New year, new me, right? Wrong! I’m still just trucking away with a never-ending TBR pile, like always. If you are the type of person who reads book lists, then I’m sure you relate!
Once, a few years ago, I had a bit of an existential crisis. I stopped listening to bookish podcasts, reading book blogs, etc. because I couldn’t bear to think about how many great books there are in the world that I wouldn’t have time to read before I die because there are physical limits to book consumption.
Now, however, I’ve gotten over that and prefer to think of it as a blessing that I will never run out of good reading material. That reframing took the stress out of reading and opened me up to all the possibilities.
It never hurts to add another book to your TBR! So take that as permission and add any books that you see below to your own list with reckless abandon.
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Just Finished:
Since I just posted a full review of this book, I won’t spend a ton of time on it here. But I just want everyone to know that this historical romance set in 1715 Scotland was beautifully written, with well-developed characters, a multi-faceted plot, and rich historical details that bring the story to life. I gave it 5 stars!
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism
My first nonfiction read of the year, this book was fascinating. It explores the traits that cults and organizations with cult-like followings share, with a focus on language patterns. I think the author does a great job of presenting the similarities and differences between, for instance, Scientology and Cross Fit, in an interesting, objective way. I felt like reading this book gave me some tools to help evaluate future interactions and determine if a group environment is healthy or verging on cultish.
In Progress:
I found a new rom-com author to binge — Jenny Proctor! I love her sweet romances, and right now I am on number two of her How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother series. This one follows Perry and his new assistant Lila as they navigate a professional relationship that is fraught with attraction and baggage from past relationships. Lila has a son, which adds complication to the story, but he is such a cutie! He’s on the hunt for a stepdad, which leads to some really funny, poignant moments. I loved the first book in this series too, and I have a reminder set for May 2nd when the third book releases!
I just started number 4 in this YA dystopian fantasy series that has had me turning pages so fast I create wind. I can’t quite put my finger on why I like this series so much, because the teenage characters are a little more angsty than I normally prefer. I think it might be because I keep encountering plot twists that I don’t expect, and it does dive into explorations of human nature as the characters seek to grow and stop the oppressive government that has harmed so many people and destroyed natural resources. And it’s and interesting premise, to have characters with special abilities, like Juliette’s power to kill with a single touch.
Up Next:
I’m super stoked to pick up this story about a group of brilliant teens chosen for a mission to colonize one of Jupiter’s moons since Earth is now uninhabitable. It’s billed as a good match for fans of The Martian (which I am) and it sounds like there may be elements of mystery and romance. This sounds like an interesting YA sci-fi story with some Hunger Games vibes that will hopefully make me want to read the follow-up book next.
While I am excited to read this book, I’m also a little confused about how it came into being. This is the third book in the Waters of Time series, but it seems to have a different publisher than the first two, which is something I think probably doesn’t happen a lot. Nevertheless, I can’t wait to see where the story goes next in this time-travel novel following a private investigator who finds herself in the Middle Ages when she drinks Holy Water. I believe there may be a handsome nobleman in the past, which sounds intriguing.
Apparently, I’m in a space mood because I’m also looking forward to listening to “a heist story set on the moon”. I’ve read a couple of Andy Weir’s other books and found them un-put-downable, so I’m hoping the trend continues with this story of a young woman who agrees to participate in a plot that, if successful, will allow her to pay off her debts and start fresh.
For more book talk, go see Modern Mrs. Darcy’s monthly quick lit post as well! Happy reading, friends!
Love that cover of Rose and the Thistle! I don’t usually read earlier than the 1800s but I’m intrigued. I’ll have to check it out.