As always I’m a bit late with recapping some recent reads. I’ve started reading a mix of physical book and audiobooks. I am terrible about reading non-fiction with my eyes — I need plot! But on audiobook? I’m starting to really enjoy it! For audiobooks I’ve been using Libby through my library and Libro.fm to support local bookstores. I’ve noted which is which in the recap as they are a bit of a different experience for me personally…
Meet Me At the Lake by Carley Fortune
One sentence plot: 10 years after spending one magical day together, Fern and Will reunite in an attempt to save the struggling lakeside resort Fern now owns.
One sentence review: I loved a book that makes my heart ache like this one and cried during the final chapter because I didn’t want it to end.
Read this book if: You love: Carley Fortune’s first book Every Summer After, Dirty Dancing (omg the resort vibes!), and an emotional second chance romance that’s SO much more than a romance.
My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
One sentence plot: Violet Sorrengail attempts to survive the brutal first year as a dragon rider at Basgiath War College.
One sentence review: I’m not typically a fantasy reader, but this very hyped-up book sucked me in from the start and I felt SO invested in Violet and emotionally attached to bunch of dragons.
Read this book if: You’re typically a romance reader (this book gets very steamy!) but curious about something that’s fantasy.
My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
One sentence plot: After her friend Athena passes away, author June Hayward reworks a manuscript of Athena’s and passes it off as her own… which causes a chain of bad events.
One sentence review: I was a bit iffy on this book at times but ended up really enjoying the twisty ride of this almost thriller meets satire of the publishing industry.
Read this book if: You’re in the mood for something biting and satirical… and/or work in the book industry.
My Rating: 4/5 Stars
Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan
One sentence plot: Sam returns to her family’s beach house to look at a wedding venue only to run into the guy that absolutely broke her heart as a teen.
One sentence review: I couldn’t have loved this book more as it mixes so many of my favorite things: second chance romance, dreamy beach setting, dual timelines, and complicated drama.
Read this book if: You loved Every Summer After or are looking for something to fill your Summer I Turned Pretty craving after season 2 ends.
My Rating: 5/5 Stars
Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli
One sentence plot: Imogen has always considered herself to be hopelessly straight but a great ally to her queer friends… that is until she visits her best friends at college and starts to feel a spark with a new friend there.
One sentence review: I found this book to be such an addicting read (I read in in less than 24 hours) and so appreciated the great characters and the nuanced conversations on queer identity.
Read this book if: You want to sink your teeth into a book you’ll read in one sitting.
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 teen? So, I’m probably not the best audience for her book that talks about the year she decided to start staying YES to things that scare her. With that in mind I’d say I enjoyed this book but didn’t love it the way I know some people do.
Yearbook by Seth Rogen
I’m a big fan of Seth Rogen — Knocked up is still one of my all-time favorite comedies. It was really cool to hear more about Seth Rogen’s childhood in Vancouver and his early launch into fame thanks to Freaks in Geeks. This book is SO 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 by power-couple Megan Mullaly and Nick Offerman would be like. It’s of course very funny at times and a very interesting look into their relationship and how they got together. If you’re not super invested in one or both of them it’s probably not worth your time, but I found the book to be a funny, light-heated, listen.