Hi guys! I am so glad to be back from my hiatus. I have so many exciting posts planned, but I decided to do the quarter review first. This is just a review of the past three months (April, May and June). You can check out my last quarter review here.
Books I’ve Read:
I’ve been making good progress on my 115+ book goal. I didn’t read as much in April and May due to school wrapping up, but I read a ton in June.
April
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
Rating: || Genre: Science fiction || Age group: YA
This book actually surprised me. It wasn’t amazing, but it did keep me interested and entertained. It was also a very quick read.
Insignia by S.J. Kincaid
Rating: ★★★|| Genre: Dystopian || Age group: YA
Insignia was pretty good. I have to admit, I was skeptical, as it reminded me of The Eye of Minds, which was horrible.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelley
Rating: ★★★ || Genre: Historical Fiction || Age group: Middle grade
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate was so sweet. It was our May book club book, and though I thought it would be boring, it redeemed itself. It shows a great glimpse of southern life in the 1800s and how scientific advancements worked back then. It also was empowering, as though no one wanted Calpurnia to go into science, she did anyway. Her grandfather adds a whole wonderful aspect to the book as well.
One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Rating: ★★★★★|| Genre: Mystery || Age group: YA
I finally read One of Us is Lying! It’s been on my TBR list for ages, and it exceeded my expectations. The mystery was enthralling, and though I tried to solve it, I couldn’t figure it out until the very end. The characters was amazing as well.
Saving the ghost of the mountain : an expedition among snow leopards in Mongolia Sy Montgomery
Rating: ★★★|| Genre: Nonfiction || Age group: Middle grade
This book was mildly entertaining. I read it for school, but it was pretty good.
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Rating: ★★★★★ || Genre: Dystopian || Age group: YA
I absolutely loved Divergent. You can check out my full review here.
1968: Today’s Authors Explore a Year of Rebellion, Revolution and Change edited by Marc Aaronson
Rating: ★★★★★|| Genre: Nonfiction || Age group: YA
I got this book because we were learning about similar events in school, but I read it for fun. I’ve loved all of the books that I’ve read by Marc Aaronson, and this one definitely lived up to his standards.
Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth
Rating: ★★★★|| Genre: Sci Fi || Age group: YA
It definitely wasn’t as good as Divergent, which I expected, but it was an entertaining mix of Sci Fi and Fantasy.
The Fates Divide by Veronica Roth
Rating: ★★★ || Genre: Sci Fi || Age group: YA
It wasn’t as good as Carve the Mark, but I didn’t hate it.
Amelia lost : the life and disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming
Rating: ★★★ || Genre: Nonfiction || Age group: Middle Grade
This book was okay. I learned more specifics about Amelia Earhart’s life, which was interesting.
The books that I read in April were generally not super interesting, though I did read some good ones such as Divergent and One of Us is Lying. I read a total of ten books this month, which is a descent amount.
May
Because I read a total of 18 books this month, I won’t write what I thought about all of them, just the ones that I have specific opinions about.
Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Rating: ★★★★ || Genre: Dystopian || Age group: YA
Allegiant by Veronica Roth
Rating: ★★★ || Genre: Dystopian || Age group: YA
I still enjoyed the other two Divergent books, but they weren’t as good.
Four: A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth
Rating: ★★★ || Genre: Dystopian || Age group: YA
It was interesting learning more about Four’s life and seeing things through his POV.
Timeless: Diego and the Rangers of the Vastlantic by Armand Baltazar
Rating: ★★ || Genre: Fantasy || Age group: Middle Grade
This is not my type of fantasy, and I didn’t really enjoy it, but I read it for my book club. I probably wouldn’t have read it otherwise, but it’s good to try new things (sorry for being so judgmental, M, if you’re reading this).
Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina by Michaela DePrince
Rating: ★★★★★ || Genre: Nonfiction Autobiography || Age group: YA
Though I am not interested in ballet, this book was really inspiring in many other ways. It is incredible how she endured and became an amazing ballerina despite all of the things in her way. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
City Spies: Golden Gate by James Ponti
Rating: ★★★★ || Genre: Adventure || Age group: Middle grade
Hard Times by Charles Dickens
Rating: ★★★★ || Genre: Classic || Age group: Adult
The Diary of a Young Girl
Rating: ★★★ .5 || Genre: Nonfiction Autobiography || Age group: YA
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Rating: ★★★★.5 || Genre: Classic || Age group: Adult
I liked Wuthering Heights, but the weird thing is that there’s not much actually going on. There’s slight family drama, but there’s a lot of times where they’re just doing nothing or contemplating life. It was really entertaining and a must read classic.
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
Rating: ★★★ || Genre: Classic || Age group: Adult
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
Rating: ★★★ || Genre: Classic/Mystery || Age group: Adult
If you’re into Victorian mysteries, you will probably like this book. I like Victorian mysteries, and I decided I would read it because it’s sometimes called the first true mystery. The one thing that I didn’t like was that it is very slow, which is to be expected of Victorian mysteries. If you are interested in Victorian mysteries, I would suggest starting with short stories and building up to novels, because they take a lot of endurance.
A Tyranny of Petticoats by Jessica Spotswood
Rating: ★★★★ .5 || Genre: Historical Fiction anthology || Age group: YA
This book was really entertaining and empowering, and I loved most of the stories in it.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Rating: ★★★★ || Genre: Fantasy || Age group: YA
You can check out my review here.
Olivia Twist by Lorie Langdon
Rating: ★★★★★ || Genre: Retelling || Age group: YA
Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer
Rating: ★★★★ || Genre: Realistic Fiction || Age group: YA
You can check out my review here.
The Chaos of Standing Still by Jessica Brody
Rating: ★★★★ || Genre: Realistic Fiction || Age group: YA
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
Rating: ★★★★★ || Genre: Fantasy || Age group: YA
I have been waiting for so long to read Caraval, and it was so worth it. It’s a really fun book with plenty of twists and turns.
Warcross by Marie Lu
Rating: ★★★★★ || Genre: Sci Fi || Age group
I have heard so many good things about Marie Lu, and funnily enough, Warcross was my first book of hers to read, and it’s not her most popular book. I absolutely loved it, and the plot twist at the end is perfect. I can’t wait to read the sequel.
I read a lot of good books in May, and I’m really glad that I was able to read eighteen books.
June
Because I read twenty books in June, I will not be specifically talking about every book, just the ones that stuck out to me for some reason or another.
Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman
Rating: ★★★★ || Genre: Realistic Fiction || Age group: YA
This was my first book of Akemi Dawn Bowman’s, and I loved it. I can’t wait to explore some of her other works.
I Am Still Alive by Alice Kate Marshall
Rating: ★★ || Genre: Thriller || Age group: YA
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
Rating: ★★.5 || Genre: Historical Fiction || Age group: YA
This did not live up to my expectations at all.
The Wicked King by Holly Black
Rating: ★★★★★ || Genre: Fantasy || Age group: YA
For some reason, I enjoyed this more than The Cruel Prince.
The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
Rating: ★★★★ || Genre: Fantasy || Age group: YA
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
Rating: ★★★.5 || Genre: Retelling || Age group: YA
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Rating: ★★★★★ || Genre: Mystery || Age group: YA
I loved this book! It was hilarious and the mystery was very interesting. It was like an upscaled version of The Westing Game, The Greenglass House, or Winterhouse. Definitely read it if you liked those or if you just like mysteries that are on the lighter side.
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
Rating: ★★★★★ || Genre: Mystery || Age group: YA
Definitely fulfilled my expectations. It was the kind of mystery that is there all along, and is subtly unfolding behind your back.
Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson
Rating: ★★★ || Genre: Mystery || Age group: YA
Definitely not as good as A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, but still good. There was less of Ravi, which was disappointing.
One of Us is Next by Karen M. McManus
Rating: ★★★★ || Genre: Mystery || Age group: YA
Not as good as One of Us is Lying, but it comes pretty close.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Rating: ★★★ || Genre: Fantasy || Age group: YA
Not as good (in my opinion) as everyone makes it out to be.
Mortal Danger by Ann Aguire
Rating: ★★★ || Genre: Fantasy || Age group: YA
I don’t really know what to make of this one.
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh
Rating: ★★★★ || Genre: Retelling || Age group: YA
Legendary by Stephanie Garber
Rating: ★★★ || Genre: Fantasy || Age group: YA
Finale by Stephanie Garber
Rating: ★★★ || Genre: Fantasy || Age group: YA
This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab
Rating: ★★★★ || Genre: Fantasy || Age group: YA
The Vanishing Staircase by Maureen Johnson
Rating: ★★★★★ || Genre: Mystery || Age group: YA
The Hand on the Wall by Maureen Johnson
Rating: ★★★★★ || Genre: Mystery || Age group: YA
The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Rating: ★★★.5 || Genre: Mystery || Age group: YA
Harley in the Sky by Akemi Dawn Bowman
Rating: ★★★★ || Genre: Realistic Fiction || Age group: YA
I was devouring books all month and it felt so good to reach twenty in one month.
Total books read
I read 48 books this quarter. It feels so good to just read now that school’s out.
Posts
I did 17 posts this quarter, which is a good number, it was just lower because of my hiatus.
Reviews: I wrote four reviews this quarter, which is okay, but I still want to do more.
When Shadows Come to Light: I finished When Shadows Come to Light! I’m really satisfied with how it turned out.
Tags: I did one tag this quarter, which I think is okay.
Top Posts
The top three posts for this quarter:
I hope you enjoyed this quarter wrap up. Have you read any of the books that I mentioned? Let me know your favorite in the comments!
Book Bliss 