August 2026 Reads

August was another very good reading month for me. I read nine books, and five of them ended up firmly in my “Yes!” category. I also had a couple of books that I enjoyed well enough but are part of ongoing series, so I’m reserving final judgment for now.

There were several standout reads this month, across both fiction and nonfiction.

My Next Breath by Jeremy Renner was probably the biggest surprise of the month. This is Renner’s memoir about the horrific accident that nearly cost him his life and the long, difficult road to recovery. I found it incredibly compelling not just because of the accident itself, but because of what it reveals about resilience, family, and the determination to rebuild your life after something that changes it forever.

Summer Sisters by Judy Blume was another favorite. I somehow managed to make it this far without reading it, and I’m glad I finally did. It is a coming-of-age story about friendship, family, love, and the complicated ways people can remain connected to one another over the course of many years. There is something very nostalgic about Blume’s writing, but the relationships and emotions still feel remarkably relatable. I must say this is not a fluffy romance. I think going in with that knowledge will help not feel disappointed.

The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff was a beautiful and heartbreaking family story. It explores addiction, marriage, parenthood, and the ways that one person’s struggles can reverberate through an entire family. Definitely not an easy read, but a very powerful one.

I also really enjoyed Infinite Country by Patricia Engel. This is a relatively short but emotionally rich novel about a Colombian family divided between the United States and Colombia. It explores immigration, family separation, belonging, and the complicated meaning of home. I especially appreciated how much the author manages to accomplish in such a compact book.

Another nonfiction standout was Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green. I’ve read some of Green’s nonfiction before, but this one particularly impressed me. It is part history, part science, and part exploration of global health inequality, all centered around tuberculosis. It made me think about how differently we experience diseases depending on where we happen to live and how much access we have to medical care. An excellent example of nonfiction that manages to be informative without ever becoming dry.

Two books landed in my “Maybe” category this month: An Ordinary Sort of Evil by Kelley Armstrong and Portrait of a Scotsman by Evie Dunmore. Both are part of ongoing series, so I’m hesitant to make a final judgment based on a single installment. I’m still interested enough in the characters and worlds to keep going, but neither was a standout for me.

And then there were my two “No”s: Angel of Darkness by Daniel Kraus and The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden.

The latter deserves a little more explanation because it has made me reconsider an author I used to think of as a favorite. Katherine Arden became a favorite of mine because of the Winternight trilogy, which I absolutely loved when I first read it. However, her two most recent releases—The Warm Hands of Ghosts and now The Unicorn Hunters—have both been disappointing for me. I think the biggest issue is that they lack the dynamism and engaging plotlines that I have come to expect from fantasy. I want fantasy to pull me along, and neither of these books managed to do that.

Interestingly, my recent reread of the Winternight trilogy has made me question even that earlier love. I made it through the first two books, but only barely, and I never even picked up the third—which is still the book I remember most fondly from the trilogy. Perhaps this is simply a case of discovering that a book or author that once felt perfect for me no longer works in quite the same way. Reading tastes change, after all. Still, it’s a little sad to realize that an author who once felt like a favorite may no longer be one.

Overall, though, August was a very satisfying reading month. My Next Breath, The Bright Years, Infinite Country, and Everything Is Tuberculosis were all memorable for very different reasons, and I’m always happy when a month gives me a few books that stay with me after I’ve finished them.

July 2026 Reads

July was a bit of a mixed reading month for me. I read nine books, although four of those were installments in The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower, so the number is a little misleading. Still, I had some definite standouts—and a couple of books that I wouldn’t recommend.

The biggest surprise of the month was Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. I had been looking forward to this one, and it absolutely lived up to the premise. It follows a tradwife influencer who wakes up in 1855 and suddenly has to live the harsh pioneer life she has only been romanticizing online. It’s an entertaining satire, but there is also plenty to think about underneath the humor. Definitely a recommendation from me.

I also continued my journey through The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower, listening to four more installments this month. These continue to be charming, entertaining, and very easy to listen to. They are definitely more on the light and whimsical side of historical fiction, which is why I’ve kept them in my “Yes” category for enjoyment, while acknowledging that they may not appeal to readers looking for serious historical fiction.

To Bleed a Crystal Bloom by Sarah A. Parker was another favorite. This is a dark, atmospheric fantasy with a complicated relationship at its center, and it pulled me in completely. I’m definitely interested in continuing the series.

There were two books that landed in my “Maybe” category. The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard had an intriguing premise and some elements I enjoyed, but ultimately didn’t quite work for me enough to become a favorite. Kirkyards & Kindness by Kelley Armstrong was entertaining, but again, I wasn’t particularly wowed by it.

And then there was Between These Broken Hearts by Lexi Ryan, which landed firmly in the “No” category. The verdict on the graphic pretty much says it all: read this one only if you’ve already made it through the first three books in the series. Otherwise, I wouldn’t recommend starting here.

Overall, July had some definite winners, particularly Yesteryear and To Bleed a Crystal Bloom, along with another four enjoyable visits to the world of Emma M. Lion. Not every book was a winner, but that’s part of the fun of reading—there’s always another one waiting on the TBR.

Mid-Year Reading Check-In

I complete this same list of questions (almost) every year, and it is a good way to check in on what's been read so far and make some plans for the rest of the year.

1. Number of books read so far this year

As of today, I’ve read 60 books.

2. Best book you've read so far in 2026

Patriot: A Memoir by Alexei Navalny is, without question, the most profoundly moving book I’ve read this year. I was not only deeply affected by Navalny’s story, but also incredibly impressed by him as a person. With most politicians, it’s easy to question their motivations—whether they are driven by power, fame, or wealth. In Navalny’s case, I came away with a very different impression. Given the course of his life, it seems clear that his primary motivation was the pursuit of justice, and he ultimately gave everything in that fight.

3. Best sequel you've read so far in 2026

Malice at the Palace by Rhys Bowen, the ninth installment in the Her Royal Spyness series. I love dipping into this cozy mystery series a couple of times each year, and this was one of my favorite installments so far. It was witty, charming, and thoroughly entertaining.

4. New release you haven't read yet, but want to

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. It’s a satirical novel about a tradwife influencer who wakes up in 1855 and is forced to live the harsh pioneer life she has only been romanticizing online. The premise sounds both hilarious and thought-provoking, and I’m really hoping to get to it this month.

5. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year

Taipei Story by R. F. Kuang. It’s described as a witty, deeply moving coming-of-age novel exploring grief, language, and culture shock against the backdrop of one unforgettable summer in Taipei. I’m very excited to see what Kuang does with a more contemporary story.

6. Biggest disappointment

Daggermouth by H.M. Wolfe. It’s marketed as an enemies-to-lovers dystopian romance and has developed quite a devoted following among romantasy readers. Unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me. The experience also reinforced something I’ve been noticing lately: finding truly exceptional romance novels often means sorting through quite a few mediocre ones first.

7. Biggest surprise

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I had previously read two of Reid’s novels and thought they were perfectly fine, but neither quite lived up to the hype. Atmosphere, on the other hand, exceeded every expectation I had. It completely captivated me and will almost certainly end up on my list of favorite books of the year.

8. Favorite new author (debut or new to you)

Allen Levi. Theo of Golden was my first experience with his writing, and I absolutely fell in love with it. I can’t wait to see what he writes next.

9. Newest favorite character

Theo from Theo of Golden. His kindness, quiet wisdom, and ability to savor every conversation and every moment of life made him one of the most memorable characters I’ve encountered in a long time.

10. Book that made you cry

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman, and Upward Bound by Woody Brown. Each one moved me in a different way, but all three left me reaching for the tissues.

11. Book that made you happy

Crowned and Dangerous by Rhys Bowen. Spending time with Lady Georgiana always feels like visiting old friends, and this installment was especially delightful.

12. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

In addition to Yesteryear, the books at the top of my TBR are Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell, The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett, Whistler by Ann Patchett, and Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune. I also have an entire stack of summer romances waiting for me, and I’m hoping to read as many of them as possible before the season comes to an end.

June 2026 Reads

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.

October 2025 Reading Wrap-Up

The month of October was busy due to school for me, however, I did read a few excellent books. 

1. I started the month with a a bookclub pick - Starling House by Alix E. Harrow. This novel was perfect for the spooky season: a haunted house in the countryside of Kentucky, a mysterious evil-fighting occupant of the house, and a spunky and at times reckless main heroine. I also really enjoyed the author's note in the back of the book that details the inspiration for the novel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. 

2. Katabasis by R.F. Kuang was another book I read for the bookclub. This was by far my favorite read of October. I really think R.F. Kuang's books are getting better. I skipped her debut The Poppy War trilogy, did not really care for Babel, really liked Yellowface, and LOVED Katabasis. In this novel, we follow two PhD students as they journey into hell to rescue their professor. It is smart, engaging and I enjoyed every single chapter - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

3. The next book was a cover buy. It was $5 at the Barnes & Noble cafe and looked really appropriate for the season, so I could not pass it by. Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice is a cute YA novel and centers around two rival cafes. I thought the plot was very contrived, and the characters did not behave their age and frankly did not have any common sense, I only finished it because it was really short - ⭐️⭐️.

4. I am Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy is a gut-punching and raw memoir by one of Nickelodeon's child stars, who is best known for her role on the shows iCarly and Sam & Cat. McCurdy does not hold back and describes in graphic detail the abusive relationship she had with her mother. Some of the things she talks about are really hard to read about or even imagine. I highly recommend this for those who like non-fiction and Hollywood memoirs - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

5. I finished off the month by reading 4 short stories from Amazon Prime reading collection. Three of them were paranormal romances perfect for the season, and one - by Cheryl Strayed - was a contemporary women's fiction story that I really enjoyed. I definitely recommend all of them if you need something quick to read.

September 2025 Reading Wrap-up

September was busy for me both at work and at school, so I read fewer books. However, I enjoyed all the books I read in the month of September. 

I started our strong by reading Up at the Villa, a murder mystery by Somerset Maugham. I have enjoyed this author since college where I had to read a couple of his novels for my English class. His novels usually include interesting commentary on morals, marriage and romantic relationships. This one was no exception. I definitely recommend it.

I have already reviewed The Austen Affair - this was a fun romcom that any Austen fan will appreciate. 

The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther was an unexpectedly fun and beautiful YA romance that  included themes of grief and coming of age. I am now really interested in reading more from this author.

I finally read Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens and it lived up to all the hype. It contains beautiful nature writing and includes a murder mystery and a love story. I think I will check out the movie adaptation when I get a chance.

Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley was a bookclub pick for the month of November so I read it really early. This book is set in Upper Michigan on a Native American Reservation and we follow one girl's quest to bring back the remains of her ancestors and stolen artifacts from museums and private collectors.

Finally, Quicksilver by Callie Hart was book 1 in a romantasy series, and I really enjoyed it. Book 2 is coming out in November and am definitely going to pick it up soon after. 

"The Austen Affair" by Madeline Bell

This was such a fun romance! I definitely recommend it to any Jane Austen fan. Our main character Tess is an actress who gets cast to play a leading role in an adaption of Northanger Abbey - Austen's least adapted novel. She is supposed to act opposite a surly Colin Firth lookalike (based on the description), who both intimidates her and makes her secretly swoon. 

Unfortunately, they do not get along and after a particularly nasty argument on set, get electrocuted and find themselves in Jane Austen's Hampshire. I must say I used to love time traveling stories. Lately, however, they have been hit or miss for me. This one did not disappoint. The book was fun from beginning to end and I read most of it in one day. The ending I thought dragged a little, but overall, a very enjoyable, light romcom for fans for Austen.

A e-ARC was provided by NetGalley.com

August 2025 Reading Wrap-Up

August was by far the best reading month I've had this. year. I read 11 books, which is over 4,100 pages. I discovered a new favorite author - C.W. Farnsworth, who (bonus!) lives in RI. She writes romances and I really enjoy her characters and writing style. Usually, I am very annoyed by the third act break-up and miscommunication that happens a lot in this genre. Her books, however, somehow manage to avoid everything I dislike in romance novels. They were perfect summer reads. I read three of her novels and loved all of them. Let me quickly zoom through the other books I read:

• This month I re-read Lexi Ryan's YA fantasy duology and really enjoyed it. 
• Ali Brady's Battle of the Bookstores was a highly anticipated read for me, but I was fairly disappointed. It just dragged and I did not like the characters. 
• I listened to Britney Spears' biography and it was ok - I did not find it particularly genuine, but it was interesting. 
• I have mixed feelings about Beartown - I know it is a favorite for many readers, however, I did not like how it ended. I wanted real justice for the main female character.
• The Ministry of Time was an unusual take on time travel. Overall, it did not wow me.
• The Other Black Girl was an interesting take on how one might overcome structural racism in a Sci-Fi setting. 
• Daisy Jones and the Six proved to me once more that Taylor Jenkins Reid is just not my author. I do not like her characters. I listened to this on audio and so was able to get through it fairly quickly. I think I would have been bored reading it in paper.

July 2025 Wrap-Up

July by far was probably my best reading month this year. It was nice to be on break from school and just read for pleasure. In July I re-read Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros and finally picked up the sequel, Iron Flame. I did really enjoy both and was happy to be in that world. 

Another memorable read was One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune. It is a sequel to Every Summer After, which focuses on Charlie. Carley Fortune is definitely a favorite author at this point. I have read all four novel that she has out, and I am looking forward to re-reading them in summertime.

Finally, Rose in Chains by Julie Soto was surprisingly good. This book started out as a Drameone fanfic. I personally never shipped Draco and Hermione so was not sure if the book would work for me. I had a great time reading it and now, a month later, I still think about it. I will definitely be reading the sequel and am already looking forward to re-reading it. I would say the rest of the books I read were just OK and not worth a separate mention.

May and June 2025 Reading Wrap-Up

May and June were extremely busy for me as I began my doctoral program and the first semester was intense. I did manage read some fiction but the majority of time I had to do a lot of reading and writing for school.     

May

The best read of May was probably The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton. It is book 1 in a new YA fantasy series. If you like the Cruel Prince trilogy and the Selection series, you might like this. I will definitely be checking out book 2. The biggest disappointment was The Rebel Witch. It was better than book 1, but still overall the Crimson Moth series is extremely overhyped and I honestly do not understand what all the fuss is about.

June

In June, I continued with Jennifer L. Armentrout's from Blood and Ash series and book 2 was really good. I read it during the busiest time and it was nice to immerse myself in a fantasy world each day before bed even if it was only for a few minutes. I also read the new installment in Kelley Armstrong's A Rip in Time series - in this book we follow our characters to the Scottish Highlands where they end up solving a murder.  The rest of the books I read were not super memorable even though I enjoyed them at the time of reading.

April 2025 Reading Wrap-Up

April is probably my best reading month for a while. In May I started graduate school so I expect that both May and June will be light in terms of reading fiction. But going back to April: I read 8 books and two of them are new favorites The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain and The Villa by Rachel Hawkins. 

The Dream Daughter is a suspenseful family drama that includes time travel. I listened to it on audio and was completely engrossed. The Villa is Rachel Hawkins' another thriller that includes an investigation into a murder that happened in the 70s at an Italian villa and involved famous musicians. Some say that Hawkins drew her inspiration from a time when Mary Shelley, Lord Byron and Percy Shelley vacationed together in Italy and where Mary Shelley on a dare wrote Frankenstein. I can definitely see those parallels.

To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose is a compelling fantasy novel that is rooted in Native American mythology. I read it for a bookclub and we had the author join our discussion, which was incredible. I am definitely planning to read the sequel. 

The other reads for the month were mediocre. The biggest disappointment was The Crimson Moth - a fantasy romance, overhyped on social media. I am happy to report that the second book is better (I read it in May). I have a separate longer review for Melania - what a disaster! And, I am glad I finally read Soulless by Gail Carriger. The entire Parasol Protectorate series had been sitting on my shelves for at least 10 years. After reading book 1, I decided I am not going to continue in the series and it's been donated to my local thrift store. I am sure if I read it when it was first published, I might have enjoyed it. But it does not hold up with time. The tone in particular seems trying to be funny way too hard, and characters seem more like caricatures than real personalities -- the book is just filled with stock images and twists. 

So I read Melania... Hear me out

I saw this book at my local library and decided to see if I can get a glimpse of Melania Trump’s personality. She always looks like a decorative art piece: beautiful and silent. As a fellow Slav from Eastern Europe, I was curious what she had to say about her upbringing in the communist Yugoslavia. The book is very short and it is badly written, at times sounding like a museum catalogue enumerating all the exquisite designer outfits and elaborate meals; and at times resembling a self appraisal or a college essay, aggrandizing her own accomplishments (my impeccable taste, my work ethic, my poise). Wow. If she wrote this in an attempt to be known, this is a failure. There is no personality that I can detect. I am not sorry I read it though. What you see is what you get: a carefully constructed mask with a huge ego who wants to be in turn a Jacky Kennedy or a princess Diana look alike but of course she is neither. She is also not a deep thinker at all. Jane Austen’s “improvement of the mind by extensive reading” is clearly not about her.

In addition, the descriptions of her childhood in Yugoslavia do not ring true at all. She was born in 1970 - the height of Soviet dominance in the region. Yet she waxes poetically about the picturesque country side and travels all over Europe. Not a single word about the decade long ethnic conflicts in the region - none. Then abruptly in the end she decides to compare the raid on Mar-a-Lago to surveillance under communism, “which her family was very familiar with”. So which one is it? What was her childhood like? Anyway the main sense I got is lack of authenticity and personality. Also curiously, no acknowledgements?

March 2025 Reading Wrap-Up

 

In March, I read quite a few great books. In terms of clear winners The God of the Woods and Death of the Author were by far the best books I read in March if not the entire 2025 so far.

The God of the Woods is a mystery involving disappearance of a child. It has two different timelines and a great cast of characters. I must admit it was a difficult read, especially in the beginning when we spend a lot of time with the grieving mother. Her anguish at losing her little boy is palpable and heart-wrenching. At about half-point, the book turns more into a police procedural and I found it much easier to read emotionally.

Death of the Author is a genre-bending novel with a Nigerian-American paraplegic woman as the main protagonist. The author explores the themes of heritage, and belonging. She also very skillfully zeroes in on the need for independence and independent decision-making for people living with disabilities. In this book, the main character seemingly overnight becomes a bestselling author, yet her family is so focused on protecting her and taking care of her that they try to keep her from opportunities that would improve her life and let her experience things she never thought were possible for her. This novel in particular is a strong contender to be the best of the year for me.

I read The Nickel Boys for my bookclub at work. The setting of the story is a reform school for boys in Florida in the 1960s. The racism, injustice and brutality the main characters have to go through is staggering. This is a very difficult, but a very important read.

Blood over Bright Haven is much talked about on BookTube Sci-Fi novel. I also read it for a bookclub, and it did not live up to all the hype. Even though we had a good discussion at the book club meeting, as time goes on, the plot is quickly fading from my mind. I did like the spunky feminist main character, and the magic was unique in this book. However, the book felt a little too basic. The world was not well fleshed out, and lacked the complexity that I would normally expect for such a hyped novel.

I finally finished The Wrath and the Dawn duology. I read the first book quite a few years ago. It is a 1001 nights re-telling. I really enjoyed it and if you are looking for a quick fantasy/romantasy read, look no further.

I read Medea by Euripides as I own a recently released retelling of this Greek play, so wanted to get acquainted with the original material. The other two books on the list were pretty mediocre romances, and I would not recommend them.

February 2025 Reading Wrap-Up

 

These were my reads in February 2025. I was still struggling staying focused on reading so finished another month this year with only 8 books. 

• I am pleased that I read 2 non-fiction books: one is about Victorians and the other about near-death experiences and research by medical professionals into that. 
• From Blood and Ash is a new fantasy series I started. It proved to be pretty fast moving so I am definitely going to continue. 
• The Soul of the Sword is the second book in a fantasy trilogy inspired by Japanese mythology that I really enjoy. 
• Orbital by Samantha Harvey is a short beautifully written book from the point of view of 6 astronauts orbiting the earth. It is a love song to Earth, a poem in verse. Here is a quote from it that I wrote out:

*** Art is a set of illusions and tricks and artifices within life. Life is a set of illusions and tricks and artifices within a consciousness that is trying to understand life through perceptions and dreams and art.***

• The Forest Grimm was a new take on well-known fairy tales. I think a sequel is coming out later this year, but the book can be read as a stand alone. I think it was mediocre and frankly quite forgettable so I don't think I'll be picking up the sequel.
• Alien Clay is probably the most thought-provoking Sci-Fi I've read in a long time. It challenges the Darwinian survival of the fittest, and posits instead that perhaps it is not the strongest that survive, but those who are able to get along with others.