May 2021: Reading Wrap Up
May 2021: Reading Wrap Up
What a month! I can’t believe we’ve hit the middle of the year already?!?! What is happening! 😲 I can’t believe it. May was the month of romantasy, ARCs, and finishing the heck outta some books.
A quick sidebar: So I really enjoy running and I absolutely love when I finally and completely get into the zone and hit that runner high. Like, that feeling when you can’t get enough of the burn in your legs and in your lungs and feel like you could run forever and ever and ever. I LOVE that feeling. Coupled with your favorite workout playlist in your ears… that feeling is HEAVEN. So, I’m curious… Do you think there’s such a thing as reader’s high? 😂 I feel like I’ve been in the zone with consuming words and finishing books recently, and also like, I can’t get enough or stop lol.
This was kind of a big reading month for me. It was a bit abnormal, an above-average kind of month if you will. I’m not sure how or why.
But here’s what I do know.
I read a lot more when my anxiety flairs or when I’m feeling burned out or just need to be inside myself. My anxiety has been pretty high recently so reading has helped to tame the beast and keep me feeling ‘normal’. And while that’s really great, sometimes running from your anxiety or avoiding it like the plague isn’t the healthiest thing you can do for yourself. I played a bit of the comparison game this month in several areas of my life and I think at one point it all just caught up to me and yeah, I broke down and cried for a bit. …I did. And that’s okay.
I also know that I pushed myself a lot this month. To not only finish up some outstanding reads I had going but to also get to some ARCs in advance of release. I don’t typically put that kind of pressure or goal on myself, but I did this month and while it felt kinda good, it was also a little bit intense. I do feel really good about it at the end of the day, but looking back, I’m curious if it was worth it based on my mental fatigue. And honestly, I’m still just slightly shocked looking at all of these books together.
Another thing I do know, or just sorta feel like, is that I read faster on my e-reader (lol) and there were plenty of those types of reads this month. There were also a lot of romantasy (romance + fantasy) books and those I always devour for the high fantasy and steamy goodness and smut!
All that being said, I sometimes feel like I lose sight of the real reason I’m on bookstagram and get caught up in the sea of what I *think* I should be doing as a bookstagrammer. And you know what? There’s no one right way to do it. And my main reason for being in this space, first and foremost, is TO READ because I am a READER at heart. So, I think what I might partially be hoping for myself in the second half of this year is to get back to reading more FOR MYSELF. Not for who I think I need to be in this space, but just for me.
And while this may seem like an outrageous amount of books to have read in a month, please please please remember this: everyone’s reading months look different! And for a variety of different reasons! Don’t play the comparison game or try your very best not to - sometimes it can’t be helped, like in my case, so just feel through those feelings. Let them breathe. Then let them go. They are valid. You are valid. And you are amazing.
Never forget, reading 1 book is just as phenomenal as 7... or 8 or 9 or 10… or honestly, NONE.
🤍🤍🤍
ICYMI, May was Mental Health Awareness Month and I pulled together some online resources the other day when my friend Krysten (@ladyofbookshire) and I did a quick check-in with our bookstagram communities. You can check those out here and if you’d like to see the post on Instagram, here it is. You are not alone.
Now onto the books!
Blog Contents
The Books
Best of the Bunch
Stunning Series Spotlight
Diversity Breakdown
Currently Reading
Shop My Library
More Bookish Posts
The Books
1 // Hollow Heathens | ★★★★★
This was a very witchy read. Sixth Sense meets the town of Sleepy Hollow meets The Wicker Man or maybe the Scarecrow episode in s1 of Supernatural! Ghosts & spirits, witches & covens, a small secluded and eerie town set in Maine. A hauntingly atmospheric tale and dark romance. Hmmm hmmm, SO GOOD. Perrrfect Halloween vibes.
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐈𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 :
🖤 Witches, covens, and ghosts
🖤 Multiple POVs
🖤 Small, bewitching towns
🖤 Curses
🖤 Beauty + The Beast retellings (I don’t even know if this is right but it v much at times gave me these vibes!)
🖤 Dual timelines
🖤 Forbidden love (with an element of reincarnation)
🖤 Origin stories
🖤 A grumpy yet lovable gramps who likes to say things like, gigglemug 🥺
Steamometer: 🔥 - Oooh my, it’s so intense. The secret rendezvouses and hidden, dark places and that masked, broody Julian are hmm, hmm good.
Content Warnings: death of a family member, a brief time in a confined space, seeing ghosts
Diversity: ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽💚🎗
>> Check out my Instagram Post here <<
2 // A Touch of Malice | ★★★★★
This is the 3rd installment in the Hades x Persephone series and oh, oh, oh - if you love mythology retellings, steam, and romantasy, you neeeeeeeed to pick up this series ASAP, if you haven't already!
Malice is my newest favorite in the series, too, and I've been wondering - how can I describe a book or series that just feels like home when I'm reading it? How do I explain how much or even why I love that book or series as much as I do when it just feels like I'm where I belong when I read it?
It was pure joy being back in this world and story despite the heartache, the ups and downs, and rollercoaster of emotions Scarlett takes us on. Sephy is still badass but she’s now ultra badass. Hades is still so hawt and beyond everything. Hecate continues to be the bomb. And Hermes and now APOLLO are the ultimate BFFs and I sincerely love them to pieces.
Malice is action-packed and steamy and will keep you on the edge of your seat for the entire ride. You will NOT be prepared when it ends 😭 I was definitely not. How RUDE, Ms. St. Clair. And I’m already homesick for the Underworld. Counting down the minutes for the next book in Hades POV, A Game of Retribution!
Steamometer: 🥵 - Holy hotness. Just tie me up and do what you will, Hades.
Content Warnings: suicide references, scenes that contain sexual violence
Diversity: ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽🏳️🌈💚🎗✍🏽
Thank you to Scarlett for my advanced copy and for the privilege of being on your Street Team!
If you’re curious about the reading order for this series, check out the guides below! Personally, I’ve read the published books as such: ATOD, ATOR, AGOF, ATOM.
3 // Black Sunshine | ★★★★
Vamps and witches and magic, oh my! There's hawt steam bordering on monster smut and an intriguing backstory with an element of found family and enemies to lovers set in a modern yet eerie San Francisco. This book started out SO STRONG for me. I was loving Lenore’s character and finding out about her and her life and where she came from. The mysteriousness and dark atmosphere were also incredibly intriguing, but as I continued on, there were parts that, for me, fell a bit flat and where I just couldn’t follow the logic of some of the characters. But, overall, I really liked it and definitely want to continue the series.
Steamometer: 🥵 - Ooh my, Absolon… This was my first experience with anything bordering on monster smut and I was not mad about it.
Content Warnings: steamy smut with a scene that may border on MMF.
Diversity: ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽🏳️🌈
>> Check out my Instagram Post here <<
4 // Kiss The Fae | ★★★★
"𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭."
I enjoyed this read so much! Fae stories always feel so fresh and light and bright to me. I think it must be their typical association with music and nature and animals, and Kiss The Fae was no exception. I was so excited for a new #romantasy and this one did not disappoint! We follow Lark as she ends up in a fight for her and her sister's lives in the Faerie lands of her world, and where she stumbles upon Cerulean, who is not who he seems! Lark is a fierce heroine. She's snarky and protective and strong and determined and a little provocative and I am here for allllllll of it. I loved her wild, untamed, and free spirit. Her relationship with her two sisters was one of my favorite parts of this story, and Cerulean stoooole my heart!
There were times where I felt the writing and story itself were just a bit dense, but overall not too shabby!
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐈𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 :
✨ Fae & Faerie Folk
✨ Sisterly Banter
✨ A Wise Papa
✨ Magical Animal Sanctuaries
✨ Found Family
✨ Heroines with a signature weapon
✨ Heroines tasked with a trial
✨ Forbidden Lands
✨ Slow burn, fated mates romance (with steam and a backstory!)
✨ Enemies to Lovers / Forbidden Love
✨ Adult Romantasy
Oh, and the steam is pretty hawt, but it’s a slow burn! This series is also available on Kindle Unlimited!!
Steamometer: 🥵- Holy moly, there’s a fae that is slightly reminiscent of Rhys and oh, the wind is also involved.
Content Warnings: smutty sex scenes
Diversity: ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽
Thank you to the author and MTMC Tours for my copy!
>> Check out my Instagram Post here <<
5 // Hunt The Fae | ★★★★
Book 2, in the Vicious Faeries series, follows Juniper, one of Lark's sisters, as she embarks on her trial in The Solitary Forest and becomes entangled with the ruler of the faerie woodlands.
Juniper is a sassy bookish huntress who is determined and headstrong. While she's more adept at consuming knowledge and information, she begins embracing her softer side, finding spontaneity and a new way to look at the world during her time in The Solitary Forest. She’s willful, strong, and tough, doesn’t back down, and will not give up a fight. Her mind, along with her bow, is her weapon. And I also really enjoyed her story! Oh my and PUCK! 😏🔥 It follows a similar story structure as Kiss The Fae with Lark & Cerulean and there's even a crossover!
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐈𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 :
✨ Heroines with book smarts + sass
✨ Smartass fae males
✨ Trials in the form of a hunt
✨ Heavy banter
✨ Steeeeeam
✨ Fae, Flora + Fauna folk
✨ Slow burn romance with a backstory
✨ Enemies To Lovers / Forbidden Love
✨ Majestic Woodlands
✨ Tomes of Knowledge
✨ Heroines with a connection to a magical beast
✨ Story crossovers
✨ Adult Fantasy / Romantasy
Steamometer: 🥵- Well, they’re in a secluded forest aaaa lot, and Puck is known for his seductiveness, so let’s just say rabbits.
Content Warnings: smutty sex scenes
Diversity: ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽🏳️🌈
Thank you to the author and MTMC Tours for my copy!
>> Check out my Instagram Post here <<
6 // A Fate of Wrath & Flame | ★★★★★
You knoooow a book is about to be SO good when you gasp out loud on the first page of said book 🤣 This was me with A Fate of Wrath and Flame and it did not disappoint! I am hands down completely obsessed and ready for more.
ALSO. Tucker x Fantasy?!?!?! The most amazing combination.
The world Tucker creates is haunting and somewhat dark yet fairytale-like with medieval vibes to boot. It's 1000% my kind of story and fantasy world. Be ready for fates, elemental magic, other realms, elven, and immortals... with lots of twists. At times, I was getting Beauty and the Beast vibes. At others, I was getting essence of moonchild. Obsessed. Plus a backstory and brief POV shifts. Checking all my fantasy story boxes and MORE.
This was such an amazing debut into an epic fantasy and romance tale. The tantalizing slow burn is SO WORTH IT. Tucker’s writing is ever addicting and all-consuming. It fully encapsulated my mind and entire being. At every turn of the page, I was enthralled and greedily devouring her words as she continued to build up and up and up.
And just when you think you’ve gotten all the world-building bits in order and classified 💥 SURPRISE 💥 THERE’S MORE... literally til the end of the book. The endless possibilities in this world have me hooked! Zander and Romy are 🔥 and I am still dyyyying for more. I already want to reread it. And I think I most definitely have a book hangover. Can't wait for book 2!
Steamometer: 🔥 🛁 👗 - There’s a whole new meaning to enjoying a nice soak in the tub.
Content Warnings: some killing, death, and battle scenes plus off-screen ritualization
Diversity: ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽
Thank you to the author and Valentine PR for my advanced copy!
>> Check out my Instagram Post here <<
7 // Obsidio | ★★★★★
A wonderful conclusion to a wonderful sci-fi fantasy series (The Illuminae Files)! I loved the squad of characters so much and the story itself was just as amazing. It was lively and snarky and also slightly terrifying and pretty cool all at the same time. There were a lot of gasping and holy shit moments and Nik is 10000% my favorite. Kady and Hanna are also pretty badass. Ella is the real MVP. And okay FINE. Ezra is the cutest. Oh, and I’m still slightly terrified of AIDAN 😂😳 The book concepts are also SO unique, too. I tried immersive reading with this series and it made the whole reading experience EVEN. BETTER!
Steamometer: 💃🏼🌶 - So, it’s clean, but it’s reeeeeally actually still very spicy. Like in a really snarky, innuendo sense and it was just the best.
Content Warnings: grief from death of a family member, killing and death
Diversity: ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽🏳️🌈💚🎗co-👨🏻
>> Check out my Instagram Post and immersive reading experience here <<
8 // An Emotion of Great Delight | ★★★★★
This story is “a searing look into the world of a single Muslim family in the wake of 9/11. It's about a child of immigrants forging a blurry identity, falling in love, and finding hope- in the midst of a modern war.” I found it heartbreaking and devastating yet incredibly beautiful and filled with so much hope. Mafi’s writing continues to be poetic and lyrical with subtle notes of humor and hands down beautifully written prose. I read this in one sitting!
Steamometer: ❤️- Beautifully sweet and wholesome, but definitely intense.
Content Warnings: racism/microaggressions, self-harm, friendship break up/estrangement, events after 9/11, death of a family member, car accident, drunk driving
Diversity: ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽💚🎗✍🏽
>> Check out my Instagram Post here <<
9 // Ignite Me | ★★★★★
Mafi quickly became my comfort author this month. With my anxiety running high, something about her lyrical and poetic prose and her attention to mental and emotional health really came through for me. Ignite Me was no exception to this! Book 3 in the Shatter Me series, I am just absolutely LOVING where this story is going. I read this in 24 hours while recovering from my second shot of COVID. It was the perfect way to disconnect from reality and being back with Juliette and Warner was just the best. And oh my gosh, Kenji and Juliette’s friendship was one of the besttt things about Ignite Me!
Steamometer: 💃🏼🌶- Beautifully angsty, a little bit spicy, and definitely intense in the best way possible.
Content Warnings: trauma, grief, PTSD, panic attacks
Diversity: ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽💚🎗✍🏽
>> Check out my Instagram Post here <<
10 // Restore Me | ★★★★★
Holy crap 🤯 I loved this installment so much. Book 4 in the Shatter Me series and just… WOW. This series really has just taken off and I’m really loving the overall direction of where everyone and everything is headed! I had several ‘GASP’ moments in this one and I was definitely stressed. We meet a whole new set of characters that gives us huge insight into the dystopian, apocalyptic world of Shatter Me! So good.
Steamometer: 💃🏼🌶- Still angsty. Still intense. And still beautiful.
Content Warnings: trauma, grief, PTSD, panic attacks
Diversity: ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽💚🎗✍🏽
𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 | A Fate of Wrath & Flame
Click book cover to purchase.
𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 | The Illuminae Files
Diversity Key
✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽 characters of color
✍🏿✍🏾✍🏽 written by a BlPOC author
👨🏼👨🏻👨🏾 written by a male author
🏳️🌈 LGBTQIA+ characters
💚🎗mental health awareness
So, again, I’ll say, what a month!
From immersing myself in galaxies far, far away to getting lost in new fantasy worlds and loving some good romantasy, May was a killer reading month overall. It was a little tough mentally and somewhat stressful physically with having side effects from my 2nd COVID shot and generally just having more intense anxious moments. But, that’s okay! I love feeling full and brimming with life despite the hard and tough moments. I am definitely ready to unwind and hang with some book besties this weekend, though! Excuse me while I continue packing and prepping for a book party extravaganzaaa. Until next time! Xoxo.
Currently Reading
Shop My Library
Disclaimer: Hey friend. I wanted you to know that this post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission should you chose to sign up for a program or make a purchase using my link. I don't want you to worry because I only recommend tools and products that I personally use and love and I always have my readers' best interest at heart. Thanks for hangin' with me!
Oh hey, friend!
I’m Leah. Cozy connoisseur and bountiful book buyer. I have a minor obsession with getting lost in the pages of a good book, guzzling coffee, and thriving at home. Yoga pants, wine, and essential oils are also my jam. I'm truly just a homebody at heart with a knack for content creation, flatlays & cozy shots. This is my creative space.
