June 2021 | What I’ve been reading
June has seen the arrival of audiobooks in my life. At the time of writing, I am starting my second ever audiobook, having finished my first this month. Honestly, it’s been a little life changing. I have to admit, I have thoroughly enjoyed starting this audiobook journey, listening to the book whilst sorting laundry or making the beds, and on my daily school run when I don’t have the kids, or I’m not running (I just can’t do running and an audiobook, that has to be music).
I feel like I have my reading jive back a bit, with 5 books completed, and another three started at the end of the month, which will start my July reading off very nicely indeed.
We’re also halfway through the year, and I’m over halfway through my reading challenge. I’ve set myself the target of 60 books, and as it stands I’m on 34 books (although my Goodreads says 33 as Red Queen just does not want to show in my read list). Just got to keep the momentum going.
1 | Six of Crows | Leigh Bardugo
4/5 stars | A reread, as I read this duology back in 2019 I believe. I really loved this book, and actually enjoyed it more this time around, perhaps in part due to the Netflix series. The casting was exactly on point, and this reread really highlighted that again. This heist story is so good, and very original. The characters are brilliant, each with great individual backstories, and the development of the relationships is just perfect. I am the biggest fan of Jesper Fahey, and to be honest Kaz Brekker, though I think I like him better on the show. I like how the narrative switches between each of the characters so you get a really rich, multi-placed view of the story. The plot is as good as the characters making it unputtdownable.
2 | Glass Sword | Victoria Aveyard
3/5 stars | I didn’t love this book I have to admit. The follow on from Red Queen, I felt like this book is a bit too much filler, and the plot is just a bit lost. I know it’s going somewhere, and the ending was good and certainly helps redeem the story, but it felt like it was a bit dragged out. I’m still not a huge fan of Mare, and really missed Maven from this book. Cal is OK, but frustrating. The introduction of new characters is welcome, but they don’t quite have the banter that I love in friendship stories. The plot is decent enough, with a gripping prison escape that I did really enjoy, but mostly the plot felt a bit plodding.
3 | Last Tang Standing | Lauren Ho
3/5 stars | My first book club read as part of Beth’s Book Club. This is absolutely not a book I would have picked up ordinarily I have to admit but I did quite enjoy it, especially as something a bit different, which is helpful when you’re reading multiple books at one time.
This book reads like an Asian Bridget Jone’s Diary meets Suits. I really liked the diary format to be honest which I haven’t read in some time due to the type of books I generally read. It’s a light-hearted, contemporary fiction, following Andrea Tang and her life, mostly her work and love life. She’s an associate lawyer in her 30’s under pressure from her family to find a man. In some places it is a tad predictable, but I didn’t really mind that. It worked with the story. It felt very realistic and just an easy read that would be perfect for a holiday or break when you don’t want anything too heavy. My only real dislike was the amount of alcohol and binge drinking references, but I think that’s just a personal trigger to me alone.
4 | Crooked Kingdom | Leigh Bardugo
5/5 stars | Absolutely loved this reread. This is the story of revenge after the heist. The characters are even further developed and connected to each other, the friendships strengthened from book one, and just a great book. I loved the introduction of the Ravkan’s from Shadow and Bone, which cleverly interlinks the books. I love the little bit of romantic love that is incredibly slow burn, and frankly barely flickers with flame, but has you begging for more. I adore the diversity in this series, and how the characters change just enough to be realistic. And the schemes are clever and leave you clinging to the pages. Of course, to earn 5 stars, this book did make me cry, which has been a little while I think. Just absolutely loved this book more than I did before, and this duology has moved very high up on my recommended reading list.
5 | Mythos | Stephen Fry
4.5/5 stars | Audiobook | My first audiobook! I’ve actually had this in audible for a really long time, and just never got round to listening. The regrets. I loved listening to this book. Narrated by Stephen Fry, this book is a collection of retellings of the Greek Myths, starting from the very beginning of Mythology and the creation of the primordial deities, moving through time to the Gods and Goddesses that we mostly associate with the Ancient Greeks.
I’ve always loved the Greek Myths, and thoroughly enjoyed this light education. Stephen Fry retells the stories well and engagingly, peppering the stories with fact and linking the tales to modern language and witty comments that make the book feel very much like its author. It runs the line of being educational and entertaining. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend for Greek Myth lovers.
A note that this audiobook appears to be only available on Audible.
Read my previous 2021 book reviews below: