Hi all!
Welcome to my September 2018 Reading Wrap-Up! I had a very good month, indulging in new and exciting books. For all parents of newborns/infants out there, you can always make time for a novel when your child feeds or naps. I make it a daily ritual. It’s important to dedicate at least thirty minutes a day to your passion, no matter the life circumstances. Let’s do this!
1.) MUSE OF NIGHTMARES (BOOK #2 IN THE STRANGE THE DREAMER DUOLOGY) BY LAINI TAYLOR (NETGALLEY – EBOOK)
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PLOT: In the wake of tragedy, neither Lazlo, nor Sarai, are who they were before. One a god and the other a ghost, they struggle as dark-minded Minya, holds them hostage, intent on vengeance against Weep. Lazlo faces an unthinkable choice: save the woman he loves, or everyone else?
MINI REVIEW: I have written an entire spoiler-free review on this book (which contains spoilers for Strange the Dreamer). Click here.
RATING: I gave it 3.5/5 stars.
2.) THE CATCHER IN THE RYE BY J.D. SALINGER (PHYSICAL BOOK) – MONTHLY CLASSIC PICK FOR SEPTEMBER 2018
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PLOT: Holden Caulfield leaves his prep school in Pennsylvania, to go underground in New York City for three days. Holden is not specific about his location, but makes it clear he is undergoing treatment in a mental hospital or sanatorium. The events take place in the few days between the end of the fall school term and Christmas, when Holden is sixteen years old. That’s all I’m going to reveal.
MINI REVIEW: I didn’t know what to expect going into this controversial classic, but I found myself thoroughly enjoying it. The humour and writing style had me laughing out loud several times. Holden is such a sarcastic and childish narrator, with a penchant for mischief. The plot itself was quite slow, but the chapters were so entertaining and witty, that it didn’t matter. My main issue was it ended quite abruptly and strangely. It’s a very odd tale, full of smutty language.
RATING: I gave it 4/5 stars.
3.) HERETICS ANONYMOUS BY KATIE HENRY (KINDLE BOOK) – SASSY BOOK CLUB PICK FOR SEPTEMBER 2018
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PLOT: This was our Sassy Book Club pick for September. When Michael walks through the doors of Catholic school, things can’t get much worse. His dad has just made the family move again, and Michael needs a friend. When a girl challenges their teacher in class, Michael thinks he might have found one, and a fellow atheist at that. Only this girl, Lucy, isn’t just Catholic, she wants to be a priest. Lucy introduces Michael to the other St. Clare’s outcasts, where he officially joins Heretics Anonymous, as an atheist. In this group, you can be anyone. Lucy can be an outspoken feminist, Avi can be Jewish and gay, Max can wear whatever he wants and Eden can practice paganism. Michael encourages the Heretics to go from a secret society to rebels, intent on exposing the school’s hypocrisies one stunt at a time. But when Michael takes one mission too far – putting the other Heretics at risk – he must decide whether to fight for his own freedom or rely on faith.
MINI REVIEW: This is one of those novels I never would have picked up if it weren’t for my book club, but I’m so glad I did. I LOVED it. I found Michael, the narrator, very similar to Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye (see above). He was sarcastic, immature and very entertaining. I was initially hesitant about this story, as I am not religious in the slightest, but it ended up surprising me with the direction it went in. Heretics Anonymous, as the plot details above, allows all of its members to believe and practice whatever they choose, without judgement. The writing style is quick-witted and original. It was an easy read, with positive morals to take away. I highly recommend it to any person, of any faith.
RATING: I gave it 4.5/5 stars.
Thank you so much for reading. Please let me know your favourite read of September and what is on your TBR for October. See you next month!
Peace & Love xoxo