobook. This is an adult science fiction book series.

I read about a third of this earlier this year, but wasn't in the right headspace to continue with it. Now I'm picking it back up. Still really enjoying it. This is the kind of science fiction I like. Not a lot explained, but enough so you understand. And just great characters with a good concept. It is a long book, but I really don't mind, because it is very cool. Excited to finish it now.

This was incredible, really loved it. What I loved the most were the characters. All well developed and just really fun to read about. The story itself was good as well, but sometimes it was hard to follow. Didn't understand everything, so therefore not the full five stars, but that could change on a reread.

I'm currently reading The house in the cerulean sea by TJ Klune. Apparently this is now a series, so this is book one. I'm reading an owned copy whilst listening to the audiobook. This is my third time reading this book. I'm reading this one for an in real life book club I'm participating in. This is an adult fantasy book with LGBTQ+ characters.

I'm going to read this very slowly, so will take a while before I will finish it. Of course I'm loving it. I'm also really loving discussing the book with everyone. Especially fun to hear what they think will happen. It will probably still be my favorite book of all time.

Yes still my favorite book of all time. Just absolutely love it. I will read this multiple times in the future. Super excited now for the sequel.

Stats & Wrap Up January 2024:

What I read in January 2024

I'm currently reading Confessions of a bookseller by Shaun Bythell. This is the second book in The diary of a bookseller series. I'm reading an owned copy. This is my second time reading this book. Reading this for my Rereading Challenge. This is a nonfiction memoir book.

I gave this a slightly lower rating than the first book the first time I read it. Just a little bit of a lower rating. I can see why now, I think the author explains certain things more in this one, which is not always enjoyable or interesting to read. But I love it nonetheless, just slightly less than the first book.

Yeah my rating is still the same. I am very curious about the next book though, because I think it's from a couple of years later. Can hopefully start that soon.

I'm currently reading Best laid plans by Roan Parrish. This is the second book in the Garnet run series. I'm listening to the audiobook. This is my second time reading this book. Reading this for the Orilium Challenge. Also reading it for my Rereading Challenge. This is an adult romance book series with LGBTQ+ characters.

I had no idea what to listen to next after dnfing the series I was reading. I tried another book, but did not like it. Tried another one, also did not like it. Then I just went to my Rereading challenge and picked this. I love this series so much, almost the only romance I do actually enjoy. I love the characters just so much. I also love the diversity a lot. It is not only queer characters, but also with mental health problems and just all different kinds of guys. Just love it a lot. I might actually have to buy this one this year, because I do own the first book.

Great, just great. Need to buy this one. Love it so much.

I have read The duchess of Bloomsbury street by Helene Hanff. I read a copy from the library. Read this because it is sort of the sequel to Charing Cross Road and it was in the same book I had out from the library. This is an adult nonfiction book and a memoir.

Did not like this one as much as the first book. Mainly because it was less bookish and it was not in letters, but in a diary form. I did like that I got to learn what happened to Helene and the bookshop after the first book. So would recommend if you liked the first one.

I have read The diary of a bookseller by Shaun Bythell. This is the first book in The diary of a bookseller series. I read an owned copy. This was my second read of this book. Read this for my Rereading challenge. This is an adult nonfiction book and a memoir.

I just absolutely love this book. It's just amazing. I love how fun it is to read. Very lighthearted. Also super fun to learn about the bookselling world and what it is like owning your own bookshop. All the different people are a delight. The diary itself is written just right. I just love this. Want to start the second book soon and hope I can get the third book soon as well.

I have read 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. I read a copy from the library. I read this for the Orilium challenge (for my second character, not the one mentioned on my challenge page) for January with the prompt: read a book physically. This is an adult nonfiction book and a memoir.

This was great. I just love books about books and this was that. The writing style surprised me, it was way easier than I expected. Which made me think that I might enjoy other nonfiction books that are older.

I'm currently reading Best served cold by Joe Abercrombie. This is the first book in the First law world trilogy. I'm listening to the audiobook. Reading this, because I finished the first trilogy in this overarching series and now want to read this trilogy (which is actually 3 standalones and 1 short story collection). This is an adult fantasy book series.

Really enjoying this so far. Probably the same amount as the books before, but we shall see. Love that we are following a completely different character in a different part of the world. But also fun that we are following another character who we met in the previous books.

I was about 2/3 of the way through, saw how much I still needed to listen to (5.5 hours at my speed) and was like: no not going to do that. There were certain twists in this book that I did not like. I also asked someone if I should continue, but they said they did not like the next book. I read what that one is about and nope have no interest in that. So I put this on finished (since I did read so much of it). I did give it still a pretty high rating, because I did like most what I read. It might have become a lower rating if I finished it. But I did not. I would still recommend the first trilogy, but maybe just skip these books.

I'm currently reading The Christmas club by Mel Taylor-Bessent. This is the third book in the Christmas Carrolls series. I'm listening to the audiobook. This is a middle grade contemporary book series.

So much fun, just so fun. These are my favorite Christmas books. Curious to see how long this series will be, no idea. Hope there will be more, because I just love it.

This was amazing! This one was better than the second book in the series. That one felt slightly off. This one felt like it needs to be. Really joyful and fun. Love it!

I have read Galatea by Madeline Miller. I read a copy from the library. Read this for my Reading Authors challenge. I have now read all the books by Madeline Miller. This book is a mythology short story.

This was really good. The topic was not really my thing. But how Madeline Miller writes... It's just so good. I also really loved the author's note and what she explained about the story. Just great, would highly recommend her books.

I have read Marmalade: the orange panda by David Walliams. I read a copy from the library. This is a children's picture book.

I read this because I started 2023 with a picture book and wanted to do that again this year. And it was great! This was so cute and wholesome. But also with good lessons for kids. Just great!

See here my Wrap Up & Stats for 2023:

Do you want to read my older reviews?

Here is my StoryGraph link: A Robin Reads