June was another productive reading month, with 11 books completed. The number is a little misleading, though, as several of them were quite short. Four of those books were installments in The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion series by Beth Brower. They were thoroughly entertaining, full of charm and wit, but I ultimately placed them in my "maybe" category. While I enjoyed them, I think readers looking for rigorously researched historical fiction may find them a bit too whimsical.

This month I also finally read Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro for my book club. I realize this is a controversial opinion, but I didn’t love it as much as many other readers seem to. I understand what Ishiguro was trying to accomplish: the novel focuses on the quiet majority, on people who comply with a system that ultimately destroys them rather than resisting it. That is a fascinating idea in itself. However, because that is essentially the only perspective presented, the story felt somewhat one-dimensional to me. Human societies are rarely so uniform, especially when grappling with profound ethical questions like cloning. I found myself expecting at least some glimpse of dissent or resistance somewhere in the wider world, and its absence made the novel feel less convincing than I had hoped.

My two favorite books of the month—and quite possibly of the entire year—were Upward Bound by Woody Brown and Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Upward Bound is written by Woody Brown, a non-speaking autistic author who communicates by typing and earned degrees from UCLA and Columbia University. The novel is composed of interconnected vignettes told from multiple perspectives, all centered around an adult day program serving people with significant intellectual and physical disabilities. It shines a light on a community that many of us rarely encounter or think about, while exposing the realities of a system that is chronically underfunded, understaffed, and responsible for supporting people whose conditions are often misunderstood or stigmatized.

Since the book's publication, there has been considerable discussion on social media questioning Brown's authorship because of his disability. Personally, I have no interest in participating in those debates. Instead, I would rather remain open-minded and hopeful that people with significant disabilities can find meaningful ways to communicate, create, and have their voices heard. Regardless of those conversations, Upward Bound is a compassionate, eye-opening novel that has stayed with me long after I finished it.

Atmosphere completely surprised me. I had previously read two novels by Taylor Jenkins Reid and thought they were enjoyable, but not particularly memorable. Atmosphere, however, is on an entirely different level. Set in the 1980s, it follows a female astronaut as she prepares for her first mission into space. I found myself deeply invested in the protagonist and her journey. Alongside the excitement of the space program, the novel weaves in a beautiful romance between two women with remarkable tenderness and authenticity. Although the book is deeply introspective, the narrative never loses momentum. The pacing is excellent, the emotional stakes continue to build, and several moments are genuinely heartbreaking. By the final page, I knew I had read something special. I absolutely loved this one.

May 2026 Reads

May was another solid reading month, with nine books completed. Rather than recap everything I read, I wanted to highlight the three books that left the biggest impression on me.

The standout of the month was Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. This novel has become a favorite for many readers, and after finishing it, I can absolutely understand why. In terms of atmosphere, I would compare it to Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Both novels have a quiet, thoughtful pace, feature older protagonists, and gradually unravel long-held family secrets. If you loved one, I think there’s an excellent chance you’ll love the other. Theo of Golden is a gentle, deeply compassionate story that lingers long after you turn the final page.

Another standout was Homeschooled by Stefan Merrill Block. In this memoir, Block reflects on the years he spent being homeschooled—or perhaps more accurately, "unschooled"—and attempts to make sense of the lasting impact those experiences had on his life. At its heart, the book explores his complicated relationship with his mother and the well-intentioned, but often misguided, decisions she made regarding his upbringing and education. If you're a parent or simply enjoy thoughtful nonfiction that examines parent-child relationships, I highly recommend this one.

Rebecca Serle is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Magical realism is not a genre I typically gravitate toward, yet her novels consistently resonate with me on a deeper emotional level. A couple of years ago, I read and loved One Italian Summer, and this month I finally picked up In Five Years.

The novel follows Dannie, a young woman whose life seems perfectly planned—until she has a vivid dream in which she shares an intense connection with a man she has never met. The dream leaves her deeply unsettled because she has just become engaged... and not to the man from the dream. More troubling still, the emotional connection she experiences in that brief glimpse of the future feels far stronger than anything she has felt with her fiancé. But that premise is only the beginning. What unfolds is a moving exploration of destiny, friendship, love, grief, and discovering your own purpose in life. And the ending is nothing like what I expected. I absolutely loved it.

April 2026 Reads

April turned out to be a surprisingly excellent reading month. Despite juggling multiple final papers and presentations for school, I still managed to finish 11 books: 5 audiobooks, 4 e-books, and 2 physical books. Even more exciting, 5 of those 11 titles were nonfiction—a genre I’ve been intentionally trying to read more of, as I mentioned in my previous post. Happily, every single nonfiction book I picked up this month was excellent, and I would highly recommend all of them. Three, in particular, stood out to me.

1. Wild for Austen by Devoney Looser is, in my opinion, essential reading for Jane Austen fans. Looser examines Austen’s novels alongside her surviving letters to challenge the persistent image of Jane as sheltered, naïve, and excessively proper. While she does not suggest there was anything scandalous about Austen’s life, she makes a compelling case that Austen was far from a timid wallflower. In fact, her wit, social awareness, and understanding of human behavior—especially the sort of “shenanigans” on display in Lady Susan—suggest someone far more observant and worldly than popular mythology often allows.

2. The Shroud of Turin by French historian Jean-Christian Petitfils (which I read in Russian translation) was a fascinating exploration of one of Christianity’s most famous relics. I especially appreciated the way the book traced the Shroud’s historical journey while also engaging with the debates surrounding its authenticity. Petitfils ultimately argues that there is substantial evidence supporting the belief that the Shroud is indeed the cloth that covered Christ after the crucifixion and during the resurrection. Personally, I was most captivated by the historical aspect. Whether the Shroud is truly 2,000 years old or a remarkably convincing medieval creation, the fact that it has survived and been preserved for centuries is extraordinary in itself. More importantly, it continues to hold profound spiritual significance for many Christians and remains a symbol of faith, hope, and reassurance.

3. Patriot by Alexei Navalny is, without question, one of the most powerful books I have read about modern-day Russia, the current political regime, and the struggle for democracy. I was deeply struck by Navalny’s determination to continue fighting for change even when his own survival was clearly at risk. The memoir is profoundly moving, but also unexpectedly hopeful. It reminded me that there are still people willing to sacrifice everything for their convictions and for the possibility of a better future.

On the fiction side, Angelfall by Susan Ee was the standout of the month. I truly love the particular flavor of YA fantasy that dominated the early 2000s—the earnestness, the emotional intensity, and especially the purity of forbidden love stories. That combination gets me every time. Despite the popularity of contemporary romantasy, very few modern books have managed to capture that same magic for me.

March 2026 Reads

 

In March, I managed to read seven books—three on audio and four in print, one of which was quite short. While the volume was lower than in previous months, the overall quality of my reading was solid. I’m also pleased to see a pattern emerging: I’ve been consistently picking up at least a couple of nonfiction titles each month. Reading more nonfiction has been a long-standing goal of mine, so it’s satisfying to see that shift happening naturally. In March, in particular, I read two standout works of nonfiction.

Skinfolk by Matthew Guterl is a compelling memoir centered on his childhood in a large, multiracial adoptive family. What makes it especially thought-provoking is how he reflects on the ways this upbringing shaped his early understanding of race, identity, and privilege—and how those experiences ultimately influenced his academic and professional path.

Dare I Say It by Naomi Watts is both deeply personal and highly informative, focusing on menopause and women’s health. It’s striking—and frankly frustrating—how little attention menopause often receives in medical settings. This book does an excellent job of breaking down the biology while also empowering readers to better advocate for themselves.

One disappointment this month was The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. While some of his arguments about the impact of smartphones and social media on children are valid, the overall tone at times felt overly nostalgic—leaning into a “things were better before” narrative without fully grappling with the complexities of the present. I found myself wishing for more nuance and balance in the discussion.

On the fiction side, Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez was my favorite of the month. While I wouldn’t necessarily call her my go-to romance author, her books are consistently worth reading. They tend to go beyond typical genre conventions, often engaging with heavier themes while still delivering compelling, character-driven stories. In this case, the protagonist’s experience with anxiety was handled with care and authenticity, and I appreciated seeing mental health represented so thoughtfully in a popular romance.

February 2026 Reads

This semester has been exceptionally busy, and I’ve realized—somewhat belatedly—that I’ve fallen quite behind on updating my reading blog. Looking back, though, February was an outstanding reading month. I finished 12 books in total (7 audiobooks, 2 on Kindle, and 3 in print), and the quality was just as impressive as the quantity. Seven of those reads earned 5-star ratings (you can spot them in the “Yes” column above), while three were middling and two ended up being disappointments.

Let’s start with the latter—both of which may be slightly unpopular opinions.

• Game Changer by Rachel Reid, the first installment in a wildly popular MM hockey romance series (and the inspiration for the HBO adaptation Heated Rivalry), began with promise. Unfortunately, it quickly gave way to an overwhelming number of explicit scenes, with only a minimal plot holding them together. I’m not opposed to spice in romance, but it needs to serve the story. Here, it felt excessive and ultimately came at the expense of character and narrative development, which made it difficult to stay invested.
• Daggermouth by H.M. Wolfe, another reader favorite, is a dystopian romance that had me genuinely hooked for about two-thirds of its length. However, the ending didn’t land for me. It felt forced, overly drawn out, and inconsistent with the story that had been built up to that point. The resolution lacked believability, and as a result, I don’t plan to continue with the series.

On a much more positive note, February also delivered some truly standout reads.

Red Clay by Charles B. Fancher was, without question, the highlight of the month. In fact, for readers who love Gone with the Wind, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Set in Alabama during the final days of the Civil War and the Reconstruction era, it tells the story of an enslaved family navigating a rapidly changing world. It’s a sweeping, deeply moving family saga—powerful, immersive, and unforgettable. A new favorite for me.

Vigil by George Saunders is a short but deeply impactful novel. A modern reimagining of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, it follows a powerful oil executive on his deathbed as he confronts the consequences of his life’s choices. It’s thought-provoking and quietly haunting—I still find myself thinking about it months later, and I already know it’s a book I’ll return to.

All in all, February was an excellent reading month—one that more than made up for my recent blogging lapse.

January 2026 Reads

I started 2026 by reading 7 excellent books in the month of January. This was definitely the month I got into historical fiction. The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon was a fast-paced historical crime mystery that follows a fiercely independent and outspoken midwife in the 18th century Maine. The Glovemaker by Weisgarber is a slower, somber read set in Utah in 1880s - I learned a lot about the Mormons and polygamy. Finally, my favorite read of the month was What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman. Set in the 1920s-30s it follows the fate of a young woman who is committed to an insane asylum simply for talking back to her father and wanting to make decisions about her own life. 

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy is set in a near future on a remote island off the coast of Antartica. An environmental disaster is ravaging the planet, and the rising waters and unusual weather patterns threaten the seeds vault that is housed on the island. 

This month I finally re-read one of my favorite fantasy novels The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden and read two non-fiction books: Mad at School by Margaret Price and Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. 

Overall, this was an excellent reading month and I hope to read more historical fiction in February.

2025 Reading Results

As in 2024, I read a lot more books than I anticipated. My Goodreads goal was set at 75, yet, I ended up with 109 books read. Unsurprisingly, my most read genre was just like last year fantasy - 41 books; followed by romance (17 books) and non-fiction (16 books).

I read 65 books from my own library and 44 books were borrowed from the library or Kindle Unlimited.

In terms of medium: 41 were in paper, 23 e-books and 45 audiobooks.

I read 82 adult books, 23 YA and 4 middle grade.

Now, let's check on the goals I set for myself for 2025:

1. Read 75 books - COMPLETE

2. Read 50 books from my physical shelves - COMPLETE (65)

3. Read the entire Bible - COMPLETE (very proud of this!)

4. Read 10 non-fiction books I own (physical or e-books) - COMPLETE

5. Participate in the two book clubs I am a member of, but don't feel obligated to read every book. In fact, try to read those I already own if they are selected. - COMPLETE.

Below are my favorites for the year.