I threw my reading plans off this month because hello MOOD last week. As I explain below for WWW Wednesday, one of my reads was a dystopian fiction. Because apparently I just need to immerse myself in it. Anyway. I’m back on track now. I read a few SFINCS novellas this past week. And I started an ARC on my November TBR.
WWW Wednesday was revived and hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. The idea is to answer the three questions below and leave a link to your post in the comments for others to look at. No blog? No problem! Just leave a comment with your responses.
What are you currently reading?
What have you just finished reading?
What are you going to read next?
Currently Reading
THE SCHOLAR AND THE LAST FAERIE DOOR by H.G. Parry: I’m finally reading my ARC of this book! Although I’m only 11% into the story, so far I like it. I don’t really have an idea of what will happen, but I’m happy to go with the flow. It’s “a mythic, magical tale full of secret scholarship, faerie curses, and the deadliest spells of all–the ones that friends cast on each other.“
THE EMPEROR AND THE ENDLESS PALACE by Justinian Huang: While I haven’t touched this in a week, technically I’m still reading it. Now that I’m back from a short trip I’ll probably start listening to it again. So far I have no complaints. “Across these seemingly unrelated timelines woven together only by the twists and turns of fate, two men are reborn, lifetime after lifetime.”
Recently Finished
A PRINCESS OF OLDIR by Bryan Wilson: As I said last week, this SFINCS novella is part of my November and SciFi Month TBR. This was an interesting sci-fi novella, if a little predictable. But I didn’t feel like I needed to have first read any of the other books in the series, so that was good. If I get my act together I might write a review for it for SciFi Month.
THE AUCTION by Elci North: Due to the recent news in the U.S., I was not in a good mood. Rather than find something fluffy to read, I instead turned to dystopian fiction. I bought this a while ago and it just seemed right for me to read. Anyway, it takes place in a near-future Earth where U.S. society has been brainwashed to auction off babies to make the government money due to a series of prior economic events. Women basically have no rights. They can’t work if they’re pregnant or until their children reach 18 years of age. If they disobey they’re sent to pregnancy prison. And so on and so forth. So, obviously, fair warning if anyone wants to read this self-published novel.
THE TIDELINGS OF DRAS SAYVE by C.B. Lansdell: This is another SFINCS novella. I started and finished this on my flight back home. It’s a sci-fi novella where the main character returns to find someone else to mentor. The writing is fine, but I think I would’ve gotten more out of the story if I’d read the associated books first.
THE LAST ONE by Rachel Howzell Hall: This is an ARC that I DNF. I really wanted to like it based on the premise. I read ~150 pages of this ~500-page book, which I think is a fair shot, and decided life is too short. The writing style from the first person POV just wasn’t working for me, among other things. I plan to write an actual review for this one, so more thoughts coming soon. “Thrown into a desolate land of sickness and unnatural beasts, Kai wakes in the woods with no idea who she is or how she got there. All she knows is that if she cannot reach the Sea of Devour, even this hellscape will get worse.”
Reading Next
Honestly, I’m not sure. While I do want to read SEA OF TRANQUILITY for SciFi Month, I should probably read a couple more SFINCS novellas since the deadline for round 1 looms. I’m also behind on ARCs. However, I do know my next audiobook will be THE TRUTHS WE HOLD by Kamala Harris.
I’m sad to hear about The Last One. I have an ARC of that as well. I probably won’t get to it until next month, so we’ll see what happens!
Yea, me too…the synopsis really intrigued me. 🙁
I haven’t read anything by H G Parry but I keep seeing good reviews so maybe I ought to give them a try
Yes, you should! Parry’s THE MAGICIAN’S DAUGHTER felt like a classic 90s fantasy, kind of like His Dark Materials or Sabriel vibes with respect to writing style.
I’ll add it to my January TBR😀
Thank you for reminding me that I own Harris’ audiobook. That’s gonna soothe some of my rage this week
You’re quite welcome! I hope it helps just a little bit with that simmering rage.
I’ve been seeing Parry’s book quite often over the last few days and it sounds awesome. I’d be keen to see your final thoughts on it before deciding whether or not to chuck it on the endless TBR! 🙂 I’m in a funky reading mood at the minute but I’ve been thinking that it might be time to pick up some novellas or maybe try some audiobooks to work my way out of the funk, lol. I hope you enjoy all your reads and enjoy the rest of your week, Celeste!
Sure thing! Since it’s an ARC I definitely plan to write a review for it. Novellas are a good way to get out of a funk…I really like that they’re so short. It makes me feel like I’m speed reading haha.
So nice you’re enjoying both of your current reads! I love it when a book includes a curse in shape or form. And you’ve read so much recently, wow!
Have fun with all of these and good luck with your next reads!
I’m glad I’m enjoying my current reads, too! I wish I hadn’t had to DNF an ARC, but not everything can work out with books. But I’m happy with what I’m reading now. I hope you have a good reading month!
It was a good decision, even if it was a tough one, and now you can focus on what you are actually enjoying, so good for you!