#your friendly neighborhood bibliophile
I cross-posted my reviews of everything I read January through May to Goodreads in case you missed them! (You can find my Goodreads linked in my bio.)
Albertine, NYC
Je suis allé à NYC ce week-end et j'ai visité l’Albertine, une librairie française établie par l’ambassade de France. C’était la plus belle librairie que j’ai jamais visitée! J’ai acheté Arrête avec tes mensonges de Philippe Besson et Les fiancés de l’hiver de Christelle Dabos.
I went to NYC this weekend and visited the Albertine, a French bookstore established by the French embassy. It was the prettiest bookstore that I have ever visited! I bought Lie With Me by Philippe Besson and A Winter’s Promise by Christelle Dabos.
May Monthly Reading Wrap-Up
I read four books this month. ✨
1. The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood — ★ 5/5 stars ★
2. Winter’s Orbit, Everina Maxwell — ★ 4.5/5 stars ★
3. The Darkness Outside Us, Eliot Schrefer — ★ 5/5 stars ★
4. The Charm Offensive, Alice Cochrun — ★ 4/5 stars ★
Happy Pride! Today is also the one year anniversary of this blog! In honor of the occasion, I updated the web version, so it’s acceptable — or at the very least, tolerable — for those of you who use tumblr web. <3
We also reached 500+ followers this month! Welcome to those of you who are new. My asks are always open, so don’t hesitate to leave me an ask or comment. <3
Keep reading for my unsolicited opinion on what I read this month.
Like the last months, I wasn’t able to use the “Keep reading” feature without it duplicating or outright deleting my reviews, so I apologize in advance for the lengthy post. <3
2. Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell
Winter’s Orbit had galactic politics, mystery, and, of course, romance. It had all of my favorite tropes: queer arranged marriage, gruding allies to lovers, only one bed, and forced proximity. Kiem and Taam’s relationship was full of angst and misunderstanding, but contained surprising depth. Although the mystery was not as complex as their relationship, it provided the perfect backdrop for these grudging allies to fall in love.
3. The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer
I picked up The Darkness Outside Us for the slow burn enemies to lovers romance — which it delivered! — but I stayed for the spectacular science-fiction thriller. The mystery of their existence forces Ambrose and Kodiak to depend on one another in a brilliant depiction of human fragility, vulnerability, and intimacy. The Darkness Outside Us argues for the need for vulnerability and intimacy (in whatever form it should take, whether it be platonic, romantic, and/or sexual) in order to prevent insanity. It also argues that we should accept the inevitability of death as we must die in order for future generations to live. Ultimately, it is not a romance, thriller, or mystery, but a poignant portrayal of life, death, and the depth of human connection.
4. The Charm Offensive by Alice Cochrun
The Charm Offensive portrayed love after heartbreak, vulnerability, and intimacy. Dev and Charlie’s relationship felt incredibly real, despite the fact that it was set against the backdrop of a heavily-faked reality TV show. I appreciated the sensitive depiction of depression, anxiety, and OCD. I also appreciated the demisexual representation. Altogether, it was a wonderfully wholesome read.
Spring Scavenger Hunt
Thank you for the tag @therefugeofbooks,@maddiesbookshelves, and @theinquisitxor!
A book that starts with S: She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
A book with a bird on the cover: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
A book with an insect on the cover: I don’t own a book with an insect on the cover, so here’s a book with rabbits on the cover instead… Everyone in this Room Will Someday be Dead by Emily Austin
A book with flowers on the cover: Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon
A book that takes place during spring: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Tagging anyone else who wants to do this! (If you do, tag me!)
Reading The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun.
AAUW Book Haul: Part 3
I visited the local AAUW Used Book Sale where I bought 21 books! I divided my haul into 3 parts, so here are the last 7 books!
Pictured from top to bottom: Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas, The Ravens by Kass Morgan and Danielle Paige, My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh, Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey, The Inexplicable Logic of my Life by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan, and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins.
AAUW Book Haul: Part 2
I visited the local AAUW Used Book Sale where I bought 21 books! I divided my haul into 3 parts, so here are the next 6 books!
Pictured from top to bottom: Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys, Everyone in this Room Will Someday be Dead by Emily Austen, Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak, and The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.
