How is it August already? I feel like I haven’t read enough books yet!

I’m back at work and for the next few months in Falmouth, which is a small coastal town in Cornwall, UK. It’s a beautiful little place with loads of amazing small independent and second-hand bookshops, including a book bar. I’m thinking of doing a little post showing them all off and giving details about the shops.

But what have I been reading recently?

I haven’t read much in a while to be honest. I read Trust by Hernan Diaz and I really did not love it. This was my local book club’s July pick and tells the story, or versions of a story, of a financial tycoon in 1920s New York. This book was not the best in my opinion, I struggled to get through it and even switched to the audiobook just to get through it faster. It wasn’t until two thirds of the way in did I start to enjoy the narration but overall I was just very bored. I think I gave it 2 star, definitely wont be rereading.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros has been literally everywhere. I can’t remember a book that has been so viral, not only on booktok but across all bookish social media. Even some of the cosplayers I follow have started cosplaying as the main character, Violet Sorrengail, at comic conventions. It’s absolutely crazy. I kept putting off getting to this book because when books get this hyped I’m always cautions. Is it actually good, or does it just have wide appeal? Last week I spotted it at half price (only £10 for a hardback! 😱) so I thought “hey, can’t say no to a deal as good as that”. But now, I regret it and definitely should’ve said no.

I’m only 179 pages in (roughly 35%) and I’ve temporarily DNF’d it. I’ll post a full review once I’ve finished it but I can say now that it’s just unoriginal and a weak attempt at adult fantasy. It’s incredibly predictable and just ✨cringe✨. Since I’m just getting out of a reading slump I’d much rather spend time reading a book that I actually enjoy and excited to read.

After pausing my read through of Fourth Wing I went back to The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie. I love this book and have enjoyed the reading experience so much! The Heroes is the fifth book in the First Law universe but is considered a standalone, though from what I’ve read so far if you haven’t read the first trilogy or the previous standalone there’s just so much you won’t have a good reference for. The entire book is just a play by play narrative of a battle that takes place over 3 days. I’ve just finished reading Day 2 of the battle and it’s just fantastic. Bremer dan Gorst’s chapters are my favourite to read. The battle scenes, just like in every other Abercrombie book, are brilliant and captivating. But seeing the Dogman be dismissive and emotionless whenever the Bloody Nine (Logan Ninefingers) is mentioned just breaks my heart. 😭💔 I should have it finished by the end of the week.