As always, I’m a little late in recapping some recent reads. I started reading a mix of physical books and audiobooks. I’m terrible at reading non-fiction with my eyes — I need a plot! But on audiobook? I’m starting to really enjoy it! For audiobooks, I use Libby through my library and Libro.fm to support local bookstores. I’ve noted where it is in the recap as it’s a bit of a different experience for me personally…
Meet me at the lake by Carley Fortune
Plot of a sentence: 10 years after they spent a magical day together, Fern and Will reunite in an attempt to save the lakeside resort that Fern now owns.
One sentence review: I love a book that makes my heart ache like this one and I cried at the last chapter because I didn’t want it to end.
Read this book if: You Love: Carley Fortune’s First Book Every summer AfterDirty Dancing (omg the resort vibes!), and an emotional second chance romance that is SO much more than a romance.
My rating: 4.5/5 stars
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Plot of a sentence: Violet Sorrengail attempts to survive her brutal first year as a dragon rider at Basgiath War College.
One sentence review: I’m not typically a fantasy reader, but this very entertaining book drew me in from the start and I felt SO invested in Violet and emotionally attached to a bunch of dragons.
Read this book if: You’re usually a romance reader (this book is getting too thin!) but you’re curious about something that’s fictional.
My rating: 4.5/5 stars
Yellow face by RF Kuang
Plot of a sentence: After the death of Athena’s friend, writer June Hayward reworks a manuscript of Athena’s and passes it off as her own…which sets off a chain of ugly events.
One sentence review: I was a bit underwhelmed by this book at times, but I ended up really enjoying the twisty ride of this quasi-thriller meets satire of the publishing industry.
Read this book if: In the mood for something snarky and satirical… and/or a job in the book industry.
My rating: 4/5 stars
Same time next summer by Annabel Monaghan
Plot of a sentence: Sam returns to her family’s beach house to look at a wedding venue only to run into the guy who broke her heart as a teenager.
One sentence review: I couldn’t love this book more as it mixes so many of my favorite things: second chance romance, dreamy beach setting, dual timelines, and complex drama.
Read this book if: You loved Every summer After or looking for something to fill you up Summer I Became Beautiful longing after the end of season 2.
My rating: 5/5 stars
Imogen, obviously by Becky Albertalli
Plot of a sentence: Imogen has always considered herself hopelessly straight, but a great ally to her queer friends… that is until she visits her best friends at college and begins to feel a spark with a new friend there.
One sentence review: I found this book to be such an addictive read (I read it in less than 24 hours) and I so appreciated the great characters and subtle conversations about queer identity.
Read this book if: You want to sink your teeth into a book that you’ll read in an instant.
My rating: 5/5 stars
Audiobooks:
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
I have to admit, I haven’t watched anything by Shonda Rhimes…except maybe Crossroads as a teenager? Well, I’m probably not the best audience for her book about the year she decided to start saying YES to things that scare her. With that in mind, I would say I liked this book, but I didn’t like it like I know some people.
Seth Rogen’s Yearbook
I’m a huge fan of Seth Rogen — Knocked up is still one of my favorite comedies of all time. It was really great to hear more about Seth Rogen’s childhood in Vancouver and his early rise to fame thanks to Freaks in Geeks. This book is SO much fun as an audiobook as it features an elaborate cast of characters and Seth Rogen narrating the whole thing. I really enjoyed it.
The greatest love story ever told by Megan Mullaly and Nick Offerman
I was really curious what a book from power-couple Megan Mullaly and Nick Offerman would be like. It’s certainly very funny at times and a very interesting look at their relationship and how they came together. Unless you’re heavily invested in one or both, it’s probably not worth your time, but I found the book to be a funny, light listen.
