Tag Archive for: Book of the Month

,

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.

Cross Her Heart

Cross Her HeartTitle: Cross Her Heart
Author: Sarah Pinborough
Genre: Thriller
Format: Audio
Pages: 352
Length: 10h 23m
Narrator: Antonia Beamish
Source: Owned
Reason: BotM Backlist
Rating:

My Thoughts

CROSS HER HEART was different than I was expecting. The story and mystery kept me reading even though I didn’t really like most of the characters. There were difficult chapters to read due to the content, but I think it’s necessary to portray these types of things in media so we remember that some people have really shitty childhoods.

,

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and TomorrowTitle: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Genre: Contemporary
Format: Audio
Pages: 401
Length: 13h 52m
Narrator: Jennifer Kim, Julian Cihi
Source: Owned
Reason: BotM Backlist
Rating:

My Thoughts

I’m honestly not sure how I feel about TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW. There are aspects I loved and others I didn’t. Even though the story was slow, I felt compelled to keep reading. I loved how well the story shows the evolution of relationships—how they can grow stronger, become weaker, or break under life’s pressures. I also loved that this story showed that life is a matter of perspective and communication. I loved the look at grief and how individual it is. I’m not sure I cared for Sam or Sadie very much. They often seemed selfish, especially when it came to their games, success, and each other.

One & Only

One & OnlyTitle: One & Only
Author: Maurene Goo
Genre: Romance
Format: Audio
Pages: 358
Length: 10h 32m
Narrator: Jeena Yi
Source: Owned
Reason: Book of the Month
Rating:

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed reading ONE & ONLY. It was a fun romance with a little bit of magic. I liked the Korean American culture and the characters. At first, I wasn’t too fond of Cassia’s choice, but he grew on me and I’m happy they ended up together. I liked the aspect of still having a choice even when “fate” is involved.