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Wildly enough, we’re halfway through the year. That feels like as good a time as any to share the books I’ve read thus far, because who isn’t always looking for book recommendations, especially in the summer time.
I also must say, I’ve been on quite a stint recently. You know the books you are so excited to read, that you don’t want to put down just so you can go about your daily tasks, that you want to curl up on the couch or lay in bed for a little while longer, and just read the day away? These are the books that my husband hates to see coming because that means TV-watching QT is scarce.
I’ve done one other reading recap at the end of 2024 for the full year so we’ll follow that same format. You can read that post here.
I’ll share the same note here as I did last time that if you are here for *serious literature* (said in a snobby voice with nose held high), you are in the wrong place. Here, we love lighthearted escapism and spice. We love romance, beach reads, and sticking our heads in the sand to the general ways of the world when we need to give our nervous system a little reset with our favorite hobby, reading.
Okay, here we go.
FAVORITE ROMANCE
This might be my favorite book of the year so far. I didn’t want it to end. Written by Ali Hazelwood, who I adore as an author. Smart characters, witty banter, wonderful storytelling, and lots of steam! There’s a 50 shades of gray element that was different and if you’re feeling like that may be a deterrent for you, may I suggest you rethink that decision. It’s a love story about a competitive diver and an Olympic swimmer who realize they’re into the same sort of things and enter into a friends-with-benefits situation.
I kept seeing that this book felt different than Emily Henry’s typical style and while I can tend to agree with that overall, it’s not a bad thing! I enjoyed the characters and every twist and turn in the plotline. Two writers compete for the chance to write a memoir about a famous socialite who went missing decades prior.
I enjoy a good Elizabeth O’Roark story. I often consider her books more in the big time spice genre and this one felt like it had more storytelling potential than others I’ve read. The main character is forced into climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and incidentally, her least favorite person happens to be there too.
After reading Deep End, I decided I need more Ali Hazelwood in my life and this was available immediately on Libby. Love when that happens! As is often the case with Ali Hazelwood books, we’ve got STEM characters and she somehow makes it steamy.
Libby was telling me I’d have to wait months for both this and One Golden Summer and then one day they both popped up as available to borrow at the same time and it may have been the happiest day of the year (aside from when we found out we were pregnant - that’s up there too). I didn’t know the synopsis going in and as I started to read, I realized the names of characters and places sound awfully familiar, to then realize that this was book two after Not in Love. So glad I just happened to have read that a few weeks prior! This is still great as a standalone if you prefer to read it that way, but it was nice to have the additional context behind the character storylines. I love witty banter that makes me laugh out loud and this book had that. It takes place in Taormina, Italy on the island of Sicily, a place I’ve been and loved so that was a perfect additional element to an already enjoyable book.
I love a Carley Fortune moment by the lake and this new release didn’t disappoint. This is the sequel to Every Summer After, which she wrote a few years ago. While the location and some of the characters from that book were present here, you could read this stand-alone if you wanted to. But also, Every Summer After was really great so maybe don’t.
FAVORITE FICTION
I loved this and I cannot wait to read more by the author, Emma Rosenblum. It’s about a bunch of rich people with vacation homes in a small town on Fire Island. The characters aren’t likeable by any means and you’re never rooting for anyone in particular, but it’s such an interesting view into how the other half live and the messes they get themselves into. While reading this, we were also watching Friends & Neighbors on Apple TV and they had similar vibes.
The Wedding People - trigger infertility, IVF, depression
I was supposed to read this as part of a book club a few months ago and a friend let me know that there was talk about IVF and infertility and I’m glad she did. I ended up reading this during my first trimester (we’re currently pregnant after going through IVF) and it was still a bit tough to read the beginning piece when the main character is suffering from depression, in part from infertility. It felt a little too real and close to home. I almost texted my friend to ask if it lightened up because I wouldn’t have continued on otherwise, going back to our note at the top of this post: we like lighthearted, we do not like heavy. It does in fact lighten up and there were some great life lessons woven in.
FAVORITE ROMANTASY
Oh, Fourth Wing series, how I love you. A lot of people griped about Iron Flame and Onyx Storm. I maintain my position that I am just happy to be back in that world anytime Rebecca Yarros will allow us. A big complaint I heard about Onyx Storm was that readers couldn’t remember the many different characters and places. To this, my response is re-read the prior books! I know not everyone may be interested in rereading, but my gosh, I reread both Fourth Wing and Iron Flame before reading Onyx Storm and it’s so worth it. I 100% would’ve forgotten people and places, but instead, I knew the context around everything. It makes me think back to childhood when a new Harry Potter book would be released every summer and prior to reading the new release, I’d reread the book from the previous summer. If you loved it once, you’ll likely love it the second time through as well. Also, if you’re not into physically reading the book again, may I suggest the graphic audiobooks. I listened to these in my car while commuting, while out on walks, while doing chores. This was back in February and it motivated me to go for walks in 20 degree weather. It enticed me to do the dishes and laundry and clean the kitchen well past the time I would’ve plopped onto the couch at night. In summation, the graphic audiobooks are good for you, your physical fitness, and your productivity.
Lady of the Lake (Fey Spy Academy, #3)
This was the third in another series with a world that I was happy to be back within. I had to spend a bit of time familiarizing myself with the characters and storyline since I read the first two books last fall (and I essentially immediately forget plotlines once I finish a book), but I eventually fell into step with it and it tied up loose ends as it was the final book in the series. If you enjoy the Fourth Wing series, you may like this one and it’s available on Kindle Unlimited.
FAVORITE NON-FICTION
In my reading recap analysis, I realized I’ve strayed from non-fiction thus far this year so I’d like to add some of that into the mix. I think my brain has been on overload, but I think we’re ready now.
I started The Artist’s Way in early March and you can now add me to the long list of people who have never completed it. To be fair, I got pregnant a few weeks in, first trimester nausea hit promptly at 5 weeks (so rough), and my 3-year-old simultaneously decided he only wants his mama.
I loved The Artist’s Way during the weeks that I practiced and I’d love to get back into it when time is my own again. One thing I will say is that a large part of The Artist’s Way is morning pages and the idea is to complete this first thing upon waking. This is tough with a preschooler - whether I want my mornings to be my own or not, they just aren’t right now.
While that might have been an obstacle for me in the past - “I can’t do this first thing in the morning so I can’t complete this properly and should forget about it altogether” - I did it once my son was off to school. I knew I could realistically set aside time during that period of the day. Maybe a helpful tip for other parents who aren’t sure how they’d practice this.
HONORABLE MENTIONS (A.K.A. The Rest Of What I’ve Read This Year)
These books may not have met my favorite-favorite-favorite(!) criteria, but I enjoyed them enough to read and recommend. I’m comfortable DNF-ing (do not finish) a book if it’s not quite doing it for me - life is too short! - and these do not fall within that category.
Books I read specifically for the spice tend not to be my most-favorite-books-of-all-time based on plot quality and character depth, but they serve another purpose. Play Along is part of a series about athletes in different sports (hockey, basketball, baseball) and this love story was my favorite of the bunch thus far.
I also reread A Court of Thorn and Roses (ACOTAR) via graphic audiobooks because I was so obsessed with the Fourth Wing series on graphic audio. I didn’t love these as much. In fact, I didn’t love the books as much as I did when I initially read them. People typically say to wait for the second book, but even the second one didn’t really grab my attention much. And then I got pregnant, promptly felt nauseous and now I’m afraid I may always associate ACOTAR with first trimester discomfort, woops.
ROMANTASY:
SPICE:
ROMANCE:
The Exception to the Rule (novella)
I’ve had a great deal of luck recently with Libby, but Kindle Unlimited has been great in a pinch when wait times are long at the library. It’s worth it to have a subscription for that reason so here are the books that are available there if you also subscribe. Chances are typically good that if you’re looking for a spicy book, you’ll find it on KU.
KINDLE UNLIMITED
Quiksilver
Play Along
Cash
Lady of the Lake (Fey Spy Academy, #3)
My Favorite Bad Decision
The Exception to the Rule
Filthy Rich Fae
What are your favorite books from the year so far?! I’m always looking for ideas to add to my TBR! Have you read any of these? What were your thoughts? xo
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Oh, One Golden Summer is on my list! Great reminder to finally crack it open. :)