The #FridayReads Review (6/5/20)

Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

Two Flowers for the Dragon by Nari Kusakawa (PBK)

After a thoroughly enjoyable 5-star novella (see below) I just couldn't get into any other novels, so it's back to re-reading my manga collection for review! Kusakawa is a favorite author I have yet to spotlight so I'm hoping to put her on your radar soon. This unfortunately incomplete fantasy series is about a girl who can turn into a dragon and the two boys vying for her heart.

>> JUST FINISHED <<

All Systems Red by Martha Wells (PBK)

4.5 Stars. Do not be fooled, as I was for way too long, by the "Murderbot" name and assume this is the story of a robot on a killing spree. It's not. All Systems Red was a quick and engrossing sci-fi survival thriller with a surprising main character: a shy and emotionally stunted but capable human/robot-esque hybrid that calls itself Murderbot but is really protective and caring in its own way. Wells pulls off the genderless MC flawlessly, and its awkward personality made it such a sympathetic and relatable character. This is exactly the story I've been looking to read for several years now, so much so I've been trying (and so far failing) to write something similar on my own. Finally I saw one too many rave Murderbot reviews go by and decided to give it a reluctant try, and after devouring this first adventure in half a day I am now scrambling to get my hands on the next one! Review to come.

>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells (HBK)

I loved the first book (see above) so despite it being hardcover I'm eager to read this sequel! 

So what are you reading this week?

Ten Books I Wouldn't Mind Santa Leaving Under My Tree

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!

Ten Books I Wouldn't Mind Santa Leaving Under My Tree

1. Defy the Stars (Claudia Gray) - (ARC) I swear Claudia wrote this book just for me, it is exactly my kind of story. Dying to get my hands on an ARC for immediate consumption!
2. By Your Side (Kasie West) - (ARC) A Kasie story set in a library? Be still my heart! Already have the paperback pre-ordered, but the sooner I can read it, the better! Also, my Kasie West collection requires an ARC.
3. Lucky in Love (Kasie West) - (ARC) Two books by my favorite writer in one year? 2017 is going to rock. Of course I need this ARC for my collection too, but since this story will be releasing in hardcover (and I only read softcovers) I need it to read as well!
4. Starfall (Melissa Landers) - (???) Starflight, the first book in this duology, was my favorite read this 2016, so of course I've been desperate to get my hands on the sequel! The problem: it will be releasing in hardcover, and there are no ARCs...save one currently up for giveaway. Dear Santa, how about a Christmas miracle, pretty please?
5. Dividing Eden (Joelle Charbonneau) - (ARC) I really enjoyed Joelle's Testing trilogy, so I'm excited to read her foray into fantasy!
6. The Perilous Sea (Sherry Thomas) - (ARC/PBK) I would prefer an ARC to complete my collection, but I really want to binge the series soon so I'll settle for a paperback if I have to, I can't wait much longer!
7. Revenger (Alastair Reynolds) - (ARC/PBK) I'm a sucker for sci-fi and this sounds like an interesting one!
8. Gamescape: Overworld (Emma Trevayne) - (ARC) Another thrilling story released in hardcover that I need the ARC to be able to read it anytime soon. *sigh*
9. Roar (Cora Carmack) - (ARC) Storm magic? Enough said.
10. Penguin Revolution vol. 7 (Kore Yamazaki) - (PBK) This is the final and only volume I don't have of this entertaining series, and of course it's out of print. But a little thing like that wouldn't be a problem for Santa, right? ;)

So what books do you want Santa to leave under your tree, and why? Have you read any of the titles on my list? If so, what did you think of them?