It’s May! Usually at this point during the year, I’m happily counting down the days until school is over, but this May seems particularly stressful for some reason. I’m going to try to keep up with reviews and blogging in general, but I’m a bit distracted by all sorts of personal life obligations, so we’ll see what happens:-) In any case, I do have a boat-load of review books to read, so in order to relieve some of the stress, I’m separating this list into “must reads” and “if I have time.” Not my favorite thing to do, but I have to stay sane somehow! Here’s what’s on my plate this month:
Must Reads:
City of Miracles by Robert Jackson Bennett. I’m in the middle of this and I’m enjoying it, although I don’t feel the spark I got from the first book, City of Stairs. I’m hoping it picks up in the second half. It’s really slow right now.
River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey. I’m really looking forward to this Tor.com novella which has been getting a lot of buzz. Killer hippos!
Greedy Pigs by Matt Wallace. This is book #5 in Matt’s Sin du Jour novella series, and I’m always up for the over-the-top humor that this series is known for. I didn’t love the last book, so we’ll see how this goes for me.
Borrowed Souls by Chelsea Mueller. This busy month is perfect for some urban fantasy, and I’ve been excited about this book for some time now.
Wicked Wonders by Ellen Klages. The first of two short story collections I have planned this month, I’ve heard good things about Klages, and I’m looking forward to checking her out.
You Will Grow Into Them by Malcolm Devlin. Another collection, these horror stories sound really good, and I’m always excited to read something new from Unsung Stories.
If I Have Time:
The Only Child by Andrew Pyper. I love stories that twist classic tales into something new, and this sounds awesome!
Pawn by Timothy Zahn. This should actually be up there in the “must read” list, because damn! I just reread the blurb on Goodreads and I am going to have to get to this book sooner rather than later!
Walkaway by Cory Doctorow. If I can get to this book, I will also be hosting a giveaway. Plus, I do love Doctorow, and if I don’t manage to read it this month, it will simply be because of a lack of time.
Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts. This looks like a quick, funny read, so I’m hoping to slip it into the schedule.
I’m keeping it simple this month. I don’t anticipate having any giveaways, author interviews, etc. (Yep, no Book Review Giveaway this month, sorry!) Stop by each Wednesday to check out my Waiting on Wednesday picks, and there may be some Top Ten Tuesday lists if I can pull them together. Otherwise, don’t be surprised if posts are light this month. I promise I’ll be back to full speed in June!
I have already read the first two of your must reads! And liked them both, so good news there. I would like to get to Pawn myself. Wasn’t able to snag a copy of Borrowed Souls which would have been my other hope so I have to wait for release on that one.
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I’m going to read River of Teeth this week, super excited! I’ll look forward to your review.
I’m looking forward to a few of these, especially the Bennett book although I hope it picks up a bit.
Lynn 😀
Yeah, I’m sure it will. I’ve been so distracted so any slowness I’m encountering probably isn’t the book’s fault:-)
I so want a copy of River of Teeth! I’m also thinking about Royal Bastards, but not a high priority for me either.
Let me know if you want the contact for the Tor.com publicist:-)
Thank you for the offer! I’d be to nervous to email them though. 🙂
I’m also definitely excited for River of Teeth! Borrowed Souls sounds interesting.
Other books on my TBR are All Systems Red, Killing Gravity, Final Girls which I started last night and it’s interesting so far. Also hoping to finish reading Chronical of the Unhewn Throne as well as my reread of Miriam Black series so that I can finally read Thunderbird. I hope I have time to read all of the books since I was too busy in April to make time for it.
Hope you have a good reading month!
I’m really curious about All Systems Red and Killing Gravity. I would love to read those as well but I just don’t think I’ll have time:-/
Best of luck with all the personal obligations! Life comes before blogging, so don’t feel bad.
I’ve added the first Bennet book to my TBR – heard some interesting things about it. And woo for short stories! It’s so rare to see people reviewing those, outside of YA anthologies.
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Thanks Hannah! I agree, short stories don’t always get the love they deserve. I have to admit I do need to be in the mood for them, so hopefully the mood will strike soon!
I so want River of Teeth!!!! I Hope you like it! 🙂 Hope things get better for you and you get in some great reads!
Thanks Stormi, I’m sure things will look up once I get past a few obligations:-)
Where has April gone? I can’t believe it’s May already. This month I also have a list of must-reads and maybes, and I’m already working on the stack. Hopefully you’ll be able to get to all your reads!
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum recently posted…Tough Traveling: Assassins
Right? I can’t believe it either. I also realized I completely forgot about a few books that I need to read this month, like The Boy on the Bridge (duh!) which is probably my next read. I also got a surprise paperback copy of Carry On which is a book I’ve wanted to read since it came out last year. I’m shoving some things aside this month to read it for sure!
I’m hoping to get to Borrowed Souls and The Only Child. Plus, I still have hopes of getting Brimstone read. I started it last month and got through Chapter 3 and was really enjoying it when I realized I really had some other book deadlines to meet. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself this month – your life is really busy and you don’t need any extra stress!
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Ugh Brimstone! Me too, I need to read it, but it may have to wait until summer. Yeah, I’m trying to just go with the flow. Sometimes that’s just the way things go, right?
River of Teeth sounds really cool! Good luck with this month!
I’ve been reading really good reviews of River of Teeth, so I’m excited. I may even read it this weekend, since it’s short:-)
It looks like you have some fun ones planned! River of Teeth looks especially refreshing. Enjoy!
Yay for hippos! (I don’t think I’ve ever said those words before). I do hope River of Teeth is good:-)
Looks like a good list. I hope you end up being happy with your progress, however far into them you get. So far City of Miracles is the only one on my list, but that’s always changing. Here’s wishing you a great May, and take it as slowly as you’d like!
I know what you mean about your list changing. I’ve already decided to read some books that aren’t on this list. That’s a good thing, right?
Killer hippos! I’m looking forward to River of Teeth! Royal Bastards looks pretty good to me too… 🙂
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I’ve been hearing a lot of great things about Wicked Wonders and will definitely need to check out You Will Grow Into Them. Happy reading!
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I think I’ll have to look into The Only Child! Thanks for sharing. 🙂