We’re halfway through the year (even if it might not seem like it) so it’s time to review the goals I set at the beginning of the year. I set my Goodreads Reading Challenge at 30 with the intention to read more physical chonkers that are weighing down my shelves. I didn’t actually read that many chonkers, but I did read a lot. 73 books! This includes mangas and comics as well, but I crushed my Goodreads Reading Challenge at least. I upped it to 100 now and I think I’ll get there. That’s only 27 more books and I have a few more ARCs I have to finish soon too.
Even with 73 books finished I only have 19 chonker points since I don’t count the manga and comics towards the goal. If I want to get to fifty, I’m going to have to read bigger books, or faster. Looking at my page count, 2020 has a clear lead over all previous years. My previous max was around thirteen thousand, now it’s fifteen thousand already. And it’s going to be more. So at least my goal of reading more page is met.
Best reads
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
There were three books that stood out to me. (There is a fourth but I’m not going to talk about for reasons.) Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is my absolute top book this year. Even if I don’t read horror or gothic stories that much, this one blew me away. It devoured me. It’s creepy, it made me feel uncomfortable, I was rooting for Noemi, condemning the horrible man.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who dares to read it. Maybe don’t read it before bed times. It came out June 30th, so it’s pretty new too!
Read my spoiler free here but be aware content warning apply. I haven’t mentioned them as it might be spoiler.
Moontangled by Stephanie Burgis
On the total opposite site, there is Moontangled by Stephanie Burgis. A beautiful f/f fantasy romance story which made me tear up multiple times. Juliana and Caroline are so adorable together and I cheered them on from the first time I met them in one of the previous books.
Moontangled is part of the Harwood Spellbook series but all of the books are standalone. It’s a feel-good series which is perfect to relax with during these stressing times. Also, this might be one of my favourite covers of the books I read this year. Ravven is such a talented artist.
Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Gods of Jade and Shadow also by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is the midway point between the two previous books. A lovely romance in between a dark setting with death and abuse. It’s during the 1920s in Mexico and is heavily flavoured with Aztec mythology as the male lead is Hun-Kame, one of the Mayan death gods.
After reading these two books, I can say I’m a fan of Moreno-Garcia’s writing. I absolutely love her style and creativity. More books by here are on my TBR.
The full review is coming soon.
Other books I’ve read
The complete Wicca-series by Cate Tiernan (15 books)
Wicked As You Wish by Rin Chupeco (review coming soon)
The Wrongful Death by Kenneth B. Andersen
The Die of Death by Kenneth B. Andersen
Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black
Magic Unleashed by Devri Walls
Son of Secrets by N. J. Simmonds
Kingshold by D. P. Wolliscroft
Rise of Gaia by Kristin Ward
The Black Tides of Heaven by JY (Neon) Yang (review coming soon)
The Cake Fairies by Isabella May
Self-editing For Fiction Writers by Renni Browne & Dave King
ARCs
Of Dragons, Feasts and Murder by Aliette de Bodard (review scheduled for next week)
The Music The Stars Sand by T.L. Cervantes
Manga & comics
Beck Vol 1 – 36
Love Hina Omnibus 1
The Fox and the Tanuki Vol 1 (ARC)
Cagaster Vol 1 (ARC)
Don’t Call Me Daddy Vol 1 (ARC)
Kakushigoto: My Dad’s Secret Ambition Vol 1 (ARC)
Cat’s Cafe (ARC)
Wheel of Time Vol 1
