Every six months, I like to update you on my reading for the year so far. In 2021, I set my goal to 200 books. I read a ton of children’s books and am reading more than usual this year for a work project, so for me, this is doable. As of June 30, I had read 160 books so that probably means I should update to a larger goal!
Here’s a recap of the standout books I read from January 1 though June 30.
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My First Read
The Roommate by Rosie Danan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a fun, sexy read and I loved the business Clara and Josh founded (with Naomi – can’t wait for her book). Josh does some extreme groveling at the end when I felt Clara needed to do a little more than he did. 🤷🏻♀️ Overall, I really enjoyed this one. A great start to 2021 reading! My thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for giving me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
My Favorite Romance Read
Waiting for a Scot Like You by Eva Leigh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Such a good one – still not sure if Book 2 or this one is my favorite in the series. So many fun 80’s references and a stunning and sexy romance. I love that this series features couples falling in love and journeying into their futures together in less traditional ways. Only thing that could make this series better is a novella about the side couple featured throughout the three books.
My Favorite Children’s Read (…that isn’t Middle Grade)
Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey by Erin Entrada Kelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A funny and heartfelt book. Emotionally satisfying. Plot is centered around Marisol’s development as a character.
My Favorite Middle Grade Read
Amber and Clay by Laura Amy Schlitz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My favorite read of 2021 (for “children” at least) so far. However, I think this emotional masterpiece of a book, though about children, is better suited for a YA audience who will have the nuance and background knowledge.
My Favorite Audiobook
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book took me months to listen to, but every time I started playing the audiobook, I was immediately engaged. This book shows how NOT united the founding fathers were and gives plenty of insight not only into the life of Alexander Hamilton, but the lives of his friends, family, and political rivals. Fans of the musical will love hearing lyrics they are familiar with in letters and quotations from historical figures. This is a very lengthy read or listen, but so worth it, and the narration in the audiobook is very well done. I listened to it at 1x – the speed and rhythm was perfect.
My Favorite Reread
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
So here’s the deal: I’m going to be honest from now on. When people ask me my favorite book, I won’t name this adult novel or that classic. Yes, I love those too. But since I was nine, Ella Enchanted has been my favorite.
This is a middle grade read, and even as an adult it has it all: beautiful prose, a badass heroine, a feminist plot, whimsical magic, memorable secondary characters, amazing world-building, and a sumptuous romance. Char is my ideal man to this day, about twenty years since my first of many reads. And Ella is still one of the most relatable heroines.
While this is a book for kids in late elementary/middle school, the language is stunning. I learned so many words on my first read in 1999: desolate, corrosive, chicanery… The author introduces these SAT words so seamlessly.
If you like middle grade, fantasy, fractured fairytales, and/or romance, you need to read this book.
Favorite quotes:
Why did he think it was fine to talk about me as though I were portrait instead of a maiden?
If I thought of a joke, I wanted to try it on him. If I had a serious idea, I wanted his opinion.
I trust you to find the good in me, but the bad I must be sure you don’t overlook.
I hadn’t loved him as long, perhaps, but now I loved him equally well, or better. I loved his laugh, his handwriting, his steady gaze, his honorableness, his freckles, his appreciation of my jokes, his hands, his determination that I should know the worst of him. And, most of all, shameful though it might be, I loved his love for me.
My Most Recent Read (as of June 30)
Beard Science by Penny Reid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Waffled between a 3 and a 4 for this one but while it was too slow of a slow burn for me, I loved Cletus and Jen as characters. Jen’s growth was awesome and Cletus had been my Winston crush since Book 1!!
My Absolute Favorite Read
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In ACOMAF, Mor says, “There are good days and bad days for me – even now. Don’t let the hard days win.”
In ACOSF, Nesta, after months of getting a handle on her mental health (and physical health) (and also screwing Cassian senseless 🥵) thinks to herself a quote that struck me even more: “Some days might be more difficult than others, but… I want to experience all of it, live through all of it.”
This may be my favorite SJM book I’ve read yet. With a healthy dose of erotica, this is a sweeping fantasy romance with a focus on mental health and the friendships between women.
Note: This is heavy on the relationships (romantic and platonic) and light on the meat of the plot, which is still pretty detailed and involves a ton of world-building. I think even those who hate Nesta going in can appreciate this one, even if it doesn’t sway them into liking her.
Also note: This one was not perfect. I honestly was very annoyed with a number of characters I usually like and their treatment towards Nesta and lack of apology, but maybe we’ll get that in a later book. This was 5 stars for me because of the main chunk of the story, which was lovely.
