#maxalotl reads

[maxalotlxl]

My October TBR

With my attempt to start posting about my journey in reading, I'll be starting with my October TBR. So here are the books I'll be trying to read in this month.

Godkiller by Hannah Kaner This book was shamelessly bought because the cover is absolutely gorgeous, but with the synopsis including a fantasy adventure with some wonderful diverse rep I was very excited to start this book. (Spoiler : I have finished this book as of the 5th)

Masters of Death by Olivie Blake I have two Olivie Blake books on my TBR this month and since I haven't any of her work before I'm really excited to see the hype over her work. Now when I picked up Masters of Death at the bookshop, the woman who served me suggested I go into this without looking up anything before hand and that's what I'll be doing. Wish me luck!

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake Six wizards fighting to survive and be one of the five that gets initiated into some magic society? Sounds like some friendships will be made and betrayals will happen, I'm in. It's clearly not hard for me to sold on a book.

You're Not Supposed To Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron I am trying to dip my toes into genres I wouldn't usually bother with one of those genres would be horror, with how small this book is and the fact I am interested in Kalynn Bayron's other work I thought this would be a good start into the genre.

Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff This is my main audiobook read this month, and one heavily recommended by a friend. So I'm excited to get through this scarily big book, like damn this book is thick, but here's hoping by using the audiobook the fear isn't as bad.

#booklr #Maxalotl Reads #Godkiller #Hannah Kaner #Masters of Death #The Atlas Six #olivie blake #you're not supposed to die tonight #kalynn bayron #empire of the vampire #jay kristoff #October TBR #TBR

[maxalotlxl]

My Top 5 Favourite Reads In 2023

Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir This seems like my obvious winner, The Locked Tomb is easily my favourite series at the moment and I want to eat up everything Tamsyn Muir releases from now on. I did actually finish Harrow this year too, and I did really enjoy it but I have an easier time reading characters like Gideon and Nona. The characters in Nona was more my speed than Harrow.

Godkiller by Hannah Kaner Nona was only the obvious winner because it's part of The Locked Tomb Series as individual books Godkiller and Nona is so hard to pick a preferred favourite. I really only picked this book up first because the cover is stunning and you can't blame me, but these characters had me in a chokehold. This is what I want from a reluctant allies to found family story, they were all so wary of each other at the start but found themselves doing the absolute most to protect each other at the end. I am screaming for Sunbringers release early.

Harley Quinn: Reckoning by Rachael Allen Harley my beloved, I can't even remember when my love for this character started I know it started from a purely aesthetic point, I loved her design. I moved into reading the Suicide Squad comics, because I really dislike Joker and wanted a Harley story without him. Then this book happened, Harley back in college (kind of) and still being the chaotic character while actually showcasing this brilliantly smart person. I loved this! The second wasn't a favourite but was still amazing and I can't wait for the thirds release.

The Faithless by C.L. Clark Yes I picked up The Unbroken because Touraine is hot, and yes Touraine and Luca are infuriating characters that make you question why you have such a loyal need to support them. Didn't stop Magic of the Lost become a favourite pretty much immediately, this sequel tops the first for mainly one singular reason, Sabine. Sabine was my self insert, shamelessly thirsting after both of the main characters while playing the dutiful match maker for them both too.

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree L&L is the only 4 star read on this list, and this does make me reconsider my rating for that. Originally my 4 star was because despite knowing this was just a cozy read, I do feel the need for some action/drama happening. But this was exactly what I wanted this to be so it really does deserve the 5 stars. I read this with a friend who I play D&D with and we both do like to imagine the future of our characters after adventuring, and this is what that was. Retirement after a long DnD campaign. I do have Bookshops & Bonedust, and while I have started it this time of year is so busy I haven't had the chance to have the cozy atmosphere necessary for this book.

Honourable Mentions

If You'll Have Me by Eunnie Such a cute, fluffy romance between too very different people that are both wanting a romantic relationship but having a hard time to figure out what that actually means for both them. This was exactly what I needed when I was reading it, just unfortunately doesn't quite make the list.

Kill for Me Kill for You by Steve Cavanagh I read this alongside my mother and older sister (eventually the books getting passed onto so many people at work, I have no idea where my copy is anymore), the three of us love a good mystery. We were raised on murder mystery detective shows. I really enjoyed this book and the twists just kept coming. The only reason this isn't in my top 5 was because the others have been in my head a lot more than this one.

#booklr #book recs #nona the ninth #tamsyn muir #the locked tomb #godkiller #hannah kaner #the faithless #C.L. Clark #the magic of the lost #legends & lattes #travis baldree #if you'll have me #eunnie #kill for me kill for you #steve cavanagh #maxalotl reads #top 5 reads

[maxalotlxl]

Reading Goal 2023

I only started reading again in late June 2023, so I wanted to keep my goal easy and started by saying a book a month so by the end of the year I would read 7 books, I upped it to 10 for an actual reading goal.

I tracked my reads on both Story Graph and Goodreads, but I only upped the goal on Goodreads so I could see the difference.

Now in my personal reading goal this year I didn't want to count Comics, Graphic Novels and Manga but I did track them on these apps to gain benefit from the recommendation bit.

So my original goal was 10 books, and my most updated reading goal on good reads is 35. As of 30th of December 2023, when I'm writing this I have read 34 books. I do think I'll finish the extra book before we hit 2024 because I'm reading through All Systems Red by Martha Wells on Audiobook and have less than an hour to go.

As of right now I don't know what I'll put as my 2024 reading goal because obviously one book a month was too low of a goal but I won't be putting an outrageous goal either because I'm not going to allow a goal ruin my fun of reading.

I might set it at 50 and if I quickly approach that goal I'll increase it. We'll see.

#booklr #book recs #maxalotl reads #reading goals #story graph #goodreads

[maxalotlxl]

Hey, I'm Maxalotl.

So here is what you need to know about me, I'm currently in my 20s and I identify as Non-binary (they/them) Bisexual. I spend pretty much all my free time reading or gaming so most of my interests lie there. I'm here mainly to document my own thoughts and opinions on my reading, a small journal to keep track of what I've read and want to read. I'm far from being a well spoken literature journalist and sorry to say but this blog is really built just for myself. However I'm glad to share this with anyone who comes along and enjoys it. I'm open to making new friends or even just having chats with people on here (just be aware I come online rarely so don't expect an immediate reply).

As for some interests of mine that we could share together:

Reading, I focus on Sapphic and fantasy reads and therefore most of my favourites are of these genres. For Example The Locked Tomb, The Magic of the Lost and Fallen Gods.

Gaming, I'm awful in actually completing story games so you'll find me mostly online with friends playing Dead by Daylight, Lethal Company, Phasmophobia, Battlefield. Some of my favourite games though are Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077 and the Mass Effect Trilogy.

Other interests include Harley Quinn, Dungeons and Dragons (Critical Role Campaign 2), Tattoos, Wrestling and my Dog.

I'm sure I've missed a few on here but if you come across my page and feel like you'd like to reach out and talk then don't be shy that's my job.

#sapphic book recs #wlw #sapphic #intro post #gaming #dead by daylight #lethal company #phasmophobia #witcher 3 #cyberpunk 2077 #mass effect #the locked tomb #the magic of the lost #godkiller #harley quinn #dnd