During quarantine,  checking my county library’s website to see if and when my local library would re-open this summer was a daily routine. Before the library closed back in early March, I managed to checkout 3 books… which I had finished by early April. Fortunately, I’ve had a few review books sent to me and quite a few backlist titles laying on my shelves – and I totally gave into some binge book buying – but I was literally over the moon when my county library system officially reopened for door-side pick-up last week. For anyone who is wondering what door-side pick up looks like, once I receive an automated call saying that my books are in, I go to the library and then call my branch to say that I’m there to pick up my holds. From there, they place my books on a table outside of the main entrance. The checkout period is still 2 weeks and you’re allowed at least 3 renew cycles (so 8 weeks total), but all returned books have to be placed in their outdoor drop box and are then quarantined for 3 days. 

As soon as the website said that the online catalog was open, I ran to my list of must-check-out books (which I had made back in May, oops) and by the end, I had managed to put a casual 17 physical books on hold. I admit that these 17 holds were mostly out of pure excitement, but also out of my fear that the libraries may close again. I picked up 10 of my holds last week, and I’m actually going to be picking up 2 more books later today. Today I’ll be sharing library books I currently have checked out, as well as my current holds. 

Books I Checked Out

The Idea of You by Robinne Lee – The Idea of You is probably the #1 recommended book on Bad on Paper. This romance following a forty year old woman who falls in love with the lead singer of her daughter’s favorite boy band was their go-to quarantine read, and I somehow managed to hold off on until July. I’ll actually be returning this one today, having read it during Fourth of July weekend. I’ll have a review soon, but just know for now that The Idea of You is so worth the hype! 

Playing with Matches by Hannah Orenstein – I wasn’t sure if I would be able to use interlibrary loan (meaning ordering books from other libraries other than my local brands – update, I was) so at first I was putting books on hold that I knew my local branch had on hand, which included Hannah Orenstein’s Playing with Matches. I recently bought her latest release, Head Over Heels, and I enjoyed Love at First Like last summer. Like The Idea of You, I also devoured Playing with Matches this weekend and loved it! 

Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert – Many of my book blogging friends have loved Talia Hibbert’s recent release, Take a Hint, Dani Brown, so I knew it was time to pick up the first book in this companion series. If I enjoy this one, I’ll definitely put the second book on hold.

From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon – If I was going to buy another book before the library reopened, it was most likely going to be Amy Harmon’s From Sand and Ash. I found this historical fiction novel set during WWII through Sarah’s Bookshelves Live (I forget which episode), and it just sounded so unique from most of the WWII historical fiction I’ve read. 

The Duchess Deal (Girl Meets Duke #1) by Tessa Dare – Never have I ever thought I’d pick up a historical romance, but here we are! Between my splurge into contemporary romance this year and watching so many of Jess from Peace Love Books’ Booktube videos, I really wanted to try a historical romance book. Jess recommended the Girl Meets Duke series in her video on historical romance books for beginners.

The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (reread) – I read The Royal We back in 2015, but with book #2 coming out tomorrow, I knew I wanted to reread this royal romance inspired by William & Kate before picking up The Heir Affair this summer. 

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo – I’ve made it my mission to read all of Elizabeth Acevedo’s books this summer! I have a bunch of reader shame for having not yet any of Elizabeth Acevedo’s books yet because so many of my friends love her books – I think With the Fire on High was on one of my summer TBRs last year. I’m also going to be reading this one for my language and literacy graduate course for a representative YA reading circle, so I’m excited to share my thoughts on this one with my classmates.

Have a Little Faith in Me by Sonia Hartl – It’s not summer without at least one YA summer camp book. I feel like Have a Little Faith in Me is such a big indie YA rec, and I really love YA books that discuss sex and/or religion – in this case, Have a Little Faith in Me does both!

Of Curses & Kisses by Sandhya Menon – Unfortunately, a lot of my fellow YA readers haven’t loved Sandhya Menon’s Of Curses & Kisses as much as her summer contemporaries, but I’m still going into this one with a positive attitude because I love her books so much. 

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo (ebook) – Of course, I finally decide to read a library ebook as soon as I’m able to check out physical books. I’ve seen so much love and attention for Elizabeth Acevedo’s latest release, Clap When You Land. I probably could get a physical library copy now – I placed the digital hold before the library re-opened – but this will actually be the first library book I read on a Kindle! 

The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa – I’m a firm believer that you must have at least five contemporary romances in paperback on hand during the summer. I’ll basically read almost any contemporary romance having something to do with weddings, and I feel like the enemies-to-lovers-with the best man trope has become a real trope over the past two years, which I’ve LOVED! 

Books I Have On Hold 

Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner – This summer is truly a season of new-to-me authors, including Jennifer Weiner & her latest release, Big Summer. The synopsis really grabbed me – female friendship, Instagram influencer, & a wedding – and I have a feeling if I like this one, I’ll pick up more of Jennifer Weiner’s books. 

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo – I feel like all the hype and praise surrounding Elizabeth Acevedo’s The Poet X scared me from picking it up, but after listening to her interview on Bad on Paper about her inspiration and experience as an English teacher, I could not be more excited to pick it up!

The Heir Affair (The Royal We #2) by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan – The Heir Affair actually comes out tomorrow, so I’ll likely have my library copy within the next two weeks! I may hold off on rereading The Royal We until I have The Heir Affair, so I can binge read them. 

Anna K by Jenny Lee – Anna K is one of those books I wish I had checked out pre-quarantine because of all the hype, but I’m still so excited to finally read it! 

One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London  – One to Watch was a June Book of the Month pick, and I’ve seen nothing but love from those who have read it so far. I’ve been in a big Bachelor mood in 2020, and the book has been described to me as plus-size blogger turns Bachelor-inspired show upside down. 

All Adults Here by Emma Straub – I feel like people either LOVE or are meh about Emma Straub’s books, but I’m personally someone who vibes with them so well! I’m really looking forward to checking out her latest release. 

Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen – Loveboat, Taipei is another early 2020 release that so many of my friends loved, and I’m more than ready to hopefully hop on the hype train. 

I’m going to try to not put any more books on hold until I get through at least half of the books in this haul… but I have a feeling I’ll have a second haul later this summer. 

Has your library reopened? What books have you been reading lately? What books do you think I should check out? Share in the comments!