Book reviews: Asian readathon wrap-up

I'm glad I participated in this readathon. I've been in a long reading slump. It's not like I haven't read anything at all, but I've read only books or fics that require no brain cells or emotional involvement and can be completely forgotten in a day. And this month reminded me why I love good books that make you feel things and give you aesthetic pleasure, and how you need to change optics a bit for every new book because all of them are different and have their own voice (well, except The Poppy War and The Gilded Wolves, they were pretty generic).

Overall I've read 12 books, which is a lot for me. I've changed two books out of five I've planned to read. I wasn't in a mood to read The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy and I DNFed People With Solar Reins by Ariadna Borisova at 15% because almost nothing happens in this 15%. It was very boring, and I understand that a book series can start slow, but there were two small episodes valuable for the main plot in this 15%. Also, I didn't like its writing style. I understand that folklore fantasy requires a writing style that reminds of folktales and fables, but Ariadna Borisova overdoes it. You don't immerse in a fable-like narration, you see a modern author who tries too hard.

I really glad I found The Crystal Ribbon through this readathon, I usually don't read middle-grade books, and I think the only middle-grade books that I still enjoy are books written by Frances Hardinge, and they are pretty dark too.

So, my final list:

1) Read any book by an Asian author.