asphaltcowgrrl (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
asphaltcowgrrl) wrote2025-05-02 03:06 pm
asphaltcowgrrl) wrote2025-05-02 03:06 pm
April Reads
Yeah, so I’m trying this again. I keep getting sidetracked and forget. Blah!
What I read:
Not many books this past month, but not bad either.
The Sun’s Shadow by Sejal Badani. I liked this book, despite the fact that the wife and the mistress spent more time being angry with each other than the person who caused all the drama – THE HUSBAND!
Witches Be Crazy by Logan J. Hunder. Humorous fantasy that was good for the most part. There was one overly long running fat joke that would have been better off left on the editing floor but… the rest was amusing.
Bitter Edge by Rachel Lynch and Bold Lies also by Rachel Lynch. Grouping these two together since they’re books 4 and 5 in the DI Kelly Porter series. I really enjoy this series, especially since it’s a bit grittier than a lot of the others I’m currently reading. Bold Lies was especially good since it delved into Kelly’s past and explains why she left London for ‘the sticks’.
The Woman in the Cabin by Becca Day. This sucked me right in. I thought I was getting a crazy story about a trad wife and her hot husband (blurgh) but it quickly turned into something quite sinister. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but the way the author drops bits of info here and there is well done.
What I’m currently reading:
God, I have so many half-finished books right now. I’m going to do my best to finish these before starting anything else. Wish me luck.
Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Stephen Fry. This is the one exception as it’s a 74 hour long collection of Sherlock stories.
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hollie Rubenhold. I’ve been reading this book since 2023. *facepalm* A friend, who is really into true crime, gave it to me. While it’s been interesting, it’s a bit dry due to all the historical data it contains. But, I am enjoying it. It’s just not what I reach for when I want to read to unwind.
Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Caroline Fraser. I had to put this aside because I borrowed it from the library and then extended my loan. But it’s something like 600 pages, so I let it go after the second borrow. I’ll grab it again in a few weeks and try and finish it. Very interesting and informative if you’re interested at all in Laura Ingalls Wilder.
The Fireman’s Pole by Sue Brown. I’m about half done with this and really liking it a lot. But, I had to put it down for a couple of review books I had. Eager to get back to it. It’s a m/m romance about a small town firefighter and a small town lord of the manor in England.
Bait and Swiss by Korina Moss. This is another in the Cheese Shop mysteries series and it’s been good so far.
What’s up next:
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao. Buddy read with miss Kaige.
A Charming Touch of Tarot by Melissa Holtz. This is an ARC that releases way too soon (5/13) and I really ought to get my butt in gear.
So, what about you? Anyone out there read anything good lately or have something on deck that they’re excited to read? Not that I like NEED any more recs, but yanno. I have been silently collecting a pile of m/m hockey romances to get me through the post season, but right now, the actual hockey is trying to kil me, soooooo…
What I read:
Not many books this past month, but not bad either.
The Sun’s Shadow by Sejal Badani. I liked this book, despite the fact that the wife and the mistress spent more time being angry with each other than the person who caused all the drama – THE HUSBAND!
Witches Be Crazy by Logan J. Hunder. Humorous fantasy that was good for the most part. There was one overly long running fat joke that would have been better off left on the editing floor but… the rest was amusing.
Bitter Edge by Rachel Lynch and Bold Lies also by Rachel Lynch. Grouping these two together since they’re books 4 and 5 in the DI Kelly Porter series. I really enjoy this series, especially since it’s a bit grittier than a lot of the others I’m currently reading. Bold Lies was especially good since it delved into Kelly’s past and explains why she left London for ‘the sticks’.
The Woman in the Cabin by Becca Day. This sucked me right in. I thought I was getting a crazy story about a trad wife and her hot husband (blurgh) but it quickly turned into something quite sinister. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but the way the author drops bits of info here and there is well done.
What I’m currently reading:
God, I have so many half-finished books right now. I’m going to do my best to finish these before starting anything else. Wish me luck.
Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Stephen Fry. This is the one exception as it’s a 74 hour long collection of Sherlock stories.
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hollie Rubenhold. I’ve been reading this book since 2023. *facepalm* A friend, who is really into true crime, gave it to me. While it’s been interesting, it’s a bit dry due to all the historical data it contains. But, I am enjoying it. It’s just not what I reach for when I want to read to unwind.
Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Caroline Fraser. I had to put this aside because I borrowed it from the library and then extended my loan. But it’s something like 600 pages, so I let it go after the second borrow. I’ll grab it again in a few weeks and try and finish it. Very interesting and informative if you’re interested at all in Laura Ingalls Wilder.
The Fireman’s Pole by Sue Brown. I’m about half done with this and really liking it a lot. But, I had to put it down for a couple of review books I had. Eager to get back to it. It’s a m/m romance about a small town firefighter and a small town lord of the manor in England.
Bait and Swiss by Korina Moss. This is another in the Cheese Shop mysteries series and it’s been good so far.
What’s up next:
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao. Buddy read with miss Kaige.
A Charming Touch of Tarot by Melissa Holtz. This is an ARC that releases way too soon (5/13) and I really ought to get my butt in gear.
So, what about you? Anyone out there read anything good lately or have something on deck that they’re excited to read? Not that I like NEED any more recs, but yanno. I have been silently collecting a pile of m/m hockey romances to get me through the post season, but right now, the actual hockey is trying to kil me, soooooo…
no subject
I've heard Laura Ingalls didn't have the easiest life, in reality. Not sure if I want to read an unvarnished account. I had that whole series as a kid, I can still see the set and the bright yellow covers.
Have you heard of the book, The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley? It's a debut novel released in '24. I picked it up at the airport. I lurve timey-wimey stories, and I could not put this one down. That's not to say it's perfect — could pick at a thing here or there. But I think I may wait a week and read it all over again!
no subject
Yeah, it wasn't pretty, to be honest. And I'm not even all the way through! Oh man, I still have the box set my mom bought me for Christmas when I was like 10. Loved those books!
I had not heard of that, but it's on my TBR now. I'm not always into time travel, but I do love alternate universes!
no subject
Will be interested to compare thoughts if you do. It's compelling. The character strikes me as very much a millennial (not entirely a compliment, lol). It veers from silly to deadly serious and back- and also has a strong element of self-insert fanfic to it. Which is quite a combination to pull off, really.
Am gonna pick up a couple more books this week. My class is ending (yay!) and I will have more time to enjoy some fic and non-fic. Am finally looking forward to reading, which must mean I'm making some space in my head. (big yay).
no subject
I'll be sure to post here if I do. While it sounds like a bit of a hot mess, it also sounds intriguing! You might enjoy Meet Me on the Bridge, too. Or a book called The Husbands — it wasn't exactly time travel, but alternate realities.
Wonderful! Reading has always been my escape and, in times of real stress, I tend to read more than when I'm not. Enjoy your books!
no subject
My sister loved Little House on the Prairie books as a kid so I got her Prairie Fires for her birthday last year hoping she would enjoy learning more about one of her favorite authors. I don't think she has read it yet it is a fairly long book.
It seems like you had a good reading month! Hopefully this month will be just as good.
no subject
I'm not huge on true crime either. I do like that the focus is on the victims rather than on The Ripper himself. I will try and let you know if/when I ever manage to finish it. Hahaha.
Yeah, it's like 600+ pages! It does take some getting used to when you realize so much of what you read in her books either didn't happen or didn't happen how it was told, but I've really enjoyed learning about her life post The Happy Golden Years. And learning about Rose, too, has been interesting. I hope your sister enjoys it when she gets to it.
Thank you! I read less this month than I usually do, but I was doing other things as well for a change.
no subject
I am loving Iron Widow. I do realize this may be a me thing. I actually have 3.5 hours of listening left, and with the way I've been reading lately, that is a freak show. But do clear up some of what you have going before you start it. I can wait.
Excellent list!!
no subject
I will admit, I was struggling a bit with Iron Widow until she actually left. Now I'm invested. Especially since she's now with the Iron Demon.
YAY! I'm so glad to hear you're ripping through this! And you thought I'd catch up! (I'm kidding.) I have about 8 hours still to go.
No worries — all the lingering ones I have are in ebook. I just need to motivate myself to read more than a chapter a night. LOL
Thanks!
no subject
I want to learn about these gods that are giving technology in exchange of tributes. ;)
no subject
I know, right? It's like futuristic Hunger Games but make it Chinese. Really interesting concept.