Happy Sunday! In this newsletter, you’ll discover:
✨Two fun fantasy reads
✍🏼An intense novel editing plan
🫖Two great contemporary/literary reads
📖Ranking May Reads
June was a fantastic reading month for me. Not only did I finish seven books, I also thoroughly enjoyed four of them (which is over 50%). Continue reading for my honest thoughts of each, including two fantasy novels, two contemporary romances, and one literary book I highly recommend.
A River Enchanted
Synopsis: At 11, Jack was sent away to the mainland to study music. Now a trained bard in his 20s, he returns home to help solve the mystery of missing girls from his clan, unaware of the growing hostility between rival clans.
Thoughts: This cozy fantasy from Rebecca Ross (the author of Divine Rivals) is slow, but engaging. Overall, I wish it was slightly faster but enjoyed the plot and the characters. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a folksy read.
The Midnight Library
Synopsis: On the night she dies, Nora is presented with an opportunity: to experience different versions of her life where she made different decisions, such as moving to Australia or staying together with an ex-boyfriend.
Thoughts: Midnight Library is beloved by many, and I understand why. There’s nothing wrong with this book per se and it’s a surprisingly easy and fast read, but it didn’t stick with me the way other books I read this month have.
Cleopatra and Frakenstein
Synopsis: 24-year-old Cleo and 45-year-old Frank find solace in their scandalous love affair. The couple and a cast of messed-up friends navigate the glitz, glam, and tragedy of New York’s upper class.
Thoughts: This book has the aesthetics of a modern-day Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and if that’s not enough to love the book, I don’t know what is. On top of that, Coco Mellors has a beautiful writing style, and the characters are tragically and skillfully developed. Highly recommend it to anyone who loves beautiful stories about broken people.
The Mars House
Synopsis: Once, January was a famous ballerina in a sinking London. Now, he’s a climate change refugee on Mars. When an interview gone wrong lands him in the middle of a political scandal, January has to navigate the upcoming election – and the anti-Earth politician he’s now married to.
Thoughts: This book started off strong – as in I was questioning why I didn’t read more sci-fi and wanted to read more from this author. However, it lost me at about 60% into the book and went downhill from there.
Half a Soul
Synopsis: Theodora lost half her soul to a fae lord as a child. Now as she “comes out” in 1800s London society, her goal is to help her cousin land a good match, since there’s no hope of finding love for herself with half a soul. Her cousin, however, has different plans and recruits the handsome and infuriating Lord Sorcier to help Theordora recover the lost half of her soul.
Thoughts: Regency era + faes??? What’s not to love?? I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories with fae and historical romance.
The Crimson Moth (Heartless Hunter in North America)
Synopsis: Rune is a witch. But no one can know that since she turned in her grandmother for witchcraft and is now the golden child of a New Republic intent on killing all witches. By night, she’s the Crimson Moth, a savior of witches. By day, she’s a materialistic heiress.
Gideon is the best witch hunter in the New Republic. He finally has a lead on who could be the Crimson Moth, and it’s Rune.
Thoughts: This is a fun enemies-to-lovers fantasy novel. The world is fresh, the story good, and the romance is steamy, but not too steamy. I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to reading the sequel next year (I wish I could read it sooner!).
Daisy Haites
*Second book in the Magnolia Parks series so no synopsis*
Thoughts: I read Magnolia Parks in February and was a bit disappointed. The second book was way better. They say you’re either a Magnolia or Daisy girl and surprisingly, I’m a Daisy girl. This book had a fast-paced plot, problematic but loveable characters, and so many disastrous love affairs. Throw in the London gang setting and it’s a fun (at times devastatingly sad) read!
🫖Novel Update
There’s nothing “solid” to report here, other than I’m making great progress with draft two. I’m over halfway through and while there are still glaring problems to fix in the novel, draft two is better than draft one.
In July, I’m hoping to increase the number of chapters I edit each week (from five to seven). To achieve that goal, here’s the more intense schedule I hope to maintain:
Monday: read chapters from the week before and add smaller suggestions/notes for draft 3
Tuesday: continue reading chapters from the week before and add smaller suggestions/notes for draft 3
Wednesday: novel writing date or break, depending on the week. I envision this date being a fun two hours with a sweet treat and my novel in the evening.
Thursday: novel writing date or break, depending on the week.
Friday: review outline and work to be done this weekend.
Saturday: do the bulk of the novel rewrites.
Sunday: rest or makeup work that wasn’t completed during the week
⚡️Next on…
Since I’m deep in novel edits, I’m taking a break on the substack in July. But there will be a July wrap-up at the end of the month.
About Angela
Angela Myers is a health and health tech writer, entrepreneur, and digital nomad. Her work has appeared in outlets like Forbes, AARP, and Well+Good, among others. She’s also working on a dark academia fantasy novel.
When not writing, Angela can be found talking about books, exploring European art museums, and attempting NOT to read past her bedtime.