With summer ending, the kids going back to school, activities starting back up, and a new puppy, I don’t have a ton of reading time right now. But I’m doing my best to make it count by choosing a wide variety of books in different genres and formats.
And I definitely have some good books to share with you today! Whether you like mysteries, fantasy, historical, romantic comedy, or nonfiction, there is something for you on this list.
Let’s get started!
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Just Finished:
My girl Jaime Jo Wright impressed me again with her first foray into Love Inspired Suspense! I don’t typically love LIS but I know for a fact I love Jaime Jo Wright, so I gave it a try, and I’m glad I did! She crafted a fast-paced story with lots of twists and surprises tucked into just over 200 pages. It’s a quick, engaging read that you can finish in a weekend about a park ranger who discovers a human skull and finds herself embroiled in a decades old serial killer case with a personal connection she never could have expected. There’s romance, action, and a trusty dog companion. What’s not to love?
I loved this adorable Cinderella retelling! It’s a gender-flipped western take on a classic fairytale with a cowboy losing his boot and a cattlebaron’s daughter finding it. There is action (she’s in grave danger), romance (he saves her a lot), and faith (she has some work to do on her attitude). Karen Witemeyer did a great job incorporating little details you’ll recognize from the beloved Disney version of this story, but she tweaks them so that the story feels familiar in the most delightful way and not at all stale. And if you like this one, there are two more books in her Texas Ever After series that I enjoyed just as much.
In Progress:
The world-building in this YA fantasy is detailed and lush, the characters and their motivations are complicated, and the stakes are high. I’m only about 90 pages in, but I can see why this book has so many high ratings! Isla is a Wildling, which means she is a warrior. Once every hundred years, the rulers of the six kingdoms are given the chance to compete against each other in hopes of breaking a centuries old curse that plagues each of their lands differently. Isla is young compared to most of the other rulers, but she has a plan. It’s bold, but it might work…if she can just stay alive long enough to enact it. I think I might spy a twist or two coming, which makes me all the more eager to keep reading and see if I’m right.
If you ask me for a Scottish romance recommendation, I will immediately point you to Nichole Van. Her characters are well-developed, her prose is witty, and the stories will keep you turning the pages. This one is about Lady Jane, who is in the unfortunate position of being single and at the mercy of the distant relative who is taking over her late stepfather’s estate as the new Earl of Hadley. Andrew McKenzie Hadley is a Scot, and thus looked down on by his English peers. He has no interest in being the earl, but he’s determined to make the best of things. Andrew and Jane are opposites in nearly every way, but their forced proximity soon shows that maybe they have more in common than they orginally thought. Pro tip: take your time with the dialogue and really enjoy the Scottish accents. Even better if you can get it on audio.
Listen, I am not a math person. But this book, read by the author himself, is hilariously interesting. There are so many examples of situations where theoretical math meets the real world with disastrous results. The math gets a little technical in some places, but overall the tone of the book is really approachable, and I don’t think you necessarily have to understand all the information and equations he shares in order to understand the impact.
Nova Walker is a single mom trying to start over in the small town of Arcadia Creek, and she not interested in romance. But Dusty Hayes, an objectively hot local fireman, keeps crossing her path. He’s already won over her kids with his kindness and fun personality, but will he be able to convince Nova that taking another chance on love is worth the risk? I love Kasey Stockton’s romantic comedies. She writes great characters and her banter is delightful.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Surely this book needs no introduction at this point. I have been reading the Harry Potter series as an after school read aloud to my girls since November of last year and we just started The Half-Blood Prince. I think we’ll be able to finish this one and the last one up before the end of the year.
Up Next:
I’ve read several books by J’Nell Ciesielski, and I always enjoy them. She does such a good job of creating these rich settings full of historical details that transport you to the time and place of the story. This one looks like an exciting one that promises intrigue, romance, and adventure in WWI Europe. Can’t wait to read it! Also, I got this book for my birthday, so that makes it feel a tiny bit extra special.
The twist at the end of The Prison Healer had me putting a hold on the next book, The Gilded Cage, immediately. I had to wait a while, but my hold finally came in so I’ll be listening to this dark YA fantasy romance as soon as I finish Recipe for Rivals! I love the world-building and the atmosphere in this series.
And don’t forget to check out Modern Mrs. Darcy’s monthly quick lit post for more literary goodness!