What I am Reading: Vacation Edition

Ciao from Italy! Currently I am on a train leaving Florence on my way to Rome, and I finally have some down time to get some writing in. Since leaving the States almost two weeks ago, I have been going non-stop since I got off my plane in Edinburgh. I went from Edinburgh, Scotland into the Scottish Highlands, where I explored the beautiful scenery that is the backdrop to the hit TV show, Outlander. After exploring this stunning country, I wandered my way down to Italy where I spent time in Milan and Florence and soon on my way to Rome now. You would think that between all the eating, exploring and adapting to European life style that I wouldn’t have time to read, well lucky reader, you are wrong. Between train rides, long flights, and never-ending waiting in terminals, I have gotten quite a bit of reading done. Here is a break down of my vacation reading thus far:

Just Finished:

Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne (YA, Fantasy) First off, I met this author a few months ago at Pasadena Loves YA, and she is the cutest. She was so sweet and soft-spoken, that it was difficult to imagine a woman like her to write a book like this. But oh my gosh, this book is fantastic!! I loved all the aspects between the medieval like atmosphere, and the character interaction and development, this book was such an enjoyment to read. I have been book hoping a bit before I decided to read this book, and I am so glad that I did. May do a separate review, or will add it to the (now getting larger) YA book review I am doing when I get home.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (YA, Fantasy) Apparently I am on a bit of a reading trend right now where I am only reading YA Fantasy at the moment… hm. Mind you I do have other books on my Kindle but I do admit I have like 6 other YA fantasy novels on there too. *Hangs head in shame* I downloaded this book because everyone kept talking about it! Many booktubers and bookstagrammers have been raving about Throne of Glass Series, so I knew I needed to get in on the action. SO WORTH IT!! This book is incredible! I was first introduced to Sarah’s novels with The Court of Thorns and Roses (would HIGHLY recommend), and was curious if she had other work. Luckily, I came upon Throne of Glass, with the help of fellow book lovers in my world. I am excited to read the other books in the series, since there are 3 more. YAY!! If you haven’t pick up this book yet, it is about time that you should.

The Tsar of Love and Techno by Anthony Marra (Fiction, contemporary, Russian) I have read a lot of Russian Literature, or literature based in Russia (I went through a 6 month phase that it was the only thing that I read), and I love when I see new books coming out that deal with Russian life style and culture. When Hogarth Publishing sent me a copy of this book, I was thrilled to see something current that looks at a sub genre of literature that is one of my favorites, however this book is not quite what I was expecting. A full review will come later, because I have a lot to say about this unique piece of work.

We That are Left by Claire Clark Fiction, Contemporary, Historical) I read 30 pages of this book, and had to stop, it was so boring, I couldn’t tell if it was the story or her writing style but that put me to sleep but either way I didn’t want what she was offering. At first glance, I knew this was a book in my reading wheelhouse. It was historical fiction, which deals with characters overcoming struggles of society and not abiding by social norms, yes please! However, with a book that had so much promise, it fell flat on its face. Her writing was so slow, and not in a slow like a leisurely stroll through a park on a Sunday afternoon, like a slow like ok, I get it, can we pick up the pace please? There were so many unnecessary conversations between characters that it was hard to pinpoint the direction of where the author was going. Why was the main character arguing with another character if she should go put on shoes to go place tennis? What was the point? Anyways, I have too many other books to read that spending any more time with this snoozer of a novel would be a waste of time.

Currently Reading:

 

Queen of Tearling by Erika Johansen (YA, Fantasy) Yeah, yeah I know, hush. I have only just started this novel, and I like it so far. Maybe I should do a YA Fantasy review and a normal YA review, because at this rate the post with the combined review of all the YA books I have read would take forever to write, so they may need to be separated.

TBR:

 

The Sage of Waterloo by Leona Francombe (Historical Fiction) It is the reenacting of the Battle of Waterloo, through the perspective of a rabbit. This sounds so good and fascinating that I am really excited to read this next.

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson (YA, Fantasy) I am even going to bother explaining myself on this one. Everyone has talked about this book, and I need to read it.

The Determined Heart by Antoinette May (Fiction) I do not know anything about this book. I was sent it from Netgally to review, and I am pretty sure it is probably a historical fiction of some kind; it is my weakness in life.

So that is my what I am reading, vacation addition! I was planning on posting and writing more while I was away but there has just been too much to do, see, and eat that the time to write never came. The food in Italy is to die for! I probably gained a few pounds from all the pizza, pasta, and gelato I have eaten, and I am not even mad about it. Anyways, leave a comment below of what you are currently reading, or if you are also on vacation or where is your favorite vacation spot is.

Hope you all are doing well!

Happy Reading! Arrivaderci!