Category: What I Read

September 2022 Reading Wrap Up

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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!

My Favorite Summer Reads 2022

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I am that person who, although I do really enjoy the fall, counts September as part of summer. I am still relishing as many pool days as possible and then being able to at least sit outside and read until it gets way too cold outside (I’ve been known to sit outside in December on sunny days).

However, today I’m going to be sharing my favorite books that I read this June, July, & August. And because this list is just as long as expected, I’ll be share my absolute FAVORITES at the end. 

June 2022

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

Rivals (American Royals #3)by Katharine McGee 

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

Fake by Erica Katz

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle & narrated by Lauren Graham (reread) 

The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand 

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune 

July 2022

Flying Solo by Linda Holmes

Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin 

Vacationland by Meg Mitchell Moore

The Counselors by Jessica Goodman

Marrying the Ketchups by Jennifer Close

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin 

The Island by Elin Hilderbrand 

The Beach Trap by Ali Brady

August 2022

See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy 

The Wedding Season by Katy Birchall

Just Another Love Song by Kerry Winfrey 

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand 

My Top Favorites 

What were your favorite books of the summer? Have you read any of the books that I mentioned? Share in the comments! 

IT’S SUMMER: June 2022 Wrap Up 

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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).

By the Book (Meant to Be Mine #2) by Jasmine Guillory  | 4/5 Stars

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Recent Reads I’ve Loved: May/June 2022

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I love being in a reading groove in which I seriously LOVE everything that I’ve been picking up. I know that may seem obvious, but as someone who reads quite a bit, it gets a bit tricker to find that book that makes me say LOVEEE like some of these do.I read the following books in the last week of May or so, but I loved most of them so much that I knew I wanted to capture my thoughts on the blog & hopefully convince you to pick them up! 

This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub – If there’s one Emma Straub book that everyone should pick up, it’s her latest, This Time Tomorrow. This is the type of book where don’t get me wrong, I loved it in the moment & while reading, but didn’t realize how much I LOVED it until I finished it and had time to think about for the next few days. This Time Tomorrow follows Alice, whose life as a forty year old living in NYC is ‘okay’ – she likes her job and her boyfriend enough (even if she doesn’t want to marry him), she gets to see her best friend fairly often, and her father is still alive despite the mysterious illness he’s combatting. On her fortieth birthday, Alice is transported back to her sixteenth birthday to 1996 NYC, a time especially when her famous writer of a dad is still healthy and alive. This Time Tomorrow was so, so perfect. I loved the time-traveling storyline as it wasn’t too sci-fy or intricate to understand, I loved the NYC setting, and the focus on relationships, especially between Alice and her best friend, and most of all, Alice and her father. P.S. that Bad on Paper Podcast did an episode with Emma Straub about her book & her career path as an author and owner (!!) of Books Are Magic. My Rating: 5/5 Stars

Cover Story by Susan Rigetti – Cover Story is a perfect example of a book that I read from cover to cover in 1 night. This books has been everywhere, thanks to its comparisons to an Anna Delvey like story. The book’s writing style almost reminded me of a 2000s/early 2010s version of a YA contemporary, as the book is mostly told from Lora’s diary entries re-capping her days at Elle & working with Cat. Lora is extremely naive and hopeful, which definitely helps Cat’s agenda. What makes this book so, SO worth reading, however, is its ending. I’m still thinking about two weeks after finishing the book. I’m so glad it was chosen as the Bad on Paper book club pick of the month because I can’t wait to listen to Becca and Olivia’s thoughts on the ending (P.S. can you tell BOP is my favorite podcast?).  My Rating: 4/5 Stars

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SUMMER READING START: May 2022 Wrap Up

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I’m writing this wrap-up post on Memorial Day, which is my unofficial start to summer. I have read SO much this month – it honestly feels like the kind’ve reading I do from June through August when my schedule frees up and that makes me even more excited to see what my summer reading will be like. I also didn’t watch a ton of TV this month, but I have been really enjoying the shows that I did watch.

I did read some absolutely spectacular books this month, but it is no surprise whatsoever that my absolute favorite book was Book Lovers by Emily Henry. I’ve mentioned before and while there are a few other contenders for this title, it’s my favorite book of 2022 and possibly my favorite book ever. 

Some other favorites from May include Dating Dr.Dil by Nisha Sharma, All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir, Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub, and The Impossible Us by Sarah Lotz. I’m going to share a what I’ve been recently post soon with some of my latter reads that were mostly absolute GEMS. 

Dating Dr.Dil by Nisha Sharma | 4.5/5 

American Royalty by Tracey Livesay (ARC) | 4/5 

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BOOKS & BRIDGERTON: March 2022 Wrap Up

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In March, I got two of my most anticipated sequels of 2022: Sarah J. Maas’ second book in the Crescent City series, House of Sky & Breath, AND Bridgerton Season 2. Despite being consumed by both SJM and Bridgerton (when I watched last weekend, I did manage to finish 2 books while consuming the second season), I still read a total of 11 books in March. I am loving my reading progress this year, as I have read 39 books so far! Today, I’ll be sharing the books I read in March, my Bridgerton Season 2 thoughts, and reshare what I wrote this month. 

I started this month with some poetry, then transitioned to the massive beast that is House of Sky & Breath, and made my way back to my usual romance self. My favorites this month were The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgerton #2) by Julia Quinn, If You Ask Me by Libby Huscher, The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith, and In a New York Minute by Kate Spencer. My absolute favorite though was One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle! 

Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson | 4/5 Stars 

unlock your storybook heart by amanda lovelace | 4/5

House of Sky & Breath (Crescent City #2) by Sarah J. Maas | 4.5/5

I Killed Zoe Spanos by Kit Frick | 4/5 

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My Current Library Holds: March 2022 Edition

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It’s no secret that I am an avid library patron. Having read 120+ books a year (for the past three years at least), it just would not be financially feasible (aka possible) for me to buy every single book that I read. I’ve been super fortunate throughout my blogging ‘career’ – sidenote that February/March is my five year anniversary of book blogging?!? – to receive so many books for review from publishers and I tend to buy more books than my past self would, but regardless, at least half, if not more, of my reading comes from the library. Out of the 32 books that I’ve read at the time of reading this post in 2022, 21 have been borrowed from the library.  I’m super fortunate that I have two local branches of my county library system close to my home AND that even if one of the branches doesn’t have a specific book that I’m looking for, I can put it on hold from another branch. 

For today’s post, I’m going to be sharing the books I currently have on hold from the library. The majority, if not all, are either new releases or upcoming books. I try to put anticipated books on hold as early as possible so I can be one of the first to have it when it comes in – I have noticed that likely due to supply chain demands that new releases can take weeks past their release date to come into the library system. And knowing my luck, all of these books will come in at the same time, but at least I’ll be busy reading!




Do you use the library? Have you read any books that I’ve listed here? Any on your TBR? Share in the comments! 

What I’ve Been Reading Lately & March 2022 TBR

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There’s so many books that I’ve read recently AND books that I plan on reading that I want to talk about today! I’ll be sharing some mini reviews on 4 recent books that I’ve read and 4 books I have on my March 2022 TBR (plus some anticipated releases on my library holds list!)

What I’ve Recently Read 

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead (Finlay Donovan #2) by Elle Cosimano – Finlay Donovan Is Killing It was one of my favorite books of 2021 & I just reread the first book in time for the sequel, Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead. I don’t want to give spoilers for either book, but I really enjoyed how the plot built upon and connected back to the first book – and still managed to make me laugh throughout! I need the third book ASAP! My Rating: 5/5 Stars 

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February 2022 Wrap Up

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February was another great reading month, having read so many good books and 12 total (one of them being the 800+ page beast that was my reread of House of Earth & Blood). I’m so happy with how much I’ve read so far in 2022, and hope I continue this reading energy throughout the year!

I read a total of 12 books this month, with 2 rereads – Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano and House of Earth & Blood by Sarah J. Maas.  The Finlay Donovan series has become of my favorites, & I loved being back in the world of SJM with my Crescent City reread. I plan on reading House of Sky & Breath soon! I kept up with my YA mystery/thriller kick by finishing the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series – I don’t have reviews for this trilogy but its become one of my new favorite YA series. The third & final book, As Good as Dead, was so dark & twisty, I’m still thinking about it. 

My gems from this month include Running Wild by K.A. Tucker (I need more Marie & Tyler), When You Get the Chance by Emma Lord, and I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys. I also read BookTok fave Reminders of Him and it’s become one of my favorite Colleen Hoover books. 

Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano (reread) | 5/5

New Kid by Jerry Craft | 4/5

When You Get the Chance by Emma Lord | 5/5 

Good Girl, Bad Blood (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder #2) by Holly Jackson | 4.5/5 

As Good as Dead (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder #3) by Holly Jackson | 4.5/5 

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GREAT NEW YEAR READING START: January 2022 Wrap Up

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This month has been the BEST January of reading that I’ve ever had. January usually signals the end of winter break and the start of a new spring semester for me, aka my reading life taking a dip, but I am SO enjoying the free time that has come with post college life… and yes, I am prioritizing reading in my free time after work vs. scrolling on my phone and watching TV — on TV, I also feel like lately I find maybe 1 TV show a month I’m obsessed with, binge it in a handful of days (and yes, you’ll find out the show I’m talking about below), and then feel meh about any other TV I watch. 

I read a total of 15 books in January and I either really enjoyed or LOVED all of them. I also spent the past two weekends starting a book on Friday night or early Saturday morning and then having it finished by Saturday night… and then starting another in between/after doing my weekly school prep on Sundays. I don’t even finding myself pressuring to read or thinking about any annual reading challenges, as I genuinely just want to be reading & hope to keep this motivation up! 

This month was about getting to some backlist books I’ve had on my TBR, a new release from a favorite author, some ARCs, and the start of an unexpected YA kick. Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon was my favorite book of the month, always loving any adult contemporary romance or YA book that Rachel Lynn Solomon writes. I attended Matzah Book Soup’s book club meeting with Rachel yesterday afternoon and it was so fun learning more about the book & her upcoming releases. I read both Denise Williams’ The Fastest Way to Fall & How to Fail at Flirting – I enjoyed The Fastest Way to Fall the most out of the two & I attended BBBC’s virtual meet with Denise Williams. I FINALLY picked up my copy of Erin Hahn’s Never Saw You Coming (this was one of my most anticipated YA releases of 2021), and reread my favorite book of hers, More Than Maybe, before picking the former up. 

The books I was the most obsessed with below include The Boys Club by Erica Katz, Wish You Were by Jodi Picoult, & Very Bad People by Kit Frick. I’m so glad I finally read Jason Reynolds’ Long Way Down, definitely one of the most powerful books I’ve read and one with an ending I’m still thinking about. I’ve mentioned before that 2021 was exactly the year of YA books for me, reading way more contemporary romance than YA, but I found myself picking up so much YA this month, including some of the books I’ve mentioned & specifically, All the Right Reasons, If This Gets Out, and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.

 

The Boys Club by Erica Katz | 4.5/5

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