Mid-Year Reading Review

When I really got into reading in the summer of 2018, I would write a blog post recapping my recent reads after every 3 or 4 books I finished. Last year I documented everything I read in 2021 at the end of the year, but given that this year alone I've already read 15 books, I want to share a mid-year recap! I've been mixing it up a lot more than usual this year and I have thoughts.

My reading goal for 2022 is 30 books, 5 of which I'm aiming to be non-fiction, whether it be biography, self-help, or anything else. So far I've read 15 books, 2 of which have been non-fiction, and I'm halfway done with my third in that category!

Categories are as follows, in no particular order: (1) Non-Fiction (biographies), (2) Fiction Novels (ranges from very serious to adorable beach read, but not romance), (3) Fantasy, (4) Thriller, and (5) Romance!

Non-Fiction

Blowing My Way to the Top by Jen Atkin - 4 STARS

My Body by Emily Ratajkwoski - 4 STARS

I don't really know how to rank non-fiction books... I doubt I'll ever find them to be the most entertaining or captivating, but I enjoy them and enjoy learning about others' stories. Both of these were great in completely different ways. I would say Jen Atkin's is more of a motivational/career-advice type of book, whereas Emily Ratajkowski's is more about her sharing her perspective and her experience in the modeling industry. Enjoyed them both!

Novel (Fiction)

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara - 5 STARS // When I originally posted this book on my stories in January, a lot of people had opinions on whether or not I should read it. If you're unfamiliar, A Little Life is one of the most emotional and disturbing books ever written (apparently- I don't have much experience in that genre). I'd issue a trigger warning about pretty much everything to anyone considering this book. If you want a summary, I'd say just google it, but I'll share a short synopsis of my own thoughts; it's a really hard read. It's so sad, and some of the parts were so gruesome and disturbing it was shocking to me anyone could write such a thing. However, it's also beautifully written, and the characters are so well-developed, that I personally am glad I read it and I give it a high rating. It's really long, and it took me a long time to finish it, but it's just an incredible, moving book. Don't read it if you're easily traumatized. It's one of those books that feels more of an experiential, life-shaping read than a frilly beach read for fun, which is what I opt for 99% of the time. I enjoyed reading something purely as an appreciation for the art of the book and the writing. 

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid - 5 STARS // I read Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (by the same author) a few years ago and loved it, so I'd had Daisy Jones on my list for a while now. I love the way Taylor Jenkins Reid tells a story. People either love this one or hate this one, but I enjoyed it thoroughly. The whole book, the storytelling, the characters, their dynamics... it's a story of a fictional character Daisy Jones and a rock band in the 60s, loosely based off of Fleetwood Mac. It flows through the careers and lives of the characters and the drama, addiction, and other wild things that ensue in Hollywood in the late sixties. 

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig - 4 STARS // I loved the larger themes in this book, about how no matter which path your life takes you on or what decisions you make, you're always where you're meant to be. Unfortunately the main character just kind of annoyed me, lol.

Eliza Starts a Rumor by Jane Rosen - 4 STARS // This book is adorable and was a delightful read.

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle - 5 STARS // Absolutely loved this one! I loved the notes and stories about Italy and it has me craving a trip there even more than usual. 

Fantasy

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Mass - 4 STARS

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Mass - 4.5 STARS

Well, this is a new category for me! After hearing so much hype about the trilogy A Court of Thorns and Roses from a girl in my book club, we read the first book for book club, and I enjoyed it (to my surprise!) so much that I read the second book, which I enjoyed a lot (and was full of constant twists and turns- which I really admired! not that many books surprise me these days!) but found it to be incredibly long, and it took me forever to get through. I don't know if I'll get to the third book but never say never. I would definitely recommend this series if you just want to read something totally different and get out of your own head for a while!

Thriller

One of us is Lying by Karen McManus - 4.5 STARS // Just a purely entertaining murder mystery about five high schoolers who go to detention, and one of them dies.

Romance

in order of how much I enjoyed each one

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller - 3.5 STARS

Book Lovers by Emily Henry - 3.5 STARS // I actually enjoyed this book a lot, it was a fun, easy read, but it was just so predictable that I had to dock some points. 

Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover - 3.5 STARS // I love Colleen Hoover books, but in my opinion, this just isn't her best one.

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover - 4.5 STARS // This is the fifth Colleen Hoover book I've read (after Verity, November 9, Reminders of Him, and It Ends with Us), and I loved it. All of Colleen Hoover's books are pretty similar, (with the exception of Verity, which is more a thriller and less of a traumatic romance, lol) but they always surprise me, and I love them, so it's no surprise I loved this one!

The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo - 5 STARS // Haha kind of a new rating for me! I LOVED this book. It's such a beautiful story and totally made me sob at the end. 

What's the best book you've read this year?! I'd love to add it to my list!
xoxo