May and June Reads

As August has finally dawned up on us, I thought it was high time that I posted my May and June book wrap-up. I promise you guys that July book wrap-up will be posted soon and not sometime in September.

Anyways, here are the list of books I managed to read in the months of May and June –

May wasn’t a very good reading month for me. I managed to read only two books and one of them was a graphic novel. But the two books that I did read were nothing short of brilliant.

Saga Volume 1 by Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples

I had a heard a lot of about this inter-galactic Romeo and Juliet graphic novel and it certainly lived up to my expectations. The book is set around Alana and Marko, two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war, who are on a run with their new-born baby girl. The book follows their struggles as they try to dodge bounty hunters and find a safe haven for their baby.

The world that Brian K Vaughan created is fascinating. The author manages to pack magic, ghosts, romance, war, mystery, action and humor into just 160 odd pages. The art work is bright and bold. I absolutely loved it and would highly recommend it.

Rating – 4 Stars

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

This book took me months to complete. It wasn’t because I dint enjoy the book, it was because I was in a reading slum and getting through 700 odd pages felt like a tedious task.

The Name of the Wind doesn’t read like an epic fantasy novel but more like Kvothe’s biography. Sure, there are dragons, demons and magic in the book but the way that Patrick Rothufuss builds the world all these seem possible. Besides, one of the strongest points of the novel is Rothfuss’s prose, its a beautiful blend between poetry and prose.

The one thing that I dint expect from this book was how character driven it was. When I started reading the book I thought that the book would be action packed. Though there was action in the book, the book’s driving point is its character development. You get to Kvothe so intimately that you can’t help fall in love with the character.

I am not saying that the book isn’t flawed but I think Kvothe’s quote in the book “not flawless but perfect” describes the book perfectly.

Rating – 5 Stars

June was a much better reading month for me. I ended up reading 5 books, which is the highest number of books I have read in a month this year.

Saga Volume 2 by Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples

As much as I loved the first volume, the second one was even better. While the first novel introduced you to the characters and the world, the second book explored more of the same. You get to know the characters better, get a glimpse into their back story and meet new characters. This volume is more exciting and action packed than the first one. The art work like in the first one is very impressive. I can’t wait to read volumes.

Rating – 5 Stars

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

I had heard a lot of good things about this book and had very high expectations from it but unfortunately I was very disappointed with it. It wasn’t a bad book per se but I found it to be a bit dull and boring, especially in the middle. There are a few chapters in the book where nothing interesting happens and it was during these chapters that I struggled to read on. Unfortunately, the characters didn’t connect with me emotionally either. I didn’t care for any of the characters at least till the very end of the story. The only thing that kept me going till the end was the story and the narrative. I wouldn’t say it’s the best book out there but worth a read.

Rating – 3 Stars

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

This book surprised me in a good way. When the book first came in to the market it was being touted as the next ‘Gone Girl’ but later on the negative reviews started to pour in and my expectations from the book were low. But I was in for a good surprise. The Girl on the Train is an unsettling thriller as you can’t trust anyone, including the three ladies who narrate this book. Between an alcoholic, a liar and a cheat, who can you trust? And that’s what kept me glued to my seat. The narrative was gripping, fascinating and creepy at parts. If anything, the only negative of this book is its climax. I felt a bit let down by it but other than that I enjoyed the book thoroughly.

Rating – 4 Stars

Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

This book was so much better than the first book in the series, The Daughter of Smoke and Bone. The angst teenage love that irritated me in the first book is gone in this one. I don’t want to say much as it would spoil the first book but if you thought the first book was okay and are wondering if to continue on with the series, I would say give this book a shot.

Rating – 4 Stars

Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

This book was brilliant. This book once again shows you that you don’t need a 500 pages book to tell a fantastic story, even a 120 pages book can do the same. Gabriel Garcia Marquez weaves magic in this book. His narrative is what makes this book a masterpiece. Highly recommend this one.

Rating – 4.5 Stars

Let me know what all books you guys have read and loved in the past few months down in the comments.