July Wrap-Up

Hello, everybody and welcome to another monthly Wrap-Up! In the month of July, I read a total of nine books, which has by far been my best reading month of the year. I participated in two Read-A-Thon’s in the month of July, which definitely helped out in my monthly books read count. I participated in the Read-Eh-Thon, and the Summer Biannual Bibliothon, which helped me read a lot more books in a shorter amount of time. Since, I read so many books, and most of these books I talked about in my TBR posts, I won’t go into to much detail of what these books are about. So, without further ado, let’s get into the wrap-up! Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery Dates Read: 07/02/2018-07/06/2018 Genre: Classic Children’s Format: ebook through Overdrive Challenge Completed: Read a book written by a Canadian Female author, for the Read-Eh-Thon Final Rating: 4/5 Stars 

Synopsis: A classic Canadian tale, about young Orphan Anne, who gets adopted by a couple at Green Gables, a farm outside of Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. This is a coming of age story, of a girl trying to fit into a home who wanted to adopt a boy to help out on the farm. Anne tries to win them over, while also adjusting to living in a world outside of the Orphanage. Final Thoughts: It was difficult not to immediately fall in love with young orphan Anne, with her whimsical way of thinking, and her naive outlook of the world. This is a classic in Canadian and Children’s literature for a reason, and while sometimes it was hard to understand Anne’s way of thinking. I still enjoyed L.M. Montgomery’s writing, I thought she gave wonderful descriptions of Avonlea, through the eyes of a young girl. It was almost refreshing to think and read about the world, in the way Anne saw it. It was also interesting to read about the Orphan system of Canada, which is such an important part of Canada’s history, that I didn’t know a lot about. I really enjoyed the family dynamics with Anne’’s adopted family, as well as her friendship with Diana. The Home for Unwanted Girls by Joanna Goodman Dates Read: 07/06/2018-07/11/2018 Genre: Historical Fiction Format: Paperback Challenge Completed: Read a book set in a province you’ve never been to, for the Read-Eh-Thon. The Home for Unwanted Girls was set in Quebec. Final Rating: 4/5 Stars  

Synopsis:   Set in 1950s Quebec, where the English and French tolerate each other with precarious civility. Young Maggie Hughes, falls in love with a French boy from the farm next door, under much of her English-Speaking father’s demise. Maggie at the age of fifteen becomes pregnant, and has to give her child up for adoption. Her daughter Elodie, grows up in Quebec’s impoverished orphanage system, and when she earns her freedom from the nun’s care, at the age of seventeen. Having her thrust into the unnerving world as an alien, she becomes more interested in finding out about her real family. As time passes, Maggie and Elodie intertwine but never touch, until Maggie realizes she must take what she wants from life and go in search of her long lost daughter. *I have a full in-depth review on The Home for Unwanted Girls by Joanna Goodman, here is the link if you are interested in my thoughts on this book. https://chynnaw16.wixsite.com/thecwtorch/single-post/2018/07/27/The-Home-for-Unwanted-Girls-Review-Diaries The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood Dates Read: 07/03/2018-07/12/2018 Genre: Dystopian-Adult Format: Audible Challenge Completed: Read a book with red on the cover, and a book with “EH” on the title, for the Read-Eh-Thon Final Rating: 5/5 Stars  

Synopsis: Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She may leave the home of the Commander and his wife once a day to walk to food markets whose signs are now pictures instead of words because women are no longer allowed to read. She must lie on her back once a month and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant, because in an age of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are valued only if their ovaries are viable. Offred can remember the years before, when she lived and made love with her husband, Luke; when she played with and protected her daughter; when she had a job, money of her own, and access to knowledge. But all of that is gone now… Final Thoughts: This was one of the most unique and gut-wrenching Dystopian’s I’ve read in a while. Set in a world where women are only seen as objects and a means to get pregnant, because of the declining fertility rates. What I liked about this book, was that this Dystopian future felt extremely real. Which was a hard pill to swallow, but wasn’t too far from the truth. Throughout history, women have always been seen as an object of fertility, or someone to take care of the home. Margaret Atwood took an idea of the past, only making it more gruesome. As far as the story, it was sometimes hard to follow, but I think that was mainly due to the audiobook. Sometimes it was hard to concentrate when listening to the book, especially when it was dealing with the more heavier topics. But, all in all, it was a really interesting book, that kept me thinking about women’s role in society. Hoping that this world, in which this book is set in, will never become reality. The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw Dates Read: 07/15/2018-07/16/2018 Genre: Paranormal-Young Adult Format: Hardback Challenge Completed: Read the group book, for the Summer Biannual Bibliothon Final Rating: 5/5 Stars  

Synopsis: Two centuries ago, in the cursed town of Sparrow, three sisters were sentenced to death for witchery. Stones were tied to their ankles, and they were drowned in the deep waters surrounding the town. Now, for a brief time each summer, the sisters return, stealing the bodies of three weak-hearted girls so that they may seek their revenge, luring boys into the harbor and pulling them under. Like many locals, seventeen-year-old Penny Talbot has accepted the fate of the town. But, this year on the eve of the sister’s return, a boy named Bo Carter arrives. Penny and Bo suspect each other of hiding secrets, and death comes swiftly to those who cannot resist the call of the sisters. But only Penny sees what others can’t, and she will be forced to choose: save Bo, or save herself. Final Thoughts: I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, mainly because I’ve been hearing so many mixed reviews on it. But, I absolutely loved the story, especially when we got the flashbacks of the three sisters, and learned more about the history of the town of Sparrow. I also really enjoyed the setting, I thought Shea Ernshaw did a really good job at setting the scene. The town of Sparrow seemed like a very real town in Oregon, and felt extremely dark and atmospheric. However, I could see why people didn’t like this book, and that was because you could definitely tell that this was Shea Ernshaw’s debut novel. There wasn’t a lot of uniqueness within this book, for instance, a lot of the characters seemed like characters I’ve read about in other books. Our main character was your typical “average” girl, who didn’t see herself as beautiful or anything special. Her family home was very typical YA paranormal, and I didn't think it was very well-developed either. But, I actually didn’t mind the romance at all, even with the “twist,” that was very expected. While I did have a lot of problems with this novel, I still enjoyed my time reading it. It brought me back to those days of reading The Secret Circle, The Sookie Stackhouse novels, and all those Witchy books that I love. It did feel very Hocus Pocus, which I absolutely loved. So, my feelings and experience while reading this book, outweighed my critical views of it. Which is why I gave The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw a 5/5 stars. When Dimple Met Rishi by Sylvain Neuvel Dates Read: 07/16/2018-07/18/2018 Genre: Contemporary-Young Adult Format: Audible Challenge Completed: Read an own-voices novel, that is different from you, and a book that’s been on your TBR shelf for over a year, for the Summer Biannual Bibliothon  Final Rating: 3/5 Stars 

Synopsis: 

Dimple Shah has everything figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family, from her Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Dimple knows they must respect her principles on some level, though. If they truly believed she needed a husband right now, they wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers? Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him, he's totally onboard, since Rishi wants to be arranged. When Dimple and Rishi meet, they think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways. Final Thoughts: I unfortunately, didn’t enjoy this book, as much as everybody else did. It takes a lot for me to really like a young adult contemporary, and as excited as I was to read this book, expectations weren’t met. I thought it was too immature for my tastes, and the romance was way too insta-lovey. I was really looking forward to this traditional vs. non-traditional relationship, but it all fell in line too quickly for me. I really would've loved it if, Dimple continued to not like Rishi, and that it stayed more of a cat and mouse type of romance. However, there were aspects of the book that I did like, for instance, the family dynamics. I thought Dimple’s rebellion from her parents and her family’s tradition, provided interesting dialogue, and complex development. I also, enjoyed the fact that while Rishi wanted to be set up in an arranged marriage. He still wanted to go against the grain with tradition, wanting to become a comic-book artist, instead of a mechanical engineer. I also liked the fact that the book was set in San Francisco, because that was something I wasn't expecting. The little nods and references to the San Francisco Bay Area, was really cool, especially since I grew up around there. But, I still thought there was too much teenaged drama, that I didn’t particularly care for, and was the main reason why I gave it such a low rating. Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel Dates Read: 07/16/2018-07/19/2018 Genre: Science Fiction- Adult Format: Paperback Challenge Completed: Read the last book that you bought, for the Summer Biannual Bibliothon Final Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Synopsis: A girl named Rose is riding her new bike near home in Deadwood, South Dakota, when she falls through the earth. She wakes up at the bottom of the square-shaped hole, it’s walls glowing with intricate carvings. But the firemen who come to save her peer down upon something even stranger: a little girl in the palm of a giant metal hand. Seventeen years later, the mystery of the bizarre artifact becomes unsolved - the object’s origins, architects, and purpose unknown. But some can never stop searching for answers. Rose Franklin is now a highly trained physicist leading a top-secret team to crack the hand’s code. Final Thoughts: Sleeping Giants was a really interesting book, and not something I typically read. I really enjoyed the science-fiction aspects of this book, because I felt that it made sense, and was thoroughly researched. I was really interested in figuring out what these artifacts were, and why they were hidden under the ground. I didn’t enjoy the format of this book, as it was written in interview-format. I thought it was extremely confusing, trying to figure out who was talking in the interviews, because there was only the description of the interview at the beginning of each chapter. But, I couldn't really tell who was asking the questions, and who was answering them. This aspect of the book really took my enjoyment out of it, because I was having such a difficult time following a long, however it did make for a quick read. I was still very interested in the mystery of this story, and couldn't put it down, because I was trying to figure out what these body parts were. I enjoyed this book a lot, but there were some things that bothered my reading experience, however, I’m still very interested in continuing on with the series. Sky In the Deep by Adrienne Young Dates Read: 07/19/2018-07/24/2018 Genre: Fantasy-Young Adult Format: Owlcrate Exclusive-Hardback Challenge Completed: Read a predicted 5-star read, for the Summer Biannual Bibliothon Final Rating: 4.5/5 Star  

Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansman in an ancient rivalry against the Riki clan. Her life is brutal but simple: fight and survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield— her brother, fighting with the enemy— the brother she watched die five years ago. Faced with her brother’s betrayal she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki, in a village where every neighbor is an enemy. But when the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan thought to be a legend. Eelyn is even more desperate to get back to her beloved family. She is given no choice, but to unite clans to fight together, or risk being slaughtered one by one. Final Thoughts: Again, I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, especially since it seemed like your typical YA fantasy, with your usual warrior-princess. But, I really liked the Norse inspiration, and epic clan rivalry. I was really interested in finding out why her brother was on opposite sides, living amongst the Riki. This book was action-packed, and a page turner that I couldn't put down. I was enjoying the romance in this book, even though it wasn’t something I haven't seen before. But, I really liked the dynamic between Eelyn and Fiske, and thought they brought the best out in each other. The family dynamics of this book was really intriguing as well, because you could see that Eelyn was trying to understand her brother’s relationship with his new family. But, she couldn't automatically see how or why her brother would go against their own family. The reason why I couldn’t give this book a 5/5 stars, despite how much I really enjoyed it. All had to do with the end, which I won’t talk about, because it might spoil some things. Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire Dates Read: 07/19/2018-07/26/2018 Genre: Fantasy-Young Adult Format: Scribed Challenge: Read a book from someone else's TBR, for the Summer Biannual Bibliothon Final Rating: 4/5 Stars  

Synopsis: Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children No Solicitations No Visitors No Quests. Children have always disappeared under the right conditions; slipping through the shadows under a bed or at the back of a wardrobe, tumbling down rabbit holes and into old wells, and emerging somewhere… else. But magical lands have little need for used-up miracle children. Nancy tumbled once, but now she’s back. The things she’s experienced… they change a person. The children under Miss West’s care understand all too well. And each of them is seeking a way back to their fantasy world. But Nancy’s arrival marks a chance at the Home. There’s a darkness just around each corner, and when tragedy strikes, it’s up to Nancy and her new-found schoolmates to get the heart of the matter. No matter the cost. Final Thoughts: This was a very strange book, and one that I had difficulty rating. While I really enjoyed the major plot-line of this book, I couldn't really figure out what this book was about. It wasn’t exactly what I thought it was going to be, which I knew Seanan McGuire was trying to do from the beginning. But, it was really hard to follow, what was going on most of the time. While I couldn't really pick up on the major story-line, the main aspect that I really enjoyed were the characters. These characters were some of the most unique and strange, characters I’ve read in a while. Which was kind of refreshing, from reading a lot of stories with under-developed characters. However, they were still extremely weird, which was kind of the point. Another aspect that enhanced my reading experience, was listening to this on Scribed. I thought the narrator, really got the vibe of this book, matching her tone of voice with the children and atmosphere. While I did get confused at times, I still really enjoyed the major arc of the story, and will definitely be finishing this series in the future. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris Dates Read: 07/25/2018-07/30/2018 Genre: Paranormal Fantasy-Adult Format: Paperback Final Rating: 3.5/5 Stars  

Synopsis: Sookie Stackhouse is just a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. Until the vampire of her dreams walks into her life-and one of her coworkers checks out… Maybe having a vampire for a boyfriend isn't such a bright idea. Final Thoughts: This was a re-read for me, as I’ve been wanting to get back into this series again. I really enjoyed the books I have read in this series, having not read all of them. However, my second-time reading this first installment, wasn't as enjoyable as the first. As I’ve become a more critical reader, I picked up on some glaring details that really bothered me. For instance, Charlaine Harris’ descriptions of the people in town, were very racially-inclined. She didn't use any racial terms, but she described people of color as Black, or Native American as strictly “Indian American.” And the tone of how she used those terms, seemed very lesser than. She didn’t take the time to describe their physical or emotional attributes, which really didn't sit well with me. I guess I never noticed this when I read this when I was much younger, but I instantly picked it up this time around. I don't know or remember if the author continues to describe people of color in the same way, in her other books. If she does, I might not continue with the series. Which is unfortunate, because I really like the major plot-line of this story, considering how much I like Paranormal stories, and how much I loved the TV series. However, I still loved the characters, especially loving Sam a lot more in the book than in the TV show, and really enjoyed the mystery aspect of this book. But, I do think the mystery could’ve been developed more, as I thought everything happened extremely fast. I am still in shock at how many books I read last month, however, I definitely think that participating in two ReadAThon’s really helped. I read a lot of good books last month too, that I can’t really pick a favorite. There were also a lot of interesting surprises with ratings, and what books I enjoyed more over others. While I did have a really good reading month, I do feel like I am falling into a slump. Because of that, I am actually not going to partake in the ReadAThon’s, I was planning on participating in the month of August. I do plan on reading throughout that month though, just not at the level I was reading in July. So, there you have it folks, I hope you all enjoyed this monthly wrap-up, as much as I enjoyed reading all of these amazing books! TTFN and Happy Reading! Chynna Williams @TheCWTorch Social Media Platforms: Twitter- @chynnaw16 Instagram- @bigleaguephoto