“1 book ahead of schedule” – Goodreads~
Remember to stay up to date with the world, listen to those facing atrocities and help spread awareness/donate where you’re able to.
I’m happy with my reads in March. I did hope to read more, but I ended up being unwell for nearly two weeks, so my reading was put on hold for quite a bit of the month.
Blood From a Stone; May Sage
rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Viola Wild has spent the last hundred years scourging the world to find the heir to the Eirikrsen’s legacy.
Goodreads
She doesn’t expect her latest inquiry to be fruitful. Thomas Miller is just a human. How could he be linked to the most ancient and terrifying line of vampire this world has ever known?
She soon realizes, there’s more to the man—and to his charming little sister.
I went into this book with little, to no, expectations. This prequel novella is so short (not even 100 pages). Even though it’s short, the characters are pretty solid and it sets up the world quite well. Some things were a little confusing, but I’m actually looking forward to reading the next books in the series where these things should be expanded on.
I would have liked it to be longer as the vampire group were fun and they had an interesting dynamic that I hope is explored more. I think Viola and Thomas could have had such a good love story, so I’m curious to see if they do have a book (I think in this series each books follows a different couple).
I will say, there were some typos and the fact that Sage calls the supernatural characters “sups” hurt me every time I had to read it 😂
The Journey: Big Panda and Tiny Dragon; James Norbury
When Tiny Dragon feels unhappy, he confides in Big Panda, who leads his friend on a journey to heal his heart. They explore new lands, encounter extraordinary experiences, face demanding challenges, and, ultimately, find contentment. As Big Panda and Tiny Dragon trek further on their trail of acceptance, they learn that changes and challenges are a natural part of life and essential for growth.
Goodreads
I didn’t rate this book as I’m definitely not the audience for it. It was a Christmas gift from my sister and I can tell she only got it for me because of the art inside.
This is a sort of self help book, but for me it’s so simple and optimistic in a way that makes the struggles easily overcome.
Enough: The Violence Against Women and How to End It; Harriet Johnson
rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why is our criminal justice system so bad at protecting women from violence? Reporting from the heart of the courtroom, this book sees barrister Harriet Johnson dissect the problems in our policing, laws and culture. How can we hold the police accountable, take stalking seriously and make justice a reality for sexual assault survivors? This is an unforgettable case for change and a clear plan of how we can make it happen.
Goodreads
Enough was really well structured. Parts felt a little simple, but the information was easily digestible. Harriet Johnson talks about many topics and it’s a great base for then exploring the topics in other non-fiction works.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold; Toshikazu Kawaguchi
rating: ⭐⭐⭐
In a small back alley in Tokyo, there is a café which has been serving carefully brewed coffee for more than one hundred years. But this coffee shop offers its customers a unique experience: the chance to travel back in time… But the journey into the past does not come without risks: customers must sit in a particular seat, they cannot leave the café, and finally, they must return to the present before the coffee gets cold . . .
Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s beautiful, moving story explores the age-old question: what would you change if you could travel back in time? More importantly, who would you want to meet, maybe for one last time?
Goodreads
Before the Coffee Gets Cold has a gentle, emotional and heartwarming premise. I enjoyed the characters and it’s wonderful that we get to know each of them throughout all four stories and not just their own one.
The main problem I had with this is the writing. I don’t know if it’s a translation issue, but it felt simple and somewhat stilted in places. This meant that at times I felt a little distant from the emotions of some characters and scenes.
I do own the second book in this series and I think I’ll read it soon.
Pride and Prejudice; Jane Austen
rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jane Austen called this brilliant work “her own darling child” and its vivacious heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, “as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print.” The romantic clash between the opinionated Elizabeth and her proud beau, Mr. Darcy, is a splendid performance of civilized sparring. And Jane Austen’s radiant wit sparkles as her characters dance a delicate quadrille of flirtation and intrigue, making this book the most superb comedy of manners of Regency England.
Goodreads
Jane Austen had a wonderful way of mixing the serious and absurd qualities of humans within a narrative, which are mostly just rich people doing rich people things. She had a wonderful way of engaging the reader and exploring the way people think and can develop.
But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them for ever.
Chapter IX, page 50
Elizabeth is well aware that she can be contradictory and quick to form opinions that don’t do her intellect justice, and it’s enjoyable to see Darcy be aware of her personality from so early on. Lizzie’s development, in my opinion, is more subtle than Darcy’s, but we do see that she is willing to put her pride aside to truly take in his words and sentiments. We even see her opinions change when she is in close contact to events and people, such as Charlotte. Lizzie is forthcoming with her opinions and enjoys fighting back with her wit, no doubt learnt from her father.
Elizabeth knows her family are mostly embarrassing. Yet, she is loyal and strives for their happiness. We’re happy to voice and think the faults of our family, but when others do it it ruffles our feathers. In my opinion, when Darcy speaks on her family’s shortcomings, and she allows herself to admit the similarities in their thoughts, this is when he becomes part of her inner circle, even if she’s not yet aware of it until she’s back in his world. Darcy’s letter is one of my favourite parts of the book and it’s vital for both of our main character’s development ♥
It’s also wonderful that Darcy is happy to discuss his own shortcomings with Lizzie (which often has a charming playfulness to it), and that after the pivotal moment that his proposal is basically thrown in his face, he is willing to do a lot of introspection because he values her opinions and importantly, her opinion of him.
‘My object then,’ replied Darcy, ‘was to shew you, by every civility in my power, that I was not so mean as to resent the past; and I hoped to obtain your forgiveness, to lessen your ill opinion by letting you see that your reproofs had been attended to.
Chapter Lviii, Page 421
Overall, the relationship between Elizabeth and Mr Darcy fills me with joy. I love their bickering, playful asides and meeting of the minds. I also love all the side characters (apart from Wickham, that man can choke~) and they all bring out such a richness of personalities. Jane Austen does wonderful studies of human nature in her works. She’s both funny, sarcastic and incredibly romantic.
What are your thoughts on these books? Let me know what you read in March!
Thanks for reading!
I hope you’re having a lovely day and staying safe ♥
DramaRambles 🌸 