Coming Out of a Book Slump

I’m currently coming out of a book slump, which has slowed the pace that I was intending to post at. 

I’ve been reading Harrow the Ninth by Tamsin Muir and it’s incredibly, intentionally, confusing for a good chunk of the book. I am just about half way through and it has only recently gone from “I have absolutely no idea what is going on” to “I have theories and I now feel invested.” I am starting to enjoy it, but so far I prefer the first book to this one. I think I was in the wrong headspace when starting this book; going into Christmas and into the new year, I had been hoping for a fast-paced book that was relatively straightforward. So far, this is not that book.

I’ll have a full recommendation for Harrow the Ninth when I have finished it, but I thought that in the interim I’d write a post on the other books I am intending to read in the short term. I haven’t wanted to start them before fishing my current read as I was worried that I wouldn’t go back to it. 

Here are the books that I’m excited for: 

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko

Synopsis: 

Tarisai has always longed for the warmth of a family. She was raised in isolation by a mysterious, often absent mother known only as The Lady.

The Lady sends her to the capital of the global empire of Aritsar to compete with other children to be chosen as one of the Crown Prince’s Council of Eleven. If she’s picked, she’ll be joined with the other Council members through the Ray, a bond deeper than blood. That closeness is irresistible to Tarisai, who has always wanted to belong somewhere. But The Lady has other ideas, including a magical wish that Tarisai is compelled to obey: kill the Crown Prince once she gains his trust.

Tarisai won’t stand by and become someone’s pawn – but is she strong enough to choose a different path for herself?

Waterstones

My thoughts:

This book has been on my TBR for a while and I’m excited to read it. I’ve got it on Kindle and audiobook, so I’m looking forward to be able to read it on multiple formats.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

Synopsis: 

When Addie LaRue makes a deal with the devil, she trades her soul for immortality. But the devil takes away her place in the world, cursing her to be forgotten by everyone.

Addie flees her tiny home town in 18th-Century France, beginning a journey that takes her across the world, learning to live a life where no one remembers her and everything she owns is lost and broken. Existing only as a muse for artists throughout history, she learns to fall in love anew every single day.

Her only companion on this journey is her dark devil with hypnotic green eyes, who visits her each year on the anniversary of their deal. Alone in the world, Addie has no choice but to confront him, to understand him, maybe to beat him.

Until one day, in a second hand bookshop in Manhattan, Addie meets someone who remembers her. Suddenly thrust back into a real, normal life, Addie realises she can’t escape her fate forever.

Waterstones

My thoughts:

I want to read more books by V.E. Schwab. I read The Near Witch a while ago and I loved it, so I’m really looking forward to read this book as they are both stand-alones.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Synopsis:

A pilot stranded in the desert awakes one morning to see the most extraordinary little fellow standing before him. “Please,” asks the stranger, “draw me a sheep.”

And the pilot realises that when life’s events are too difficult to understand, there is no choice but to succumb to their mysteries. He pulls out a pencil and paper… and thus begins this wise and enchanting fable that, in teaching the secret of what is really important in life, has changed the world forever for its readers.

Waterstones

My thoughts: 

My dad sent me this book in the mail. I think that this is a book that a lot of people have read in their childhood, but this will be my first readthrough. This will be the next book I read. 

All About Us by Tom Ellen

Synopsis:

Ben’s always loved December, but this year, with his relationship with Daphne on the rocks, it’s missing its usual magic. So when he runs into his old friend Alice – the one that got away – Ben can’t help but wonder what would have happened if he’d done things differently all those years ago.

He never imagines he might get to find out… but when a stranger sells Ben a mysterious watch one freezing winter’s night, he’s astonished to wake up the next morning on 5th December 2005: the day he first kissed Daphne, leaving Alice behind.

Now Ben must make the biggest decision of his life, all over again. But this time around, will he finally find the courage to follow his heart?

Two loves. Two lives. One destiny…

Waterstones

My thoughts: 

I received this book as a Christmas present in a book subscription box. It looks like a good story and it’s a bit different from what I usually read.

Looking Forward

I don’t want to plan too far ahead because I’m not sure where my tastes will be in a few months. I’m hoping that these will be enjoyable and relatively quick reads to get me back into a reading rhythm. I’m also excited to share my thoughts after I’ve read them!

Have you read any of the books that I’ve mentioned? What are you guys reading? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!