Since we’re halfway through the year, I thought I would share a round-up of what I’ve been reading (or listening to!) in the first half of the year, as I share some thoughts on the books I’ve read so far.
The first book I finished reading at the start of the year was… A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas, which is of course the first book in the ACOTAR series. Amazing worldbuilding in this one.
Next I listened to an audiobook of None of This is True by Lisa Jewell from the library. This was pretty dark and left me a bit like, what just happened?!? When I’d finished reading it. I’m glad I listened to the audiobook though, the back and forth conversations worked well in audio form.
Then I read Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman, Heartstopper is such a wholesome graphic novel series.
I borrowed the eBook of Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur from the library and read it in a single evening, I don’t read a lot of poetry but I found this a really empowering read and ended up buying a copy for my shelf.
The Secret Voices by M J White, I finally got round to starting this series this year. When writing this blog post I found a note on my phone that I wrote after I’d finished reading it- ‘THAT ENDING’ (yes I wrote that in all caps) ‘made me smile. I definitely need to get the next book in the series.’ Of course the second book is now on my shelf waiting to be read. It’s such an interesting concept, how Cora can hear things from discarded items. The story went in a totally unexpected direction too, I did not expect it to be insert character name because I’m not sharing spoilers here at all!
The Fine Print by Lauren Asher, this was another book I listened to on audio via the library. I wasn’t really a fan of Rowan by the end of the story, but I liked the whole premise of the story and how it was set in a theme park.
The Girl Upstairs by Georgina Lees another mystery/thriller with an intriguing plot that left me guessing throughout the story.
On The Origin of Species by Sabina Radeva. This is a retelling of Charles Darwin’s work, and another audiobook I borrowed from the library. I’ve been into reading more about nature this year so when I saw this while scrolling through the library catalogue on Borrowbox I decided to give it a listen.
Warcross by Marie Lu is a book that had been on my shelf for a while, waiting to be read. I absolutely loved how immersive the tech was in the story.
Swamp Bones by Kathy Reichs a short story I listened to in audiobook form from the library. The forensic vibes definitely drew me to this one, I found out after listening to it that the TV show Bones is based on the main character Temperance Brennan, so I might have to give that a watch sometime.
Seven Summers by Paige Toon, the pink sprayed edges absolutely drew me to this book, I’m so glad I ordered a copy from The Works. The story might have had a lot of sadness it but it was a really enjoyable read. I loved the setting too – St Agnes in Cornwall, I love a book set by the sea!
Barking Mad by Leigh Russell is a book I bought spur of the moment (on a different order) from The Works, a cosy mystery set in a small village with likable characters and such a cute dog.
A few weeks ago I finished listening to Traces by Patricia Wiltshire on audiobook. I learnt a lot about palynomorphs (pollen!) listening to this and it was interesting hearing her life story too. One thing that really stuck with me though was how the chemicals used in Science can be SO HARSH they could potentially…vaporise lungs, if you’re not careful enough. Yes you did just read that right. Yikes!
The last book I finished reading in June was The Housemaid by Freida McFadden. It’s a book I was seeing everywhere online a couple of weeks ago, after the release of the third book in the series. I ended up picking up a copy when I went to the supermarket, then read it in just 4 days! Another book with dark elements but it definitely drew me in.
If I had to pick my top 3 favourites from the 14 books I’ve read, then right now I’d probably pick Seven Summers, The Secret Voices and Warcross.
Have you read any of these books? What’s been your favourite read so far this year?
Don’t forget you can add me on Goodreads if you’d like to see more of what I’m reading right now.
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