December Wrap-Up (2016)

I haven’t read that much in December because it was the end of semester and I had a lot of exams, but I still managed to read quite a few! ~I’m posting this quite late in January but better late than never?~

---

1) A Closed and Common Orbit (Wayfarers #2), by Becky Chambers
This one was my most anticipated book of the year, sequel/companion to one of my favourite book The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet. I have not written a review yet because it is hard to put into words my feelings for this one. Enough to say I wasn’t disappointed at all and already looking forward to read it again and again. Perhaps I’ll get the US edition in April and reread it then!

2) Another Castle: Grimoire (Another Castle #1-5), by Andrew Wheeler, Paulina Ganucheau, Jenny Vytran
I reviewed this one here! I got it from the publisher through Netgalley. I read it in one evening and what a joy! Totally recommend. It’ll be out in February.

3) A Monster Calls, by Patrick Ness
I really like Patrick Ness writing and when I heard that one of his books was going to be adapted into a film I was excited to read it. I chose to read it first in its non-illustrated edition mainly because I love this cover immensely (I had to stop myself from posting a million pictures of it on IG). It’s a really moving, sad and beautiful story. Of course I cried, more with the book than the movie, and I’d recommend it. It’s a short but impactful read.

4) Brother’s Ruin (Industrial Magic #1), by Emma Newman
Still working on my review for this novella! I got an eARC from the publisher, and I was super excited to read it because I love Emma Newman writing since reading Planetfall last year. I was a little bit disappointed (I’ll elaborate on my review, sometimes this month) but still looking forward to what will happen next. I also have two more book of hers in my (giant) TBR that I’m very looking forward to read!

5) Agents of Dreamland, by Caitlín R. Kiernan
Another eARC from the publisher. I struggled a little to get into the story but halfway through it (so, not much, since it’s a novella too) I was really eager to know what had happened. That novella wasn’t for me but I can still recognise the fact that it is a beautiful (yet horrific) story that I’m sure will find its public.

6) The Recruit: The Graphic Novel, by Robert Muchamore, John Aggs
I got this graphic novel (in French) for my cousin as a Christmas gift and read it while she was reading something else. I was a big fan of this book series when I was younger and thought that she might enjoy it too. In France the first volume was realeased only last month, I hope she’ll choose to continue reading this series, either in novel or graphic novel!

7) Princess Princess Ever After, by Katie O’Neill
My sister got it for Christmas! I’m super glad because in my review for Another Castle I talked about it! It was the cutest and sweetest! I wish it would have been just a little bit longer, but it is an MG graphic novel so I undersand the length!

8) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay, by J.K. Rowling
I wrote a review for this screenplay! More about the object than the actual story, but still.

9) Culottées (Les Culottées #1), by Pénélope Bagieu
Another one I wrote a review for! In French this time!
If you’re a fan of Mackenzi Lee’s #BygoneBadassBroads on twitter and understand a little bit of French, I totally encourage you to pick up this French bande-dessinée about amazing women!

10) More Happy Than Not, by Adam Silvera
I first started reading this contemporary novel on my phone while in the bus or tram for the first part, but read the second half all at once, instead of sleeping, crying for a big part of it. It was hard and powerful and necessary, I am glad that this book exists, even if I usually prefer happier stories. I didn’t rate it on GR but I’m glad to see it has so many 5/5, totally well deserved.

11) Le pixel quantique (Notes #10), by Boulet
Oh how I loved this one! I encourage you to check Boulet’s blog and instagram!

12) Angel Catbird, Vol. 1 (Angel Catbird #1), by Margaret Atwood, Johnnie Christmas
Such a big disappointment 😦 I didn’t love or like this at all. I tried, really tried. But the puns were too much, the art not great, the characters too stereotyped, the story not surprising in the least. It really felt super old. I love the cover and the idea greatly but I won’t buy the next volume, it didn’t work for me.
I haven’t read any novel by Margaret Atwood yet, but I will try to change that this year!

13) Spider-Women (Spider-Woman #8), by Robbie Thompson &more
I liked this event but didn’t love it. I love Cindy (Silk) but here my favourite to follow was Jessica (Spider-Woman)! I don’t have a lot to say about this, just that I’m looking forward to what awaits for those spider women 🙂

---

Some numbers:
13 books
10 in English and 3 in French
3 from publishers, 4 bought and 6 gifted

Three of those were books I got for Christmas, and three were comics & graphic novels that my sister got. Since we each had to go back to different city on the 3rd of January I wanted to read her books before mine! I’ll post about my Christmas haul in a few days ! 🙂

---

Current read (08/01/17) :