Hello, Fellow Bibliophiles! How did your August reading shape up? I tried some modern fiction again this month, folks. That doesn’t bode well for me, usually! HA. 😉 Here is what I ended up finishing:
The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg (***) – This was an interesting story of a young woman apprenticed to a magician of paper folding. She grows through frustration and disappointment of being “bonded” to what she deems an “old-fashioned” magical craft and Master. Little does she realize that her teacher has a troubled past and it will be up to her to help. This was a super creative idea and I like the magical paper folding. Unfortunately, this was a formulative and stereotypical romance and the action from the antagonist was very gory and violent. Not sure if I could totally follow the main, and very drawn out chase scene. It was creative in one sense, but a bit too confusing and “too much” in another way. I also read another by her called Magic Sweet, Magic Bitter, but it was so strange. It was almost like magical beings marrying humans. It had one neat idea, about baking healing qualities into breads and treats. That’s it, though. 😉
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow (**) – 2.5 stars just for the beautiful writing style, but other than that, meh. This reminded me a bit of The Starless Sea by Erin Morganstern, which I didn’t end up liking, but this had a much better shaped story. A young girl has to find her way through her mysterious past following clues through ancient portal doors and a magical book that shows her parents lives. I really, REALLY, disliked all the modern issues dropped into this story. They felt jarring and preachy, the diary entries from her dad really slowed the story down. I was ripped out of a story set around 1900’s? for the author to “preach” at me about current hot button topics. Ugh. No thanks.
The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mantel (***) – this was an interesting read about the lives of a brother and sister who got caught up in a Ponzi scheme and the fallout on their lives. This had a lot of layers under the surface. I definitely still love Station Eleven a whole lot more, though.
Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase (***) – I loved the atmosphere and mystery of this story. A woman feels a strange connection to an dilapidated, rambling hall and stumbles on a mystery from her past. Unfortunately, the overt sexual content was a bit much for me, ick. Otherwise, this had the total lovely creepy, whimsical feel that I really enjoy.
The Holy Bible (*****) – finished Numbers, Isaiah and John, now into Jeremiah, Acts, and dipping into Deuteronomy slowly as well.
I read a lot of other things, but this is what I finished. Nothing smashing out of the modern selection this month, I’m afraid. Still searching for the elusive modern read that I LOVE! 😉 How ’bout you? Read anything lovely?
A.M. Pine - Hearth Ridge Reflections 
Ouch – it looks like it was a rough month of reading for you! I LOVED The Ten Thousand Doors of January and The Glass Hotel and am sorry that neither of them worked for you. But The Starless Sea was also a flop for me.
I started Magic Sweet, Magic Bitter and intensely disliked it, ha! I loved the baking scenes but remember being completely overtaken by all of the violence and couldn’t continue. The Paper Magician seems like a fun premise, but I’ll probably skip thanks to your review.
And I’m still on the waitlist for the Eve Chase book!
I hope you’re able to find more enjoyable books in September!
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Guess what, Katie?! I enjoyed Thornyhold! It was a sweet, cozy read! I did like The Glass Castle, but just wasn’t as of a strong winner for me as Station Eleven. I think the descriptive writing and creativity in The Ten Thousand Doors of January was amazing, just some of those things I mentioned bothered me. Thanks for stopping by and chatting!
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I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed Thornyhold!! I totally get why those books weren’t wins for you. Here’s to another month full of reading!
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I tend to seek out older novels as well. Just finished Nevil Shute’s Lonely Road—has a bit of experimental writing yet contains a solid mystery with a tame romance.
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Oooo…I haven’t read that Shute! I really enjoyed some of his books.
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It’s quite inventive. None of the books of his I’ve read so far fall into a signature style. He’s proving to be a worthwhile author to seek out.
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I tend to read older novels as well. I like that they’ve passed the test of time. Usually that means they’ll prove to be a better read! I really liked Ten Thousand Doors, though. I had a few issues with it but overall I couldn’t put it down.
Right now I’m reading Dragonriders of Pern. This is my second read through and I like it better this time. I think it’s because my expectations were adjusted. My first exposure to fantasy was Tolkien. The downside to this is that nothing else compares! I keep expecting expansive stories and worlds and character development due to reading Lord of the Rings as my first true fantasy novel.
I hope you find something awesome to read this month!
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Oh, yes, Ten Thousand Doors was a page turner, I agree. I just disliked those jarring bits for me. I’ve never read the Dragonriders of Pern! I’ll have to look into it. And yes, anything compared to Tolkien is sorely lacking. HA. 😉 Thank you for stopping by and chatting books with me!
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