Hello!

I am here with March 2018 Wrap Up and it’s on time and everything! Who knew? Still not really reaching the whole consistent blogging 😂 but all I can say is I’ll try my best next month. I’m pretty rubbish at getting organised so it seems.

March was another slow reading month but I still managed to read a total of 5 books—1 more than last month so that’s a plus—and 1439 pages.

While I only read 5 book, 3 of them were 5 stars reads which is pretty amazing!

The genres I read this month were historical fiction, literary fiction and fantasy. I read 4 standalone books and 1 first books in a series.

Onto the ratings!

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★★★★★

The Red Word by Sarah Henstra 
I was lucky enough to received an ARC of this book and I do have a full review. Thank you so much to Black Cat, Grove Atlantic for sending a copy my way!

This book ended up been more twisted and thought provoking than I original thought. The Red Word explores the rape culture surrounding fraternities all told through the lens of classical Literature. We get a pretty varied look at all side of the argument surrounding consent and what is classed as due to our protagonist Karen Huls position of being part-time campus feminist and part-time frat brother girlfriend. Not a story for the faint of heart as Henstra portrays a raw and unflinching look at university life. Drug use, excessive drinking, sex and rape is all interspersed with discussions of feminist theory and myth.

Circe by Madeline Miller 
Circe was my most anticipated release of the year, after how much I love The Song of Achillies. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC—which just blew my mind and made my whole year, THANK YOU BLOOMSBURY! I do have a full review for this one.

I will admit I was a little worried I wasn’t going to love this story as much as her first book because I’m not as familiar with Circe’s story. I’d only come across her in The Odyssey as the wicked witch who turned Odysseus’ men into pigs. I loved learning her history. Even though Circe is supposed to be this all powerful goddess she’ll really relatable. She just want to loved and appreciated but finds herself stuck in this place of too moral for the gods and too godlike for human. Her story is at time harrowing but I admire her strength. Now I just want to go flipping through the classic texts and see if I find where Circe’s mentioned.

An Uncertain Grace by Krissy Keen
I have a full review for this one, so I’ll keep my review hear short. Wow I don’t know what I was expecting from the book but I definitely got more than I bargained for. This one I read for my Stella Prize reading project as it’s one the shortlisted books.

Keen’s writing is the beautiful juxtaposition of lyricism and crude descriptions of sex but it worked. This story feels like it’s would slot right into the TV show, Black Mirror as it explores the dark intersection of of sex, predators and technology all while ruminating on what constitutes as perception of memory. So far this would be my pick for The Stella Prize Winner.

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★★★★ 1/2

The Fish Girl by Mirandi Riwoe 
I do have a full review so I’ll keep my thoughts contained and less rambley. This was the first book I read for my Stella Prize reads and I really enjoyed it.  Riwoe’s writing is beautiful and this novella leaves you with a punch to the chest. I adored getting to see the Malya culture. I could feel the heat of the sun and hear the lap of the waves. I wish I had read W. Somerset Maugham’s story first but I think I’ll go ahead a read it and maybe do a reread afterwards.

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★★★★

The Star-Touched Queen (The Star-Touched Queen #1) by Roshani Chokshi 

This books has a lush lyrical style that makes the world come to life. I love that it was based on Indian mythology and culture. After reading this I definitely want to learn more about these stories and characters. I do think the pacing at the end as a little rush and wished there was more pages to explore the relationship between Maya and Amar and give more space for Maya to discover her role in this new world. But overall I really enjoyed it and am excited to get stuck into the sequel.

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That’s it for me. Comment down below and let me know what you’re favourite read of March was.

Until next time, happy reading!
Dearna