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How to Write a Love Story

How to Write a Love StoryTitle: How to Write a Love Story
Author: Catherine Walsh
Genre: Romance
Format: Audio
Pages: 336
Length: 9h 10m
Narrator: Jonathan Aarons, Róisín Rankin
Source: Owned
Reason: Book of the Month
Rating:

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed HOW TO WRITE A LOVE STORY. It was a fun premise. I loved the way Walsh wrote grief, its many forms, how it affects our lives, and people don’t grieve the same way. I loved the characters, especially Sam and Ciara. I love watching them get to know each other and learn to care for each other. I loved the setting in Ireland and getting to experience a little of Irish culture.

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Half City

Half CityTitle: Half City
Author: Kate Golden
Series: Harker Academy #1
Genre: Romantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 480
Length: 16h 35m
Narrator: Taylor Harvey, Teddy Hamilton
Source: Owned
Reason: Recommended
Rating:

My Thoughts

Wow! That ending! I need book 2 now! At least I only have to wait until October for it to come out. I loved HALF CITY so much! I loved the dark academia setting, the Shadowhunter feel to the story, and the characters. I’m so interested to see what happens next, especially to Viv and Reid. Is Reid really reformed? I’m starting to get the sense that he might not be. I hope we get to meet the elusive elders in the next installment and we get to find out who the High Thane is. I’m so so curious if my hunches are right.

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The Stardust Thief

The Stardust ThiefTitle: The Stardust Thief
Author: Chelsea Abdullah
Series: Sandsea Trilogy #1
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 480
Length: 15h 38m
Narrator: Nikki Massoud, and more
Source: Owned
Reason: BotM Backlist
Rating:

My Thoughts

I’ve always been fascinated by stories of genies, magical lamps, and wishes. It wasn’t until I read THE GOLEM AND THE DJINNI by Helene Wecker that I realized genies were a misappropriation of Middle Eastern folklore and mythology. Since then, I’ve tried to learn more about the actual mythology. So when THE STARDUST THIEF was a Book of the Month option, I snatched it right up. 

THE STARDUST THIEF was everything I wanted it to me and more. I love that the story took inspiration from ONE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS so that parts of it were familiar. The characters, the world, and the djinn’s magic system were amazing! I loved Loulie and Qadir so much. I loved their connection and how much they rely on each other. At first I thought Mazen was kind of a sissy, but I’m glad he grew into his strengths and stood up for what he believed. I loved that it was told from different POVs so we could witness more of the whole picture. I’m excited how this one ended and I’m looking forward to how the story continues.

Additional Narrators: Rasha Zamamiri, Sean Rohani

Hang the Moon

Hang the MoonTitle: Hang the Moon
Author: Jeannette Walls
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Audio
Pages: 349
Length: 12h 29m
Narrator: Jeannette Walls
Source: Owned
Reason: BotM Backlist
Rating:

My Thoughts

I love prohibition era stories so when I read the synopsis for HANG THE MOON, I was super excited to read it. I didn’t realize until about a third of the way through the story that Walls was using Queen Elizabeth I’s life as inspiration for the main character. At first, I liked the allusion but then it just got to be too much. I wished it hadn’t so closely followed that history because I kept wondering who each character represented in Tudor era England. The story was also a little slow and, at times, really grim and sad. (I get it. Both of the these times in history were grim and sad. I had just hoped for something a little more inspiring.) I’m glad I read the book, even if it was a little disappointing.

The Thursday Murder Club

The Thursday Murder ClubTitle: The Thursday Murder Club
Author: Richard Osman
Series: Thursday Murder Club #1
Genre: Mystery
Format: Audio
Pages: 388
Length: 12h 26m
Narrator: Lesley Manville
Source: Owned
Reason: Book Club
Rating:

My Thoughts

THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB was a delightful read. It took me a bit to get into it because of the writing style and quirky characters. By the end, though, I loved the characters, quirks and all. I thought the mystery aspect was compelling and it kept me reading. I’m curious what the rest of the series is like and if Bogdan gets caught.