Mt TBR Report: February 2020
Mar. 1st, 2020 08:00 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
calissaI thought February might be a bit down on the numbers, since it is a shorter month and I'd committed to tackling the monster Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell as part of the Tome Topple reading challenge. However, in the end, I read just as many books as in January.
Mt TBR @ 1 January 2020: 427
Mt TBR @ 31 January 2020: 416
Mt TBR @ 29 February 2020: 419
15. Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal. Historical fantasy, f/m romance. An accomplished glamourist and eldest daughter of a noble family finds herself obliged to interfere with her sister's love life and save the family honour. I found it a little too derivative in spots, and it didn't quite stick the landing for me. However, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. The magic fits the setting well, the romance was delightfully underplayed and I enjoyed that the relationship between the sisters was such an important part of the story.
16. To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers. A reread for LDUH book club.
17. The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag. A middle-grade fantasy graphic novel about a young boy called Aster from a family where men become shapeshifters and women become witches. Aster feels drawn to becoming a witch, much to the disapproval of his family. I don't think I was quite the right audience, as it read a little young for me... but I recognise that was its intention. And I felt it presented the nonsense of gendered roles in a way that was accessible for its intended audience.
18. Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke. Historical fantasy. Practical magic has been in abeyance in England for years, until two very different magicians emerge. This was a frustrating book. The worldbuilding was intriguing and it was just entertaining enough to keep me reading. However, I didn't find any of the characters particularly likeable--though they were relatively nuanced, which was nice. There weren't very many women and those present lacked agency. All in all, while I'm content to have read this giant tome, I won't be returning to it.
19. Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire. Fifth book in the Wayward Children series. Fantasy novella. Jack returns to school to collect reinforcements. While many of the Wayward Children novellas stand alone reasonably well, this was not one of them. I rather wish I'd gone back and reread the series first. However, I got the hang of it and found it an excellent instalment of the series. It adds some new detail to Jack's world and there were some developments with Cora that I found particularly interesting.
20. Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. A reread for LDUH book club.
21. Sea Foam and Silence: The Complete Collection by Lynn O'Connacht. A free verse retelling of The Little Mermaid. While the style wasn't exactly to my taste, I liked this queerplatonic reimagining. The last section of the title story was particularly endearing, with some warm relationships being developed.
22. Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold. First book in the Vorkosigan Saga. Science fiction. When the captain of an expeditionary force is captured by the commander of a notoriously war-like civilisation, she finds herself unexpectedly drawn to him. I listened to this on audio and it managed to suck me right in. Cordelia is wonderfully capable, both practical and compassionate. I also loved that the book was equal parts love story, science fiction and political drama. The sexual violence was a little disappointing, but on the whole well handled. I can see why this is such a beloved series.
23. A Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee. A young English lord embarks on a Grand Tour of Europe with his biracial best friend/secret crush and his sister. Things begin to go awry when he steals a trinket from a French lord. Monty is not the most likeable character, being self-centred and generally oblivious to the feelings and needs of others. It was nice to see him grow a bit better, but I had some trouble moving past that initial impression.
24. Half-Resurrection Blues by Daniel Jose Older. On a job for the Council of the Dead, Carlos discovers his target is partially resurrected, like himself. It starts him on a trail that uncovers the truth of his death. An interesting world, but the protagonist is a bit of a dick and his slavering over the love interest (whose brother he killed) was rather off-putting... though somewhat offset by said love interest not letting him off the hook for that and also being kind of a badass. Still, I don't think I'll follow up this series.
25. Heartstopper, Vol. 1 by Alice Oseman. A charming graphic novel about two high school boys who fall in love. There's a lot that's about respecting oneself and others here, and it's just so heartwarming. Although, the ending was a little gutting. I was glad to have the second volume close to hand.
26. Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho. Reread.
27. Heartstopper, Vol. 2 by Alice Oseman. Just as charming as the first volume.
28. After the Wedding by Courtney Milan. Historical romance. A former noblewoman and a biracial man posing as a valet are forced to marry after being caught in apparently compromising circumstances. Much like Heartstopper, this was a lot about respecting oneself, as well as coming to terms with the ways in which other people haven't been respectful in their dealings. I appreciated the way the story emphasised that although the characters were already married and falling in love, choice remains crucial. Seeing the way Camilla's poor treatment from other people had so thoroughly undermined her confidence was gut-wrenching. It is often said that one can't love others until one learns to love oneself; I liked the way the story turned that on its head. It was only after Adrian shows her kindness that she is able to get back on her feet. This was also an excellent story that draws together some of the novellas of this series--in particular The Pursuit Of... and Mrs Martin's Incomparable Adventure.
Moontangled by Stephanie Burgis
Magic Breaks by Ilona Andews
How to Marry a Werewolf by Gail Carriger
Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
Heartstopper, Vol. 1 by Alice Oseman
Heartstopper, Vol. 2 by Alice Oseman
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire
This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold
The Ice Plague: The Forest of Fire by Pia Ravenari
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John M. Gottman and Nan Silver
Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare
Naked in Death by J.D. Robb
Mt TBR Status
Mt TBR @ 1 January 2020: 427
Mt TBR @ 31 January 2020: 416
Mt TBR @ 29 February 2020: 419
Books Read
15. Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal. Historical fantasy, f/m romance. An accomplished glamourist and eldest daughter of a noble family finds herself obliged to interfere with her sister's love life and save the family honour. I found it a little too derivative in spots, and it didn't quite stick the landing for me. However, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. The magic fits the setting well, the romance was delightfully underplayed and I enjoyed that the relationship between the sisters was such an important part of the story.
16. To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers. A reread for LDUH book club.
17. The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag. A middle-grade fantasy graphic novel about a young boy called Aster from a family where men become shapeshifters and women become witches. Aster feels drawn to becoming a witch, much to the disapproval of his family. I don't think I was quite the right audience, as it read a little young for me... but I recognise that was its intention. And I felt it presented the nonsense of gendered roles in a way that was accessible for its intended audience.
18. Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke. Historical fantasy. Practical magic has been in abeyance in England for years, until two very different magicians emerge. This was a frustrating book. The worldbuilding was intriguing and it was just entertaining enough to keep me reading. However, I didn't find any of the characters particularly likeable--though they were relatively nuanced, which was nice. There weren't very many women and those present lacked agency. All in all, while I'm content to have read this giant tome, I won't be returning to it.
19. Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire. Fifth book in the Wayward Children series. Fantasy novella. Jack returns to school to collect reinforcements. While many of the Wayward Children novellas stand alone reasonably well, this was not one of them. I rather wish I'd gone back and reread the series first. However, I got the hang of it and found it an excellent instalment of the series. It adds some new detail to Jack's world and there were some developments with Cora that I found particularly interesting.
20. Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. A reread for LDUH book club.
21. Sea Foam and Silence: The Complete Collection by Lynn O'Connacht. A free verse retelling of The Little Mermaid. While the style wasn't exactly to my taste, I liked this queerplatonic reimagining. The last section of the title story was particularly endearing, with some warm relationships being developed.
22. Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold. First book in the Vorkosigan Saga. Science fiction. When the captain of an expeditionary force is captured by the commander of a notoriously war-like civilisation, she finds herself unexpectedly drawn to him. I listened to this on audio and it managed to suck me right in. Cordelia is wonderfully capable, both practical and compassionate. I also loved that the book was equal parts love story, science fiction and political drama. The sexual violence was a little disappointing, but on the whole well handled. I can see why this is such a beloved series.
23. A Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee. A young English lord embarks on a Grand Tour of Europe with his biracial best friend/secret crush and his sister. Things begin to go awry when he steals a trinket from a French lord. Monty is not the most likeable character, being self-centred and generally oblivious to the feelings and needs of others. It was nice to see him grow a bit better, but I had some trouble moving past that initial impression.
24. Half-Resurrection Blues by Daniel Jose Older. On a job for the Council of the Dead, Carlos discovers his target is partially resurrected, like himself. It starts him on a trail that uncovers the truth of his death. An interesting world, but the protagonist is a bit of a dick and his slavering over the love interest (whose brother he killed) was rather off-putting... though somewhat offset by said love interest not letting him off the hook for that and also being kind of a badass. Still, I don't think I'll follow up this series.
25. Heartstopper, Vol. 1 by Alice Oseman. A charming graphic novel about two high school boys who fall in love. There's a lot that's about respecting oneself and others here, and it's just so heartwarming. Although, the ending was a little gutting. I was glad to have the second volume close to hand.
26. Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho. Reread.
27. Heartstopper, Vol. 2 by Alice Oseman. Just as charming as the first volume.
28. After the Wedding by Courtney Milan. Historical romance. A former noblewoman and a biracial man posing as a valet are forced to marry after being caught in apparently compromising circumstances. Much like Heartstopper, this was a lot about respecting oneself, as well as coming to terms with the ways in which other people haven't been respectful in their dealings. I appreciated the way the story emphasised that although the characters were already married and falling in love, choice remains crucial. Seeing the way Camilla's poor treatment from other people had so thoroughly undermined her confidence was gut-wrenching. It is often said that one can't love others until one learns to love oneself; I liked the way the story turned that on its head. It was only after Adrian shows her kindness that she is able to get back on her feet. This was also an excellent story that draws together some of the novellas of this series--in particular The Pursuit Of... and Mrs Martin's Incomparable Adventure.
Books Acquired
Moontangled by Stephanie Burgis
Magic Breaks by Ilona Andews
How to Marry a Werewolf by Gail Carriger
Heartstopper, Vol. 2 by Alice Oseman
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
The Ice Plague: The Forest of Fire by Pia Ravenari
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John M. Gottman and Nan Silver
Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare
Naked in Death by J.D. Robb
no subject
Date: 2020-03-03 08:59 pm (UTC)I could be wrong about the sequel to Shades, since I haven't actually read any of it, but the blurb seems to indicate a bit of a different kind of book.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-03 10:29 pm (UTC)Mmmm. It does sound very different. That could be really fun and interesting. (Once I, er, find my copy. I have it somewhere.)