Goodreads Reading Challenge Progress

Do you know what sucks? Chronic illness sucks, it is the thief of joy, the barrier to progression, and the jester that mocks you when you make plans. I have lists and lists of things I want to do from the small- organise my bathroom cupboards- to the large- Tokyo Disney- and chronic illness always has a way of coming between me and my goals. The thing my chronic illness stops me from doing most though is THIS! Blogging seems so simple to those who don't do it but it takes so much energy from those of us who have little. 

So, I've sat down in front of this laptop a number of times over the last few months with the intention of writing something, anything, and then haven't. Sitting at my desk hurts my back, sitting on the couch hurts my legs, brain fog steals the words on their journey from my brain to my clicky little fingers-and inevitably I give up and just go back to reading or watching TV. But today I am easing myself back in with something easy-it's just a list it shouldn't be too taxing, right? Let's hope not!

I am way behind (see above about chronic illness being the thief of joy) on my reading challenge this year BUT I am exactly halfway through which is an achievement in itself so let's have a look at the 25 books I've read so far in 2021:

1. Influence by Sara Shepard (3*)
2. Secrets of the Starcrossed-Once and Future Queen book 1 by Clara O'Connor (4*)
3. The Curse of the Celts- Once and Future Queen book 2 by Clara O'Connor (4*)
4. Legend of the Lakes- Once and Future Queen book 3 by Clara O'Connor (4*)
5. Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid (5*)
6. Little Scratch by Rebecca Watson (4*)
7. The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed (4*)
8. The End of Men by Christina Sweeney Baird (4*)
9. A Vow so Bold and Deadly-Cursebreakers book 3 by Brigid Kemmerer (4*)
10. Mirrorland by Carole Johnstone (4*)
11. The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna (4*)
12. When I Was Ten by Fiona Cummins (5*)
13. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by Voldemort (no rating-reread)
14. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by Voldemort (no rating-reread)
15. Good Girls Die First by Kathryn Foxfield (4*)
16. The Guest List by Lucy Foley (4*)
17. Perimenopause Power by Maisie Hill (3*)
18. The Mother Fault by Kate Mildenhall (2*)
19. All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O'Donoghue (5*)
20. House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland (5*)
21. The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker by Lauren James (4*)
22. Dog Rose Dirt by Jen Williams (5*)
23. Found- House of Night Other World book 4 by P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast (3*)
24. As Good as Dead- A Good Girl's Guide to Murder book 3 by Holly Jackson (4*)
25. Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer (5*)

There is was a 26th book but I did not finish it because the world is depressing enough without having my escapism be riddled with baby loss, spousal abuse, rape, and xenophobia, among other things.

My Favourite Book of the Year (so far)

House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland

Spooky, mind-bending, terrifying magical realism. Beautifully written, torn from the mind of someone a little twisted (this is the highest compliment), and just thoroughly engaging. 5 stars would 100% recommend. 

My Least Favourite Book of the Year (so far)

The Mother Fault by Kate Mildenhall

I'm just going to share here what I wrote in my review on NetGalley.

I just don't get this book. At first, I was like "Yes! Dystopian world- so close to reality-sign me right up" but then nothing really happens!

The Department are shady but also so secondary to the story you can be forgiven for forgetting all about them for a large chunk of the story. Characters who are apparently so pivotal are left by the wayside with no follow-up. The big reveal happens over a page and a half and then we go back to nothing.  There is no conclusion to the story which makes it feel like the whole book is just a prequel, but there is nothing to suggest that it's the first in a series.

The writing is lovely, flashbacks are a nice touch, the honest examples of motherhood are welcome but that's it there is no cohesion between these good things and the actual story as a whole-it's just meh! 

I put The Mother Fault down at 96% and it took me another 3 days to pick it up again to finish. 

Now enough waffling on from me it's back to my books! I'm currently reading The Search Party by Simon Lelic (which if you look at the list above is surprising for the sole reason that it is written by a man!! I know I shock even myself sometimes). 

Hope you're all having a wonderful day, and if you are reading I hope it's a good one! 

Much Love

AJ