#reading round-up

[magicbeings]

Inspired by all the round up posts I get tagged at the end of each month, I decided to start making my own in 2026, since one of my goals is to -- yes, you've guessed it: read more fanfic.

But, before I list all the amazing fics I've read this month, I'm going to share some stats. Just because I love stats.

In January, I read 52 Wolfstar fics from 44 different authors, adding up to about 482,754 words.

Most of those were very short one shots (less than 5k). And shocking everyone, including myself, the majority was T rated (46.2%). Only 19.2% was E rated.

Most of the fics were set in the Magical Universe, and Canon Compliant (46.2%). Only 28.8% were Muggle AUs.

My most read authors were a tie between @barkingatthemooninsteadofwriting, @sliebman10, @puuvillaa, @firesandfamily and @lifeisabitch-butimcute. I read two fics of each this month.

My most read tags were: - Fluff - Anal Sex - Established Relationship - Oral Sex - Light Angst

Watch Me Go Blind by lefthandofglory, RuinsPlume

Darling, Let's Get Old by billspaid

An Apple a Day by melpomenite

Professors Lupin and Black by issi_lupin

The Future is Grim by @firesandfamily

What's a Blowie between Besties? by @igetje

Crash Into Me by shadow_prince

Trade Secrets by @sliebman10

Seeing Stars by @lifeisabitch-butimcute

Moonlight in the Tenth Hour by @emperorem

Hearts finally in sync by @brandileigh2003

The Lottery by sreka

Do You Trust Me? by @m00neroni

gorgeous. by @heysaykitkat

concealed by @sorealis

The Most Brilliant Idea, or How Sirius Black Accidentally became a Romance Novelist by nothingeverlost

I'm a self-destructive landslide if you want to be the hill by @thistlecatfics

Fracture Lines by @puuvillaa

dreams of reason by @swoontodeath

Letters to the Toymaker by @theresthesnitch

The Iridescent Moon by @puuvillaa

Snowwhite by @mundrakan

Remus Lupin's Second Worst Christmas by @firesandfamily

what you had (what you lost) by @lavenderhaze

Rhapsody in Counter Curses by @sliebman10

counting down from ten it's time by @aluinwe

the road is rocky by @sorealis

scrooge was a wizard, too, probably by atropos_aeneas

A Christmas Reflection by @thethingwithfeathers

da mi basia mille by scioscribe

Hold me tight by AurickBliss

Please Mind The Gap by @aquamyosotis

Baked by @lifeisabitch-butimcute

lights, camera, action by @barkingatthemooninsteadofwriting

How to Say Goodbye by TromboneBorges [archived by fictionalley_archivist]

Concerning flying lessons, snuffboxes, and one hundred galleons by orphan_account

Something Borrowed by victoria_p (musesfool)

flying without a broomstick by Lise (thissugarcane)

The glory of the hummingbird by some_stars

Worse Ways to Die by Bow

Damning With Faint Praise by V (gethporno)

Falling Is Like This by victoria_p (musesfool) 

One Toke by canis_m

Liars Leaving My House by imochan

The Good Morrow by FayJay

2/3 by Our_Mutual_Fiend [archived by WolfAndHound_Archivist]

Atlantic Specimen by Our_Mutual_Fiend [archived by WolfAndHound_Archivist]

160 Acres in Ojai by MsAlexWP

Summer Sweets by @aeligsido

Professor R. J. Lupin and the Time Machine by @shunstanpike

the shape and sound of god by @dykefever

when I felt like I was an old cardigan under someone's bed (you put me on and said I was your favorite) by @barkingatthemooninsteadofwriting

[shsenhaji]

📚 May Reading Round-Up 📚

I finally can say that I've read LOTR! Or, at least, the first book (I've also read The Hobbit). May was a good reading month, in which I was once again able to get to some of my long-waiting TBR, and where I also decided to re-read The Greenwing and Dart series by Victoria Goddard (which is delightful as always).

- The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien (the audiobook by Andy Serkis was amazing; liked the first half better than the second, made more sense than the movies but was less emotional, didn’t love the narration style or some of the themes, loved our best boys and more of Bilbo... Boromir 😭)

- Paladin's Faith by T. Kingfisher (Good, funny, loved the romance, great ending, didn’t feel like there was a final character resolution but there was growth, definitely setting up later books)

- Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly (Good, somewhat unrealistic, loved the messages and themes, binged it in a few sittings)

- Calamity by Constance Fay (Very funny, intriguing worldbuilding, cute romance, didn’t love the take on this trope but didn’t hate it)

- Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas (Read it in one sitting, beautiful, bittersweet, cute, a fun read, really loved this take on Neverland and Peter Pan)

- Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett (Fun, really enjoyed the middle, liked the characters, compelling, didn’t love the ending or how the romance was resolved, great worldbuilding)

- Stargazy Pie by Victoria Goddard (Re-read, a fun emotional ride, noticed even more hints and details, loved it)

- Bee Sting Cake by Victoria Goddard (Re-read, the emotions didn’t quite hit me as much this time, loved it, heartwarming and validating)

- Whiskeyjack by Victoria Goddard (Re-read, ending got me all emotional, such fun)

- Blackcurrant Fool by Victoria Goddard (Re-read, not too intense, emotional ending, really enjoyed the plot and the characters)

- Love-in-a-Mist by Victoria Goddard (Re-read, delightful, fun, heartwarming, didn’t like Master Boring as much)

- Far From the Light of Heaven by Tade Thompson (Compelling, great worldbuilding and interesting characters, felt a bit let down by the resolution/ending)

- Batman: Wayne Family Adventures Vol. 3 by C.R.C. Payne and Starbite (Got very emotional, a fun read)

[rosecorcoranwrites]

January (and December) Reading Roundup

Advent Gospel Reflections by Bishop Robert Barron

Genre: Religious nonfiction

Why I read it: It was Advent

What I thought of it: Anyone familiar with Bishop Barron's Catholicism film series knows his theological explanations are solid and accessible. This was no different.

Would I recommend it: Yes! Just be sure to get the copy for the specific year, since Advent is a different number of days depending on when Christmas falls.

"Witness for the Prosecution" by Agatha Christie

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Why I read it: Kind of genre research for my WIP, I guess?

What I thought of it: Though the twist was a little predictable by the end, it was still an interesting story with a good concept. I also enjoy Christie's writing style.

Would I recommend it: Maybe, if you're into cozies, but I think some of her other stories are better.

Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators by Ronan Farrow

Genre: True Crime / Journalism

Why I read it: Someone on Tumblr posted several excerpts and it looked interesting

What I thought of it: I feel like this is the kind of book that anyone who cares about journalistic integrity should read. It wasn't that entire news outlets were lying  (though some publications did do that in order to smear victims), but rather they didn't report the truth, which can be just as bad. The title, "Catch and Kill" is the phrase used for purchasing a story in order not to publish, so it won't see the light of day.

Would I recommend it: Yes, but trigger warnings for sexual assault of all kinds.

"Old Man and The Gun", "Chameleon", and "True Crime" by David Grann

Genre: True crime

Why I read it: I loved Grann's Killers of the Flower Moon and was looking for more true crime from him

What I thought of it: I loved all three essays, which are from a book I had read parts of previously, The Devil and Sherlock Holmes. These are the kind of weird accounts that seem too fantastic to be real: a septuagenarian bank-robber and escape artist, a man who literally takes on the identity of children, and a murderer who wrote his crime into a novel and the detective who used that writing to pursue him.

Would I recommend it: 100% yes!!!

Capirotada: A Nogales Memoir by Alberto Alvaro Ríos

Genre: Memoir

Why I read it: Book club

What I thought of it: This book was sweet and funny, and brought back memories of when my family used to go to Nogales every Black Friday. I enjoy boyhood stories, like those of Patrick McManus; this was in the same vein, with various (slightly) hyperbolized recollections of youth.

Would I recommend it: Yes, especially if you want something charming. This is like the slice-of-life cosy of memoirs.

"Four-and-Twenty Blackbirds" by Agatha Christie

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Why I read it: I'm on a Christie kick

What I thought of it: I liked this one best of Christie's stories so far (though I have admittedly only read four an a half). It had a great set-up and pay-off, and the twist was slightly different from what I was expecting. Much like Arthur Conan Doyle, she introduced a set of twins, but their being twins had nothing to do with the crime!

Would I recommend it: Yes. It was fun.

"The Adventure of the Sinister Stranger" by Agatha Christie

Genre: Cozy mystery adjacent

Why I read it: Still on a Christie kick

What I thought of it: This one was interesting because it was more of a little adventure than a mystery, and I feel there was a lot of backstory I was missing, as this was the only Tommy and Tuppence story I've read. That being said, the twist was super predictable, telegraphed from almost the moment a certain untrustworthy character entered the room.

Would I recommend it: Only if you want to study the cozy genre. I will say, this story has inspired me to finally write a post about why every genre needs to learn from cozies, but that will have to wait until later.

Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie

Genre: Cozy mystery

Why I read it: See above

What I thought of it: The entire cast was well written, and I especially liked Cornelia, who I assume was supposed to either have Down Syndrome or autism of some sort (she was referred to as 'simple' a number of times). The different subplots with the side characters / murder suspects were intriguing. Unfortunately, the main murder plot was exceedingly predictable, and I don't think it's just because I've seen a lot of mysteries. Also, I did not approve of Poirot's decision at the end regarding the murderer's fate (Sherlock Holmes would ever have allowed such a thing to happen!).

Would I recommend it: I guess. It was a well written story, just not the best mystery, if that makes sense?

[shsenhaji]

📚 January Reading Round-Up 📚

January was a pretty great reading month! Finished a few books I'd started in December, while also binging some new ones.

- Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan (good, very funny and bittersweet, full of detailed and lush descriptions, loved the last part the best, very different than the movie's plot)

- Paladin's Strength by T. Kingfisher (Delightful, funny, characters were a bit too self-deprecating but it worked nonetheless, all the feels)

- Manacled by Senlinyu (Very good, cried at a lot of parts, not my favourite iteration of this trope but a great addition, loved the fanart, interesting take on Draco Malfoy that I did enjoy)

- Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (Very good, loved the audiobook, funny and smart and heartfelt, MC has ADHD vibes, some cool twists, great intertwined flashback story structure)

- Fullmetal Alchemist Fullmetal Edition Vol. 5 by Hiromu Arakawa (Very good, thankfully some of the scenes didn't hit me as hard as the anime, loved the humour and the art style)

- The Theft of Sunlight by Intisar Khanani (Good, very intense, loved the second half of the book more, great character development and themes)

- A Darkness at the Door by Intisar Khanani (Very very good, binged it in a day, very poetic and lyrical and angry and cathartic, loved the romance and the friendships and the ending)

- Tuyo by Rachel Neumeier (Good, loved the beginning, not quite what I was expecting for the ending, great characters and communication)

[shsenhaji]

📚 March Reading Round-Up 📚

Read some pretty great books in March, and there's a few I'm still reading that I hope to finish in April!

I was able to continue some series that I've been reading, such as The Murderbot Diaries and Kushiel's Legacy. I also finally finished the Imperial Radch trilogy!

- House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J Maas (partial re-read, Partial re-read, very good, kept wanting to read more, didn’t cry but felt the Emotions, friendship! Connected much more to some characters this time around)

- Divinity 36 by Gail Carriger (Good, engrossing, very emotional, lots of heart at its core, enjoyed it more as I continued reading)

- This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone (thank you Bigolas Dickolas for the push to finally read this book! Loved the audiobook, beautiful, not as confusing as I’d feared, loved how their relationship developed, the prose and metaphors and language…)

- Traveller's Joy by Victoria Goddard (Good, emotional, heartwarming, some sadness and dramatic irony, friendship!)

- Kushiel's Chosen (finally got to the second book, and it didn't disappoint! So good, kept binging it, so emotional and philosophical, heartbreaking at parts, loved it even more than book one)

- Network Effect by Martha Wells (so good and readable, Murderbot my beloved, loved seeing the characters and their relationships and Three, Murderbot being rescued!!!!)

- Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie (Read it in one sitting immediately after finishing Network Effect, so very good, loved the themes and characters and how they developed and grew, that ending!)

[shsenhaji]

📚 June Reading Round-Up 📚

Read a good few books this month, and I hope to finish a few long-standing reads in July.

- Plum Duff by Victoria Goddard (Funny, delightful, heartwarming, that cliffhanger!)

- Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear (Took me a few tries to get into it, enjoyable, liked the mystery and the topic (art, truth), didn’t feel as if there was as much resolution at the end as in previous books)

- Tribute by Sherwood Smith (book came highly recommended, very good, more of a Brick than originally thought, took some time to warm up, loved the characters and the themes and everyone getting to grow, appreciated the worldbuilding and the philosophy, friendship and good governance and family, really great messages about how everyone has worth and deserves a chance, fun to focus on not just the princes and young folk)

- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (re-read, first time listening to the audiobook, good and engaging as always, picked out a few new things, sobbed my heart out at Rue’s death, those final chapters!)

- Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs (Compelling, read it in one sitting, so emotional, loved the complex characters and their growth and emotional journeys, not all the moms die in this one, morally grey women, bonds of family)

- Fullmetal Alchemist Fullmetal Edition Vol. 7 by Hiromu Arakawa (Very good, couldn’t stop reading)

- Fullmetal Alchemist Fullmetal Edition Vol. 8 by Hiromu Arakawa (Very good, tore through it in two sittings, lots of funny and emotional moments)

- Postern of Fate by Agatha Christie (Re-read, lots of funny moments, loved the relationship between Tommy and Tuppence)

[shsenhaji]

📚 August Reading Round-Up 📚

I'm very happy that I was able to read (and finish) quite a few books this month! My reading selection was also perhaps a bit more varied, with a non-fiction book thrown in. I began reading the Tea Princess Chronicles by Casey Blair (very good, so lovely), continued with the next volume of Spy x Family, and read books newly published as well as older.

- The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Ann Older (very good, loved the worldbuilding, interesting plot)

- Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey (really enjoyed it, definitely cried a bit toward the end, a lot of interesting tropes and themes, good worldbuilding, liked how many of the themes were handled)

- Batman: Wayne Family Adventures Volume One by Payne and Starbite (lovely, so happy I get to have a physical copy, can't wait for volume two)

- A Dance with the Fae Prince by Elise Kova (liked it a lot, loved the themes and the romance, good character growth)

- Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann (re-read, well-written, interesting and illuminating, difficult subject matter, felt the narration treated the subject material well for the most part, interested in seeing the movie adaptation)

- A Coup of Tea by Casey Blair (amazing, lovely, binged it in almost one sitting, loved the themes and characters and how it was all put together, as well as the focus on tea, diverse in a good and welcoming way)

- The Physicians of Vilnoc by Lois McMaster Bujold (loved it, tough subject matter however, Penric and Desdemona as lovely as always, enjoyed the philosophical themes and questions)

- Ancillary Sword by Ann Leckie (great, loved it, missed Seivarden a bit though, great themes and characters, made me want to re-read the first book)

- Spy x Family Volume 6 by Tatsuya Endo (Cute, funny, engrossing, more of a tight one-arc story which I liked, has the famous lullaby Yor and Loid scene, Nightfall was hilarious, a key moment finally occurred!)

- Tea Set and Match by Casey Blair (loved it, a lot of communication, loved the themes and how it was handled, cathartic, interesting understanding of the MC's privilege (and how she can use it)

- The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison (re-read, interesting, the narration was amazing and really sold the story, liked the back half of the book more, some very dry and funny and witty parts, wanted more things to be fixed/dealt with, Maia's internalized racism is never really questioned by him)

- Outlaw Mage by KS Villoso (had backed the Kickstarter, very good, read it in a few sittings, enjoyed the characters and themes, tried to figure out how the book connected to the other series in that world, enjoyable and thought-provoking, not too subtle, want to know what happens next)

[shsenhaji]

📚 February Reading Round-Up 📚

I read some pretty good books this month. I continued with Spy x Family, and started a few new series.

- Red Rising by Pierce Brown (powerful, compelling, couldn’t stop reading, loved the worldbuilding and characters and themes/messages, dark and brutal but with a tiny bit of hope)

- Spy x Family Volume 5 by Tatsuya Endo (cute, funny, hilarious, some great moments, wasn’t as emotionally compelling as the previous volume)

- To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers (my first - but not last - Becky Chambers, beautiful and kind and hopeful, slow in a good way, great character work and relations, very relatable near-future, loved the epigraph, open-ended ending)

- Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (good, gripping - read it in one day - and compelling, liked the characters and their dynamic, a bit heavy on the angst, very plot-centric, great urban fantasy that feels like it was written more recently than 2006)