L I F E
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- This isn’t a life update, but more of a weather update. It snowed down here in Brighton, like heavily, with enough to settle. There hasn’t been like that like in Brighton in almost ten years. I still vividly remember the time it was. And I took some great pictures as well.
- Aside from me getting excited over damn snow, this month was not very active. I’m settling into my second semester at university while also working a few days a week. Just doing what I can to get by, really.
B O O K S
The Enemy by Charlie Higson
I’ve had the first three books of this series for like two years ago and finally managed to tame my netgalley TBR enough so I could have time to read this. I quite enjoyed it, but I felt like I would have enjoyed this more when I was younger.
Saints and Misfits by S.K. Ali
Stealing an extract from my upcoming review of this one:
“Ali nicely and quickly captures the life of Muslim teen that felt real. We see Janna living an ordinary life: Janna attends mosque events, wears the hijab while also going through typical teen drama and daily school life. Islam isn’t this HUGE block that’s separated from her, it’s weaved and incorporated into the plot, in a way that felt natural. It’s a coming of age story that felt normal. There was nothing wrong with Janna being Muslim, and that felt so good to read.”
Island Games by Caleb J. Boyer
I actually DNF’d this @ 35%. The story has a bad case of telling and not showing, which made it boring to read. Rather than seeing what the characters are experiencing and feeling, we’re just told it. It’s quite abrupt in many scenes and there’s a lack of anticipation which makes it extremely monotonous.
Black Panther: Soul of a Machine Vol #1-4
I’ve been trying to get into comics more recently, and this new series was up for free. I really enjoyed it, and I’m quite excited to see the movie too!
Swing Time by Zadie Smith
A witty and insightful novel, with a detailed and complex plot. I just felt a bit let down by the end, but I think that part came from reading this book through multiple book slumps.
The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton
Taken from my review of this:
“Clayton’s Orléans is unique and thrilling; while it took a while for it to grip me at first, the ending is where it gets horrific and exciting. A fantasy world means there’s a lot to set up, but once the significant event starts happening, the pace improved.”
The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan
Again, stolen from my review:
The Astonishing Color of After was a wonderful, visually and writing-wise, novel about grief and family. There’s just so much to it. It’s a mystery with Leigh uncovering secrets her mother buried years ago through memories. But it’s also a love story as Leigh struggles with her relationship with her best friend, Axel. Her mother’s passing changes everything. And both sides of the story are equally beautiful and enthralling. But the family is the heart and strength of this story, and it indeed is so astonishing.
A Thousand Perfect Notes by C.G. Drews
A heartbreaking story but I just couldn’t find myself connecting with the material here.
Star Fish by Akemi Dawn Brown
Starfish follows Kiko, a growing artist, who dreams being accepted into her dream art school and finally be free of her abusive mother. Starfish was brutal and brilliant, all in one go.
M U S I C
as told by zaheerah 