Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: October 2024

Back again for another fun month of book suggestions? Here are the things Kristin and I have been reading since the last wrap-up. Be sure to tell us if you see any of your favorite reads, something on the never-ending To-Be-Read list, or if you know of a comparable title we might enjoy. Thanks again for reading! Write on.

Kamryn:

I actually read some this month, guys. 

Read 1 is a non-fic book I’ve mentioned before in blogs, but I had previously paused on reading. This month, I went back and reread Dr. Jan Yager’s How to Promote Your Book: A Practical Guide to Publicizing Your Own Title. If you’re a writer (traditionally published, hybrid, or self-pub), I highly recommend this book. Dr. Yager offers a ton of extremely helpful advice on promoting a book that you will need to know: promotional channels, timelines and specific items that will help you promote your book better, and even advice on what to take to conventions. Definitely worth your time if you’re looking to put out a book.

Read 2 is not completed, as I’m about halfway through currently, but I’m finally getting to read Amie Kaufman’s second book in The Isles of the Gods duology, The Heart of the World. I loved the first book so much and I’ve been super excited to dig into this one to see how the story continues. It’s a little bit different as B1 was a breakneck race against time where there was literally no safe place to stop reading because things just kept happening, but B2 (at least where I’m currently at) has been a little more of a court drama as Selly, Leander, and Keegan return to the royal house of Alinor. Even though we’re not at the fast-paced ride of the first one, the book still keeps you hooked because even among the palace you don’t really know who to trust, so it’s more of a calmer, intrigue sort of story. I like it a lot so far. There’s been a new character introduced who I really like so hopefully they don’t turn out to be a bad guy, I’m still very concerned about Jude and whether or not he gets to be happy, and Laskia’s even scarier than she was in the first book. I’m really looking forward to the way this duology plays out because I love it so much. Do yourself a favor and buy it. Sorry if I talk about this series in my blogs for the next million years. See you next month!

Kristin:  

I finished a book! I previously mentioned The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang in the last wrap up and am proud to say that I finished it. What a book. Like I said previously, it is very dark. Like, the darkest book I’ve ever read. Like, I’m not sure I’ll ever think about peeling an orange without cringing, IFKYK. But all of that to say I really enjoyed the novel. Rin as a character is very refreshing for me. I’ve read so many novels that have a female main character (FMC) that isn’t “I didn’t ask for this, why me” (which I’ve read many novels like this that I have liked) but to have a person who is very “No, I choose chaos I want to push the boundaries to get ahead”. Rin is the type of character who gets every warning on what the easier and safer path is and she knowingly chooses the harder and more dangerous path, every time. I love that. 

This story had a lot about Shamans and themes based on Chinese lore that was so interesting to read. R. F. Kuang is a marshal scholar and pursing a PhD in East Asian Languages and Literatures at Yale and I love the way she uses her knowledge to build such and unique and cool story. It was 500 pages but I enjoyed it all and there was never really a point when things slowed down. Honestly, given how dark this book was, I’m scared and excited to see how the next one will turn out. But as soon as it’s available at my library, I’m definitely going to be reading it. Annnnndd the romantic hints are definitely there but I am also very reluctant to get excited about any character, since it seems like nobody is safe and R. F. Kuang is not afraid of torturing these people. I’ll let you know when I get there. 

Currently, I’m between two novels that I will hopefully talk about next month! A lot more lighthearted than The Poppy War.  

That’s all for this month! Be sure to let us know what you’re reading and we’ll see you in November! As always, write-on!