February is over and March has begun, and in truth this week has been kind of miserable. This is mainly due to the awful weather California has been having (at least my part of California) in which I, as someone who didn’t think to buy an umbrella, got caught in the rain multiple times as I walked to and from work. I didn’t move back home from Maine to deal with snow, rain, and hail, thank you very much Mother Nature!

Anyway.

I’ve gotten some reading done, though I didn’t finish nearly as many books as I’d have liked. I’ve been in a bit of a slump, I think, but I’ve fortunately been able to spend much of this weekend reading. And, as an added excited note (which I will also likely discuss later), Gotham has returned!! I haven’t seen the new episode just yet, but it’s on the schedule for this evening after dinner (mainly because I’m not allowed to watch it without the boyfriend 🤗) and I’m incredibly excited about that!

On to the updates:

We started March’s Readalong this week, so if you haven’t gotten yourself a copy of Everless, by Sara Harding please do so soon! Whether it’s borrowed from a friend or a library or you’ve bought it yourself, the only rule for the readalongs is that you read the book with me. You don’t have to finish it, of course, if there is any reason that you can’t from not having the time or deciding you just don’t like the book, but if you want to be eligible for the 3 extra entries in the end of month giveaway, you have to at least start reading and comment on one of the Readalong posts, which can all be found on the Read With Me! page at the top of my blog.

Speaking of giveaways, there is currently one going from last month’s readalong. Rules for entering are pretty simple, it’s a rafflecopter giveaway and you’ll find all the entry possibilities there. It is open internationally, though winners outside of the U.S. will be addressed on a case by case basis in terms of shipping costs. I will definitely try to work with winners to get them a physical copy, but in cases where that is impossible, I am willing to buy both options in ebook format instead. If you’re interested, feel free to check out the giveaway post here.

Books I’ve read:

I finally got around to reading Holes by Louis Sachar, which has been on my to-read list basically since the movie came out. I’m really glad that I finally got around to it, because honestly it’s about time. This book was about what I expected and brilliantly handled in its transition from novel to film. There were very few changes and the ones that did exist were done tastefully and exceptionally well. Naturally, my opinion of the book is about the same as my opinion of the movie because of this. I thought it was great. And I have all the love in the world for Sam and Kate. Honestly, their love story is so devastatingly tragic (a much better tragedy than Romeo and Juliet, tbh — when I reference the greatest tragic love story of all time, I shall now name Sam and Kate). 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Ugh, why did Spelled by Betsy Schow have to be so disappointing? I was really excited to read this one, but I found myself cringing way to often. The romance was disgusting, truthfully, largely in part due to the fact that Kato is just so deeply unlikeable from the start and Dorothea is even worse. Add in the forced engagement and some other rather disturbing moments that basically attack the main character’s autonomy (even if she is an awful spoiled brat and only barely manages to redeem herself), the unbelievable plot pieces, and the overall ridiculous and I just couldn’t do it. It’s a classic case of wasted potential. 🌟🌟

But the week was saved with an oh my Godric, bloody brilliant novella called Queen Song that ultimately left me wishing the original book had just been about Queen Coriane. Now, I’ll say this right now, Queen Song is DARK. It’s this demonic little thing that attacks you right in your mind where you’d think that you’re safe. I was blown away. The novella starts off pretty unassuming, but is interesting enough in the beginning. It’s only when you get to the end that you realize just how devilishly clever it is. My only complaint is the fact that I needed more. And frankly, it leaves something to be desired and explained as far as Julian’s knowledge of his sister’s death goes. But honestly, bravo. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Reviews from this week:

Crystal Storm [by Morgan Rhodes] (Book Review #43)

End of the Last Great Kingdom [by Victor Rose] (Book Review #44)

Last minute thoughts:

I usually like to take a moment here to admit to some of my thoughts and feelings on what’s happening in the world around us here, and in truth I always feel there’s something important to be discussed. Currently, however, I’m rather upset and sick at the world for being filled with such shitty people, and as such I don’t think I have the ability to write about it right now.

In the end, I’ve decided to just mention two things. First is that if you haven’t heard about Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and his ludicrous attempt to stop the elections so that Republicans aren’t voted out of office, you should read up on it. I think it highlights some important things about our country. Second, if you haven’t read Dhonielle Clayton’s comments regarding diversity in reviewers, you should read that, too. The thread can be found on her twitter.

As always, happy reading everyone! I hope you have a great weekend.

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