The StoryGraph’s Onboarding Reading Challenge (read a book from your StoryGraph recommendations)—Beautiful Demons—Finished 3-10-2023
The StoryGraph Reads the World (Cuba)—Of Women and Salt—Finished 3-12-2023
The StoryGraph’s Genre Challenge (a sapphic romance)—She Who Became the Sun—Finished 3-22-2023
Beat the Backlist 2023 (about dragons or robots)—The Glow of the Dragon’s Heart—Finished 3-22-2023
Scavenger Hunt TBR Book Challenge (what is the most common letter in the title of the last book you read for this challenge. Find a book with a title that starts with that letter)—Even the Moon has Scars—Finished 3-23-2023
Scavenger Hunt (the prettiest book in your TBR)—The Watchmaker’s Daughter—Finished 3-23-2023
Popsugar Reading Challenge 2023 (A book about a vacation)—The Swap—Finished 3-24-2023
2023 TBR Toppler (the first book in a series)—The Last Artifact—Finished 3-26-23
2023 Monthly Themes (March of the Memoirs)—In the Dream House—Finished 3-1-23
2023 Reading Challenge (A book in a series you already started)—Catching Fire—Finished 3-27-23
This meme is what it says: Places I travel to in books each month. Books are lovely and take you to places you would never get to. That includes places of fantasy too!!
Bon Voyage!!
Please let me know if you have read these books or traveled to these areas.
United States
New Hampshire (Adams)
New York (Haverford, Limerick, Johnstown), Connecticut (Ashford, Canterbury, Bayfield), Pennsylvania (Philidelphia)
Iowa (Iowa City), Pennsylvania (Philidelphia, Allentown), Georgia (Savannah), Indiana (Bloomington), New York (New York City)
Louisiana (New Orleans, Algiers Point, French Quarter, Port Sulphur)
Florida (Key West, Orlando), Georgia (Atlanta)
Georgia (Atlanta, Decatur)
Washington (Oreville)
California (post-apocalyptic Sacramento)
Hawaii (unnamed island)
Washington D.C., West Virginia, Pennsylvania (Chestertown, Philadelphia), Florida (Miami)
Aahan, a young boy who loses his parents at a young age and becomes responsible for taking care of his younger sister, Lisa, tragically meets an untimely end in an accidental death. In the afterlife, he meets five other individuals – Kiada Devar, Eree, Rafele, Brummel Dixit, and Mirai Newrewall – and together, they embark on a journey of self-discovery and redemption. Through their journey, they come to understand the value of life and the importance of doing good deeds.
Kiada Devar, a young and talented music artist whose life is cut short by a tragic death. In the afterlife, Kiada becomes a source of encouragement and support for the other souls she meets and befriends. She is a compassionate and empathetic person, always looking for ways to help and uplift those around her.
Eree, a high school student who unexpectedly finds herself in the afterlife following her untimely death. At first, she struggles to come to terms with her new reality and is overwhelmed by grief and confusion. However, as she begins to come to grips with her situation, she becomes determined to make the most of her time in the afterlife.
Rafele, is a young man in his mid-twenties who has a difficult time making friends. He is a shut-in who spends most of his days playing video games and is reliant on his parents for support. Despite his social struggles, Rafele is determined to make friends and improve his social skills. After losing his life in a tragic accident, Rafele finds himself in the afterlife where he continues to struggle with making connections with others. However, he remains determined and works hard to overcome his social anxiety.
Brummel Dixit was the leader of a successful crime syndicate, ruling over his criminal empire with an iron fist. He was feared and respected by his followers, who would do anything to please their boss. However, after his untimely death, Brummel finds himself in the afterlife, where he is forced to confront the consequences of his actions.
Mirai Newrewall, a young girl finds herself in the afterlife after an untimely death and is determined to be reunited with her parents and embarks on a quest to find them in Heaven.
First Line:
As the guy stood on the roof, soaking in the sun’s warmth, he couldn’t help but feel grateful for everything he had.
For Our Soul by Rashidul Huda
For Our Souls was an interesting book to read. The story follows six souls as they navigate purgatory, Heaven, and the trials to see if they are worthy of reincarnation. These souls’ journey is not easy; they must face how they were and acted before death. Can the six withstand the trials? Or will they fail? And who will be blessed with reincarnation?
For Our Souls was a fast read. Because it was so short, some characters weren’t as fleshed out as they could have been. Reading took me over a couple of hours.
The characters in For Our Soul felt flat (see above paragraph). I had a hard time connecting with them. I did enjoy seeing their individual growth over the book, though. It made the scenes where they accepted who they were in life so much sadder to read.
I did enjoy the main storyline. The portrayal of purgatory was very creepy (with the demons). I liked the friendships that formed between them all and how they supported each other to the end.
The end of For Our Soul was sweet. I liked how the author wrapped everything up and tied everything together.
I would recommend For Our Soul to anyone over 16. There is mild violence, no language, and one nongraphic scene of a girl about to get sexually assaulted.
Many thanks to Rashidul Huda for allowing me to read and review For Our Soul. All opinions stated in this review are mine.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (for Cover Scavenger Hunt 2023—a bird)—Finished 1-1-2023
A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth(for The StoryGraph Onboarding Challenge—-Read a book with more pages than the longest book you read in 2022)—Finished 1-17-2023
Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica (for The StoryGraph Read the World—Argentina)—Finished 1-17-2023
The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neill (for The StoryGraph’s Genre Challenge—a contemporary or literary fiction novel with disability rep)—Finished 1-24-2023
The Reader by M.K. Harkins (for Beat the Backlist 2023—a backlist book)—Finished 1-24-2023
The Shape of Thunder by Jasmine Warga (for Scavenger Hunt TBR Book Challenge—Read the most recently added book to your TBR)—Finished 1-3-2023
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (for Scavenger Hunt—a book written by a woman using a male perspective)—Finished 1-19-2023
The Nightmare Man by J.H. Markert (for Popsugar Reading Challenge 2023—a book you meant to read in 2022)—Finished 1-5-2023
Lost Soul by Adam J. Wright (for 2023 TBR Toppler—a TBR vet)—Finished 1-3-2023
In Our Blood by William J. Goyette (for 2023 Monthly Themes—books that make you feel cold)—Finished 1-10-2023
Before the Coffee Get Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (for 2023 Reading challenge—a translated work)—Finished 1-11-2023
All Hallows by Christopher Golden (for 2023 ABC Challenge—A)—Finished 1-19-2023
The Family Game by Catherine Steadman (for Romanceopoly 2023!—read a thriller or mystery where one of the main characters are a detective or private investigator)—Finished 1-3-2023
Hello Stranger by Katherine Center (for 2023 TBR Prompts—a 5-star prediction)—Finished 1-16-23