Here we are already, in early June, and I am once again creating a list of book reviews of what I read last month. It’s come so fast I can barely believe it, and yet somehow I managed to read a decent amount of stuff. Without further ado, here are the books I read in May 2022, in no particular order.
Skin Game by Jim Butcher
This is the 15th installment, I believe, in the Harry Dresden series. If it’s not the 15th, it’s some other number that’s way up there for a series, and I remain, as ever, totally impressed by Jim Butcher’s ability to tell an action-packed story that still allows for character development and for the reader to feel like they know him. Or at least, I do. I feel like I’ve watched Harry Dresden go from being merely a private detective who is also a wizard, and reach through layers of power and politics among the wizards to the position he now finds himself in. The stories involve all sorts of supernatural creatures, but throughout there is the sense that the magic is incidental to those who use it, and it is how they use it that determines what the magic is. Regardless of any sort of philosophy, this series is a rollicking good time and you should read it.
Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee
I chose to read this to my class this year (in fact, I will be writing a round up of all the books I read to my class). It was uncomfortable. Perhaps it’s because some of the bullying struck a bit too close to home, but it evokes the frustrated helplessness that can arise when you are the victim of bullying at school. The characters who were the bullies (referred to as Basketball Boys) are written so well. You can tell what they’re doing is not right but it’s very difficult to pinpoint what features of what they’re saying make it so bad. Great book, but uncomfortable.
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
This was a good book. The characters are strong and have depth, and the story is not a typical fantasy novel. The setting has more flavours of India than of your typical Lord of the Rings/Game of Thrones style story. The setting is lush and descriptive, full of vibrant flowers and trees, but also threat, as people in the story are becoming infected with a virus that makes them start to physically develop plant and flower like physical features. I don’t know how else to explain it, but it’s pretty original. I recommend this one.
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
I listened to this one. Specifically, I listened to this version of it, which was really well done. This is the story of a penniless family in the 1930s, who live in a huge old castle in England. They try to solve one problem after another, while also doing their best to analyze the minutiae of conversations with their new neighbours, two American, single men, who are also the new owners of the castle, which the main characters are tenants. It’s a very sweet book, offering a glimpse of the time period and I would get much recommend listening to it, particularly the full production linked above.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
This was SUCH a good book. The story takes place during WWII from the perspective of a girl who is living in Germany, just outside of Munich. I don’t want to create any spoilers but it’s the story of a young girl who has been left with a family when her mother could no longer take care of her. She is raised by this couple, and during her childhood, the family ends up hiding a Jewish man in their basement at the height of the Nazi regime in Germany. The story is that of her growing up in these circumstances, but all the main characters are written extremely clearly. Also, there are stories that are only hinted at in this book; that of the mother, the adoptive parents, and so many others, that create a rich reading experience. This book is extremely good. It’s heartbreaking, sweet, upsetting, and funny in turns, and I highly recommend it.
Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
Three Dark Crowns refers to three queens who have just reached the age at which they must make the final decision as to who will rule a magical island. Each has their own strength: there is an elemental queen, who controls weather; a poisoner queen, who controls how poisons affect herself and others; and a naturalist, who has control over plants and animals. The conflict between these three sisters (and sisters they are, triplets, in fact) is the central destination in the book, with a crew of supporting characters with vested interests in one person or another winning. The book was good, though it didn’t go where I was hoping it would. I can think of a satisfying way that the sequel could be written, but it is only to hope that Kendare Blake agrees with me! It’s a fun start to a series and I will be reading the next installment.
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