After not getting it throughout the whole pandemic, I finally got COVID this week 😦 Because of this, it’s been really hard to read. I’m having major brain fog today, but I did finish a book that I had been close to for a while!
Currently reading: I’m listening to an audiobook of The Anthropocene Reviewed while I wait for my audiobook of The Last Olympian to come in. I think a lot of people are divided on the Green brothers, but I really love them, and I have since I read Looking for Alaska in 2008. This book is just really wholesome and informative. Really enjoying it so far.
Recently finished: I finished The Doctor of Doctor Moreau today! It came out yesterday (I was slowed down due to COVID), but I really enjoyed this one! Review is coming tomorrow.
Reading next: It would have been The Last Olympian, but I don’t expect to get that one in from the library for a while. I just picked up The Personal Librarian at the bookstore last week, and it just seems like a very interesting story. Regardless, I don’t think I will get much reading done in the next week while I recover.
I was looking for a tag to do, and I love Harry (and One Direction, don’t get it twisted), and this seemed like the perfect one to do on a Friday afternoon! I found it on Riddhi’s blog, and it was created by Jawahir the Bookworm!
Nominate as many people you want and notify them. (either by mentioning them or commenting in their posts).
Name a song from the album you’d like for it to be a Single.
Have fun!
The songs I like are not typically single material, so I’ll just say my favs which are Little Freak, Keep Driving, and Satellite. This album is so good I couldn’t just pick one–forgive me!
MUSIC FOR A SUSHI RESTAURANT — A book with a “ride or die” type of friendship
I just finished my reread of this one today, so that’s probably why I was instantly reminded of it with this prompt. Percy, Annabeth, Grover, and Tyson will literally die for each other, risking their lives to go off and find the other in a labyrinth. What’s more ride or die than that?
LATE NIGHT TALKING — A book you gave a second chance and ended up liking.
I listened to the audiobook of this one, and I remember being a little bored with the beginning and unsure of the direction the story would take. When I got into it though, I really ended up enjoying it. Super solid novel.
GRAPEJUICE — A book with “something old and red”
The Scarlet Gang–they’re old and red, right? This works.
AS IT WAS — A book you liked more as a child.
Did anyone else read this series as a young person??? I was absolutely obsessed with this series in middle school. I actually reread this series recently, and I still kinda loved it, I’m just sure I loved it way more when I was younger and the tropes were all new to me. The spooky vibes of this book were immaculate… why are there not more books with vibes like this?
DAYLIGHT — A book with a toxic relationship
I love this book, and the two main characters end up being really sweet, but MAN are they mean to each other in the beginning. I remember thinking, are these two actually going to end up together or what’s the deal? I don’t read dark romances or anything, so this is as close to toxic as my reading is going to get.
LITTLE FREAK — A book you wished you DNF’d
I read this when I was 14 because Kristen Stewart said it was her favorite. I’d like that week of my life back.
MATILDA — A book with a character/s that has a lot of trauma
Must protect Matty and Keelie at all costs.
CINEMA — A book who’s story is just as good as the cover.
Beautiful cover for a beautiful story. I’ve said all I need here.
DAYDREAMING — A series you desperately clung to so it “won’t end”.
I would give ANYTHING to read this series again for the first time.
KEEP DRIVING — A book with a road trip
I cannot think of one road trip book I’ve read, so please leave recommendations below if you have any! (Preferably romance)
SATELLITE — A book with a side character who deserved better
LEAH. FUCKING. CLEARWATER. If you know, you know. 😤
BOYFRIENDS — A book you have a hate/love relationship with
This one was incredibly disturbing and horrifying, I both loved and hated every minute of it.
LOVE OF MY LIFE — A book with a soulmate pairing
I mean, how could it be anyone but Jess and River??
If you love Harry too, feel free to say I tagged you in this one!
America in 1954 is not a safe place for two girls to fall in love, especially not in Chinatown. Red-Scare paranoia threatens everyone, including Chinese Americans like Lily. With deportation looming over her father—despite his hard-won citizenship—Lily and Kath risk everything to let their love see the light of day.
Wow. What a beautiful historical piece about queer romance. This is my second Malinda Lo book, and I am once again just blown away with the detail to her writing. The amount of times I read a really small piece of description and said “wow I know exactly what the feels like” was incredible. I know this book is highly regarded, but I don’t think Lo’s writing is talked about enough.
She also just really knows how to hit you in gut with love and queerness. I felt so seen with this novel. Lily was so sweet and brave—I wish I could be brave like her. I wish we could’ve seen a little more of Kath and her backstory, but that was my only complaint.
The historical 50s San Francisco vibe was everything, and I loved the pages she included on queerness and Chinese Americans in the 50s at the end of the story. I honestly just think Malinda Lo is brilliant, and I can’t wait to read more of her work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
If you’ve read this one, let me know what you thought!
First Wednesday of July! Hooray! I just got to our vacation house last night, so I’m feeling really motivated to get a lot of reading done. Surrounded by beach vibes. I’m gonna lock myself outside for 6 hours and see how much reading I can get done. The biggest challenge for me is staying off TikTok, which I could absolutely watch for 3 hours straight if I didn’t feel the need to stop.
Currently reading: In the middle of my Last Night at the Telegraph Club paperback and absolutely loving it. Malindo Lo’s writing is exquisite. I have no other words right now. I’m also listening to The Battle of the Labyrinth on audio and it’s so much fun. I’m loving this reread and excited because there are soooo many books in this series that I can get into. Last is my eARC of Honey & Spice (which I really should have finished before its release yesterday, oops). It’s really dense with how it’s written, but I’m not NOT enjoying it.
Recently finished: Packing up my room has been pretty hectic, so the only book I’ve finished recently is The Titan’s Curse which, as I’ve already said, was just so much fun.
Reading next: Obviously, I need to finish off the series with The Last Olympian. I also need to get to my eARC of The Daughter of Doctor Moreau which is coming out later this month. I am definitely looking forward to this one. As for the rest, I brought about 8 physical books with me (and I always buy more on vacation), so I’m just gonna see what kind of mood I’m in when I get there.
Happy July! I don’t particularly feel like celebrating my country this year (or any year for that matter, but especially this year), so I won’t be doing anything this weekend except for relaxing by the pool with a book.
I had a pretty solid reading month in June. I read six books, but none of them were really a solid 5 stars except for my rereads.
I don’t think there will ever be a month where emotional isn’t my most read mood. No surprises there. I don’t often see lighthearted in my moods. When I think of lighthearted, I think “little substance” which I don’t go for in books. But I guess it makes sense in the context of my reading this month.
This one was surprising. I really don’t go for contemporary often, and middle grade even less. I know where they show up in my reading, but seeing them in a chart like this outdoing romance and fantasy, it’s jarring. It makes me want to keep stepping outside my usual genres. I really enjoyed the two contemporaries I read this month, so maybe I’ll keep it going.
The two contemporaries I read happened to be my favorites–Girl, Woman, Other and The Paper Palace (review coming for the former). They just had a lot of substance. Of course I loved rereading the Percy Jackson books, but I’m not going to consider those for favorites since it wouldn’t really be a competition.
In all, I don’t feel great about this reading month. I read some good books, but I didn’t get to the ones I really wanted to. I barely did any Pride reading which I try not to feel bad about. I’m a mood reader, and I’m queer myself. I don’t need a month as an excuse to read queer books. It still feels like I have something to prove, especially when I’m essentially reading for an audience. This is more a me issue, and I’m working on making sure my reading choices are for me only.
That being said, I am getting into some amazing Pride reads already in July that I can’t wait to talk about!
Happy Tuesday! We’re really getting into Summer here, so this is the perfect TTT Topic! This week’s Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl) is Summer TBR. I’m going to a beach town for the month next week, so this is a good time to really think about which books I want to pack with me. I also just went book shopping, so this list is definitely influenced by that haul.
THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU BY SILVIA MORENO-GARCIA
This is the next book I need to start out of my NetGalley arcs. I loved Mexican Gothic by Moreno-Garcia, so I’m so excited to dig into this one, too.
FRESH WATER FOR FLOWERS BY VALÉRIE PERRIN
This is one I found at a local bookseller and had never heard of before. It just sounds like the perfect summer read, though!
LAST NIGHT AT THE TELEGRAPH CLUB BY MALINDA LO
I don’t need to talk about this one more than I already have, but yes, this one is going to be read by me soon!!!
DETRANSITION BABY BY TORREY PETERS
I haven’t seen much about this book, but I picked it up at the bookstore today. I’m hoping it will be just some good old queer greatness my summer needs.
TRANSCENDENT KINGDOM BY YAA GYASI
This is another I picked up at the local bookseller while I was on vacation a few weeks ago. I have Gyasi’s Homegoing but never got to it–this story is a bit more interesting to me, though.
THE WOMEN OF CHATEAU LAFAYETTE BY STEPHANIE DRAY
I’m usually wary to pick up historical war fiction, but this story caught my attention since it centers around female MCs. I saw it at the bookstore a bit ago and decided to pick it up, so here it is on the list!
SCORPICA BY G.R. MACALLISTER
Again, let’s pretend like this one isn’t still on the list and move on, ok?
THE BONE SHARD DAUGHTER BY ANDREA STEWART
Ok, I had never heard of this one before today. I saw it at Barnes and Noble and had to have it. It sounds so effing good. Has anyone read this?? Please tell me what you thought.
THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY SERIES BY JENNY HAN
I just finished the Prime series last night and would love to go back and reread this series while on vacation this summer. I don’t think it will be as good as the TV series (seeing as they updated quite a bit for a 2022 outlook), but I want to absorb all the nostalgic beachy vibes from this one.
LOVE ON THE BRAIN BY ALI HAZELWOOD
This list could only end with this one which I have been very patiently waiting for. I am going to devour this book the second it comes out at midnight on August 23rd. The perfect way to end a summer.
What’s your most anticipated book on your Summer TBR? Do we have any in common?
Feeling good about my reading this week, so let’s get into it!
Currently reading: I started Girl, Woman, Other on Monday. I was already feeling like I wanted to read something for Pride Month, and on top of that, it was also Juneteenth. So, better way to celebrate than by reading black authors and about black queerness. I’m also about to finish Sea of Monsters already. These audiobooks are going quick which is great cause I eventually want to listen to all of Riordan’s other series, spinoffs and otherwise.
Recently finished: The last book I finished was Something Wilder. I still need to write my review for this one, but it was definitely different than I was expecting! I really enjoyed it overall, though.
Reading next: Ok, it’s actually embarrassing how many times Scorpica and Last Night at the Telegraph Club have been in a WWW Wednesday post. I need to read these just so I can stop feeling shame every time I write one of these. Pride Month is ending soon, and I need to get to these, I just need to. And obviously, I will be picking up The Titan’s Curse as soon as I finish Sea of Monsters and it becomes available from the library.
I saw Michaela do this tag, and almost couldn’t believe we’re halfway through the year. That can’t be right, can it? Apparently, it can. I’m looking forward to looking at my reading so far this year, so here we go!
BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2022?
This decision was tough. I read a lot of amazing romances (The Love Hypothesis, The Roughest Draft), but this one was just so epic and all around great. This is one I recommend to many different people when they ask for recent release recommendations.
BEST SEQUEL YOU HAVE READ SO FAR IN 2022?
I was really torn between this one and Our Violent Ends, but I remember feeling so hyped up when I finished this one. OVE was so good, but the cliffhanger in this one was absolutely insane. I’m so, so excited to continue on with this series in 2022.
NEW RELEASE YOU HAVEN’T READ YET BUT WANT TO?
I’ve mentioned this book several times on my blog so far and STILL haven’t gotten to it. It looks incredible, so maybe June will be the month for it.
MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE OF THE SECOND HALF OF 2022?
No thoughts, just Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood. If you know, you know.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF 2022?
It’s really hard for a romance to miss the mark with me, and everything about Anatomy just seemed perfect for my tastes. Romance and grave-digging? Automatic yes. This one wasn’t the worst book I read this year by far, but it was definitely the biggest disappointment for my expectations.
BIGGEST SURPRISE OF 2022?
The plot for this book was so weird, and I really wasn’t into it at first. It turned out to be a really, really sweet story that I still think about quite a bit.
FAVORITE NEW AUTHOR OF 2022 (DEBUT OR NEW TO YOU)?
Women in STEM and romance. Again, if you know you know.
The depiction of addiction in this novel is so heartbreaking. Especially if you’ve personally dealt with addiction in the family like I have, Matty’s struggle is so hard to read. I think I was tearing up within the first 5 pages.
BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY?
This book was so magical, and while the contents weren’t all that happy, the vibes were so beautiful with this one I felt happy finishing it!
FAVORITE BOOK TO MOVIE ADAPTATION YOU’VE SEEN SO FAR THIS YEAR?
I haven’t finished watching yet (I’m trying to stretch it out for as long as possible), but the adaptation is amazing so far. They really nailed the Massachusetts Summer vibe which is very nostalgic for me.
FAVORITE REVIEW YOU’VE WRITTEN THIS YEAR?
It’s easier to write about books you absolutely loved, so it makes sense that my favorite writing was in the review for Book Lovers. This is one I feel that I was really able to capture my feelings well, and it seemed like others agreed when I posted this one.
MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU BOUGHT OR RECIEVED SO FAR THIS YEAR?
I haven’t read this one yet, but it was absolutely 90% a cover buy. I mean, just look at it. Need I say more?
WHAT BOOKS DO YOU NEED TO READ BY THE END OF THE YEAR?
I have way too many books that I would love to read this year, but I try not to make myself feel guilty about not reading books (unless they’re ARCs). So, I’m just picking this one ARC I’m so excited to read–and still don’t know how I was approved for it.
How are you feeling about your reading so far this year?
Jada Townsend-Matthews is the most reviled woman in America after turning down a proposal on a reality dating show. When she comes home to lick her wounds, Jada finds herself working at San Diego’s newest cupcake bakery, Sugar Blitz, alongside the uptight owner and professional football player Donovan Dell.
When a reporter mistakenly believes Jada and Donovan are an item, they realize they can use the misunderstanding to their advantage to help the struggling bakery and rehabilitate Jada’s image. Faking a relationship should be simple, but sometimes love is the most unexpected ingredient.
I was soooo looking forward to a fun new fake dating story when I was given this eARC. Baking and fake dating are quite literally the perfect combo. So I was very optimistic going into this one and even as the story started. I liked how Jada and Donovan were originally introduced with their own respective stories.
Unfortunately, the book quickly went downhill for me. The story just felt too focused on sticking to the fake dating plot without really delving into the characters’ actual relationship. It almost felt like things were just happening to Jada and Donovan because “this is how the romance arc is supposed to go”.
I felt no connection between the two. Really disappointing because this story could’ve been the perfect amount of cute and spice.
In the end, it just felt really underdeveloped to the point I almost DNF’d at 60%. Even the side characters felt pushed to the side.
I feel like this story had a lot of potential, though, especially at the outset. I wouldn’t completely rule out reading something else by this author, but this one was just a disappointment.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Another beautiful Wednesday in June! Halfway through the month and it’s one of my best friends birthdays! So I’ll be celebrating that this week as well as trying to read more.
Currently reading: I just got Something Wilder on my Kindle from the library after a good few weeks wait. I got about 2% in last night before I passed out in bed. Not much to say on this front. For once, I’m only reading one book at a time. That will definitely change later, but as of right now, that’s it!
Recently finished: I finished The Paper Palace, Fake It Till You Bake It (review copy), and The Lightning Thief all within the past couple days. Reviews to come still for the first two! I loved Paper Palace but was pretty disappointed with FITYBI. Percy Jackson will always be amazing.
Reading next: I have no reading plans aside from continuing with the Percy Jackson series! That means Sea of Monsters is up next (as soon as it comes off hold from the library). I have a physical copy, but I want to continue with the audiobooks which I really enjoyed the first of. I’ll probably start a physical book as well soon, but no clue what that will be.
What are you reading today? Comment or link your WWWs below!
Louise Reads 