#MonthlyWrapUp : November 2019

Hello Readers!

This month was quite satisfactory. I finished all book I needed to read this month. I bought 2 books at 70% discount. I love it when I get book with best deal. I bought Hag-Seed (Hogarth Shakespeare) by Margaret Atwood. That is in series but I checked could be read standalone. Looks like Shakespeare retelling. I haven’t read anything by Shakespeare so I hope I like it. Second was The Girl in The Tower by Katherine Arden. I still need to buy first and third in this series but hey this was gorgeous hardcover in 70% discount, how could I let it go?

Total books read- 7
1 Paperback (author request),
3 NetGalley (pre-approved widget),
3 ecopies (author requests)
Books reviewed- 8 (2 books I read last month)
Total Pages- 2556

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These I read in October but reviewed in Nov during blog tour. Both were my most favorite last month.

Books I read and reviewed in Nov-

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I Know You Remember by Jennifer Donaldson — [Review] Stars: 5/5

• YA thriller that revolved around Ruthie and her lost best friend Zahra.
• It was about obsession, dysfunctional family, abusive parents and their addiction issues, friendship and jealousy.
• There were many elements in story. All the big serious topic that gave so much to discuss over.
• Climax was most interesting. Big clever twist. End was satisfactory but still mind-boggling.
• Overall, it was gripping, thrilling, page-turner with brilliant twist and amazing setting. I surely recommend this book.

Affiliate Link: Book Depository

Anbatar: Legacy of the Blood Guard by Anne Dolleri — [Review] Stars: 5/5

• fantastic high fantasy, second in series but can read as standalone.
• It revolved around Nareth, a Samerier and prince of southern kingdom trying to bring peace between Northern and Southern kingdom.
• The book was about prejudice and misconception, dispute between kingdoms, politics, betrayal, loyalty and friendship.
• Writing was perfect. It gave life to creative characters and mesmerizing world. Author balanced characters and plot wonderfully. I loved this world. What I loved most was legends and stories around Blood Guard and Samerier.
• Overall, it was fantastic, thrilling, filled with twist and turns, and interesting high fantasy.

The Bodies in the Library (First Edition Library Mystery, #1) by Marty Wingate — [Review] Stars: 4/5

• interesting cozy murder mystery that revolved around Hayley’s job as curator of Lady Georgiana Fowling’s First Edition Society at Lady Fowling’s Middlebank House, turned into library containing vast collection of first edition books by women authors from Golden Age of Mystery. It was about fanfiction, maintaining and respecting the legacy, secrets, conflicts, and friendship.
• No clues and many suspects. What made the idea even more exciting was, Hayley knew nothing about investigation until she read Christie’s Miss Marple book, The Body in the Library.
• All characters, especially writers, were quirky and interesting. What I loved most in the book was modern day setting along with Golden age of Mystery. It created wonderful atmosphere.
• Everything was perfect but that motive for murder ruined the fun.
• Overall, it was promising first book in new series. Interesting writing, atmospheric setting, and cozy mystery makes this book perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and this genre.

Affiliate Link: Book Depository

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Gravemaidens (Gravemaidens, #1) by Kelly Coon — [Review] Stars: 4/5

• unique and fascinating fantasy that take place in ancient land where sacred maidens were chosen to bury along with dead king i.e. Gravemaidens. It revolved around this concept, a healer and her journey trying to save her sister who was chosen to be one of the gravemaiden.
• It was about injustice and ill-treatment towards low class people and women, ancient dogmatic tradition and cruel practices, family, friendship, sisterhood, grief and loss and how people react to it differently.

• What I loved most was the world. some Mesopotamian mythical aspects, the God Enlil they worshiped and story of boatman they believed in so religiously. All descriptions were vivid. Ancient treatments methods, childbirth, tonics and tinctures were well researched.
• Message behind the story was nice. Pace was bumpy . I absolutely loved the end. Half of the story was predictable. I guessed most of the turns. I was bit annoyed with main character.
• Overall, it enjoyable, enthralling, and fascinating fantasy with interesting ancient world and characters.

Affiliate Link: Book Depository

Maps of Bliss and Rage by Mario Dhingsa — [Review] Stars: 3.5/5

• It was collection of 8 short stories set in 8 different countries. It was about survival and adventure, revenge, abuse and religious conflicts, politics, Christianity and miracle, unlikely friendship, rumors about princess and her dangerous life, reminiscence of school life.
• I loved the way each stories started with interesting characters and their situation, the way stories developed with plot twists and the unpredictable ends.
• Setting was great, the place and timeline for story, cultural aspect and some historical facts ware written perfectly. Some stories were entertaining, while some emotional, tense and had hard topics.
• In 2-3 stories I lost interest in middle and had to re-read few passages to get a grip. Maybe it’s just me, it won’t be the case with you, but it niggled a little.
• Overall, it was interesting anthology with creative stories that took place in different countries.

The Dog on the Acropolis by Mark Tedesco — [Review] Stars: 3/5

• It was, a fiction that revolved around Draco, dog, living on acropolis, his dream and his relationship with business owners on in Plaka, about the human-animal relationship, friendship, compassion and companion.
• I liked the concept of a stray dog leading tourist in Acropolis, being part of small community, changing their life and bringing joy to them and along with this his dreams about his ancestor and her life during the golden age of Athens that made him feel connected to Acropolis and Parthenon.
• It was interesting, unique and simple story that reaffirms ‘Animals are our best friend’.
• My main issue was, though the story was realistic, author pictured relation between human and animal very genuinely, I didn’t feel it deeply. I didn’t enjoy the conversation between characters, it felt dull. I don’t know exact timeline for present story but it didn’t feel modern.
• Overall, interesting concept, loved the human and animal relationship. I wish it had the feel too. Dog lovers would like to read this book.

Affiliate Link: Book Depository

I had mixed feeling for this. I loved the concept and world. But I didn’t like few things too. Review will be up tomorrow.

Promo/Blitz:

There were around 8 blitz or promo post this month. I’m not going to list them all any more. It’s really time consuming. You can check all blitz HERE.

Author Interview:

• E. L. Croucher, author of Horned Winged Blessed

My most favorite book this month:

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I haven’t signed up that many review tours for December and Jan. I have closed review requests as well. Whatever I have signed up for I’m going to finish it in December so new year will be dedicated to books I purchased. That is because I got ultimatum from dearest husband that he is not going to gift me any book until I finish unread books! Shocking right? Anyway, I have some goals and for that it’s better to go along with his unforgivable declaration.

You might not see me around that often as I got Netflix subscription, yayyy! But I’ll catch up with all your posts whenever I’m on laptop. I watched Stranger Things season 1 and currently watching season 2.

Let’s discuss!

How was you month in reading? What did you read in Nov? Have you read any of these books? Are you going add any to your TBR? Which book(s) was your favorite this month? Also recommend me some binge worthy series I should watch on Netflix.

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