April was a terrible reading month. The bulk of my reading took place during Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon. I’m not sure what caused this slump but I just couldn’t focus on anything. I did read some really good things and I feel the readathon has helped (hopefully!). In total I read 10 things and I also been making my way through 2 very long audiobooks. Altogether I’ve read 5438 pages, which is the weirdly the most I’ve read all year. Hopefully May will be slightly better in terms of book quantity.
Nunslinger by Star Holborn-I genuinely don’t know how I feel about this book.I liked it.This is the story of a nun travelling through the Old West during the 1800′s, who falls into a life of crime and mayhem whilst still being very devout.It did border fantastical at points - the sheer bad luck of the heroine is unbelievable. I couldn’t quiet get into the main characters head but I liked her. The ending was very ambiguous which annoyed me. After this great adventure, you don’t get the final pay put of the happy/sad ending scene.And I don’t think there will be any further books. 3/5
Eligible (The Austen Project, book 4) by Curtis Sittenfeld-This is a modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. I enjoyed this but didn’t love it. There were parts that felt like they had been added to tick off some list. There were parts that were funny and I did like some of the changes to fit the modern setting. However if I had to choose a fave modern adaptation it would be The Lizzy Bennet Diaries. 3/5
Jane Steele by Lynsay Faye- A Gothic retelling of Jane Eyre.Not as dark as I expected it to be but it was a fabulous read an I enjoyed it immensely. The main character was fascinating and the story line has me on the edge of my seat. When I picked it up I was expecting serial killer Jane Eyre and while she does murder its not in the same vein as Ted Bundy for example.Its more Dexter-like.There is always a reason each death.I’d love to go back into this world and I will be picking up more work by the author. 5/5
Saga (Saga, vol.7) by Brian K.Vuaghn*-As ever this story just gets better and crazier with each volume.Counting down till I get my hands on volume 8 in the series. 4/5
The Falconer (The Falconer, book 1) by Elizabeth May*-This was Vaginal Fantasy’s April main pick. It’s a historical paranormal with a small bit of romance.It was good, not the best of our picks, It did remind me a bit of The Dark Days Club (which I love). The main character felt a bit like a standard for the genre.There were some interesting side characters and action bits. The ending did annoy me as it left it on a major cliffhanger.I may pick up the second one. 3/5
Wintersong (Wintersong, book 1) by S. Jae-Jones-Another historical paranormal romance that was ok. Its based on the movie Labyrinth. There’s a Goblin King lording over a city of goblins who falls in love with a mortal girl and there is a heavy influence of music. I couldn’t get a grasp of the main character. She felt very wishy-washy.It felt like there was something missing from the book. I probably won’t pick up the second book. 3/5
Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie* -I think I preferred this over We Should All Be Feminists. It felt more fleshed out in terms of ideas and discussions on the subject of raising a feminist child and gender differences in the world. I loved the tone.Its felt like a friend talking to me. 4/5
Paper Girls (Paper Girls, vol.1) by Brian K.Vuaghn*- Another graphic novel from Brian K. Vaughn. This had a very Stranger Things feel to it but with a group of girls trying to survive the weirdest day ever. I’ve already picked up the second volume. 4/5
Magic For Nothing (Incryptid, book 6) by Seanan McGuire*-Big fan of Seanan McGuire’s work.Love her October Daye series and all the other books in the Incryptid series. And this was no different. Its another adventure with one of the Price family, this time in the circus.Fun and a good action series.Love the quotes at the beginning of every chapter. 4/5
Sherlock: A Study in Pink (Sherlock Manga, #1) by Steven Moffat*-A manga adaptation of the first episode of Sherlock. Fun to read and excellent artwork. 3.5/5
The Name of The Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicles, book 1) by Patrick Rothfuss
Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection by Arthur Conan Doyle
*books read for Deweys 24 Hour Readathon