Recent reads, reviews, movies, and mayhems #2 || a may and june wrap-up FEATURING BOOKS!

why hello there again.

SO HI?! remember how I said something along the lines of posting regularly?? It’s turning out to be absolutely spectacular, isn’t it?? Anyways, I somehow got too caught up in the moment when summer actually felt like summer AND IT’S ALREADY JULY NOW?? HOW IS IT JULY PLEASE SND HELP?!?!?!!111!!/

anyways, while I was indeed fulfilling all of my aspirations of becoming a social outcast in the past two months, I SURPRISINGLY managed to read books?? *collective gasps* Even though I like to claim that this is a book blog (cough cough I PROMISE I’M NOT TRYING TO CLICKBAIT YOU ) it’s well evident by my lack of book reviews that maybe reading was slowly turning into a rarer phenomenon ??? life was looking rough with me averaging around four books a month and TOO MANY disappointing reads – BUT LISTEN SUMMER CAME AND TURNED ALL OF THAT AROUND.

I read a total of, wait for it, 26 BOOKS in the past two months. I feel like I’m living in a fantasy novel here doing the impossible BECAUSE HELLO 26 BOOKS !!! warning- more screaming ensues further on in the post.

without further let’s see HOW THE MAGIC OF HOLIDAYS ACTUALLY LET ME READ BOOKS FOR ONCE

ah the final rush before summer break means I was surprisingly motivated to read?? Since it was AAPI month as well I decided to read books mostly from Asian Authors! I got through a lot of my books which were high up on my tbr this month as well!!!

i- i’ve discovered the magic of reusing graphics :,)

1.The Star-Touched Queen spicy opinions ahead! I hated this. Lowkey despised it. I picked it up BECAUSE HELLO INDIAN FANTASY??? and I had SUCH HIGH HOPES for this too. But of course – it just had to have insta-love. The plot made absolutely no sense and while the purple prose was gorgeous, it was the only gorgeous thing about this šŸ’€ the heroine WAS STUPID and ANNOYING as well, let’s not even get started on that non-existent world-building.

final rating ~

Rating: 2 out of 5.

2. Portrait of a thief– THIS BOOK! THIS ONE RIGHT HERE! I loved it with my whole absolute heart. okay listen admittedly the heist aspect was very underwhelming and unrealistic ( it’s no six of crows) – the character dynamics COMPLETELY made up for it. I loved the themes explored, and the topics of diaspora and colonialism were stunningly explored. ALSO, LET’S NOT FORGET GORGEOUS REPRESENTATION!!! a new favorite of mine for sure!! full review on goodreads :))

final rating ~

Rating: 5 out of 5.

3. Ramona Blue- had no right being such a perfect YA contemporary. I loved Ramona and the friend group SO SO MUCH, and also there’s swimming in it too??? WHAT’S THERE NOT TO LOVE??

final rating ~

Rating: 4 out of 5.

4. All my rage- SABAA TAHIR HAS DONE IT AGAIN. I was beyond nervous to read because what if I didn’t like a book from my favorite author of all time?? If this book has done anything- it’s just reinstated my love for sabaa tahir’s brilliance. A gorgeous, moving story that stunningly portrays grief, love, and hope.

final rating ~

Rating: 5 out of 5.

5. Supernova– *reread* I reread this book after like two years AND IT STILL VERY MUCH REIGNS SUPREME! a trilogy with a conclusive ending??? i never could’ve imagined *glares at mockingjay*

final rating ~

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

6. These violent delights – I think I’ve screamed enough about this for a lifetime but if you haven’t read it yet THEN GO DO SO RIGHT AWAY. ENEMIES TO LOVERS, SHANGHAI IN THE 1920S, AND A KICKASS PROTAGONIST WHO LOVES KNIVES ??? WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT? Juliette and Roma are the cutest AND LET’S NOT FORGET THE ANGST?? the writing is so beautiful as well BUT BEWARE OF THE CLIFFHANGER ENDING

final rating ~

Rating: 4 out of 5.

6. the seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo– my first ever TJR book AND IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT!! This book deserves a million stars and more. With a vivid plot starring glamorous characters, and writing that truly engulfs you in the world of fame, fortune, and scandals; this book truly astonished me in all the right ways. I don’t think I will EVER be able to properly be able to comprehend my thoughts on this one, especially since I’m reeling after that ending, but this easily one of the most unique and idiosyncratic books I’ve ever read.

final rating ~

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I also got back into reading webtoons this month !! I mainly devoured the entirety of Lore Olympus and The Remarried Empress, and it was EXTREMELY FUN!

JUNE AKA THE MONTH WHERE I DEVOURED 15 BOOKS?!?! so ahem if you remembered a post or two ago I claimed that I was going conquer that pesky goodreads goal at last?? Well… it didn’t exactly work out and I may or may not have reduced my goal from 150 to 125 ( I’M STILL BEHIND ON MY GOAL THOUGH?? ) but let’s just ignore the minor inconsequential details and pretend like I’m 5 books ahead, shall we? šŸ˜Ž

some books aren’t mentioned because they were mostly comics !!

1. It ends with us- * winces*… yup I actually read a coho book,, and as expected I hated it. DON’T COME AT ME WITH THE ROTTEN TOMATOES PLEASE. These characters are trashy and very stereotypical *ahem* lily *ahem* the writing is wayyy too simplistic for my taste, also everything is so cringey??? I honestly felt that book was only meaningful after that author’s note at the end. That ending was left so so unresolved and lily and atlas had no??? chemistry???

final rating ~

Rating: 1 out of 5.

2. I kissed Shara Wheeler– Buddy read with the AMAZING Anoushka, WHO ALSO CONVINCED ME TO READ THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO BY THE WAY WHICH WAS OBVIOUSLY FANTASTIC !! So remember how I infamously hated red white and royal blue??? yea Casey Mcquiston COMPLETELY REDEEMED IT WITH THIS ONE. The absolutely breathtaking and snarky banter was so fun to read, and there’s an actual proper enemies to lovers storyline? but other than that the obvious winning part of this book ARE THE CHARACTERS!!! they’re all wonderfully plotted out, with clear, defined personalities and they contribute heavily to the story as well!! ALSO, I DEMAND A RORY+SMITH NOVEL NOW PLEASE.

final rating ~

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

3. our violent ends– okay I’ve definitely screamed a bit too much about this to everyone ( oops sorry ) but long story short – I cried. A lot. I love these characters so much, and the plot for this was so so intriguing as well!!

final rating ~

Rating: 5 out of 5.

4. a magic steeped in poison- sadly this was a bit disappointing! as much as I adored the concept, I found the execution to be lacking and I really wish we actually got to see more of the magic as well!

final rating ~

Rating: 3 out of 5.

5. the poet x- This was simply beautiful. The stunning prose caught my eye and every word is just so powerful

final rating ~

Rating: 4 out of 5.

6. flip the script – Buddy read with the FANTASTIC Rachel! WHAT THE HELL WAS THIS?? 😭 😭 I’ve been hoodwinked, bamboozled, led astray, run amok, and flat-out DECEIVED. the characters are all 5-year-olds and I’m actually concerned for their sanity, also the writing and the dialogues were so childish?? 😭 😭 AND THERE WAS NO LOVE TRIANGLE IT’S ALL LIES.

final rating ~

Rating: 2 out of 5.

7. Ace of Spades- Buddy read with Anoushka!! :)) THIS BOOK ARGH. It started off BRILLIANTLY, with such cool characters AND HELLO THE SETTING WAS FANTASTIC AS WELL?? but the ending WAS SO RANDOM and there were too many loopholes. And everything ends so perfectly and happily as well?? VERY UNREALISTIC

Rating: 2 out of 5.

8. city of fallen angels- I hate everyone in this book with a burning passion. Clary is so dumb, someone please save her from herself, AND LET’S NOT EVEN GET STARTED ON JACE- he’s an absolute idiot and is just toying with Clary completely??? One second they’re arguing and everything gets resolved after a make-out session? šŸ’€ and my poor Simon became a playboy in this one *sigh*

Rating: 1 out of 5.

9. Beach Read- I’m sorry to say this- but the hype has failed once again. don’t get me wrong it was extremely cute- especially the first half, I adored it so much but EVERYTHING went downhill from there. that ending felt so… rushed and incongruous ? The banter was top-notch and I actually did like our characters in the first half, but by the second part Gus just irked me immensely and the romantic relationship just became so strained. My favorite character is Shadi for sure, honestly maybe the only reason my rating is this high.

final rating ~

Rating: 3 out of 5.

10. Malibu Rising- NINA RIVA I LOVE YOU WITH MY ENTIRE HEART. tjr just doesn’t disappoint huh??

final rating ~

Rating: 4 out of 5.

11. The Poppy War- OKAY OKAY FINE I’LL ADMIT ALL OF YOU WERE RIGHT THIS IS SPECTACULAR IN EVERY SINGLE WAY. rin is such a strong character AND THE WAY I LOVE KITAY IS INSANE?? The military academy setting was absolutely astounding AND I JUST ADORE IT SO MUCH. I’m halfway through the sequel currently and dare I say it’s even better than this one? šŸ‘€

final rating ~

Rating: 4 out of 5.

12. Ophelia After All – buddy read with the WONDERFUL Ash!!! I LOVE THIS, the characters are so so comforting AND THAT FRIEND GROUP IS ONE TO DIE FOR! it’s just so heartwarming and ahhkjhakuedh I can’t even use proper words to describe JUST GO READ IT!!

final rating ~

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

  • Multiverse of Madness– this was not it. as much as I enjoyed seeing Wanda as a villain and the different sides of Strange, some scenes just made me laugh because of how plain ridiculous they were. And hello what happened to seeing the actual multiverse?? we got to see a minute montage of it and that’s it?? severely disappointed.
  • Top Gun Maverick– NOW THIS IS A MOVIE WORTH THE WATCH. The characters ARE PHENOMENAL AND THE VISUALS!1!!! oh gosh, I LOVED IT. I went to see it with my dad, who actually did not fall asleep during the entire movie and really enjoyed it too SO THAT’S SAYING A LOT.
  • Ms Marvel– This show was such a breath of fresh air. It does feel a lot more Disney-esque but the themes and the family dynamics are just wonderful AND THE GRAPHICS ANd VIsuALS!11! I didn’t love the latest episode though, but I’m excited to see how the rest of it goes!
  • Be More Chill I completely didn’t watch a bootleg on youtube, what are you talking about??? anyways I forgot how good this musical actually is- THE SONGS PLEASE.

ah my playlists, the only thing I’m proud of in my life. I’m still in my arctic monkeys phase if you’re wondering AND I HIGHLY DOUBT IT’S GOING AWAY SOON- ALSO WE CAN’T FORGET THE MAGIC THAT IS SUPERACHE WHICH JUST DROPPED RECENTLY. rest assured I’ve fallen in love with Conan’s music for the millionth time. HELLO??? FAMILY LINE HAD NO RIGHT MAKING ME SOB LIKE THIS.

my june playlist, which is awesome if i do say so myself *ahem*

here are some posts I really adored reading from the past like three (??) months!!!

  • I’ve been messing around with my blog design a bit because in times of stress what’s better than to drastically change things right??? So say hello to a few new headers on the sidebar AND NEW FONT!
  • oOoh I’m a bookstagrammer now ( it feels so weird saying that?? :0 ) but insta has been so much fun so far, and posting book photos is like a dream come true! I still have no absolute clue on how the app works so I really am not living up to my gen-z status right now.
  • I went to a swim meet after literal AGES ( read: as in about 2-3 months ) and I forgot how nice it was! other than all the intense waiting that is.
  • YEP THAT’S IT MY LIFE HAS BEEN NON-EXISTENT//

what are some of your favorite books from June?? and oooh what are some of the worst ones as well?? šŸ‘€ Have you watched Ms Marvel??? IF SO THOUGHTS!! how’s life been recently?? ā¤

and that’s it for this post!! thank you so so much for reading!!

bYeEEe,

58 thoughts on “Recent reads, reviews, movies, and mayhems #2 || a may and june wrap-up FEATURING BOOKS!

  1. 26 BOOKS?!! I aspire that’s so amazing of you. I need to get to I Kissed Shara Wheeler because I feel like I’ll love it. But reading slump. Omg These Violent Delights sounds wonderful I need to read this immediately.

    Like

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