A Study in Drowning | 
pickThis was definitely giving atmospheric academia vibes. An architecture student wins a contest to redo the home of her favorite author and she begins working together with a literature student to uncover the truth about this mysterious author. There‘s this underlying question of if magic is real or just all in her mind. The ending was great so I will have to read the second book but I do agree this one was a little slow and dragged on. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
so-soI read this for a bookclub with a friend.
While it does have some mysterious and fantasy elements.. it sucks. It‘s about a girl Effy Sayre, and her figuring out an authors mystery along with her love interest but it drags on for so long! it only got to the full action in the last 30 pages, so if you don‘t like books that drag on, gives u little to nothing points then turn it into a cliffhanger, I do not recommend.
pickI‘m not sure whether I liked this book or not, but it made a deep impression, regardless. The writing is really powerful, the imagery vivid, the characters strong. The story is a dark fable with a touch of horror, like all fairy tales really, that leans on Welsh traditions and sets the real world against the imagined. Or IS IT? Somehow slow winding and fast paced at once, with a great ending. I‘d recommend.
pickThis is a beautifully written gothic novel. Ava Reid can create an atmospheric and immersive world, allowing the reader to sink into this story. I loved Preston and Effy's rivalry and how their relationship grew throughout the story. Magical with a dark academic vibe, this book is suitable for fantasy lovers with a touch of mystery and romance.
so-soBook 3 read in September 2024
Mixed feelings with this one. I liked the premise and some actions but I don‘t know it was a little slow and boring 🥱 for me in some parts. There are some triggers related with sexual abuse from an authoritarian/power figure 😡
I have Owlcrate edition and love that new edition with books sprayed edges😍
Thank you so much for everything in my #JólabókaflóðSwap2024 @Karisimo . The book is gorgeous and the chocolate is perfect the boys took the M&Ms right after the picture lol. @MaleficentBookDragon
✨ obsessed ✨ with this limited edition 🤩🤩🤩
pickI thought it was pretty good. The writing was good and I liked atmospheric of the book.
Starting this and hoping it‘s good. I‘ve seen mixed reviews but so far so good
pickI‘m not normally a YA reader but the Welsh mythology dark academia fantasy seduced me here and I loved it. Quite dark and complex for a YA fantasy (with some tw‘s needed around older men putting pressure on younger women) but the writing was beautiful and world building was very original, really swallowed me up.
#wondrouswednesday @eggs
1. Both! I love to compare and argue about them, and I'm not a 'book is always better' person. Tagging my current read that I'd love to see a beautiful indie movie of.
2. Laundry - laundry is my main job in my flat.
3. Why not both
4. Vanilla
5. Pen
6. All of the above I just wanna chat
7. Be one
8. Fish
9. Online
10. Massive rainstorm, best weather always always
so-soThis one was…. Grim. A lot bleaker than I was expecting from the TikTok review I saw recommending it 😅 it should come with some trigger warnings about creepy men too. I think some would adore it but it didn‘t quite have the vibe I was expecting which lessened my enjoyment. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
pickWhat a thrilling page turner! Iloved the gothic horror vibes, the pride and prejudice banter, the foreboding, the clues everywhere- nothing the author writes is a coincidence! The writing was beautiful, I was making so many quotes. Wished for a bit more length in the showdown though it was cleverly delivered. Well deserved HEA with strong women. The last line made me gasp and kept me second-guessing.
so-soQuick read ... and there's a lot going on here. I liked a lot about this book but didn't connect w the writing. My standards for feminist ya may be a bit high bc I read Anatomy & Immortality recently, perhaps why this is a "good, not great" for me.
Good afternoon everyone! This is your resident mood reader, coming in with yet another book she is starting, even though she is currently reading 4 or 5 other books… 🙄🙄🙄
pickI‘m not mad on faeries and saw every twist coming; still really enjoyed this one.
pick#StoryGraph Readalong #Kindle ebook #Everand audio
• 384 pages • first pub 2023 • fiction • YA • fantasy • young adult • dark • emotional • mysterious • dark-academia • 4 Stars
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid is a good fit for readers who are interested in a dark and atmospheric story that explores themes of mystery, fantasy, and the blurred lines between reality and myth. ⬇️
If you have #StoryGraph you might join me in a one-week ReadAlong of A Study in Drowning. It starts today, but I just found it so I joined it. I like the idea of doing a ReadAlong for one week as opposed to one month.
pickI had seen some mixed reviews for this book, so I was a bit apprehensive when my Libby hold finally came in, but I was very pleasantly surprised to find I did enjoy this a lot! The slow burn romance was well-written and it touched on themes of misogyny in academia. Some similarities to Emily Wilde‘s Encyclopedia of Fairies (although I thought that one was better). My main criticism is that the central academic mystery was super obvious to me.
It's starting to feel a little like Christmas.
bailedI wasn‘t able to get past the first few chapters of this book. Highly recommend looking up the trigger warnings before picking it up.
pickI really enjoyed this one. The world building and characters made this a fun read...and maybe part of a series??? The e ding kinda hints at it...but even so it was a fun read. This was a #Goldsboro book! #bookspin @thearomaofbooks
pickA very enjoyable read, set in a mythological world, a famous writer has died, and one of his books was very well known. Effy loved his book, so jumps at the chance to design the house where he lived. Also, at this house is Preston, who is looking at the written material left by the author. But things are not what they seem in this strange house and the strange son.
Had an apple spice macchiato today. 🍎👻🎃 #scarathlon #halloweenbucketlist #teamBOOklovers @Bookwormjillk
pick“I can't tell you I believe in the Fairy King, Effy. But I believe in your grief and fear. Isn't that enough“
https://youtu.be/04Gh82bhub0
When I showed up way too early for my Eras movie screening yesterday.
so-soI have 3 beautiful copies of this book, so I really wanted to love it. Sadly, it irritated me.
The MC is wetter than a haddock's underpants & prejudiced & whiny to boot.
Also the BLUSHING, oh my days, if I'd taken a drink every time someone's cheeks got warm, I'd be wrecked!
Hiraeth itself was a triumph. A decaying, waterlogged house on a crumbling hill, oozing atmosphere & mystery. There were things I liked, but disappointing overall.
⭐️⭐️
I just picked up a new subcontract to make sporrans for another small leatherworking business. They're a little fiddly to sew, but I'm enjoying a process quite a bit. It's the kind of project I don't have to think about too much, so I can put on an audiobook and sort of zone out. I'm halfway through the tagged book and I'm really enjoying the dark fairytale vibe.
Pretending I'm still at Gladstone's with my mug and book.
Not hugely feeling this one yet, but it may still win me over. (Hope so... I have 3 copies and they're too beautiful to get rid of 🤣)
"It was an eternal feeling, this sense of being unwelcome. No matter where she was, Effy was always afraid she was not wanted."
Ooof! That line hit me right in the feels!
Guess what? I'm on vacation this week! ? That means I get this entire week to myself to read, walk in the park, cuddle with the kitties, and eat lots of snacks! ?? ? Starting the week off right with a forestry walk and more of this book which I'm loving so far! ?
Today is a perfect day for apple picking! And reading at the orchard! 🍏📚🍎
Got these books to pick from this weekend in Gladstone's 🥰🥰
Currently reading the Lady Killers by Masako Togawa, Fool's Errand by Robin Hobb, and Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez.
Also have a new cardigan especially for library fun! 😎
@squirrelbrain @Oryx @scripturient @julesG @CGainor3 @Susanita @TrishB @rockpools @Leniverse @jenniferw88 #gladstonerds
I'm off today since I'm working all weekend, so I decided to spend the day reading at the park! It's still so warm out! I hope it starts to cool down soon! 🌿📚 This is my Owlcrate edition of this book which arrived yesterday! I think it might have one of the most gorgeous covers EVER! ☺️ #owlcrate
Wow! The September Goldsboro book has arrived and it's stunning! 🤩❤️❤️❤️ #goldsboro #goldsborobooks
pickWhat‘s more dangerous—a sinking mansion full of secrets, a vicious and enthralling Fairy King, or the forces that have historically silenced and subjugated young women in academia? Fans of Mexican Gothic and The Hazel Wood, this Welsh folklore-infused dark academia fantasy will sweep you under and leave you drowning in all its lush and eerie, mysterious and romantic, utterly immersive, gothic splendor.
