May 2023 Wrap Up

May 31, 2023May 29, 2023 fangirlfury1 Comment

One of my students surprised me with the Taylor swift Little Golden Book!

May was a busy month for me on between work & related commitments, hanging with friends, and yes, unsuccessfully obtaining Taylor Swift tickets for both venues that are close to me. I could write a whole blog post about how horrible Ticketmaster handled the tickets that weren’t sold in the original November presale, tickets magically popping up DURING the show, and how ridiculous scalpers/bots priced resales. Maybe there’s some world where I manage to get tickets for another Eras stop and travel there, but I’m probably at the point where I’ll have better luck waiting for the next tour.

I am so looking forward to this summer though between the beach, pool days, concerts (despite my TSwift sadness, I have 5 upcoming concerts planned and want to try & add a a few more), and plans with family & friends. I just spent this Memorial Day Weekend reading outside and I am more than ready to continue doing so. I have about three weeks of work left until the school year is out and have a few weeks off before my summer job beings, so we all know that means a lot of reading will be done!!!

Despite it being my busy season, I read 11 books. My FAVORITE to no one’s surprise is Emily Henry’s Happy Place, which is again, no surprise, my favorite book of 2023 so far. That being said, right after, I finally reread People We Meet on Vacation (5/5 stars, of course). I think after I reread Book Lovers, I’ll finally do an Emily Henry romance ranking. Another romance that was a complete winner is Christina Lauren’s The True Love Experiment. CLo’s books are either singles or homers for me, and their latest is a grand slam! I also loved Alexandra Robbins’s The Teachers: A Year Inside America’s Most Vulnerable, Important Profession. Even after a long day of teaching, all I wanted to do when I got home was dive into this account of three teachers’ experiences across different areas of the US and their challenges. 10/10 recommend that teachers and non-teachers read this one for an honest look and analysis of education in the US. Speaking of teaching, I read a middle grade favorite and award-winner, Jasmine Warga’s Other Words for Home. WOW, I so understand the praise and recognition for this lyrical novel following a Syrian teenager’s transition to the US.

April 2023 Wrap Up

May 1, 2023April 30, 2023 fangirlfury2 Comments

April was a really good reading month! I had off for spring break, and we were super lucky with the weather. It truly felt like summer, between the sunshine and eighty degree temperature nearly every day.I have a super busy season coming up in May and June between work, family & friend commitments, and concerts (yes, I am hunting for Taylor swift tickets, specifically for her Philadelphia and/or MetLife shows!!!).

April was a bit of a breather from romance, and I really leaned heavy on contemporary adult fiction. I read a total of 13 books. My absolute, currently favorite book of 2023 was known other than Emily Henry’s Happy Place. Never fear, my review is coming here on Wednesday.

My favorite reads of the month were Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson, The Hopefuls by Jennifer Close, and basically anything by Curtis Sittenfeld, but specifically Romantic Comedy, American Wife, and Eligible.

I read 2 YA graphic novels, Sunshine by Jarret J. Krosoczka (LOVE!) and Class Act by Jerry Craft (a new student fave author). I also feel like Elyssa Friedland’s The Most Likely Club doesn’t get enough hype – this was the female friendship story I was craving.

March 2023 Wrap Up

April 3, 2023April 16, 2023 fangirlfuryLeave a comment

Is anyone else ready for spring and summer weather, so that they can read outside? I’m putting this post together on Sunday and while it’s already April, I’m so sad that it’s in the forties where I live and am instead writing this wrap up. I have a short work week then it’s on to spring break!

I read a lot in March, finishing the month with 15 books read. I enjoyed this reading month for the books I absolutely loved, specifically:

The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise – I read this book before it was named a GMA Book Pick, 110% recommend, so unique compared to Colleen Oakley’s previous releases

Off the Map by Trish Doller– This is the third novel in the Beck Sisters companion series, loved that it was set in Ireland and one of the few novels where I love the insta-chemistry

Things We Hide From the Light by Lucy Score – you’ll find out below that romance wasn’t my jam this month when it came to actually enjoying the books I read, but Things We Hide From the Light was an exception. The Knockemout series is just pure joy

January 2023 Wrap Up

January 31, 2023February 5, 2023 fangirlfury2 Comments

I’ve said it before, but January was one of those months that felt long and fast at the same time? I definitely appreciate its length in a weird way because I read so much this month!

My favorite books of the month are from a wide range of genres. I found myself going on a YA mini sprint this month between reading some books I picked myself and some student picks, but my two fave YAs were The Summer Broken Rules by K.L. Walther (I definitely get the hype) and Seven Percent of Ro Devereux by Ellen O’Clover ( a new release so worth picking up!). One that surprised me was Cece Bell’s semi autobiographical memoir, El Deafo -loved it so much!

I found myself getting back into non-fiction this month as well, with one of my new all-time favorites being Dr.Edith Eva Eger’s The Choice, following her experiences during the Holocaust and how trauma impacted her life and then work as a psychologist. I also really enjoyed Katherine Center’s What You Wish For (a 2020 release that’s been on my TBR ever since) and my reread of Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead, confirming that Finlay Donovan is one of my all time favorite series!

December 2022 Wrap Up

January 2, 2023January 1, 2023 fangirlfury2 Comments

Kicking off the new year on the blog by looking back once more at 2022 with my December Wrap Up. I read 15 books in December (thank you holiday break!) and finished the year with 182 books read (and yes, this includes some rereads and novellas but I haven’t had the opportunity yet (and honestly feeling to) look more into my reading stats). This intro is slowly turning into a year reflection, but I didn’t feel the need to really analyze my reading at the end of the year and just really want to focus on reading (good!!) books.

My favorite books of the month:

Anon. Pls by Deux Moi – This was such a fun binge-read and reminded me of the YA gossipy-like books I loved in my early YA days (and honestly still love). My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

The Christmas Wish by Lindsey Kelk – Many books over the past 2 years especially have taken on the time loop trope and The Christmas Wish is one of the best books with this plot point. It’s also one of my new favorite Christmas books and has the best sense of humor & witty dialogue. My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Scattered Showers by Rainbow Rowell – This short story collection was a Christmas gift that I devoured over the two days after the holiday. This book reminded me why I love Rainbow Rowell’s writing so much and made me once again crave another contemporary release from her. My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

November 2022 Wrap Up

November 30, 2022November 29, 2022 fangirlfury2 Comments

And just like that, we’re at the end of November! This month was a great blend of cozying up with some good books and celebrating the holidays & also having good weekend plans. I went into the city twice to see Beetlejuice on Broadway (so worth going to see before it closes on Broadway!) & for a hockey game.

It also brought one of my favorite times of the year, Goodreads Choice Awards season. I know that there’s a lot of relevant conversations bout how exactly Goodreads chooses the finalists & how books are categorized by which genere., but I can’t help but look forward to voting each round!

I started holiday reading with Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle (love!), Jenny Bayliss’s Meet Me Under the Mistletoe -perfect for readers who love books with a big cast of characters, as a friend group reunites in a English castle/estate for two of the friends’ wedding, set during the holiday season-, and Once Upon a December by Amy E.Reichert – very unique, set at the Milwaukee Christmas market and features a romance between a woman and a man whose family *magically* travels from Christmas market to market around the world.

My favorite books of November where Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center, Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez (I voted for Book Lovers, but so sad it didn’t make the final round for the Goodreads Choice Awards!), Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle, When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed, and Mr.Perfect on Paper by Jean Meltzer.

October 2022 Wrap Up

October 31, 2022October 30, 2022 fangirlfury2 Comments

Happy Halloween (coming from the reader who read 1 ‘spooky’ read this month)!! October was the beginning of cozy season. While I hung out with friends on weekends and did some fall things (my sister and I went apple picking on the most gorgeous fall day last weekend), there were plenty of quiet moments on the weekends spent reading.

I almost always have a sprinkle of YA in my reading, but YA books made up at least half of my total reading AND were my favorite reads. My absolute favorite book of the month was Isaac Blum’s The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen, & I really enjoyed reading The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson, Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka , and the Birthright trilogy by Gabrielle Zevin.

Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson | 3.5/5 Stars

Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka / 5/5

The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead | 4/5

When We Were Bright & Beautiful by Jillian Medoff

Luck and Last Resorts by Sarah Grunder Ruiz | 3.5/5

The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum | 5/5

The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson | 4.5/5

Birthright series by Gabrielle Zevin: All These Things I’ve Done, Because It is My Blood, & In the Age of Love and Chocolate | Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Eight Nights of Flirting by Hannah Reynolds | 4/5

Mika in Real Life by Emiko Jean | 4/5

From Scratch (Netflix) – From Scratch is based on Tembi Locke’s memoir of the same name (there were some changes, but I feel like it captured the spirit of the book well), following her life after meeting her husband in Italy. I watched an episode here and there … and then binged the last five. There were some moments when I think the acting could’ve been better, but I still sobbed during the seventh episode and was teary during the last few.

Not a TV show but I watched Jessica of Peace Love Books and Lacey of LaceyBooklovers’s romance predictions for the Goodreads Choice Awards and agreed with most of their predictions. I personally would LOVE to see Book Lovers by Emily Henry take the title, but I think Colleen Hoover has it in the bag with It Starts With Us.

Recent TBR Additions: October 2022 Edition

What I’ve Been Reading Lately: October 2022 Edition

WORTH THE READ? Things We Never Got Over Review

What did you read and watch in October? Anything I read? Share in the comments!

September 2022 Reading Wrap Up

October 3, 2022October 1, 2022 fangirlfury2 Comments

Starting this October with looking back on September! This month was back to school season and farewell to beach and pool season, but I keep trying to read outside as much as possible (writing this as I’m experiencing our first dreary fall weekend of the season).

Disclaimer that I usually include what I watched on TV and movies wise in my wrap-ups, but I in all honestly haven’t really been gravitating towards TV at all. I’ve been trying to watch newer shows – I’ve heard such good things about Tell Me Lies on Hulu (based on the book by Carola Lovering) – but I’m struggling to get into new shows. I’m hoping this will turn around this month, especially since Derry Girls Season 3 FINALLY comes to Netflix this Friday and the Netflix mini series of Tembi Locke’s From Scratch premieres on October 21st.

I read 13 books in September – I’m hoping to keep up this momentum throughout the rest of the year. My FAVORITE books of the month were Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan, Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn, and Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I also really enjoyed Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score, An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn, and Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Morgan.

Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy | 5/5

A Hundred Other Girls by Iman Hariri-Kia | 3.5/5

Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan | 4/5

Drunk on Love by Jasmine Guillory | 4/5

Ghost by Jason Reynolds | 4/5

An Offer from a Gentleman (Bridgerton #3) by Julia Quinn | 4/5

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid | 5/5

Anne Frank’s Diary: The Graphic Novel Adaptation by Anne Frank, Ari Folman, & David Polonsky | 5/5

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn | 5/5

Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan | 5/5

Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld | 3.5/5

The Final Gambit (The Inheritance Games #3) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes | 4/5

Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score | 4/5

Book Reviews

The Final Gambit Review

2022 MUST READ: Thank You for Listening Review

FIVE STAR READ: Killers of a Certain Age Review

Drunk on Love Review

FAVORITE TJR BOOK: Carrie Soto is Back Review

Bookish Posts

My Favorite Summer Reads 2022

Fall 2022 Anticipated Releases

Current Library Holds: September 2022 Edition

What did you read in September? Have you read any of the books that I mentioned? Share in the comments!

August 2022 Wrap Up

August 31, 2022August 30, 2022 fangirlfury2 Comments

As TSwift says, “August slipped away into a moment in time” (can we also take a minute to a acknowledge Taylor Swift’s tenth album announcement!?? I genuinely can’t believe my favorite season is beginning to come to a close – no worries though, I plan on having some more pool and beach days on the weekends this month.

My favorites See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin, A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand, The Wedding Season by Katy Birchall, and I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy. I also really enjoyed Just Another Love Song by Kerry Winfrey, Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood, and You Made Me a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Awaeke Emezi.

How to Fake It in Hollywood by Ava Wilder | 4/5 Stars

See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon | 5/5

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin | 5/5

Just Another Love Song by Kerry Winfrey | 4/5

The Displacements by Bruce Holsinger | 3.5/5

A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand | 4/5

IT’S SUMMER: June 2022 Wrap Up

July 1, 2022June 30, 2022 fangirlfuryLeave a comment

It’s officially summer and I am reading absolutely everything! I’m going to keep this intro short for the sake of getting into what I read, but just know after completing my first full year of teaching (!!), I am so looking forward to this season of reading and summer days!

I read a total of 13 books this month and 2 novellas. 2 books were rereads, my audiobook of One Italian Summer (please read this month ASAP in general, but better yet, listen to the audiobook with Lauren Graham as the narrator!!) and Majesty before reading Rivals, the latest American Royals books.

My FAVORITES of the month – it was hard to determine because the majority of the books I read in June were so good – include Every Summer After (not a total 5 star read for me, but I ate this one up on a beach day and def see the hype), I Kissed Shara Wheeler, The Hotel Nantucket, Rivals, and The Dead Romantics.

I also really enjoyed Fake, By the Book, & Counterfeit, and after some reflection, felt medium on The No Show (it took almost three weeks to fully read this one, but the ending did surprise me – I’m finding that Beth O’Leary’s later books take a twist on the premise), Stuck with You (I’m going to read the third novella when it comes out as an ebook, but unfortunately haven’t really been loving this novella series), and True Biz (I still enjoyed and loved the ASL representation, but it didn’t wow me as much as expected from the hype).