Happy Friday, book lovers! I didn’t do a weekly wrap-up last week because it conflicted with my monthly round-up, so this will cover the past two weeks. Aren’t you guys lucky? Here we go!
Books
Books I read:
Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdeih
When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
I read two of my most highly anticipated summer books over this period, and both were advance copies! Clearing out my ARCs has been a goal and I’m pleased that I’ve been chipping away at the digital pile. I absolutely loved The Wrath and the Dawn and was really looking forward to Ahdeih’s new book Flame in the Mist. I was a little disappointed! It was a decent read, but it just didn’t have cast the same spell as Wrath.
On the other hand, I absolutely ADORED When Dimple Met Rishi. I had been seeing it everywhere and decided to pick it up when some of the bloggers I trust the most released glowing review. I have to say that not only did it live up to the hype, it far surpassed it. If you’re only going to pick up one book this summer, please do yourself a favor and read this one.
I’m a bit behind on reviewing because of my New York holiday, but I’ll be catching up soon! Reviews for both of these books are forthcoming.
Books I’m currently reading:
The Never King by James Abbott
Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkein
Raven Stratagem by Yoon Ha Lee
I’m slowly breaking out of this reading slump! This stage is the ‘I’m excited about everything and will read 3 books at once’ stage. The Never King is a marvelous book sent to me by the publisher for review. I am about 150 pages in and I have to say that it is really fun so far! I think this will be a great book to break me out of the slump.
I’m also going to read Fellowship of the Ring, which is one of my all-time favorites, and I plan to do it at a leisurely pace. I’ve actually only read through the entire trilogy once, which always surprises people.
Finally, I’ve picked up Raven Stratagem, the sequel to the fantastic Ninefox Gambit. I haven’t made much of a dent yet, but it looks like it’s going to continue pretty much where Ninefox left off. This book will release in the UK on 15 June, so keep an eye out!
Books I bought:
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (20th anniversary edition) by J. K. Rowling
This Savage Song by V. E. Schwab
A Gathering of Shadows by V. E. Schwab
Revenger by Alastair Reynolds
The Spellbook of the Lost and Found by Moira Fowley-Doyle
I’ve picked up a fair few books for my birthday and plan to snatch up a few more this weekend! I’m going to go into money-saving mode here soon for the wedding, so I’m stocking up! I absolutely had to have the gorgeous 20th anniversary edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (the Ravenclaw edition, naturally). The others have been on my radar for a long while, and it was time for me to pick them up.
Life
I had the great misfortune of sharing my birthday with the UK general election — I’ll be stressed out! I’m writing this late on Thursday evening, and we’re planning to tune into the election coverage all night. I have to say that the UK coverage is so much more polite than US election coverage, even when they’re arguing.

That’s it for this week! What are you guys reading? Did you pick up any good books? Let me know!
oooh now you’ve made me want to reread LOTR! I usually reread at least one LOTR book each summer, whether that be The Hobbit or one from the trilogy. I’ve been having this random urge to reread Two Towers lately, so maybe I’ll tackle that sometime soon?
Also, is that your cat? It’s SO CUTE ❤
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It has been years since I read them, I think it’s time! I hope you enjoy your reread 😍
It is! She’s one of two and usually the more camera shy one 🤣
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Happy belated birthday! I’ve pretty much tuned out the US political news here, too stresssful and it gives me more time to read. It’s a win win 😊!
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Thank you!! The whole political situation stresses me out so badly. Reading is far more fun 😃
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