APRIL & MAY WRAP UP | returning from my long hiatus, starting bookstagram & redesigning my blog (again)!

hello friends! i’m so happy to be finally writing a post, having been on a seemingly never-ending hiatus since february dawned thanks to a hectic study life and now that it’s nearing break, i’ve some time to come back.

whilst ghosting the blogosphere, i’ve been somewhat eventful in other areas? i recently started a bookstagram account, which i’ll be sharing more of my thoughts down below, and if you’ve noticed, redesigned my blog for the umpteenth time, thank you itchy fingers, but i’m rather pleased with the outcome, tell me what you think!

i’m trying a new format with this two months’ wrap ups, so let me not dawdle and get into it!

books read

in April, I managed to read 2 books and in May, 5. ah i’m severely behind on my goodreads reading challenge, but the books were mostly all high-quality and deserving reads that I shouldn’t be complaining!

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the outlands by tyler edwards [★★★]

ah for some reason 2021 was the year in which i started to read more (or well, 2) dystopian novels since my hunger games phase and both did not disappoint! the outlands with the typical post-apocalyptic setting, societal classes, oppressive government, was a quick but entertaining read with found family and such a resonant main character voice. enjoyed this one!

the ones we’re meant to find by joan he [★★★★½]

my newest obsession!! TOWMTF was one of my most anticipated releases for the year and it was absolutely brilliant okay. it’s a melancholic yet moving tale of two sisters who are polar opposites but having the undeniable bond, and yet at it’s core, intrinsically thematic. amidst the dual narrative with a raging plot (ugh my heart still pitter patters from that twist^TM), joan he brings out themes of climate change, technology and thought-provokingly examines the very prospect of humanity in such a grandiose, not in the slightest pretentious manner. it was done so beautifully. i cannot recommend this book enough.

we are not free by traci chee [★★★★]

this book is pure emotion, pure pain, pure soul i swear. a ww2 historical fiction centering on the lives of a group of japanese-american teens, through a staggering but brilliantly executed 14 povs, it poignantly touches on the discrimination during the war back then, as well as the indomitable pride despite the identity struggle of these teenagers. i haven’t ugly-cried in so long, and we are not free completely ripped. my. cold. dead. desensitised. heart. out. ugh feelings. definitely recommend this one though i cannot guarantee your heart to stay in one piece?

jade city by fonda lee [★★★½]

gosh this book left my brain in pure tangles and shambles, but it was so worth it. jade city is a historical fantasy set in the island of kekon, where jade is highly coveted being both a sign of status and a source of power. it was so reminiscent of those chinese kungfu dramas i used to be obsessed with, and all the political intrigue balanced out with intergenerational family ties made it such a vibrant, immersive read. i’m dying to read jade war to figure out if i hate or love hilo.

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the gilded wolves by roshani chokshi [★★]

this was a major disappointment. i had sky high expectations for this one, which were cruelly sunk to the bottom of the sea. ah okay perhaps it was partially my fault, for the dregs from six of crows were constantly singing their alluring siren song at the back of my mind and i just couldn’t resist but start comparing. but seriously, the characters in the gilded wolves were SO reflective of those in six of crows, it almost felt like a carbon copy but so much flatter, duller, and i was unable to get emotionally invested into any of them. add on the huge amount of confusion i was in throughout the book, and the blatant lack of any historical atmosphere despite it being set in rich 1889 france with such a world defining event, and the absence of a good plot, colour me unimpressed and disappointed.

in order to live by yeonmi park

ah finally a non-fiction in like forever! it was a poignant, hard hitting yet meaningful read, truly grateful to hear her story.

skyhunter by marie lu [★★★★]

dang, marie lu has done it again. she’s messed with my heart and rendered me imboile till book 2: steelstriker comes out. not that i’m surprised, the young elites, warcross, the kingdom of back have all stuck with me and skyhunter will be no exception. it brings with it a wonderfully written and explored band of characters: talin, red, the mouse, adena, jeran, aramin, all of them just so resonant and real with whatever magic marie lu infuses in her writing. i’ve so much to say about skyhunter but i’ll save my rambling for a review, meanwhile wake up!! look and go grab this beautiful book y’all have been sleeping on!

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tbr for remaining of may + june

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ah yes finally i’m a setting a tbr which will hopefully help me be more motivated in my readings. here are the top 3 i’m incredibly excited for. i nearly cried when i got approved for an arc of six crimson cranes by elizabeth lim on netgalley because it is literally the first major release i’m getting approved for, all my other many requests have been denied due to geographical restrictions unfortunately. and then two sequels as well: vengeful by ve schwab and the dragon republic by rf kuang, i know both of them are going to end me (in a good way or a bad way up to your interpretation) especially the dragon republic, i’ve heard loads of ravings about it and i’m terrified for my fragile heart.

i’ve been mostly a ghost for the past three months, popping back in sporadically to read a few posts but for most of it, nothing much has happened haha. but i did redesign my blog again, sticking to my pink theme (how could i ever abandon my precious pink?) but getting new graphics, tell me what you think okay!

and because of my hiatus, i didn’t manage to bloghop or be consistent with the WP reader so i’ll push the post and blogger shoutouts to next month. but one thing i need to mention is that ashmita @ the fictional journal hit 1000 followers!!

but one thing incredible is that my fellow book bloggers, the lovely Ahaana @ Windows to Worlds and Becky @ Simply It’s Blue have created a discord group for book bloggers: click on this link to join: https://discord.gg/KCXRNNrk, it’s basically a place for us to interact with the community and help each other out (e.g share ideas, arrange collabs more easily!). it’s been an incredible experience so far, please come! (and many thanks once again to ahaana and becky for asking me to help mod <3)

ah well these two months have been tumultuous to say the least for the world, i hope everyone’s aware of the situation in palestine, as well as the covid-19 struggles around the world especially in india. the support from the international community is heartened, everyone please stay aware, stay healthy and stay safe, doing whatever little bit you can to help.

on a more personal note, singapore’s covid 19 cases are on the rise again and everything is being shut down. all the restrictions are in place, i’m having lessons online.

but a light for me would be finally starting a bookstagram account! my sense of aesthetic and photography skills is zero to none so i was hesitant, but i finally took the plunge and wow. it’s so different, definitely a very fast-paced, i would say even stressful platform (for me at least) but ah. all. the. shiny. books. and so many lovely bookworms who aren’t on blogs as well! perhaps i’ll do a full post one day where i share all my thoughts!

how was your april/may? what was your favourite read? anyone can assure me that the dragon republic and vengeful wouldn’t shatter me completely? how are you all doing?

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