Also, I was binge-watching a lot of TV. I have, finally, caught up with Succession (well, that didn’t go in a direction I was expecting and, at the same time, it did. Satisfyingly so) and I have started Pokerface (which I am thoroughly enjoying).
So, here I am. Touching base with a small write up on a few books I’ve read and maybe a plan for the next few weeks as I’m thinking of taking a short blog holiday at the end of July/start of August. Just for a week or two, nothing major, but want to do some other non-blog related things before I can back for a summer of reading (I feel like I should have a theme for August reading. Thoughts?)
Since my last posts (Sara Barnard’s Where the Light Goes and Tales from Beyond the Raindow by Pete Jordi Wood), I have read/audiobook three books and just started a book (which I am going to mention before I sign off this post) and I am going to touch all each of the read titles now. Now, all of these were gifted to me from publishers either direct or via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and, if I can, I will include affiliate links for these titles, though I believe one is only available as an ebook at the present so no link to that one, sadly.
My first read is Broken Hearts and Zombie Parts by William Hussey. A queer romcom of a read with a slight edge to it. Jesse Spark has discovered his heart isn’t working the way it should and, in the next few weeks, he will be having a major operation to fix it. Before that, Jesse decides that he needs to do two things: make his epic zombie movie on a non-existence budget and fall in love (because who would want to fall in love with him once he has a scar on his chest?). But with two best friends being weird lately and him keep finding himself in bizarre situations, will he get the movie done and kiss the boy?
This is funny and sweet as heck. I think this took me a while to read as I’m not the biggest fan of overly sweet reads and this just dances the line for me. It’s lovely and funny, while tackling (with the lightest of touches) issues such as self-acceptance, friendship, homophobia, body image and others. A little predictable at times, but such a fun ride to go on! I know William can write dark thrillers really well (I love Hideous Beauty and I have his adult thriller, Killing Jericho, on my TBR), but he’s a dab-hand on writing rom-coms as well. More please!
I was hoping to read more queer books this month (Pride, baby!) but I took a left turn with A Mischief of Rats by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett. Third book in the Dr Nell Ward mysteries, we following Nell as her family’s estate hosts its annual classic car weekend event. Nell is already spread thin with her duties, but she’s meeting her boyfriend’s, Rav, parents who don’t like Nell, but when she discovers the body of one of the event’s drivers, all evidence seem to point to accident. Until the Police (including Nell’s ex, Di James Clark) discover that’s not an accident as the car’s brakes were cut…
I enjoy this series (I’m not sure I would call it a cosy murder as it does have dark elements, but it does fit in the subgenre of “cosy”) and I have plans to continue with book 4, A Generation of Vipers, but I am going to admit that I didn’t enjoy Mischief of Rats as much as I have with Nell’s previous outings. And, am going to be honest, am not 100% sure why. The characters were great, the mystery was twisty and the ending (can’t anyone catch a break!?). But there was something that just didn’t push my buttons, and I’m not sure why. I didn’t rush to finish this compared to A Murder of Crows or A Cast of Falcons. But, like I said, I am going to keep going with Vipers and see what happens next (some happiness. Please, give me something happy!)
Final read so far (it was a quicky read so suitable for tiny humans), Godfather Death by Sally Nicholls and Julia Sarda is a retelling of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale of the same name. Here, a fisherman tries to find an honest man to be Godfather to his new-born son. When Death offers, the fisherman accepts and learns, far too late, that Death is honest and cannot be outsmarted… A delicious short read with beautiful illustrations from Julia Sarda (not much to say on this.)
Now, I hear no one ask, what are you going to read next before you take your mini summer blog break? Well, I’m glad you ask. I am not sure my exact reading plan, but there are a few titles that you guys are SCREAMing that I should try reading soon: Yellowface by Rebecca F. Kuang, Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, Hamnet and The Marriage Portrait by Maggie o’Farrell to name a few. And I am going to try and attempt one of these, but I have my eye on a few, slightly left-field titles over the next few weeks so you have been warned. I might put a pic below to tease (though, as you all know by name, don’t hold me to this as I do tend to change my mind…)
Anyway, that’s me at the moment. I’ve not vanished, just taking my time…
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