JANUARY & FEBRUARY RECAP // somehow i read 15 books ft. graphic novel mania, readalongs, lots of new books & back to uni

It’s the way I forgot to post my January until halfway through February and decided another two weeks was worth waiting.

I mean what else is new here? Ruby Rae Reads: perpetually late to everything

Lmao love that for me

Anyway, I have lots to talk about, so let’s jump right in!

Seven Percent of Ro Devereux by Ellen O’Clover {★★★★★}: started off the year strong with this absolutely stunning YA debut contemporary romance ugh it was SO SO SO GOOD!!!! Absolutely everything I ever wanted from this book about creating an app, familial tension, angsty emotions and childhood friends to enemies to lovers. It was *chef’s kiss* and you all need to read it RIGHT THIS SECOND!!!! Big thanks to the author for sending me an eARC via Netgalley, click here for my GR review <3<3<3

Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman {★★★★½}: decided to get off my butt and finally read these and ugh I had the bestest day literally just reading all of these comics. A stunning first instalment and I do love how accurate the show is. It’s kind of scary. Big thanks to Pan MacMillan SA for the review copy xoxoxo

Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman {★★★★½}: she got even cuter and my heart started to hurt and I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!!!! Big thanks to Pan MacMillan SA for the review copy xoxoxo

Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman {★★★★★}: now she started to hurt real bad and I truly WAS NOT PREPARED. Charlie must be protected at all costs and I want to give out approx 1000000 hugs. He deserves the world. Pan has hooked me up with this whole series so another thank you! Now I’m off to join the Paris squad *wink wink*

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Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman {★★★★★}: I need a new season right this second or I will lose my mind and THIS WAS SO GOOD DEFINITELY MY FAVE AND I WANT TO SCREAM INTO MY PILLOW I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!!! Transporting myself into this world k bye. Props to Pan Macmillan for being the bestest *cries in happiness*

The Heartstopper Yearbook by Alice Oseman {★★★★★}: I was not ready to be alone so we just extended my cute lil marathon into this book, which is just bonus content and illustrations but she delivered. Literally could not have asked for more from this kind of book and it was just a lovely time. Going to link you my GR review here because that Ruby is more articulate haha. Big thanks to Jonathan Ball Publishers for sending this copy my way!!!

A Thief Among The Trees by Sabaa Tahir {★★★★½}: I’ve gushed about my local library before but they really came through with this one. Literally forgot these existed but borrowed them so fast when they were available and MY MIND IS BLOWN. These are actual perfection and everything I ever needed. In my prequel graphic novel era and I should probably read the sequel novels oops. Anyways, this was actual perfection and my only small issue was that the first bit was confusing, and this is coming from a person who knows the world. But other than that, it was amazing. Loved the action, getting to visualise this world. The plot was fast-paced, the illustrations were beautiful and you just need to read these!!!!

A Spark Within The Forge by Sabaa Tahir {★★★★★}: this was LITERAL PERFECTION GOD I LOVE LAIA. I would sacrifice myself for both of them but ugh Laia is just my soulmate. This book really sets up the series to come and now I have absolutely no excuse not to actually get past book two. You know what’s up, I’m scared for my sanity. But I just loved this so so so much and am so glad these got made. The world-building is beyond me too good and I do worship Ms Sabaa Tahir *gets on knees*

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The Titan’s Curse by Rick Riordan {★★★★☆}: hands down my favourite of these graphic novels and the most engaging. The humour was actually done right and it was just overall enjoyable.

The Battle of The Labyrinth by Rick Riordan {★★★☆☆}: unfortuneatly a let down and did not deliver what I wanted it to. Crying myself a river

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan {★★★★☆}: kinda should be a 3.5 star but she gets an extra one just because I liked my time with these and it was a good wrap up. Saves me time because I’m already behind on the Riordan-verse and that’s a lot of books to reread. I recommend. Kinda. Idk.

Anatomy by Dana Schwartz {★★★★½}: I mean, what a joyous experience this was. This sounds weird because this book is not light and fluffy but I love it? I think I’m going to do a whole post so I won’t say too much but I loved this SO SO SO much and it’s so underrated actually. Big thank you to Wordsworth Books for gifting me a copy. Gushing in the GR review and keep your eyes peeled *wink wink*

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Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddings {★★★½☆}: If you’re looking for a YA romance full of warmth and cuteness that discusses the intricacies of neurodiversity, then this book is a wonderful choice that you’ll absolutely gobble up. I wanted to like this more than I did, though overall it was super sweet and adorable, and I recommend if you’re looking for a cute YA romance with ADHD & autism rep. GR review over here, thank you to Wednesday Books for the eARC via Netgally ilysm

Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong {★★★★★}: ITS ABOUT DAMN TIME THIS GOT READ OMG!!!!! I’m proud of myself a hecka lot. Are you? Better be. This book was… phenomenal. Did we expect anything else? I’m saving the gushing for my spoiler-filled blog review which is right over here, but you need this dazzling new YA historical fantasy in your life or you will suffer!!!!! Big thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for the review copy, Hodder UK for the eARC via Netgalley and to Wordsworth Books for hosting the readalong with me, you guys are the bestest <3<3<3<3

Immortality by Dana Schwartz {★★★★★}: was absolutely blessed with this one and boy did she deliver with this series conclusion. My mind was reeling after the last ending and ugh this was so perfect, you can’t have asked for a better conclusion. From the writing, setting, atmosphere, romance and creepy anatomy, THIS SERIES IS SO GOOD READ IT!!!! More thoughts to come in a longer review, but GR one here and a huge thank you to Wednesday Books for the eARC via Netgalley, I adore you to bits xoxoxoxoxo

Love you Pan Macmillan SA:

• Wolfsong by TJ Klune
• Alone With You In The Ether by Olivie Blake
• When You Get The Chance by Emma Lord

Big thank you to Penguin Random House SA for the spoils!

• The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton
• The League of Gentlewoman Witches by India Holton
• Nocturne by Alyssa Wees proof
• Last Summer on State Street by Toya Wolfe proof
• People Change by Sara Jafari proof
• Happy Place by Emily Henry proof
• Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

In my own defense, these are mostly gifts, bought with vouchers or cheap at a second-hand store, but I am not allowed to use my bank account for the foreseeable future:

• Two Wrongs Make A Right by Chloe Liese
• Husband Material by Alexis Hall
• A Lady for A Duke by Alexis Hall
• Her Body & Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado
• Bringing Down The Duke by Evie Dunmore
• Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King
• An Arrow To The Moon by Emily X.R. Pan (Fairyloot exclusive)
• Thank You For Listening by Julia Whelan
• Percy Jackson and The Greek Gods
• Once and Future Witches by Alix E Harrow
• The Raven Cycle books 2 – 4 by Maggie Stiefvater
• The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
• City of Bones AND Tunnel of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab
• Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
• The Name of The Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
• Friends, Lovers and The Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry
• The Shadow of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
• The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
• Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna KendrickGreywaren by Maggie Stiefvater
• DK Guide to Shakespeare
  
• The London Book of English Verse
  
• King Lear by William Shakespeare
  
• The Milk Tart Murders by Sally Andrew
• Before The Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
• The Last Story of Mina Lee by Nancy Jooyoun Kim
• Crazy Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams
• Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

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The wonderful Wordsworth Books had me on for a guest post for UNDERRATED READS FOR 2023 which was just amazing and I love them a lot!!!

My mind was already losing details on what I read and I’m literally going blank on what I watched. I know things but beats me what they were. Trying my best here fols *runs away*

I went to the cinema a few times, and saw The Whale as well as Babylon, both of which I am still processing. That’s all I want to say there. Your Place or Mine also came out which was decent, need more modern romcoms with these vibes, maybe add some chemistry though lmao

We have a couple of oldies on the list, including two post-Gilmore Girl Alexis Bledel flicks aka Postgrad and Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants which were lowkey great. As well as finally Confessions of A Shopaholic and both My Big Fat Greek Wedding 1 & 2. Quite a few rewatches like The Princess Diaries, Instant Family, Twilight, A Walk To Remember, X-Men: Days of Future Past. Oooh and Four Weddings and a Funeral which I went to see at the Galileo Outdoor Cinema and loved the experience, not particular about the film oops.

Letterboxd is my second brain as you can tell folks, otherwise, I would not remember these *hides*

I started but am too traumatised to get past episode 3 of The Last Of Us iykyk. Still not over On The Nature of Daylight,,,,, *cries*

I’ve been forcing my friend who has not seen The Hunger Games through a rewatch and it’s the best. And I think that’s it.

Wait actually!!! I did not think about theatre but that counts here right??? I’ve been to TWO shows, one was the Cinderella ballet which was lovely and the other was a Hamlet puppet performance, which was not as lovely haha. Now I’m done *out of breath*

I think the biggest has got to be that I’m back at university. This lowkey might be surprising if anyone has paid attention to how long I’ve been at uni. You probably did not and I just think too highly of myself BUT I am finished with my undergrad!!!!! Which I’m still processing and I graduate this month lol. I know. I’m doing my 4th Honours year to write my dissertation, hence why I am back. In a surprising turn of events, I’m not studying English, but actually Film, though my research is in book adaptation theory so I be a hybrid. I can definitely share more of this venture if you want, please let me know!!!

I finally met Triston IRL in February which was just,,, absolutely amazing and I adore them to bits. We did some city exploring and I love my friends.

Otherwise, life is fairly boring and I need to go read academic research for the pain I’m about to put myself through *cue nervous laughter*

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO LATELY? WHAT BOOKS HAVE YOU READ? WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE OF 2023 SO FAR? DID YOU WATCH ANY GOOD FILMS OR SHOWS? BEST BOOK MAIL? LET ME KNOW!