Shop this post:
Another month of good reading! I read 14 books this month, some I really loved and some I really did not. I can sometimes feel myself slacking off reading in the summer and leaning more toward Youtube videos and TV, and this summer is sadly no different. I’ve kept up a steady pace, but I feel it waning slightly.
Two of my favorite books of the year so far are in this grouping though- keep reading to find out which ones.
Here we go!
Lessons in Chemistry, Bonnie Garmus: 5 Stars
Version: Physical via BOTM
One of my favorite books of the year!
The Guncle, Steven Rowley: 2 Stars
Version: Kindle via Libby
I sadly really did not like this book! I really wish I had, but it just wasn’t for me. All the characters grated on my nerves, from the annoying kids to the vain Guncle. I think I’m definitely in the minority here though, so don’t take my word for this one haha.
Under One Roof, Ali Hazelwood: 3 Stars
Version: Kindle via Libby
This is a novella from the same author as the Love Hypothesis (one of my favorite romances ever), but I just don’t do well with novellas so this one didn’t really hit well with me! I liked the Love Hypothesis way more.
If you’re just dying for content from this author, you can always go for it, but I wouldn’t recommend prioritizing this one.
Finding Your People: Building Community in a Lonely World, Jennie Allen: 4 Stars
Version: Audiobook via Libby
This is a Christian, non-ficition, and I really enjoyed it! It’s all about building stronger friendships, creating community wherever you are and being a good friend to those around you. If you’re Christian and feel like you’re always struggling to feel connected to other people, I think this is a great read.
The No Show, Beth O’Leary: 4 Stars
Version: Audiobook via Libby
This book was so interesting! Three women get stood up by the same man on Valentine’s Day, but it’s really hard to figure out what he’s got going on with each girl, and we find out there’s more than meets the eye with him!
As with lots of Beth O’Leary books, the romance is more like the subplot here, and characters’ self discovery is more than main thing you’re reading here. I liked it a lot, and I liked how different all three of the women were and how we got to find out about some different professions they all had.
The Wisteria Society for Lady Scoundrels, India Holton: 3 Stars
Version: Physical
Beasts of a Little Land, Juhea Kim: 5 Stars
Version: Kindle ebook
This book was one of those that I know I’ll be thinking about for quite a few years! It’s centered around the “Butterfly Effect,” aka the idea that one, tiny action can lead to something much bigger and touch numerous lives in an unseen way. The book spans many decades in Japanese-occupied Korea, and I really enjoyed learning so much about this period of history in Korea.
You see so much conflict through wars- specifically WWII, as well as the beginning of the North and South Korea turmoil. I would highly recommend this book!
Dial A for Aunties, Jessee Q. Sutanto, 3 Stars
Version: Physical
The Bromance Book Club, Lyssa Kay Adams: 4 Stars
Version: Audiobook via Libby
The Other Mrs., Mary Kubica: 2.5 Stars
Version: Physical Book
Skip!! I was laughing my head off about the plot of this book. One of those super cheesy thrillers that’s just not worth your time in my opinion.
Every Summer After, Carley Fortune: 5 Stars
Version: Physical Book
My favorite book of the year, by far!
Funny You Should Ask, Elissa Sussman: 4 Stars
Version: Physical Book
In My Dreams I Hold a Knife, Ashley Winstead: 4 Stars
Version: Audiobook via Libby
This was good! I’ve been in a thriller rut lately, and this one was one of the better ones I’ve read in the past year I would say. It’s got dark academia vibes, and you seriously never know if you can trust the narrator or not. I listened to this one on audiobook, but I think I would have liked it better in a physical book setting because the narrator made the main character’s voice seem a lot nicer than I think I would have read it in my head.
As Good As Dead, Holly Jackson: 3 Stars
Version: Audiobook via Libby
This was the third and final “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” book, and I have to say I think the first two were WAY better. You absolutely have to listen to these on audiobook, I promise it’s really worth it.
The first two really feature Pippa doing some serious investigative work, but this one had almost none of that. I kept waiting for the entire second half of the book to end with, “and that’s how Pip imagined it in her head but of course she didn’t do that!” Alas, that did not happen.
These are still worth it for just how good the first two are though. Linking my review of the first one below!
Shop this post:
