My Month in Tomes | December 2015

December was a fantastic month for reading! While everything I read wasn't fantastic, I did have quite a few really wonderful things that made up for all the crappy things I read.

Books Finished

GIRL ONLINE BY ZOE SUGG: Meh. This was a bad way to start off my month. Definitely one of my least favorite reads of the year, maybe ever, but I wasn't going in expecting much so it wasn't really a disappointing read. - 2 stars
THE RAVEN BOYS BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER: I am so glad that this is the next thing that I finished because this story took me from worst of YA to the best thing that I have read in all of YA. While the first book isn't my absolute favorite, it is a very close second--or third, it's hard to list them. - 4.5 stars
CLOCKWORK PRINCESS BY CASSANDRA CLARE: This one was a victim of hype for me. "It's the best thing that Cassandra Clare has ever written." "Such a great series ender!" I was really let down by this book. It definitely wasn't my favorite of the series, and I thought that Cassie's ending was a little bit cheap. I kind of hate her for it. Other than the ending, I really enjoyed it, and while there was a serious lack of Magnus, I found myself really enjoying it. - 4 stars
SHADOW AND BONE BY LEIGH BARDUGO: I got this series from my The Broke and the Bookish Secret Santa, and I read it as soon as I got it. I had wanted to read this for a long time, and while it wasn't the absolute best thing I've read, I really enjoyed it and am excited to continue on with the trilogy (and finally read Six Of Crows). - 3.5 stars
THE DREAM THIEVES BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER: Dudes, this is my favorite YA series probably ever. This is my personal favorite in the series at this point because Ronan. - 5 stars
THOR, VOL. 1: THE GODDESS OF THUNDER: Freaking fantastic comic series. This was such a fun time, and while it was a little slow--and I did expect it to focus more on our new Thor than it did--I loved seeing Thor kicking butt and taking names. - 4 stars
MS. MARVEL, VOL. 2: GENERATION WHY: This series isn't my favorite, but it is fun. It is more focused towards a younger audience, but definitely still enjoyable for older audiences. - 4 stars
BLUE LILY, LILY BLUE BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER: SO MUCH FUN. Maggie is not afraid to mess with our emotions, and I am honestly so scared for Gansey. We get to see so much more of the plot in this book, but not as much of the character-driven stuff that I loved so much in the second book. - 4.5 stars
THE SLEEPER AND THE SPINDLE BY NEIL GAIMAN: I randomly picked up this one from my library, and I enjoyed it. It was entertaining, and it definitely takes a twist on fairytales. It was totally unexpected and different experience. I did feel that Gaiman tried to stay too true to the format of classic fairytales with this book. While I loved the gorgeous illustrations, I think he should have made the story a little longer and more personal. - 3.5 stars
BELOVED BY TONI MORRISON: I FINALLY FINISHED IT! I started this book for school this past fall, and just never finished the last 70 or so pages. I have a lot of complicated and jumbled feelings about this book because while I appreciate what Morrison did, I didn't enjoy the reading experience. - 4 stars
THOR, VOL. 2: WHO HOLDS THE HAMMER?: Again, I love this series, and I love getting to see our new Thor get help from other heroes as well as finally finding out who holds the hammer (clearly). - 4 stars
MS. MARVEL, VOL. 3: CRUSHED: Ugh. This volume was completely pointless other than to show Malala being "tempted by the dark side" with very typical tropes. I expected more, but this was at least entertaining. - 3 stars
THE MARTIAN BY ANDY WEIR: I would like to amend my favorites list and add this book to it (you may see it on my favorite books of 2016 list). I can't really explain what made me love this book so much other than that it made me love humanity again. And survival stories. (Which is a feat because I have had a strong, five-year-running hatred of survival stories.)

Reviews this Month

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Girl Online by Zoe Sugg
The Raven Cycle (#1-3) by Maggie Stiefvater

Stats

Favorite Read: The Martian! It was my last read of the year, and I had to (illegally) listen to the last 70 or so pages on audio to get it finished in time. But it was wonderful, and I wish I had listened to the whole thing! This book made me love people again, and it also made me love survival stories again because it's not your typical survival story.
Most Surprising Read: I was really expecting to fall head over heals in love with Clockwork Princess, but I didn't. I am still going to continue on with The Mortal Instruments series, but I am glad I'm going in with lower expectations.
Best Cover: The Martian and all the books in the Raven Cycle.
Wish I Hadn't Read: Girl Online . . . let's not go into it.