Overall Mood: not good. My reading has been lacklustre to say the least – not in the titles themselves, but in my ability to actually read them. I have had to return some big name books simply because I either couldn’t get into them or I just didn’t have the time to read them. I’ve unofficially called a clean slate on my reading so hopefully in April I will have the peace of mind to get back into reading without any lingering feelings from March.

Books read:

This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladwell 4.5/5

This book is incredible – vivid science fiction detail, a relationship development made by geniuses, such beautifully emotive language and poetic prose. Truely, there wasn’t a single thing wrong with this novel besides it’s cruelly short length. Everything is as it should be and I’m so glad I finally got to read it.

No picture, but I also read Volume 40 of Yona of the Dawn, a joyous manga full of such wholesome characters and hilarious interactions. My rating of the series as a whole is 4.5/5 and I highly recommend you read it if you can (I had to wait for this volume to arrive at the library for over eight months).

DNFs

I feel that I should give you all a look into the titles I haven’t been able to get through this month to better show where my head has been. And yes, before you wonder any longer if I maybe forgot to add some more read books to this summary, I only read two books this month.

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

I am definitely putting this back on my TBR list because it simply came down to not having the time to read it and I know this is a book that I will enjoy in the right circumstances. I got a few chapters deep and had to stop, liking where the story was going, but didn’t have the time to pick it up again.

The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan

I was expecting something else from this and once I found out what the crux of the story was going to be I knew I wouldn’t be getting the story I thought I had picked up. It all falls on me with this one because I should’ve read the description better – again, many distractions and things going on in my head. I’m sure it will interest a lot of people so I recommend looking into this one if you’re on the prowl for a historical fiction set in the Pacific theatre of war, more specifically in Malaya (Malaysia) with the Japanese occupation, and the idea of colonialism and breaking out from under colonial identities sparks some intrigue.

The Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams

I loved The Dictionary of Lost Words and I was so happy to pick this up from the library, but March just hasn’t been the time for reading and I had to return it without so much as a chapter read. I will be jumping back onto the rquests list for this because I absolutely want to read it, but maybe this was a sign for me to reread The Dictionary of Lost Words first so that I could return to this story world with a better understanding of the characters and circumstances surrounding them.

Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

I requested a bunch of Sci-Fi this year to expand my reading into more genres, or at leats to read more of genres I have only really dipped my toes into. Ancillary Justice is one such book that falls under this rather frantic search for more books. In this time of reading, or lack thereof, there was one small typo or detail I couldn’t get over and it immediately killed any motivation to read Ancillary Justice for me. I want to give it another shot at a later time because I do want to read this series. The first chapter or two had so many intriguing details and aspects that garnered my attention and I would certainly be willing to sit down with this when my brain isn’t running at 100km/h.

Aue by Becky Manawatu

I am so saddened by the fact that I couldn’t get into this. I got 80 pages into this and I was torn because the content and themes are heavy and serious and so strong with this book, things that I enjoy when the time is right, but the characters just weren’t clicking with me and the plot didn’t seem to be moving forward at all. I am sure it was, in fact, I know it did because I was planning to buddy read this with my mum and she finished the book. After a slightly disappointed reaction to me not continuing to read it, she gave a little context as to the direction things moved in and she really enjoyed this book so don’t take my review or lack thereof as any indication as to the quality of the book. It is an incredible book and it has my mum’s seal of approval, her workmate’s seal of approval, and the accolades to backup readers’s enjoyment of the book.

There are a few more but I either didn’t get a photo or don’t plan to give a second chance. It’s not all doom and gloom though, which is what this summary is starting to sound like. There are many things that are in the works for me and around the house which has made reading difficult. This isn’t even including the persistent meows and cuddle-seeking from our kitten Ollie. April will be busy, but by the end of the month I should have a handful of books read as my personal projects get finalised (something I am excited to share with you all soon in whatever capacity possible) and the house work concludes. This is yet another reminder that it is okay to not get a chance to read. There is no shame in not meeting reading goals or expectations and, if anything, it serves as a reminder that reading isn’t everything. Reading is a hobby, a fun break, that is there to lighten up a day. It isn’t the sole goal for a day or a week. Reading numbers don’t mean anything if you don’t enjoy the reading so take a step back, evaluate whether or not you’re reading with the best intentions and outlooks, and maybe loosen the reins on yourself a little.