Mega Reading Wrap-Up

Well here we are in 2020 and already I failed to do a monthly reading wrap-up. Are we surprised? I think not. My inconsistency in all things is to be expected by now.
Instead today I’m covering both January and February, I’ve gone a different direction this time and shared my star ratings! Is this because I’m too lazy to take individual images and have just screenshot my GoodReads list? I admit nothing.

Aaaanyway, I’m off to a good start this year. My GoodReads challenge is set to 75 and I’ll revisit mid year with the possibility of increasing to 100, but for now I’m being chill about it.

As I write this my Netgalley score is at 81% as well it should be since I’ve read 14 ARCs in the past two months! I won’t be elaborating on them all since some have reviews scheduled later in the year- be sure to come back and discover them.

Here we go…

The God Game- Danny Tobey
My first book of the year, a YA scifi- read the review here

The Shrike & The Shadows – Chantal Gadoury & A.M. Wright
A new twist on Hansel & Gretel, read the review here

The Sisters Grimm – Menna Van Praag
Wonderfully diverse YA fantasy filled with fairytale themes- read the review here

The Last Widow- Karin Slaughter
My first 5 star read of the year! Karin is an autobuy author for me, I’ve adored the Atlanta/Grant County series from the beginning and an added BONUS; this one centres around a cult. The Last Widow was pulse pounding from start to finish but there is graphic sexual violence involved so be warned.

Wilder Girls – Rory Power read the review here

You Let Me In- Camilla Bruce– read the review here

One Of Us Is Next- Karen McManus
The third YA thriller from McManus and the second installment for Bayview. If you haven’t read One Of Us Is Lying I’d start there to avoid spoilers. I pre-ordered this to support KM and I’m glad I did. Another 5 star from me, a twisting, turning easy read for a Sunday afternoon.

Eden- Tim Lebbon
I was beyond excited to receive an ARC from Tim himself! A survivalist horror in a dystopian world. Beware the fan girl review coming this way 05/04

We Are Monsters- Brian Kirk read the review here

The Familar Dark- Amy Engel
If you loved The Roanoake Girls as I did then I urge you to preorder this one. An emotional rollercoaster of incredible character development. Review to come 31/03

Follow Me To Ground
I’m willing to bet right now this will be my worst read of the year. Not. A. Fan. Find out why here

The Last Conversation- Paul Tremblay
A cheeky little novella clocking only 56 pages, this is part of the Amazon original ‘Forward Series’ celebrating scifi with a collection of various authors. Written from the POV of a detached consciousness The Last Conversation ends with a BANG. Recommended for Black Mirror fans.

The Deep- Alma Katsu
A different take on the Titanic. As with The Hunger, Alma takes on a well known historical event and makes it her own. Fear, grief, death and magic awaits. Review to come 10/03

The Guest List- Lucy Foley
Don’t let the repetition of The Hunting Party concept put you off, the surprise revelations in this book set it above and beyond. Read the review here

Strangers- C L Taylor
A painful look at life in working class Bristol from three perspectives that will crash together in shocking ways.
Review to come 02/04

Stranger Things; Suspicious Minds- Gwenda Bond
For those that have seen the show this is a prequel. We read from the POV of Terri, Eleven’s mother and Papa aka the evil doctor.
There are a few minor show spoilers for those who haven’t seen it. Unless you’re a die hard fan I really do not recommend reading this, the writing is poor and the content was only saved by my knowledge and love of the Netflix series.

The Monsters We Make- Kali White
My first ever read based on a true crime- the abduction of newspaper delivery boys in 80s America. Review to come.

Feathertide – Beth Cartwright
A beautifully descriptive coming-of-age fantasy, hard to believe this perfect novel is a debut. Highly recommend for fans of magic, mermaids and mystery. Review to come.

Here To Stay- Mark Edwards
Whenever I feel a slump coming on or I want to read for mindless fun I always turn to Mr Edwards. This novel, much like his others, is an adrenaline rush of claustrophobic fear. Whilst his books are marketed as thrillers I always find it truly horrifying to read about humans at their most evil. Here To Stay will make you think twice about inviting your in-laws!

So! See any favourites? Have any recommendations based on my reading this year? Let me know…