Halfway Through the Pages: A Mid-Year Review of My Bookish Journey
I am not a bookstagramer by any means but I do very much love reading. These days I don’t have much time to read so Audible and Libby are my best friends. If you don’t use Libby, you need to sign up immediately. Libby is an app that connects to your local public library and allows you to check out audiobooks and digital copies of books for free. The vast majority of the books I listen to are through the Libby App but I do love having Audible on standby for those books I just cannot wait to get my hands on. Since we are somehow already 6 months into 2023 I wanted to give an update about my reading goal! I just finished my 21st book of the year and am feeling confident about hitting my goal of 35 by end of December. Without further ado here is my list thus far with a very small amount of commentary:
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches Sangu Mandanna
The perfect dose of enchanting and whimsical with lovable characters. This has been one of my top reads of the year so far.
Circus Train Amita Parikh
Beautiful story with well crafted characters and an engaging plot. Captivating journey about love, friendship and self-discovery. Listened to this over the course of just a few days as I felt like I just kept pulling me in.
People We Meet on Vacation Emily Henry
My 3rd Emily Henry novel of the year so clearly I enjoy her writing. Predictable but felt like a warm hug. I am a sucker for a feel good rom-com book. I really liked the banter between characters in this one.
Happy Place Emily Henry
Relatable characters, heartfelt story that left me smiling and wanting to plan a trip with all my collage friends.
Remarkably Bright Creatures Shelby Van Pelt
The octopus was my favorite character. The narration was cast so well. A delightful read filled with charm and intrigue.
Mad Honey Jodi Picoult
Gripping book filled with complex moral dilemmas. I had a lot of opinions about this book. So much so that I did a 5 minute long video discussing them that I am planning to send to a friend once she reads it as well. Complex storytelling, beautifully developed characters and a book that stays with you long after you have finished it.
Thank you for Listening Julia Whelan
Predictable but in a good way, sort of comforting. Julia Whelan is one of my favorite narrators to listen to so I was excited to read her own work.
The Perfumist of Paris Alka Joshi
3rd in a trilogy and I have loved every book. I honestly don’t know that I could pick a favorite as they were all great but needless to say the final in the trilogy did not disappoint. A satisfying conclusion.
The Most Likely Club Elyssa Friedland
Not bad…not my favorite meh. I have listened to/read so many books I loved this year that this one felt just sort of marginal and blended in. But I did love all the strong female leads in it.
Georgie, All Along Kate Clayborn
Grabbed this book on a whim and had low expectations and it ended up being one of my favorites of the year. Strong female lead, sweet heartfelt story.. It really resonated with me maybe because I grew up in a small town but I loved it.
A Court of Thorns and Roses Sarah J. Maas
Had to jump on this bandwagon and see what all the hype is about. It was good, I enjoyed it. Tried to read the second one and just wasn’t invested enough.
All Good People Here Ashley Flowers
Love her podcast True Crime Junkie so was anxious to read this when it came out. Great suspenseful true crime mystery. Skillful storytelling and an intricate plot, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Loved it.
The Swans of Fifth Avenue Melanie Benjamin
Historical fiction so obviously some liberties were taken but I knew nothing about Truman Capotes “swans” and found myself doing a whole deep dive into all things Truman Capote. So interesting. I wouldn’t say this was my favorite book but subject matter was so intriguing to me.
Nora Goes off Script Annabel Monaghan
Liked it. Cute story. Didn’t LOVE it.
Book Lovers Emily Henry
My first Emily Henry novel and I loved it. Felt a bit like a hallmark movie with wittier banter. And I am here for it!
The Aviator’s Wife Melanie Benjamin
Vivid storytelling and beautifully written, historical fiction about Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Thought provoking on many levels.
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow Gabrielle Zevin
This book completely enraptured me. A topic I did not think I would be interested in or relate to and the character development and world that was created was incredible. A book where I was sad when I finished it because I didn't want to be done. Truly remarkable and memorable read.
Malibu Rising Taylor Jenkins Reid
This book started out strong, I thought I was going to love it. Then… just sort of fell flat for me.
The Nightingale Kristin Hannah
Highly emotional, powerful storytelling that beautifully portrays the complex bonds between family love and the choices we make when faced with adversity. The author brilliantly captures the resiliency and bravery of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.
Spare Prince Henry
This might have been my top read all year. I could not put it down. The ghostwriter for this book did an incredible job with vivid imagery and captivating narrative. Absolutely fascinating.
The Last Thing He Told Me Laura Dave
I wanted to love this book, and it just felt like a letdown to me.