READING | GOALS | BOOK REVIEW

My First 4.5 ⭐️ Book This Year

Just say NO to resolutions, instead, set a reading goal

At the beginning of each year, I set a reading goal, which is a resolution of sorts, but an enjoyable one.

Setting a reading goal

My goal for the year is to read 100 books. Last year I read 120, and my total number of books is directly proportional to how cold winter gets.

Why set a goal? Mainly to challenge, and be accountable to myself. It’s always there, in the back of my mind, and honestly, I’d rather read (and write on Medium) than most other leisure activities. Keyword is most.

Why I use Goodreads

I love to browse in bookstores but I also borrow books online from the library and buy one audiobook per month from Audible.

Using Goodreads alongside the online library works well for keeping track of the books I’ve read and want to read. And since I borrow a lot of books, once they’re returned, I’d probably forget a few of them.

When I’ve finished a book, I’ll sometimes write a review, which helps to reinforce the story in my memory.

Another plus — most authors have an author page with info about themselves and upcoming new releases.

If you’re on Goodreads, send me a friend request. I’d be happy to talk books!

My first 4.5 ⭐️ book of the year

With this book, I’ve jumped into a genre I seldom read, and I don’t know why since I usually enjoy it when I do jump in.

So, this book, which has fantasy, witches, magic, and romance, seemed like a pleasantly intriguing combination of categories to me!

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches By Sangu Mandanna Published August 23, 2022 318 pages Goodreads rating 4.13 stars

Cast of Characters

I loved the cast of characters in this story. The protagonist, Mika Moon, is a witch who has lived a fairly solitary life. She longed for connection with other witches but believed that when witches got together, bad things happened.

Mika kept her witchcraft a secret, except on her YouTube Channel where she felt free to share her magic with the world.

The safe thing about doing magic online was that her audience would pass it off as tricks and slights of hand, anything but real honest-to-goodness magic.

The Story

One evening Mika received a mysterious message from one of her YouTube followers who made her an offer that sounded suspicious, inviting Mika to this follower’s home.

Not a spoiler: Of course, she went to his home or there wouldn’t be a story to tell.

Think about it, would any of us go to the home of an unknown online follower? Sure, I could see it if you’re a bodybuilder, but what if said home is in the forest in the middle of nowhere? Even a bodybuilder might be wary and just delete the message.

Back to the story

The family of Mika’s follower needed a tutor for their three young girls. The problem was that the girls possessed powers they could not control.

Adding Mika to the equation was sure to attract the attention of the senior witches, the ones who had mandated the no group gatherings policy.

I’d love to tell you the whole story, but won’t, just in case you decide to pick up the book.

I will tell you that what happens next involves a lot of magic, a looming deadline, old secrets and lies, a coverup of the old secrets and lies, and the best part — romance.

I can’t forget the antagonist who threatens to expose Mika and the family to the world, it would destroy them and uncover the old secrets and lies.

The questions that remain: should Mika trust the family, and can she find love with the man she’s unwilling to admit she was attracted to?

What I did not like about the book

The story wrapped up a little too quickly for me in just 318 pages. I could have enjoyed reading this book for at least 400 pages.

Would I recommend this book?

Yes, lovers of romance, lots of magic, and a touch of humor would likely enjoy The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches.

My most-read genres are murder mysteries, sci-fi, thrillers, courtroom dramas, and sometimes romance as long as there’s at least one gratuitous sex scene.

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