Books I read during May 2024
My focus this month was the Asian Readathon. (Something that is run by a very big youtuber, and I feel like is a pretty big event... but I don't see anyone else doing it at all. Weird. May is AAPI month, so it seems like a perfect time to stick in a few Asian books, so I tried.)
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros: The first in this very popular romantasy series where we meet our girl Violet as she is about join the riding school in order to be a dragon rider... that is if she passes all the tests and physical challenges.... alive. And stay away from the dude who is an enemy to her family. And that might be harder than staying alive. ⭐⭐⭐
Shine by Jessica Jung: The story of what it's like being a kpop trainee and dealing with all the rules and restrictions. And dealing with your family not believing in what you want. And dealing with falling in love with the most famous kpop star. Written by a former kpop star so it makes all the things more real since I'm sure it's based an many of her own experiences. ⭐⭐⭐
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer: A unique Beauty and the Beast retelling where our girl is kidnapped from the contemporary world and brought to this fantasy world with the hope she will fall in love with the prince. He's not currently a beast, but he will turn into one if the curse is not broken and kill her and everyone around her. Does she finally break the curse? ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Namjoo Cho: A strange little book about a girl who is going quite crazy at the beginning and then we flash back and relive her whole life to see what might be the cause. She has struggled at every turn with misogynistic attitudes from everyone around her. It's written with a very detached style that was sometimes okay and sometimes boring. But when you get to the end, it all seems to make sense in a very mind blowing way. ⭐⭐⭐
When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park: A middle grade bordering on YA book that tells the story of this Korean family during the Japanese occupation and then during WWII, and how they had to bow down to every whim of the Japanese government, but still somehow survive it all. Beautifully and simply told. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Heartstopper Vol 1 by Alice Oseman: The first book in this very popular graphic novel series about the romance between two high school boys. Everyone said it's a sweet story, and they were right. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi: The first in this YA fantasy series by one of my favorite authors, based on Persian mythology complete with a jinn main character. It also has a lot of Cinderella vibes. Our girl is jinn and there's a prophecy that she is destined to free her people and become their queen. But an encounter with the prince makes everyone VERY complicated and now neither one of them is sure about anything. Ah, this one is SOOO good and my favorite read of the month! Can't wait to have time for book two! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
And in case you are interested, here are some videos I uploaded to the channel this month:
Review for When My Name Was Keoko
Big Books I want to read during summer
Best and Worst Books from Book Club
Party Prepping for the 20th Anniversary for Book Club