Monthly Wrap Up – The Tsundoku Chronicles

Well we made it through 2020 so here’s to hoping that this year is better. However I did read some incredible books this year.

This month I read some amazing and some not so great books. Here’s what I read:

A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir – A reread in preparation for Sky! My review is he r e

Hijab and Red Lipstick by Yousra Imran – I really hated this book, it was so problematic. You can read my thoughts here

The Once and Future Queen by Clara O’Connar – I did not enjoy this and ended up dnfing

The Cousins by Karen McManus – I enjoyed this and did not see that ending coming

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan – I loved this book so much more on my reread and I think this trilogy deserves more love.

We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal – Another reread in preparation for the sequel and I just love the zumra so much. My review is here

Make Up Break Up by Lily Menon – I was so disappointed by this I ended up dnfing. I wish I had enjoyed this as I love her YA books.

We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal – This book lives in my head rent free and I am still not over how much I loved this book and just how incredible the character arcs were especially Nasir and Altair’s arc and character development. My review will be up soon!

The Black Khan by Ausma Zehanat Khan – This was quite different to The Bloodprint as it was set in two locations as opposed to the travelling the characters did in the first book but I still loved it so much. My review will be up soon.

A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir – This book is pure pain but I loved it so much. Laia’s arc is one of my favourite character arcs I have ever read. I love her so much. My review will be up soon!

Plain Bad Heroines by Emily Danforth – Unfortunately I just didn’t enjoy this writing style and couldn’t get into the story at all I ended up dnfing.

Winters Orbit by Everina Maxwell – I really enjoyed this book and especially loved the two main characters. My full review is here

So that’s everything I read this month!

I also shared these blog posts in December

Why you should all read the Ember series

My favourite quotes from the Ember series

My acapella Daevabad playlist

Muslim Shelf Space books I am excited for in 2021

Evermor e Book Tag

My favourite 2020 books

My most disappointing reads in 2020

And that’s everything for December!

Monthly Wrap Up

November 2020 Monthly Wrap Up

December 4, 2020December 4, 2020 The Tsundoku Chronicles

My weird book slump is persisting and I am finding it almost impossible to read physical books and I am tired of it, I just want to read my books! However ebooks and audiobooks have been live savers and honestly I would not have read most of these if it wasn’t for audiobooks.

So here’s what I read this month:

The Shadow Glass by Rin Chupeco – The conclusion to this amazing trilogy and I am completely in love with the story and characters.

Aladdin: Far From Agrabah by Aisha Saeed – I loved this book and that we get to see so much more of Aladdin and Jasmine’s relationship develop. My review is here

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller – I really enjoyed this book! It was fun and the audiobook was great to listen to!

The Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty – A reread and I loved it even more this time. My review is here

A Thousand Questions by Saadia Faruqi – I loved this middle grade story of two young girls finding friendship in the most unlikely of places. My review is here

Brambles by Intisar Khanani – A short story set before the events of Thorn that gave us a lot of insight into why the main character is the way she is.

Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali – One of my all time favourite books and I buddy reread it with some friends! My review is here

The Never Tilting World by Rin Chupeco – I reread this so I could read the sequel and I loved it even more this time. Highly recommend the audiobook. My review is here

A Curse of Gold by Annie Sullivan – I enjoyed the sequel but not as much as the first book.

A Thief Among the Trees by Sabaa Tahir – I liked this graphic novel giving us a glimpse into a young Elias and Helene.

Daughter of the Siren Queen by Tricia Levenseller – This sequel was fun and I liked seeing Alosa and Riden’s relationship develop.

Run, Rebel by Manjeet Mann – A powerful story written in verse discussing topics that are difficult to discuss but really need to be talked about.

Ever Cursed by Corey Ann Haydu – The concept was really interesting but the actual story felt a bit flat for me.

I also shared these blog posts so check them out if you missed them!

Books that deserve more love

My favourite quotes from The Empire of Gold

Non-fiction book recommendations

Audiobooks I loved

Why Alizayd Means so much to me

Sex Matters

Inspiring Muslim Women – Rufaida al Aslamia

I shared my reviews for these books this month:

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong ARC review

The Burning God by R.F. Kuang ARC review

So that’s everything for this wrap up! Share your favourite reads in November with me!

Monthly Wrap Up

October 2020 Monthly Wrap Up

November 6, 2020October 30, 2020 The Tsundoku Chronicles

This month has been busy! I am currently co hosting a readalong for The Empire of Gold which I have loved. I especially love seeing everyone’s reactions when reading.

I also spent a lot of this month organising my Muslim Shelf Space bookish box which are still available to buy on my etsy if you are interested!

I also read some incredible books this month! So here is what I read this month:

Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco – I loved this so much! I am completely hooked and I cannot wait for the sequel. My full review is here

Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev – While I did enjoy this I didn’t love it as much as Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavours.

The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco – I really loved this book! It was so interesting and unique!

Prime Deceptions by Valerie Valdes – The sequel was even better than the first book and we get more space cats! My full review is here

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn – This book was phenomenal! I havem’t stopped thinking about it since I read it. My full review is here

The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker by Lauren James – This was a really great spooky read.

Poisoned by Jennifer Donnelly – I enjoyed this but not as much as I had hoped as I loved Stepsister.

The Silvered Serpents by Roshani Chokshi – This book tore my heart to shreds.

Hunted by the Sky by Tanaz Bhathena – This was such a great read and I loved the mythology and culture woven into the story

The Burning God by R.F. Kuang – This book hurt me.

The Heart Forger by Rin Chupeco – I devoured this book in two evenings I could not stop reading I loved it so much.

So that’s everything I read this month! Have you read any of these books?

I also shared these blog posts this month:

My review of Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko

My review of Descendant of the Crane by Joan He

Books featuring cats in the story for National Cat Day.

Authors I’m grateful for

Books to read before you get married

Heist Book Recommendations

The latest post in my Inspiring Muslim Women series. This month I spoke about Queen Zubaydah.

I also shared a blog post for each prompt for The Empire of Gold readalong photo challenge:

Books with Muslim Rep

Books With my Favourite Siblings

Books with Healers

Books with a Resourceful Female Lead

So that’s everything for October!

Monthly Wrap Up

September 2020 Monthly Wrap Up

October 2, 2020September 30, 2020 The Tsundoku Chronicles

How is the end of September already here?! How is this year simultaneously going excruciatingly slow and ridiculously fast.

I have had a busy month where I recently announced that I am co-hosting a readalong for The Empire of Gold. There will also be a giveaway, photo challenge and IG live with Shannon at the end of the readalong.

I also announced my next bookish box which is now available to buy on my etsy shop. My next box is inspired by books by Muslim authors. There will be 9 items in the box and will ship at the beginning of November. There is limited boxes available so order soon if you want to order!

Here is the books I read this month:

The Upside of Falling by Alex Light – I did not enjoy this book at all. It was a bland story and I didn’t feel at all invested in the characters.

Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar – I really enjoyed this book which is inspired by Hindu mythology and I really loved the lyrical writing

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong – I loved this book so much! One of my favourite reads of the year! I cannot wait for the sequel!

Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi & Dr Yusef Salaam – This is a book everyone needs to read. Such a poignant story that is the reality of so many, including the author. It’s also written in verse which I really loved

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir – A reread of one of my absolute favourite books and it was just as brutal as the previous reread. You can read my full review here

The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty – One of my all time favourite books and I have lost count how many times I have reread it but I love it all the same. My review is here

Raybearer by Jordan Ijeuko – Wow this book is incredible and I really loved the mythology woven into the story and the wonderful characters!

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas – So who would have thought that I might actually enjoy this book, well the second half more so than the first half. I am actually intrigued enough to read the second book too. I think listening to the audiobook helped my enjoyment. Who even am I?

So this is everything I read this month!

Here are the reviews I shared this month:

Agent Zaiba Investigates by Annabelle Sami

The Beauty of Your Face by Sahar Mustafah

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne Brown

The Bloodprint by Ausma Zehanat Khan

The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kung

I also shared these posts I think you should check out:

My latest post in the Inspiring Muslim Women Throughout History series. This month I wrote about Sumayyah (ra) who was one of the very first people to declare she was Muslim publicly.

I wrote a fun post about the characters from The Daevabad Trilogy as Cats!

I wrote about some of my favourite friendships in books.

I shared some of my favourite quotes from some of my favourite books in this post

I matched sherwanis to book covers in this books as outfits post.

So that’s everything for this month!

Monthly Wrap Up

August 2020 Monthly Wrap Up

September 6, 2020August 30, 2020 The Tsundoku Chronicles

I had a really great reading month this month and read some incredible books though I have found I find it easier to listen to audiobooks than actually pick up a book. I’ve listened to 6 audiobooks this month! I am loving my scribd subscription so much because of all the audiobooks on there!

If you want to try scribd for two months for free you can use my link which will also give me a month free. This is my link

So here are the books I read this month:

Descendant of the Crane by Joan He – I listened to the audiobook and it was incredible! My review will be up soon!

Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali – A reread via audiobook and if it’s possible, I loved it even more this time. You can read my review here.

A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes – I really loved this book. Seeing the point of view of the women was incredible. There is so much of history missing because we only see the male point of view. The audiobook was also great to listen to.

A Court of Lions by Somaiya Daud – I enjoyed this sequel which is full of political intrigue and a young woman who fights for a better life for everyone she knows. My review is here

The Bloodprint by Ausma Zehanat Khan – This book blew my mind! It’s a fantasy inspired by Islamic beliefs and the main character has incredible strength and faith and seeing actual quran verses incorporated into the story was so wonderful to see. My review will be up soon.

Love at First Fight by Sandhya Menon – A great short story set in the dimpleverse.

Bookish and the Beast by Ashley Poston – Another great nerdy contemporary with a booknerd as a main character! My review is here

Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin – A reread because I love this book and I forgot how much I loved this book and how funny it is. My review is here

The Beauty of her Face by Sahar Mustafah – This is such a poignant and relatable story of Muslim woman who’s school is attacked by a terrorist who goes on a murdering spree, we see flashbacks of her as a young girl who is trying to find her place in the world and how she ends up the woman she is. It is an incredible book and everyone should read it. My review will be up soon!

The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang – This book utterly destroyed me, I am very afraid for the lives of my faves because Rebecca is brutal. My review will be up soon!

Race the Sands by Sarah Beth Durst – This book was such an unexpected surprise. I did not expect to love it as much as I did. One of the MCs is an older woman and a single mother and I loved seeing her be a total badass!

Nyxia Uprising by Scott Reintgen – This was a great conclusion to a great trilogy. Fast paced and intense and I loved the characters so much!

You Must be Layla by Yasmin Abdel-Magied – I was excited to read this but I was a little disappointed. It felt like it needed more editing even though the themes were really interesting and relevant.

So that’s everything I read this month and clearly I have been handing out 5 stars a lot but these books have been incredible and you should all go read them!

I also shared these blog posts this month:

My review of Diana and the Island of no Return by Aisha Saeed

My review of Allah Loves by Omar Suleiman

Book recommendations based on Daevabad characters

My favourite quotes from The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh

My favourite quotes from The Damned by Renee Ahdieh

Diverse retellings you need to read

My latest post in my Inspiring Muslim Women throughout History. This post is about Hafsah bint Umar (ra) who was the custodian of the Quran.

That’s everything for this month! Have you read any of the books I read? What was your favourite read in August?