2022 Popsugar Reading Challenge - Update #2

 

Happy Wednesday everyone and welcome to my second 2022 Popsugar Reading Challenge update with mini  reviews!  In February, I completed 11 books for this month for a total of 19 of 50 books for the 2022 Popsugar Reading Challenge.  I don't know about you, but I think I've made great progress so far.  Without further ado, here we go in the order I read them in:

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Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson is excellent.  Tiffany D. Jackson is always brilliant, but for some reason this 2019 release wasn't on my radar until recently.  It's a real shame that it isn't more well known because it might possibly be her best that I've read so far.  It's a real gem and I can't recommend it enough, especially the audiobook edition.  The production is fantastic and with all of the music in the story it's tailored to the format.  It's so cool to hear all the lyrics, rather than just read them on the page.  The narrators all have great voices for this!

My review is also on Goodreads.

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Yesterday is History by Kosoko Jackson is a solid YA time travel romance novel.  Honestly, I wasn't expecting for the romance and love triangle element to be the focus as much as it was.  Those elements were well written and I liked getting to know everyone, but personally I was hoping for a little more in terms of time travel adventure with some romance.  I was also hoping to connect a little more with Andre, Michael, and Blake to become a little more invested in the group by the end of the story.  Also, maybe I'm just getting old, but I really want to know more about Blake's mom - maybe even an entire story from her perspective.

My review is also on Goodreads.

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You know what? There's Something About Sweetie (Dimple and Rishi #2) by Sandhya Menon  was darn cute. Plus, there were even Downton Abbey and Supernatural references!

My review is also on Goodreads.

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Among the Red Stars by Gwen C. Katz was such a fascinating read about the Russian Night Witches of World War II.  I don't know why I'd been putting it off considering how much I usually like reading about the WASP, women in WWII, an early aviation.  I knew very little going in about the group going in, but now I absolutely need to know more about them.  If you're looking for some great YA historical fiction set during wartime, this is a must read.  By the way, don't forget to read the author's note which delves a little into the fictional and real world elements featured in this novel.

My review is also on Goodreads.

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The City We Became (Great Cities #1) by N.K. Jemisin is a solid fantasy novel.  It's not my favorite book from Jemisin in the least, unfortunately.  Then again, it's got massive competition.  In the long run, though, it just wasn't quite for me as much as I was hoping for.

My review is also on Goodreads.

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The Plague of Doves by Louise Erdrich is a good historical mystery novel from one of my favorite authors that I haven't had the chance to read in ages. Erdrich is an incredibly talented author, but for some reason that I can't quite put my finger on it isn't one of her best novels for me.

My review is also on Goodreads.

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The Burning Page (The Invisible Library #3) by Genevieve Cogman is a whole lot of fun and it's a pretty awesome sequel.  While it didn't hit quite the high notes as the first two installments, it's still awesome.  It does still delivers and Kai and Irene are both so cool to me.  Plus, I really enjoyed getting to know Vale, an alternate world version of Sherlock Holmes.  I can't wait to read book four, The Lost Plot.

My review is also on Goodreads.

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Battle Hill Bolero (Bone Street Rumba #3)  by Daniel Jose Older was a great finale. I'm going to miss this world and these characters, especially Carlos himself.  I enjoy Older's brand of urban fantasy and nearly at the top of his game in this series.  If you're a fan of the genre, you're going to have to give it a try.  

My review is also on Goodreads.

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She Who Became the Sun (The Radiant Emperor #1) by Shelley Parker-Chan was very, very nearly a five star book.  It's one of those books that I know I won't be able to do justice to, so instead I'm just going to tell you that you absolutely need to read this historical fantasy novel that has been compared to Mulan as soon as possible, especially the audiobook edition as Natalie Naudus is a fantastic narrator.  I can't wait to see what's coming next in the upcoming the sequel!

My review is also on Goodreads.

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Ash (Ash #1) by Malinda Lo is a decent YA LGBT+ fairy tale retelling of of Cinderella (but not my favorite retelling of this story).  It is fairly predictable and I wasn't as fully invested in the characters as I should have been, it's still worth trying if you're a fan of retellings. 

My review is also on Goodreads.

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Piranesi by Susanna Clarke  was one of my most highly anticipated reads and luckily it was absolutely outstanding.  I absolutely loved Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, but this is very different.  It takes a bit to get used to the style, but once you do you'll be hooked.  I needed to know more and I'm glad I hung on to every word.  The payoff is really cool, and there's so much more I'd love to know about the House one day.  If you haven't read this short novel yet, what are you waiting for?

My review is also on Goodreads.

Are you participating in this challenge?  Have you read any of these books?  As always, thanks for visiting my blog and perhaps even commenting down below!