Hoohoo, friends of the blade.
May was simultaneously really long and really short. I was very busy, yet on the other hand I don’t feel like I did anything much. At the beginning of the month, I spent a week at home, seeing my friends and family, having wonderful walks through blooming nature, playing badminton with my old club. I also went to Alsace in France for a day since we don’t live that far from the border. With my mom, I visited Bitche and Wissembourg.
At the end of the month it was my best friend’s wedding which was beautiful and fun and very Lord of the Rings themed, I loved it, she loved it, her husband loved it.
BOOKS READ
To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods by Molly X. Chang
For as long as Yang Ruying can remember, the empire of Er-Lang has been occupied by Romans, whose advanced science and military make them Gods. But these Gods are not kind. Their only gifts: cruelty, opian, and destruction.
When Antony, the second Prince of Rome, uncovers Ruying’s power, she becomes what she always feared: the perfect assassin. As tensions mount and rebellion stirs, Ruying can no longer deny that peace is a death sentence for Er-Lang. A death she may not be willing to deliver.
I had my troubles with this book. I think the world building was quite interesting and so were the different powers but I would have liked more info on literally everything but especially on the magical system. I didn’t like the main character much but I liked how she was written, how she’s living for herself and what’s left of her family but how that changes little by little when she realizes who she allies herself with. Truly, I didn’t really like any of the characters but found the dynamics between all of them very interesting and would have liked if that aspect was explored more.
Jugend ohne Gott by Ödön von Horváth
Unmittelbar nach seinem ersten Erscheinen 1937 wurde Ödön von Horváths Jugend ohne Gott in mehrere Sprachen übersetzt und machte Horváth international bekannt. Im selben Jahr wurde sie von Thomas Mann empfohlen, und Hermann Hesse schrieb über die Erzählung : »Sie ist großartig.« Es geht in ihr, so Alfred Döblin, um »eine Schule, eine mehr oder weniger verrohte Jugend, an ihr ein Lehrer, der ein Gewissen hat, sich verleugnen muß und schließlich nicht mehr kann«. Und Klaus Mann erblickte in Jugend ohne Gott »alle geheimnisvollen eigenschaften und Reize der wirklichen Dichtung«.
Das Buch haben wir im Klassikerbuchclub gelesen und ich fand es tatsächlich ziemlich gut. Ich habe es als Hörbuch gehört und finde, der Sprecher hat die Atmosphäre der Geschichte sehr gut getroffen. Ödön von Horváth hat eine interessante Charakterstudie geschaffen, in der sich der Protagonist zwischen Schwarz und Weiß bewegt und sich für den richtigen Weg entscheiden muss. Gleichzeitig zeichnet der Autor auch eine Gesellschaft, die nach rechts abdriftet und wie die Jugend beeinflusst wird.
In Limbo by Deb J.J. Lee
Deborah (Jung-Jin) Lee knows she’s different. Ever since her family emigrated from South Korea to the United States, she’s felt her Otherness. For a while, her English isn’t perfect. None of her teachers can pronounce her Korean name. Her face and her eyes—especially her eyes—stand out. As the pressures of high school ramp up, friendships change and end, and everything gets harder. Even home isn’t a safe place, as fights with her mom escalate. Deb is caught in a limbo, with nowhere to go, and her mental health plummets.
But Deb is resilient. She discovers art and self-care, and gradually begins to start recovering. And during a return trip to South Korea, she realizes something that changes her perspective on her family, her heritage, and herself.
Going into this, I didn’t realize it was a memoir. The author shows her past struggles and how it affects her today, she shows how there is constant struggle and the need to belong while being an outsider everywhere. Both the dialogues and the drawings show the atmosphere and inner feelings very well. I really, really liked this book!
Fence, Vol.6: Redemption by C.S. Pacat & Johanna the Mad
Return to the thrilling world of high-stakes, competitive fencing, with a brand new story featuring the beloved cast of characters from the original hit series. Are Seiji and Jesse really through? The rumors around Halverton, the prestigious fencing training camp, have spread like wildfire, but it’s not long before a mystery fencer arrives–one who may finally pose a threat to the #1 spot. Will Seiji’s unquenchable quest for rivalry take Nicholas’ place? Where will his loyalty lie? And, when Seiji gets an up close and personal look into Nicholas’ past and determination against adversity while preparing for the difficult road ahead and the State Championships, he’ll have to confront a tempting thought… are they on… a date?
Helloooo I love Fence!! It’s both absolutely ridiculous while simultaneously being cute and wonderful and also discussing serious topics such as poverty and also teaching a lot about fencing (none of which I can remember two minutes after I’ve read it). I love the relationships, wether they are of the romantic or the platonic type and how they develop. I just love this series so, so much!
The Bergman Brothers series by Chloe Liese
1: Only When It’s Us
2: Always Only You
3: Ever After Always
4: With You Forever
5: Everything for You
6: If Only You
7: Only and Forever
Ryder
Ever since she sat next to me in class and gave me death eyes, Willa Sutter’s been on my shit list. Why she hates me, I don’t know. What I do know is that Willa is the kind of chaos I don’t need in my tidy life. She’s the next generation of women’s soccer. Wild hair, wilder eyes. Bee-stung lips that should be illegal. And a temper that makes the devil seem friendly.
She’s a thorn in my side, a menacing, cantankerous, pain-in-the-ass who’s turned our Business Mathematics course into a goddamn gladiator arena. I’ll leave this war zone unscathed, coming out on top…And if I have my way with that crazy-haired, ball-busting hellion, that will be in more than one sense of the word.
Willa
Rather than give me the lecture notes I missed like every other instructor I’ve had, my asshole professor tells me to get them from the silent, surly flannel-wearing mountain man sitting next to me in class. Well, I tried. And what did I get from Ryder Bergman? Ignored. What a complete lumbersexual neanderthal. Mangy beard and mangier hair. Frayed ball cap that hides his eyes. And a stubborn refusal to acknowledge my existence.
I’ve battled men before, but with Ryder, it’s war. I’ll get those notes and crack that Sasquatch nut if it’s the last thing I do, then I’ll have him at my mercy. Victory will have never tasted so sweet.
Yes, yes I read the entire series back to back in the span of about two weeks. I became absolutely obsessed with what Chloe Liese has written there. I love every single character, I love the friendships and the couples and how much love there is in the Bergman family. Honestly, such a big family with only fun drama would be the dream. The Bergmans are a dream. Yes. I love them. Everything about these books is just good. I loved that there were queer people, neurodivergent people, people with a physical disability and with mental and physical illnesses. And I loved that everyone was just accepted exactly the way they were, how the Bergmans just open their arms for everyone they take a liking to. I also liked the sports aspects, wether it’s hockey or soccer. This is now my favourite romance series and it’s not up for discussion. I am in love and my heart is full with Bergman bliss.
Lore Olympus Vol. 6 by Rachel Smythe
Chaos reigns in Olympus as Zeus publicly declares Persephone a traitor and issues a warrant for her arrest. But Hades defies his brother’s decree, sheltering Persephone in the Underworld—and as the pair spend more time together, they are able to speak openly about their pasts. The goddess of spring admits the truth behind the bloody secret that led to Zeus’s ire, and the king of the Underworld shares the trauma he suffered at the hands of his power-hungry father, Kronos.
But as Hades and Persephone’s relationship grows stronger, others begin to fall apart. The bond between Hades and Zeus is stretched to its limit, threatening to fracture the peace between their realms. Persephone and Artemis’s friendship hangs by a thread as the goddess of the hunt slowly uncovers the vile truth about her twin, Apollo. A line is being drawn in the heavens, putting everyone’s loyalties into question as all the gods are forced to choose sides.
And as the cracks in the foundation of the pantheon spread, something darker and more earth-shattering might soon be released. . . .
It’s not my favourite volume in the series, but I really liked it! I enjoy how Hades and Persephone’s relationship develops and how soft they are for each other and how they truly see each other despite what everyone else seems to think. I also liked how every character gets at least a bit of backstory.
Hate Mail by Donna Marchetti
narrated by Norma Butikofer
But what starts as a hilarious chain of hate filled letters, slowly develops into a friendship spanning coasts and years. That is until one day, years later, when the letters suddenly stop.
It’s been two years since Naomi last heard from Luca. Two years since the letter that changed everything.
But when a new envelope turns up out of the blue at her desk at the local news station, Naomi is determined not to let Luca have the final word.
I really liked the concept of this story and I also liked the male MC but the female MC wasn’t exactly the brightest candle on the cake. I got annoyed with her numerous times because of what she said or how she acted. It was quite obvious where this was going but it was still cute and I liked the narrator.
BOOK HAUL
The Sunshine Court by Nora Sakavic
All for the Game #4
My name is Jean Moreau. My place is at Evermore. I belong to the Moriyamas.
It is a truth Jean has built his life around, a reminder this is the best he can hope for and all he deserves. But when he is stolen from Edgar Allan University and sold to a more dangerous master, Jean is forced to contend with a life outside of the Nest for the first time in five years. The Foxes call his transfer to California a fresh start; Jean knows it is little more than a golden cage.
Captain Jeremy Knox is facing his final year with the USC Trojans and fifth straight year falling short of the championships trophy he desperately craves. Taking in the nation’s best defenseman is a no-brainer, even if that man is a Raven. But Jean is no monster, just a man with no hope or desire for a future, and when Evermore’s collapse starts dragging Jean’s hideous secrets to light, Jeremy is forced to contend with the cost of victory.
The Bone Season series by Samantha Shannon (Author’s Preferred Text)
2: The Mime Order
3: The Song Rising
4: The mask Falling
Paige Mahoney has escaped the clandestine prison city of Oxford. Now a fugitive in London, she nurtures a new taste for revolution.
Oxford may be behind her, but the Republic of Scion is undefeated. As it turns its all-seeing eye on Paige, she is forced to return to Jaxon Hall, her charismatic and brutal employer, to keep her foothold in the underworld.
But Paige will bow to one now, and not even Jaxon will stop her exposing the corruption in the syndicate. As she plots to win the fabled Rose Crown, both sides of an ancient conflict seek her talents for themselves.
The Bergman Brothers series by Chloe Liese
2: Always Only You
3: Ever After Always
4: With You Forever
5: Everything for You
6: If Only You
7: Only and Forever
Ren
The moment I met her, I knew Frankie Zeferino was someone worth waiting for. Deadpan delivery, secret heart of gold, and a rare one-dimpled smile that makes my knees weak, Frankie has been forbidden since the day she and I became coworkers, meaning waiting has been the name of my game—besides, hockey, that is.
I’m a player on the team, she’s on staff, and as long as we work together, dating is off-limits. But patience has always been my virtue. Frankie won’t be here forever—she’s headed for bigger, better things. I just hope that when she leaves the team and I tell her how I feel, she won’t want to leave me behind, too.
Frankie
I’ve had a problem at work since the day Ren Bergman joined the team: a six foot three hunk of happy with a sunshine smile. I’m a grumbly grump and his ridiculously good nature drives me nuts, but even I can’t entirely ignore that hot tamale of a ginger with icy eyes, the perfect playoff beard, and a body built for sin that he’s annoyingly modest about.
Before I got wise, I would have tripped over myself to get a guy like Ren, but with my diagnosis, I’ve learned what I am to most people in my life—a problem, not a person. Now, opening my heart to anyone, no matter how sweet, is the last thing I’m prepared to do.
Lore Olympus Vol. 6 by Rachel Smythe
Chaos reigns in Olympus as Zeus publicly declares Persephone a traitor and issues a warrant for her arrest. But Hades defies his brother’s decree, sheltering Persephone in the Underworld—and as the pair spend more time together, they are able to speak openly about their pasts. The goddess of spring admits the truth behind the bloody secret that led to Zeus’s ire, and the king of the Underworld shares the trauma he suffered at the hands of his power-hungry father, Kronos.
But as Hades and Persephone’s relationship grows stronger, others begin to fall apart. The bond between Hades and Zeus is stretched to its limit, threatening to fracture the peace between their realms. Persephone and Artemis’s friendship hangs by a thread as the goddess of the hunt slowly uncovers the vile truth about her twin, Apollo. A line is being drawn in the heavens, putting everyone’s loyalties into question as all the gods are forced to choose sides.
And as the cracks in the foundation of the pantheon spread, something darker and more earth-shattering might soon be released. . . .
Fence, Vol.6: Redemption by C.S. Pacat & Johanna the Mad
Return to the thrilling world of high-stakes, competitive fencing, with a brand new story featuring the beloved cast of characters from the original hit series. Are Seiji and Jesse really through? The rumors around Halverton, the prestigious fencing training camp, have spread like wildfire, but it’s not long before a mystery fencer arrives–one who may finally pose a threat to the #1 spot. Will Seiji’s unquenchable quest for rivalry take Nicholas’ place? Where will his loyalty lie? And, when Seiji gets an up close and personal look into Nicholas’ past and determination against adversity while preparing for the difficult road ahead and the State Championships, he’ll have to confront a tempting thought… are they on… a date?
A Feather so Black by Lyra Selene
In a kingdom where magic has been lost, Fia is a rare changeling, left behind by the wicked Fair Folk when they stole the High Queen’s daughter and retreated behind the locked gates of Tír na nÓg.
Most despise Fia’s fae blood. But the queen raises her as a daughter and trains her to be a spy. Meanwhile, the real princess Eala is bound to Tír na nÓg, cursed to become a swan by day and only returning to her true form at night.
When a hidden gate to the realm is discovered, Fia is tasked by the queen to retrieve the princess and break her curse. But she doesn’t go alone: with her is prince Rogan, Fia’s dearest childhood friend—and Eala’s betrothed.
As they journey through the forests of the Folk, where magic winds through the roots of the trees and beauty can be a deadly illusion, Fia’s mission is complicated by her feelings for the prince…and her unexpected attraction to the dark-hearted fae lord holding Eala captive. Irian might be more monster than man, but he seems to understand Fia in a way no one ever has.
Soon, Fia begins to question the truth of her mission. But time is running out to break her sister’s curse. And unraveling the secrets of the past might destroy everything she has come to love.
The Do-Over by Suzanne Park
Lily Lee is a bestselling author of the How to Be a Supernova At Work series, and her editor wants her to strike while the iron’s hot with a new book, How to Land the Perfect Job. But when Lily is offered a coveted position at a top firm, the employer background check reveals she’s short a few college credits and never actually completed her degree. Unbelievably, her worst nightmare has come true.
Lily returns to her alma mater, reliving her senior year of college ten years later. She enrolls in classes, gets invited to frat parties, eats most of her meals with “dining dollars,” and to make things even more weird and chaotic, she discovers that her computer science TA is her old college boyfriend, Jake Cho.
As Lily and Jake reconnect, she sees that her ex has done well for himself: the handsome, charming grad student appears to have his life together while Lily’s so close to losing her dream job opportunity and her book deal.
Things aren’t so simple the second time around.
How It Feels to Float by Helena Fox
Biz knows how to float. She has her people, her posse, her mom and the twins. She has Grace. And she has her dad, who tells her about the little kid she was, who loves her so hard, and who shouldn’t be here but is. So Biz doesn’t tell anyone anything. Not about her dark, runaway thoughts, not about kissing Grace or noticing Jasper, the new boy. And she doesn’t tell anyone about her dad. Because her dad died when she was six. And Biz knows how to float, right there on the surface—normal okay regular fine.
But after what happens on the beach—first in the ocean, and then in the sand–the tethers that hold Biz steady come undone. Dad disappears, and with him, all comfort. It might be easier, better, sweeter to float all the way away? Or maybe stay a little longer, find her father, bring him back to her. Or maybe—maybe maybe maybe—there’s a third way Biz just can’t see yet.
Shadowsong by S. Jae-Jones
Wintersong #2
Although she is determined to look forward and not behind, life in the world above is not as easy as Liesl had hoped. Her younger brother Josef is cold, distant, and withdrawn, while Liesl can’t forget the austere young man she left beneath the earth, and the music he inspired in her.
When troubling signs arise that the barrier between worlds is crumbling, Liesl must return to the Underground to unravel the mystery of life, death, and the Goblin King—who he was, who he is, and who he will be. What will it take to break the old laws once and for all? What is the true meaning of sacrifice when the fate of the world—or the ones Liesl loves—is in her hands?
Broken Red Sky by Anna Kirchner
Little Black Bird #3
The world as we know it is over. Double-crossed by a friend, it’s not only Wiktoria dealing with the devastating consequences but the entire city. Wild magic fills the air, demons take over the streets and eerie red light seeps through the crack in the sky. Wiktoria and the Circle of Four must fix their mistakes before the demons take over for good or the gods return to the human realm. The only way forward is for Wiktoria to pass a set of trials thrown at her by Baba Jaga. But first, she has to escape the enemy who’s bent on using her powers for their own gain.
ON THE BLOG
Rereading Books | Why I Do & Love It
I Can’t Remember the Title but the Cover Was Yellow
Review: The Sins on Their Bones by Laura R. Samotin
BLOG VISITS
posts by other bloggers I’ve loved reading
Ranking Every Book I Read inthe First Quarter(ish) of 2024 (37 books!) by Aimee @ Aimee can read
Books to fill the Bridgerton shaped hole in your heart! by Becky @ Becky’s Book Blog
Rezension: Funny Story von Emily Henry by Missi @ Himmelsblau
Why I No Longer Request ARCs by Krysta @ Pages Unbound
Rezension: Beklaute Frauen von Leonie Schöler by Sophia @ Sophia’s Bookplanet
Holocaust Representation Does Not Count by The Orang Utan Librarian
FOMO Made Me Read It… I Read My First Dark Romance and was Underwhelmed: Mindf*ck Series by T.S. Abby by Aimee @ Aimee can read
Books With Mental Health Rep by Caro @ Bookcheshire Cat
How was your May? What was your favourite book? What’s the last book or book series you became absolutely obsessed with?
Until next time,
