Ceri Louise Reads

I’ve realised that at the rate I’m currently posting on this blog, if I carried on wrapping up one month at a time it would take me most of next year to get up to date, so I’ll be doing two months at a time until I’m up to date…

The stats – March:

total books finished = 6

TBR

physical TBR = 871 digital TBR = 166 total TBR = 1037 (down by 4 from last month 😀)

averages

average length = 429 average rating = 4.25⭐️

average time to read = 10 days average time on TBR = 711 days

challenges

gift books = 0 subscription books = 0 review books = 3

oldest on TBR = 1 Read Around the World = 0 series completed = 1

backlist = 50%

netgalley ratio = 27% (same as last month)

budget:

amount earned = £14.00 amount spent = £3.00 balance = £9.37

The stats – April: 

total books finished = 17

TBR

physical TBR = 873 digital TBR = 165 total TBR = 1038 (up 1 from last month)

averages

average length = 261 average rating = 4⭐️

average time to read = 16 days average time on TBR = 352 days

challenges

gift books = 0 subscription books = 1 review books = 1

oldest on TBR = 0 Read Around the World = 2 series completed = 0

backlist = 62%

netgalley ratio = 27% (same as last month)

budget:

amount earned = £24.00 amount spent = £19.74 balance = £18.88

The books – March:

(links to content warnings)

1. The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty

I was so excited to receive an eArc from Netgalley for this, as I loved the Daevabad trilogy, and I buddy read it with some friends right away (haven’t managed to write a review yet though!) I’m pleased to say it did not disappoint, meaning I treated myself to the special edition as soon as it released. The tone of this was a little different to Daevabad, as it was written in 1st person narrative, and Amina is a real character. I will be eagerly anticipating the rest of the series.

Rating: 5⭐️ TBR challenge: Review

2) The Toll by Neal Shusterman

I had been putting off reading this final instalment of the Arc of a Scythe trilogy as I needed to be in the right headspace for it. Some elements of the book I enjoyed, but overall it made me quite uncomfortable and I definitely didn’t enjoy it as much as the first two books.

Rating: 3⭐️ TBR challenge: Series

3) Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn

This was another eArc and I absolutely adored it! It was a refreshing and realistic take on modern dating, and Yinka was a hugely relatable character. Again, I immediately bought a physical copy as I know it is one I will reread.

Rating: 5⭐️ TBR challenge: Review

4) Raven Black by Ann Cleeves

I was introduced to Ann Cleeves through the tv show of Vera, which I have grown to love. I have now read the first book in both the Vera and Shetland series and compulsively buy her books any time I see them in charity shops. I really enjoyed the double layer of mystery in this book, across past and present, and look forward to continuing the series.

Rating: 4⭐️

5) The Daughters of Madurai by Rajasree Variyar

Another review book that I really enjoyed. The dual timeline in this book worked well, and I enjoyed reading both Janani and Nila’s stories. This was a moving story about family, uncovering a dark aspect of history and society.

Rating: 4.5⭐️ TBR challenge: Review

6) Pearls, Girls and Monty Bodkin & Bachelors Anonymous by P G Wodehouse

A double edition from the master of the comedy of manners. These were fun and silly, as per usual with Wodehouse, and were light relief after a couple of more serious books.

Rating: 4⭐️

The books – April:

1. Watermelon by Marian Keyes

Marian Keyes was recommended as a must-read romance writer, and as I’m doing a phd on a subgenre of romance, I take these kinds of recommendations very seriously! Aside from the fatphobia, this was a sweet story about a new mother trying to rediscover herself after her  marriage breaks down. I liked it, and I will read more from Marian Keyes for sure.

Rating: 3.5⭐️

2) Jesus the Disabled God by Jennifer Anne Cox

I was writing an assignment on disability theology and this was a really interesting and helpful book on the topic.

Rating: 4⭐️ 

3) Saying Yes to Life by Ruth Valeri0

This was written for lent in 2020, although I found it in a charity shop last year so read it for lent this year. Looking at different aspects of ecology and theology, it was challenging and encouraging and very informative.

Rating: 4⭐️

4) Pilgrims in the Dark by Katie Tupling, Dave Lucas and Bill Braviner

Another one I picked up for my disability theology essay, this one was a more personal take from three ministers who live with different forms of disability.

Rating: 4⭐️

5) The Best of All Possible Worlds by Karen Lord

My friend Angela recommended this book and I am so glad she did. This is speculative fiction at its finest. Similar vibes to Becky Chambers’ Wayfarers series, if you’re a fan of those, with interesting characters, a gently adventurous plot and a sweet slow-burn romance, this has all the elements I love from a sci-fi novel.

Rating: 5⭐️

6) The Longest Week by Nick Page

An informative account of the events of the first Easter, matching the biblical narratives to the historical record. I read it over Easter, appropriately.

Rating: 4⭐️

7) The Never Tilting World by Rin Chupeco

This book had been added to multiple TBRs over the years it had been sitting on my shelf, and I finally picked it up. Fast-paced, YA, specutlive fiction, I loved the concept of this, and the high energy, high stakes plot kept me hooked. I immediately bought the sequel.

Rating: 4⭐️ TBR challenge: Read Around the World

8) Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin

I had an eArc of this and picked it up when I saw it was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction this year. This was a haunting tale of one families struggle for survival following the end of the war in Vietnam. It follows siblings Anh, Thanh and Minh and their experiences as refugees, interspersed with reflections from their lost brother Dao and the work of a modern researcher trying to piece together their story. 

Rating: 4⭐️ TBR challenge: Review

9) All Systems Red by Martha Wells

The first Murderbot novella, this came highly recommended by my bookternet friends and it was as good as they said it would be. The only problem I had was I wished it was longer! At least I have the rest of the series to catch up on now! The self-declared Murderbot is a security droid that has hacked its own software, protecting a group of scientists surveying a planet. When things start to go wrong, its up to Murderbot to figure out why.

Rating: 4.5⭐️ 

10) Protestant Evangelical Literary Culture and Contemporary Society by Jan Blodgett

I picked up this book for my research into inspirational romance publishing, as it is a seminal text in the field. Really helpful for my thesis.

Rating: 4⭐️

11) Love in Colour by Bolu Babalola

This is a short story collection inspired by romance myths from around the world. Some of the stories I was familiar with, and others were new to me. I loved all of these modern takes on ancient stories, so I am hugely grateful to the bookseller who recommended it (support Indie bookstores!)

Rating: 5⭐️

12) Paddington Takes the Air by Michael Bond

The ninth instalment of the bear who is always getting into scrapes, this was delightful as all the previous books have been. 

Rating: 5⭐️

13) Dart by Alice Oswald

An extended poem about the river Dart, featuring excerpts of tales and recollections from those who live and work around the river. The rhythm of this poem felt like water rushing along the river bank.

Rating: 4⭐️ TBR challenge: Subscription

14) Illyrian Spring by Ann Bridge

I’d heard really good things about this book both from Ninja Book Box, who sent it in one of their subscription boxes, and on a favourite bookish podcast, Tea or Books. As it had Spring in the title, I naturally wanted to read it in Spring… This book made me want to go traveling, particularly to visit the sites that were so well described. I enjoyed the way Grace’s character developed throughout the book and the ending was delightful.

Rating: 4⭐️ TBR challenge: Subscription

15) The Cloud of Unknowing

This is supposedly a classic of Christian contemplation, thought to be written by a 14th Century monk. While I found some aspects interesting, I wouldn’t say this book was particularly impactful for me.

Rating: 3⭐️

16) Diversify by June Sarpong

I picked this up initially for my disability theology essay, as I always try to include a range of authors, not necessarily all theologians, in my academic writing. Sarpong explores the concept of outsiders and shows how adapting to meet the needs of the ‘other’, the marginalised, we can improve society for everyone. Quite thought provoking.

Rating: 4⭐️

17) The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris

Contemporary, mildly thriller-y speculative fiction, I am super excited to see this has been adapted for tv and I’m planning to watch the series soon! This was an intense quick read, with some great bizarre and creepy moments and interesting social commentary about workplace competition, gatekeeping and colourism. 

Rating: 4⭐️

So that was everything I read in March and April, well done if you made it to the end!