Article contributed by Holly Angus
February has been one of the best reading months for me recently and in total, I read 10 books, which was a mix of YA contemporary, YA thrillers, fantasy and non-fiction. Not only was it a good reading month in quantity, but quality as well with my lowest rating being a 6/10. This past month I went on a week-long vacation, which definitely helped my reading goal and read books from the likes of John Green, Leigh Bardugo and Rainbow Rowell.
Read on to discover what books I read this month and tell us in the comments below if you will be checking one out!
Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil by Hannah Arendt | Goodreads
10/10
This was a required reading for my law course this year, yet this was the most eye opening book I have read in a very long time. It depicts the Israeli prosecution of a Nazi leader, Adolf Eichmann and details the Nazi Reich and how Eichmann has come to be one of the only leaders prosecuted. It truly is an eye opening account of the holocaust and provides a deeper understanding of both the state of Germany and its intentions, as well as the Jewish people and the organisation of their “extermination”. This I believe is a book that everyone should read to provide a new outlook on the treatment of people around the world presently, in history and for future generations.
Turtles All the Way Down by John Green | Goodreads
10/10
Sixteen-year-old Aza Holmes struggles with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, something that has controlled her thoughts her entire life. She has a lot on her mind about not being able to afford university next year and the death of her father. When her long-time friend Davis’ father goes missing, Aza is on the hunt, not just for Davis’ father but for the hundred-thousand-dollar reward as well. A discovery of family, wealth, friendships and trust, Aza’s struggles with mental health provides an in depth view of life with OCD and all the side effects along with it. Much like John Green’s other books, this highlights friendships, the hardships of growing up and interpersonal conflict.
Aza was a breathtaking character to see through the eyes of and seeing first-hand the struggles of mental illness and how that affects her love life and friendships is something you can only truly understand by walking in her shoes. Simply amazing.
The Swan & the Jackal by J.A. Redmerski | Goodreads
10/10
In the third installment of the “In the Company of Killers” series, the ever-so handsome and troubled, Fredrick Gustavsson is explored. Fredrik is a brutal torturer, working for The Order, an assembly of hitmen, hired by elites to kill whoever gets in the way. Fredrick was taken by The Order and trained in the most gruesome ways, how to get someone to spill their deepest and darkest secrets. He was unbreakable, that is, until Seraphina—a woman who once made Fredrick feel human, a human capable of love. This book explores the tension between Seraphina and Fredrick and the question of what tore their love apart. Fredrick is ruthless and conniving, yet the reader sympathises with his pain and suffering. Who is Seraphina and how did she love a man who tortures people for a living?
This is not for the faint of heart as this title comes with a trigger warning of sexual assault and torture. However, the character of Fredrick is lovable, but also destructive and ruthless, expect the worst… in the best way possible!
We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson | Goodreads
8/10
Henry Denton is a boy who is routinely abducted by aliens. He is given an ultimatum: the world will end, push a button and he can save it… but does he want to? Tormented by his peers at school, forced by his boyfriend to keep their relationship secret, and struggling with money at home, Henry doesn’t really have a reason to save the world. His boyfriend committed suicide last year, leaving Henry questioning the moral intentions of humanity. He is left weighing the pain of his life with the joy in the lives of others. A new romance makes him question if this is the turning point for him, a boy who will make him as happy as his last boyfriend. Yet, the question lasts: would you save the world?
This title has a trigger warning for bullying and sexual assault.
The Seeds of Iniquity by J. A. Redmerski | Goodreads
9/10
This month was the month of Redmerski, oh, and how I wish I could have continued. In the fourth book, we are introduced to a new character by the name of Nora. She threatens all that the Order has worked to accomplish and forces the cards of all the hitmen, making them reveal their deepest darkest secrets to one another. These secrets threaten the security of the Order as a whole and their personal relationships with one another. Why do they comply? Because Nora has kidnapped the ones that they love dearly, threatening to kill them in 48 hours if they do not play by her rules. Who is Nora? How does she know their secrets? Why does she want them revealed? But more importantly, what are the assassins hiding?
This title comes with a trigger warning for torture, rape and violence.
Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo | Goodreads
8/10
My first ever Bardugo book, finally! The release of this book following closely to the debut of the movie, so this book has some pretty big shoes to fill. Princess Diana lives amongst all women on a secret Amazonian island, hidden from all other civilisations. Yet, a mortal girl, Alia Keralis winds up on the island, how did this happen? How did she find them? Diana saves Alia against her best interests and risks being prosecuted by Amazonian law. Alia Keralis wishes to escape the high speed life of her scientist parents, escaping to a semester abroad. Little does she know she is being hunted by people who believe her existence will start a new war. Alia is a warbringer, a descendant of Helen of Troy, and a threat to mankind. Her very existence triggers bloodshed and conflict. Diana and Alia must find a way to provoke hidden strengths and save both of their worlds. A story of solidarity and girl power!
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black | Goodreads
10/10
The most talked about YA fantasy of the year, Holly Black delivers again with a story of politics, betrayal and most importantly—fae. Jude was only a young girl when her parents were murdered and she and her sisters were swept away by the killer to the High Court of Faerie. Living as a human, she is a visible minority amongst the world of fae and she wants to be like them—beautiful, strong and immortal. Prince Cardan is one of the many heirs to the fae throne, when he’s not attending royal parties, he is tormenting Jude and her sisters. Jude wishes to show him and all the other fae that she is worthy of immortality, and she can fight just as well as any other faerie. When a threat to the throne is presented, Jude finds herself in the middle of keeping her family and the throne safe from harm. The Cruel Prince is everything a faerie story needs, political intrigue, fierce heroines and a love to hate relationship.
The Lying Game and Never Have I Ever by Sara Shepard | Goodreads
8/10
Sara Shepard is at it again with a YA thriller that delivers, catty school girls, family drama and mystery. Sutton Mercer lived the dream, a mansion in Arizona, a happy family, money, and all the boys fawning over her, however it isn’t always as it seems. She’s dead, murdered. As her long-lost twin sister, Emma finally makes contact with her, Emma is forced to live Sutton’s life and find her murderer. Told from the perspective of Sutton, suffering amnesia after her murder, this book follows the two twins and their quest for justice. But they must be careful who they can trust, everyone is a suspect in Arizona.
Check out the ABC TV adaptation too, which is worth a watch, however it was cancelled only a few seasons in.
Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House by Michael Wolff | Goodreads
6/10
One of the most talked about presidents, featured in one of the most talked about books. Michael Wolff chronicles in his non-fiction tell all the drama of the Trump White house. Featuring answers to: what the staff really thinks of him, the wiretapping of President Obama’s phones, why James Comey was actually fires, Steve Bannon’s infamous return, and what the secret to communicating with Trump is. A never before seen presidency that divided the American people and how President Trump became the king of discord and disunion. This is a very political book and features many political theories, read carefully and do your research!
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell | Goodreads
8/10
Based off the ever-cherished Harry Potter series, Carry On follows the life of Simon, the worst Chosen One ever. When he’s not being abducted, saving the world or studying at Watford School of Magicks, he’s plotting the demise of his roommate and nemesis, Baz, who just happens to be a vampire. A darkness is looming, the Humdrum is impersonating Simon and attacking the school and all the wizards surrounding it. Simon, his friends, and an unlikely Baz set out to find and destroy he Humdrum, saving the world of wizardry once and for all.. or so they think. Spells, action, male male romances and Harry Potter nostalgia, Rainbow Rowell hit the nail on the head with this #1 New York Times bestseller.
