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.
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Rating: 1.5 out of 5.
Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar – I really enjoyed this book which is inspired by Hindu mythology and I really loved the lyrical writing
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Rating: 4 out of 5.
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!
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Rating: 5 out of 5.
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
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Rating: 5 out of 5.
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
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Rating: 5 out of 5.
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
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Rating: 5 out of 5.
Raybearer by Jordan Ijeuko – Wow this book is incredible and I really loved the mythology woven into the story and the wonderful characters!
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Rating: 4 out of 5.
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?
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.
So last year I really got into audiobooks. I found that I was able to reread my favourite books without having to feel guilty about the unread books on my shelves and wow it was a life changer!
I have loved using audiobooks to read especially as I get motion sickness and cannot look at a book or my phone while travelling and it means I can still read while cooking or working!
So I thought that as it has helped me so much I would share some of my favourite audiobooks.
1 The City of Brass and The Kingdom of Copper by S.A. Chakraborty – Obviously this book would be on here! But no seriously guys, the audiobook is absolutely amazing! The narrator does such a great job of sucking you right into the story!
2 Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo – This is a full cast! I loved this audiobook so much!
3 Fight Like a Girl by Clementine Ford – Clementine reads this herself and it is so good. She is witty and sarcastic and it makes it a really fun read listening to her
4 The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon – I really enjoyed rereading the books by listening to them!
5 An Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir – There’s a narrator for each point of view character and it makes it such a thrilling read. I’m listening to book 2 at the moment and I am enjoying it even more as an audiobook!
6 PS. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern – Listening to it made me sob even more than when I read it.
7 Invisible Women by Caroline Criado-Pérez – Such a powerful book and even more so when you listen to it
8 The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer – It’s even more of a fun read when you listen to the audiobooks!
9 Caraval by Stephanie Garber – I actually enjoyed it more as an audiobook!
10 Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge – This book is such a necessary read and is even more powerful when you listen to it.
I decided to take part in beat the backlist as I have so many unread books on my shelf and ebooks which I have been meaning to read for a long time! I have over 100 books on my tbr so I have a lot of books to get through but I’m going to choose a few that I really want to read soon!
Here is the link if you would also like to take part.
So here is my TBR of books which I definitely want to read:
The Forbidden Wish
Empress of a Thousand Skies
Defy the Stars
Everland
A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet
Uprooted
Poison Study
Alif the Unseen
The Kite Runner
The Bird and the Blade
Invictus
Scorpio Races
Let’s hope I can get through lots more than these!
Hey booknerds! I have a really fun post for you all today! I created a book tag for Spellhacker by M.K. England! I read The Disasters earlier this year and fell in love and I was so excited to get an ARC of Spellhacker and after reading it I just knew I had to make a book tag!
If you don’t know what Spellhacker is about then here is the synopsis:
In Kyrkarta, magic—known as maz—was once a freely available natural resource. Then an earthquake released a magical plague, killing thousands and opening the door for a greedy corporation to make maz a commodity that’s tightly controlled—and, of course, outrageously expensive.
Which is why Diz and her three best friends run a highly lucrative, highly illegal maz siphoning gig on the side. Their next job is supposed to be their last heist ever.
But when their plan turns up a powerful new strain of maz that (literally) blows up in their faces, they’re driven to unravel a conspiracy at the very center of the spellplague—and possibly save the world.
Spellhacker releases 21st January so make sure you preorder! Also check out my post about preorder goodies you can get here
So back to the book tag! Please link back to my post and tag others to join in!
Maz is the magic system in the group and similar to a natural resource that earth produces. What books have a unique magic system?
I love the magic system in Kingdom of Souls! It was interesting and unique!
Diz is a tech genius and is able to hack just about anything! Which characters are your favourite hackers?
The first character that comes to mind is Cress from The Lunar Chronicles! I think she would get along with Diz
Ania is the princess of the group, but she is always ready to fight anyone who tries to hurt someone she loves. Who are your favourite rebellious princess characters?
Harper from A Curse so Dark and Lonely is technically a princess and is as rebellious as they come! I love her!
Davon is Diz’s older cousin who she regards as a brother and her family. What books have great found families?
The Percy Jackson books have an amazing found family! I love them all so much!
Remi is smart and a genius in manipulating maz and a total fangirl! Who are your favourite smart, nerdy characters?
Could I say anyone aside from Alizayd Al-Qahtani?! A complete nerd and total fanboy who will talk everyone’s ear off!
Jaesin is the dad friend and will fight everyone to protect those he loves (and always wins). What characters do you think would always win in a fight?
Elias Veturius would always win, I think. He has spent his whole life being trained to be a deadly weapon after all.
This book centres around Diz and her friends deciding to do one last heist before they all go their own ways. What books have great heists in the story?
I love The Last Magician! It’s a heist through time!
So that’s the book tag! I hope you all enjoy taking part! Everyone is welcome to do this, whether it’s on your blog or Instagram. You can tag me on Instagram my handle is @thetsundokuchronicles
The Tsundoku Chronicles 