April 2018 Reading Wrap-Up
April is always a tough month for reading for me. For all college students, April is four weeks of a slow descent into insanity as we finish projects and prepare for finals. For me personally, my classes are very reading-intensive, and all I want to do at the end of my day is turn my brain off and watch some TV or play video games. However, I do have three books from April to discuss with you guys, as well as my current read.
Books Read: 2 finished, 1 DNF
Favorite of the Month: The White Road by Sarah Lotz
1) The White Road by Sarah Lotz
Genre: Supernatural Mystery
Rating: 4/5
You guys have heard me rave about Sarah Lotz’ books time and again, and I’ll be continuing that pattern for The White Road. This is the story of Simon Newman, adrenaline junkie and co-author of a website called Journey to the Dark Side. The website specializes in all things creepy and macabre--like a topic-specific subreddit--and in pursuit of footage to post on the site, Simon finds himself trapped in a cave system in Wales. Simon is rescued, but he is sure that something followed him out of the caves, and he cannot escape it--even when he ventures to Mount Everest. This was a great read, and the first 50 pages are pure nightmare fuel for anyone with claustrophobia.
2) Outpost by Adam Baker
Genre: Apocalyptic Horror
Rating: 3/5
Baker’s book is about the crew of Kasker Rampart, an oil refinery located just north of Franz Josef Land in the Arctic Ocean. When a mysterious disease begins to spread across the world, the crew find themselves trapped on the rig with dwindling supplies and no way home. Baker’s take on the zombie virus was really unique: blackened eyes, bodies consumed by metal growths, and no way to stop the infection--even amputation. I liked this book, but I didn’t love it. It was hard to develop any sense of feeling toward the characters until the very end, but the book was filled with fantastic Arctic imagery, and it was an interesting look into the human drive to survive.
3) The Crooked House by Christobel Kent
Genre: Thriller
Rating: DNF
I reached my 50 page limit with The Crooked House and decided not to continue, but I was hopeful, at first. It is a story about Allison. Allison used to be called Esme, until her father allegedly killed her mother and her three siblings before attempting to commit suicide. Esme changed her name, moved to London, and started her new life as Allison. However, when Allison find herself back in her home town for a wedding, she learns that the deaths of her mother and siblings are not what they seem. Ugh, I really wanted to enjoy this book, because the storyline is right up my alley. However, I found all the characters dull and incredibly annoying.
Current Read: Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin by Timothy Snyder
Though I started this book in April, there is not way I’m going to finish it within the next two days. So far, Bloodlands is fantastic. Snyder’s writing style is phenomenal, and I think it is a must read for scholars or anyone interested in History.
Have you read any of these books? What are your thoughts? Feel free to comment below or join the discussion on Instagram!