June : My Month in Review
30 June 2018 
And there was June – come and gone in the blink of an eye. I’ve read seven books this month which is less than normal but I’ve been trying to catch up with reviews and I’ve made quite a bit of progress. Hope you’ve all had a most excellent June. I’ve had some great books over the past six months. My reading so far this year is here and I’ve managed a total of 52 books (which is a little less than normal but plenty of time to catch up). Hope the first half of the year has been good for you all. My Month in Covers is here.
Books read: this month = 8
- Legendary by Stephanie Gerber
- The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse
- The Last Sun (The Tarot Sequence #1) by K.D. Edwards
- Bitter Sun by Beth Lewis
- Witchmark by C L Polk
- Ravencry by Ed McDonald
- Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
What’ve you been reading??
Backlist books
None this month
Unfinished series completed:
None tis month.
Books Bought:
Servant of Rage by AZ Anthony – just check out the lovely cover.
Review Books:
- The Mystery of Three Quarters by Sophie Hannah – very excited for this one, a new Poirot novel
- Bitter Sun by Beth Lewis – I’ve already read this one and my review will follow shortly – it’s a harsh tale that doesn’t pull any punches but beautifully written
- One of Us by Craig DiLouie – sounds like a cautionary tale and one I’m really looking forward to.
- Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce – I was so happy to be granted a copy of this one, it’s my first TP novel, I’m very excited
- The Ember Blade by Chris Wooding, again, not read CW before so really looking forward to this one and check out the lovely cover.
- Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett – OMG – I actually adore RJB (not in a stalker bunny boiler fashion). He’s a fantastic author and he’s on my must read list.
- No Sleep Till Doomsday by Laurence MacNaughton – such a great series, going from strength to strength.
I have a couple of covers to compare and one particular cover to highlight.
Which is your favourite? Kind of partial to the first in both cases but to be honest I think it’s difficult to really choose.
Finally, feast your eyes on this beauty, which, coincidentally is receiving some most excellent reviews:
In other news – the Self Published Fantasy Blog Off is about to kick off in August. I’ve received a list of my books and authors which I will be sharing shortly, plus I will hopefully be posting some interviews and guest posts. I normally cobble together a banner for this but this year, my daughter is studying graphic design and she’s created a banner for me – which I love. Three different colours – which is your favourite:
I love the banner! The black and white one is nice and clean, but I love the contrast of the third.
The third is my favourite but, in relation to context, the black and white seems to work better with my blog and also with the thumbnails. thanks though – my daughter will be so pleased that people like it – she needs something to give her a boost 😀
Anytime! She’s talented.
I’m drawn to the last banner, with the orange in it. Your daughter is very talented! I’m super excited to read Foundryside, I may sneak it in this month😁
Thank you Tammy – I was really happy with the banners. I love the orange one – it just really appeals to me but the black and white seems to fit with the blog better somehow.
Lynn 😀
I love that third banner, but they’re all great!
In fairness the third was my favourite but when I tried them all in a post the black and white one worked best with the blog. I do love the orange though – and thanks.
Lynn 😀
You had a great month of reading; I hope the next one is just as good if not better. I only read one relatively short book, which I loved for the most part. I love all three banners but I favor the middle one. Looking forward to your books/authors selection for the annual contest. I hope you get great ones! 😉
I’ve got a great list and I’m so looking forward to picking them all up.
Lynn 😀
Yeah, I can’t believe half the year is over already. Foundryside and No Sleep Till Doomsday are a couple books I’m looking forward to in the second half of 2018 🙂
So many good books to look forward to – it’s a bit mind bowing really.
Lynn 😀
I love the monochrome banner (I find pink/orange a tricky combination to look at, my eyes go whizzy trying to find the edges).
I can’t believe we’re halfway through the year, and I seem to have read WAY more than my usual by this point (I’m on 45, but I usually only get to 75-80 in a year with a summer slump, so that’s good batting from me). And it’s been mostly 2017 books so far – I need to get on to 2018 in the second half of the year 🙂
Thanks – I love the black and white version, it makes the images stand out more – and whizzy eyes are not good!
Happy reading for the next six months.
Lynn 😀
I think you are making amazing progress. I’ve only managed to finish 30 books so far this year.
Aw thanks – I usually read about 120 -but, I guess blogging does manage to swallow up some of the reading time doesn’t it. Not that I mind because at least I get to obsess over books with like minded people where as pre blogging I was about ready to blow a gasket with pent up book chat.
Lynn 😀
All of those banners are gorgeous! The third one is my particular favorite. Also, so excited you’re reading Tamora Pierce for the first time. She is a goddess and I’m excited to check out her latest!
Ohh – a goddess, such high praise, I am all excited now. And thanks – the third banner is probably my favourite but in context the black and white probably suits the blog better. I was so happy with them though 😀
Seriously, I adore her work. Aside from her latest, I’ve read everything she’s ever written. Granted, it’s been years, but her Alanna series is what got me into reading fantasy and I can never thank her enough for shaping my life like that. I can’t wait to see what you think! Oh yes, I love the black and white banner, too! They are all gorgeous!
Thanks 😀
Witchmark sounds so good, need to pick that one up! Foundryside will be my first RJB and I’m very excited. OMG your first Tamora Pierce? Wow, I wonder what you’ll think of Tempests and Slaughter…I haven’t read it (yet). Like you, I’m also a bit behind on my reading, but I’m blaming it on the heat. All I want to do in this summer heat is nap with the fan on! 😂
Napping is always good – and yes, this heat! Wow. Witchmark was a great read with a lovey almost olde world feel. I’m so looking forward to Tamora Pierce.
Lynn 😀
Lynn, we were both down on numbers in June then, but at least you managed to catch up with some of the backlog of your reviews… mine just got a bit longer! 😛 I am very excited to hear about a new Poirot story, although I should probably focus on reading the original first. I also love those gorgeous banners your daughter made – she’s very good – however I think the third one is my favourite – I think the colours contrast well it that one. Happy reading in July 🙂
I’m so excited about the Poirot novel but at the same time I realise that it’s difficult to take on another’s creation and do it justice – I have my fingers crossed though. Thanks for the comments about the banners – I think they’re great – the last one is actually my favourite but when i post to the blog the black and white one fits the theme better pus the thumbnais look really good. I’m so happy with her.
Lynn 😀