It’s that time of the month…
I had a great balance of activities in May. Read a decent amount, completed a few bigger crochet projects, made decent headway on a story I’m writing, and started a new job! Plus, summer has finally arrived, and I couldn’t be happier for the sunny weather.
Read on for my monthly wrap-up!
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bookish things
stats
- Total books: 6 books and 1 novella read, 1 DNF
- Total pages: 3,044 pages
- Longest book: A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas
- Shortest book: The Hope of Elantris by Brandon Sanderson (novella)
- Favorite book: Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
- Least favorite book: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
mini reviews
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas: ★★★ 1/2
I was disappointed with this one. I will always love Feyre and Rhys, but this conclusion to their story really fell flat for me. I didn’t really like the plot, the ending, or the writing.
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh: ★★★★
I liked this! It was a solid YA read–which I think is both a compliment and a complaint. The writing was good, the romance was sweet, and most of the characters were nicely crafted. I’m planning to read the sequel in June.
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson: ★★★★ 1/2
My last (adult) Sanderson book–of COURSE I loved it. It took me a little longer to get into this one, as it’s more heavily focused on religion and I didn’t enjoy Hrathen’s chapters as much. But eventually I was totally sucked into Raoden and Sarene’s story. I didn’t want it to end!
The Hope of Elantris by Brandon Sanderson: ★★★★★
A very sweet (and short!) novella that felt like a sentimental epilogue to Elantris. Loved it.
The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1) by Rick Riordan: ★★★★
This was fun! Riordan has his book formula down pat, and yet he manages to make each book full of new adventures and diverse characters. I think maybe I’ve outgrown these books, but they’re fun to read when the mood strikes.
This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab: ★★★★
This one was different yet more than I expected. The more I sit on it and think about it, the more I think I really liked it–especially my newest book boyfriend, August. *heart eyes* However, I did have some issues with the ending and overall pacing.
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover: ★★
Blegh. Didn’t enjoy this one, but I can see how others might. It was the entertainment I needed at the time, but it’s the kind of contemporary I can never seem to enjoy at all. Not to mention it’s all about domestic abuse, which I was completely clueless about before I started reading.
DNFed
The Heartbeats of Wing Jones by Katherine Webber
I’d read a few good reviews about this one, but by about 30 pages in, I had to set it down again. I didn’t love the characters, and the setting was too high school for me. And again–contemporary (even with a touch of magical realism–though I’m not entirely sure if this book has that or not) just isn’t doing anything for me at the moment.
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crafty things
I was busy with crochet this month! Baby blankets are too fun to make. I know of a few expectant moms through my friends and sisters, so I might get commissioned to make a blanket or two in the next few months. These blankets ended up being great practice! Plus, I am still definitely a novice but my finished products don’t come out looking too shabby, do they?
completed
- peachy ripple baby blanket (above left)
- teal icicle stitch baby blanket (above right)
- set of 6 gray hexagon coasters for my sister
in progress
- hexagon blanket-turned pillow cover — I’m lazy and procrastinating on this
- body pillow cover — somehow ended up extremely messy, but it’s going
- chevron gray and maroon afghan for my sister — chipping away at this daily!
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bloggish things
- top 5 wednesday–favorite minor characters
- awesome book moms…do they exist?
- book review | a court of wings and ruin by sarah j maas
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How was your month of May? What was your favorite book you read or crafty thing you made?
Until next time,
Brianne