Fuelled by Fiction: It’s Monday, February 1st. Whatcha Reading?

In January I read a bunch of stuff! I’m pretty proud of myself because I managed to also have a pretty good social life this month. Well, at least for the second half. I’m also pretty happy because I read a bunch of different kinds of stuff. Adult, YA, paranormal, realistic, non-fiction, comic books. All sorts of different things!

Without further ado, let’s get into the books. I read 10 books and 8 comic trades in January!

Here are the 10 books that I read!

YA Mystery Thriller | Paperback | 352 pages | March 18^th, 2014 | Katherine Tegen Books

My Goodreads Rating: ★★★★☆ | Source: Purchase

Goodreads | Amazon | Indigo | Book Outlet for $3.29!

I really enjoyed this YA mystery. It's a pretty different story that focuses on the psychological elements of the MC’s life. I think it’s best going into this one without knowing too much about it! Full review to come.

In 2015 this book made the rounds on book blogs that review literary fiction. That’s where I first heard of it. I wasn’t convinced it was for me at the time. Later in the year it won the Giller Prize, and I thought, heck, why not? I did enjoy it, but I found the philosophical elements really thinly veiled. So, I was right initially. Good book, but not really my cup of tea.

This book. *FLAILS* I loved this book so much. I’m not much of a short story reader, but this one didn’t feel like short stories at all. They are all so closely connected and intertwined that it felt like one story. It is absolutely beautiful and everyone ever should read it. Like, right now.

I loved this book. I loved this book so much that I immediately bought the next two and devoured them in the same month. And that’s really saying something because I am terrible with series and it usually takes me years to get through even a trilogy. The writing is beautiful, the characters are amazing, the mythology is super interesting. Be warned though that plotwise, this book is on the slow side. It’s more of a slow burn as Stiefvater draws you into her world and slowly and elegantly reveals things layer by layer.

Unhooked by Lisa Maxwell

YA Fantasy Retelling | ARC | 352 pages | February 2^nd, 2015 | Simon Pulse

My Goodreads Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.5) | Source: Publisher

Goodreads | Amazon | Indigo

For my thoughts on this one, you can check out my full review. A fun and exciting Peter Pan retelling.

The City of the Lost (Casey Duncan #1) by Kelley Armstrong

Mystery Thriller | Hardcover | 391 pages | October 21^st, 2014 | Scholastic

My Goodreads Rating: ★★★★★| Source: Publisher

Goodreads | Amazon | Indigo

For my thoughts on this one, you can check out my full review. This is a super fun new book from Queen Armstrong. It’s surprisingly un-paranormal but unsurprisingly amazing. Amazing characters, crazy mystery, amazing setting. Definitely check it out.

The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith

Realistic YA Fiction| ARC | 391 pages | March 22^nd, 2016 | Margaret K. McElderry Books

My Goodreads Rating: ★★★★★ | Source: Publisher

Goodreads | Amazon | Indigo

This book tore my heart out. And I loved it. You need to go pre-order this book immediately, okay? And then also read Missoula. I’ll have a full review up soon!

Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town by Jon Krakauer

Nonfiction | Hardcover | 367 pages | April 21^st, 2015 | Doubleday

My Goodreads Rating: ★★★★☆ | Source: Library

Goodreads | Amazon | Indigo

This book also tore my heart it. It made me want to bang my head against a wall and also tear my eyes out. What an amazing, infuriating, unwavering, thorough investigation of acquaintance rape and the rampant rape culture in America. It is told with the example of Missoula, Montana, but remember, Missoula is only one example.

The Dream Thieves (Raven Cycle #2) by Maggie Stiefvater

YA Paranormal | Hardcover | 439 pages | September 17^th, 2013 | Scholastic

My Goodreads Rating: ★★★★★ | Source: Purchase

Goodreads | Amazon | Indigo

It was really neat to dive into Ronan’s story in this book. I enjoyed getting to know more about him and his family history!

Blue Lily, Lily Blue (Raven Cycle #3) by Maggie Stiefvater

YA Paranormal | Hardcover | 391 pages | October 21^st, 2014 | Scholastic

My Goodreads Rating: ★★★★★ | Source: Purchase

Goodreads | Amazon | Indigo

I can’t even. I NEED THE RAVEN KING NOW!

Now for the comic trades.

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Vol. 1: Squirrel Power by Ryan North and Erica Henderson (illustrator)

Paperback | 128 pages | September 1^st, 2015 | Marvel

My Goodreads Rating: ★★★★★ | Source: Library

Goodreads | Amazon | Indigo

This is a super fun start to the series! I can't wait to get into the second volume. I love the main character and her craziness. Her super powers are hilarious and ridiculous, as are her adventures. Definitely recommend!

Giant Days Vol. 1 by John Allison and Lissa Treiman (illustrator)

Paperback | 128 pages | December 1^st, 2015 | BOOM! Box

My Goodreads Rating: ★★★★★ | Source: Purchase

Goodreads | Amazon | Indigo

I really loved this! I cannot wait for the next volume. This series is about a group of girls in college and their friendship. I love stories about friendship! Highly, highly recommend!

Ms. Marvel Vol. 4: Last Days by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona (illustrator)

Paperback | 120 pages | December 1^st, 2015 | Marvel

My Goodreads Rating: ★★★★★ | Source: Purchase

Goodreads | Amazon | Indigo

Ms. Marvel is amazing. This volume is no exception! It's fun, action packed, and full of friendship. Loving where this series is going. If you haven't picked it up yet, what are you doing with your life...?

Saga Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples (illustrator)

Mature Sci-fi | Paperback | 160 pages | October 23^rd, 2012 | Image Comics

My Goodreads Rating: ★★★★☆ | Source: Purchase

Goodreads | Amazon | Indigo

I bought this on an impulse and am both glad and not glad that I did so. I do really enjoy the story, but I would have been fine borrowing it from the library. However, because I had to know what happened next, I went out and bought all the rest.... Anyway, so yes, the story and the characters are great and compelling. There is a lot of mature content though, so this series isn't really suitable for those under 18.

Saga Vol. 2 by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples (illustrator)

Mature Sci-fi | Paperback | 168 pages | July 2^nd, 2013 | Image Comics

My Goodreads Rating: ★★★★☆ | Source: Purchase

Goodreads | Amazon | Indigo

Like with the first volume, I loved the story lines and the characters. I didn't, however, love the gratuitous and graphic nudity and sexuality. I get it when there is some in adult material, but the sheer amount in these comics is overkill. I personally felt like a lot of it was just for shock value rather than to further the story or character growth. Anyway, like they say, this story is kind of like Romeo and Juliet in space. How awesome is that concept? Super awesome. If you don't mind all sorts of alien genitals in your face, then you'll probably like this!

Saga Vol. 3 by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples (illustrator)

Mature Sci-fi | Paperback | 144 pages | March 25^th, 2014 | Image Comics

My Goodreads Rating: ★★★★☆ | Source: Purchase

Goodreads | Amazon | Indigo

Refer to thoughts on vol 2!

Saga Vol. 4 by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples (illustrator)

Mature Sci-fi | Paperback | 152 pages | December 17^th, 2014 | Image Comics

My Goodreads Rating: ★★★★☆ | Source: Purchase

Goodreads | Amazon | Indigo

Refer to thoughts on vol 2!

Bitch Planet Vol. 1: Extraordinary Machine by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Valentine De Landro (Illustrator)

Feminist Dystopian Satire | Paperback | 156 pages | October 7^th, 2015 | Image Comics

My Goodreads Rating: ★★★★★ | Source: Purchase

Goodreads | Amazon | Indigo

This was a re-read for me! I originally read an e-copy from Netgalley. I decided to buy a physical copy because I want to collect the trades, I think. This is a great series. It is a bit mature in terms of themes and content so I would say definitely for those 14+. The world building and the character development are stellar. If you're interested in this one but haven't picked it up yet, definitely do it.

Total books and comics read: 18

Total pages read: 4860

As you can tell, I really enjoyed the books that I read this month. However, I do have some favourites! Out of the books I read, I think my favourite is The Tsar of Love and Techno by Anthony Marra, very closely followed by all of the Raven Cycle books I read! My favourite comic trade I read is Giant Days! So so good.

What am I reading now? Right now I am listening to the audiobook of Red Rising by Pierce Brown. I just finished Blue Lily, Lily Blue and I’m not sure what I’m going to pick up next. Who knows! What else will I read in February? I have no idea. How about you? What did you read in January? What will you be picking up this week?

It’s Monday, February 1st. Whatcha Reading? | January Wrap-Up