Books in Progress: What I’m Reading Right Now – May 2019

Do you set reading goals for yourself? For instance, a total number of books per year, to read more diversely, or to only read what you already have on your shelves? I tend to be pretty loose with my reading goals, just setting a total number I hope to hit in a year and letting the categories play out as they may. This year my goal is 85 books, which is 6 more than my highest total thus far.

Which begs the question, how am I doing so far? The answer is pretty well! As of this writing I have finished a total of 37 books, which puts me trending for 88 books in 2019. I’m glad I have a little three book cushion on that total since I’m heading into an employment change that is eating up a lot of my reading time. But I still think I’ll hit my goal and I’m using a lot of my 6 Tips for Reading More to help me make it there!

And the best part of all this reading is that so far I’ve really been enjoying almost every book I’ve picked so far this year. Below are some of the awesome books I’ve been reading lately – and don’t forget to leave me a comment so everyone can see what you are reading as well! I think we can all agree there is no such thing as a TBR stack that’s too tall…

This post contains affiliate links, which means I might make some fancy coffee money at no extra expense to you if you buy something through one of my links. Read more about that here. 

Just Finished:

The Next Right Thing

This book has been getting a lot of hype, and rightfully so. I found it to be a very helpful, encouraging look at the things that hold us back from making decisions with gentle suggestions for moving past them. And I’m not the only one who loves it – out of 300 Amazon reviews she is holding steady at 5.0 stars! I wrote a full review of it last week if you want more details.

The Elite

I know I’ve mentioned the Selection series a time or two before, and that’s because I am straight up addicted to this YA dystopian series. It’s about an average girl named America competing to be chosen for marriage to the prince (think teenage royal bachelor). America bucks all traditions and challenges every rule, winning her the favor of the people trapped in a caste system, but making an enemy of the king. The prince seems to care for her, but as she sees how life in the palace really is, America isn’t sure she even wants to be chosen.

The One

To give you an idea of the level of my obsession, I started reading this book before I even left the library with it and finished it just over 24 hours later. This third book in the Selection series was just as fast paced as the first two and I’m looking forward to the next two books in the series. Friday library trip, here I come!

In Progress:

The King’s Mercy

I’ve had my eye on this book for months, so when the publisher reached out to me about getting an early review copy I said, “Um, YES!”. I didn’t need The Next Right Thing to make that decision. This book releases June 4th and you need to keep your eye out for it, because I’m about 25% in and it is solidly living up to my expectations. I adore historical fiction and I think this one is going to be a winner.

9 Common Lies Christians Believe

My husband and I share an Audible account and this is a book that he listened to and recommended to me. It highlights common sayings you often hear from Christians like “God won’t give you more than you can handle” and explores why those statements are false and how the truth is even better. I’m really enjoying it and learning a lot as I listen.

Up Next:

The Heir

I’m a goner for this series, you guys. If this book isn’t at the library when I go back later this week I might shed a tear. The Heir picks up twenty years after the end of book three, and follows America and Maxon’s daughter as she enters into her own selection to find a husband.

The Woman in the White Kimono

As previously mentioned, I love historical fiction. This book appealed to me because it’s a split-timeline novel that takes place in 1957 Japan and present day America, and while I know quite about my own country I know next to nothing about the history of Japan. I’m excited to dive into this one in a few days and post a review of it later this month around it’s release date on May 28th.

Ever Faithful

This book is also historical fiction, set in Yellowstone National Park 1933. It follows a young man named Nate who joins the Civilian Conservation Corps to get out of Brooklyn, despite the fact that he doesn’t technically qualify. Elsie is working in the CCC camp in an effort to save enough money for college, and agrees to help Nate keep his secret as she tutors him. I’ve never been to Yellowstone so I’m excited to get a glimpse at it and learn more of it’s history through the pages of this book.

Thanks to Modern Mrs. Darcy for hosting a quick lit link up! Go check her out if you want to see what even more bloggers are reading right now.

What have you been reading lately?