From this point forward, I’ll try to do monthly lists of books read, and maybe go into further depth about them. For the first half of the year, I’ll mostly list them out, but if something is a stand-out, I’ll shout it out. 25 books total for the first half of the year. My goal, per my Goodreads Reading Challenge, is to read 55 for the year.
The Kiss Quotient: Helen Hoang
This book, and The Bride Test, which I read at the end of last year, were such sweet little romance books. I’m hoping there’s more from Helen Hoang, because I really dig her writing.
Wolfpack: Abby Wambach
A short and sweet book, this was a commencement speech she gave at Barnard College. It’s a fabulous book, super empowering and pro-finding-your-people.
Trade Me: Courtney Milan
Book 1 of a fun romance series.
Hold Me: Courtney Milan
Book 2 of a fun romance series
The Year of the Crocodile: Courtney Milan
A novella in the same romance series above.
Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls: T. Kira Madden
I was pretty far into this book before I realized that it was a memoir written by the daughter of the guy who started the Steve Madden shoe company! It was well-written and upsetting in parts. Love this person, though.
Fleishman is in Trouble: Taffy Brodesser-Akner
This book was recommended by a friend, and it was a very compelling read. The narrator and his wife were both so flawed, and their breaking apart was heartbreakingly written.
The Wedding Date: Jasmine Guillory
I have read all of the books in this series (save the brand-new one, which I’ll be reading very soon) this year, and I really love them. Light-hearted romance books, that still talk about issues like race and belonging. Plus, I caught an episode of The Next Question podcast featuring Jasmine Guillory, and she’s awesome!
The Proposal: Jasmine Guillory
Book 2 of the Wedding Date series…
The Wedding Party: Jasmine Guillory
Book 3 of the Wedding Date series…
Royal Holiday: Jasmine Guillory
A little novella in the Wedding Date series…
The Wangs vs. the World: Jade Chang
I loved this book! It was fast-paced and interesting, and the family dynamics were so great. You really felt for all of the characters as their lives were totally upended. Plus, who doesn’t love a road-trip story?
A Princess in Theory: Alyssa Cole
This is another romance series I loved, from soup to nuts (whatever the hell that saying means, huh? What I mean is that I loved every book I read in this series).
A Duke by Default: Alyssa Cole
Reluctant Royals Book 2
A Prince on Paper: Alyssa Cole
Reluctant Royals Book 3
Once Ghosted, Twice Shy: Alyssa Cole
A Reluctant Royals novella…
Can’t Escape Love (Reluctant Royals, #2.6)
Another Reluctant Royals novella…
Such a Fun Age: Kiley Reid
Highly recommend this book. It’s a real inside look into systemic racism, white privilege, and class differences.
Untamed: Glennon Doyle
I just really REALLY loved this book. It’s a memoir, but it’s so much more. It’s a rallying cry, a therapist’s meeting, a deep talk with a close friend. Glennon is a magical creature.
Meaty: Samantha Irby
I want to read/listen to everything this person writes. She’s hilarious, and self-effacing, and very relatable. I love her. This was an audiobook, and her voice is wonderful.
Sharp Objects: Gillian Flynn
Kinda super creepy but a good suspense book.
Hamilton’s Battalion: A Trio of Romances
The stories were all fine, not the best, but not the worst.
Cheeky Royal (Royals Undercover, #1): Nana Malone
This is a fun series, a good time-passer…
Radio Silence: Alyssa Cole
Post-apocalyptic romance. Book 1 of a series.
You Never Forget Your First: Alexis Cole
Biography of George Washington, written without all of the hero worship, and with a healthy dose of looking at him as a (very) flawed human. He was a slave owner who refused to free the people enslaved by him until after his death. He was the leader of the revolution and the first president, but he was kind of a dick in lots of ways, too.