Loved this read! The voice was fun, the tension was tight throughout, there’s a seed of romance, the narration was amazing, and I honestly didn’t know who did it until the end. Honestly this may be my favorite read of the year so far, and I highly recommend for anyone looking for a fast-paced whodunnit!
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Thanks for reading!
My 7-year-old and 9-year-old were having a discussion about why books are banned, so we listened to this audiobook (which is delightfully narrated by Neil Patrick Harris), and which is also banned in an adjacent county. I’d actually read it to them when they were younger and we found it on their daycare shelf, but they don’t remember.
It’s an adorable, charming book with sweet pictures that they enjoyed when they were young.
As older children, discussing why someone would want to ban this book (and others) was invaluable. Highly recommend.
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Thanks for reading!
I read this aloud to my 7-year-old and 9-year-old on our vacation, and they both said they “loved it.” (The highest praise on their 3-star scale.) I will admit the sheer number of clever turn of phrases in this book is wild, and they enjoyed the silliness of Milo’s wacky adventure. Though the tension isn’t as high as in some of the other books we’ve read together, they were both still asking for more chapters each night. I imagine a watch of the movie is in our future and highly recommend for a read aloud with elementary schoolers.
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Thanks for reading!
I read this one aloud to my 7-year-old and 9-year-old on our vacation. There was lots to discuss and learn about the Holocaust, WWII and what it means to be brave. They kept asking me to keep reading and in the end, they both said they “liked it.” (My kids rate books on a 3-star scale: I loved it, I liked it, or not for me.) It was a super fast read that kept us turning pages, and I definitely recommend it, especially if you’re looking for a read-aloud historical fiction that kids will both understand and want to talk about.
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Thanks for reading!
So far in 2024, I read (and by read, I mean, mostly listened to, as I’m primarily an audiobook listener) 82 books! Like last year, I scrolled through my Goodreads reviews and tried to pick out the reads that were a cut above the rest, and tried to bin them in a genre.
For the record, I usually love fast-paced books with likable characters and satisfying endings. Throw a slowburn romance in there, and you’ve got me completely hooked. That said, sometimes the books I like the most are those I had no idea I was looking for. This year, I feel like my 8 favorites were all over the map.
Without further ado (and in no particular order):
So I read a lot of good middle grade this year, but this one was truly just a magical, cozy adventure. This book started me on T. Kingfisher reading binge, and I absolutely just adore the way her characters pop and her unique stories unfold. Can’t recommend this one enough. Full review here!
The show was amazing, and yet the graphic novel was somehow better. This series sucked me in so much I basically put everything else on hold so I could devour them. The characters are lovely, the art is fantastic, and the story just feels so poignantly YA, it’s really just jaw-droppingly good. I blew through the first five books, and you can find the full review here!
This one was so completely atmospheric and transportive. The writing was fantastic, the characters were delightful, and months later, I’m still thinking about this book. Quite frankly, this may have been one of the best fairy tale retellings I think I’ve ever read. And this was her debut!?! Seriously, I can’t wait for more from Poranek. Full review here.
I’d file this under: books I didn’t know I needed in my life. Apparently this a LitRPG, and six audiobooks later (each of which are about 20 hours long), I still can’t get enough. Action-packed, hilarious, and with incredible world-building, if this series could actually never end, that would be awesome. Impatiently waiting for the seventh audiobook in 2025. Full review of books 1-6 here!
I have a 6-year-old and an 8-year-old, so I have read *a lot* of picture books in the last five years, and it’s very rare that one sticks out. Really have to give it this one for being the full package with lovely illustrations, writing, and message. Full review here.
This was my first read of 2024, and I knew pretty much immediately that it would make this list. Hilarious, disturbing, and deep all at once, with turns that keep you guessing, I basically ran to recommend this to my friends. I definitely need more smart horror like this. Full review here.
This one legit jumped out of nowhere at me. Like seriously, I think I was aimlessly scrolling through the Libby app when I stumbled upon it. But it was just a such a sweet romance (with a little spice), I can’t even. I get a warm fuzzy feeling just thinking about it! Full review here!
I read a *lot* of books that didn’t live up to the hype this year. This was not one of them. Ali Hazelwood books have been hit or miss for me, but this was a big hit. A vampire, werewolf world with the feel of a romcom? Um, yes please. Fingers seriously crossed for a sequel. Full review here.
2024 was another fantastic year of reading! I’m still catching my blog up on my Goodreads reviews, but if I missed some of your favorites from this year, definitely drop them in the comments and I’ll check them out on Goodreads! Please remember to support your favorite authors with ratings and reviews to spread the word about their amazing books, and as always, thanks for reading! 😊
So far in 2023, I read (and by read, I mean, mostly listened to, as I’m primarily an audiobook listener) 66 books! Instead of categories or a top 10, for this year’s favorite lists, I scrolled through my Goodreads reviews and tried to pick out the reads that were a cut above the rest of me.
For the record, I usually love fast-paced books with likable characters and satisfying endings. Throw a slowburn romance in there, and you’ve got me completely hooked. That said, sometimes the books I like the most are those I had no idea I was looking for. This year, I read three fantasies, three romances, and one wildcard that rose above the rest.
Without further ado (and in no particular order):
Okay, this one was a *complete* surprise. I’m not a huge middle grade reader, but I’m a sucker for a magical school. The writing in this one was so completely fabulous, and while the comparison to Harry Potter is unavoidable, I loved the family dynamics, the rich magic system, and the bigger themes here. Honestly, when I started reading this, I was like, why aren’t more people talking about this book?! Highly recommend, and I will TOTALLY be reading the sequel. Full Review here!
Defy the Night (book one of this series) was one of my favorite reads of 2022, and this sequel did not disappoint! More fast-paced action and fun romance. Though I didn’t necessarily enjoy the third POV added here, I really liked the plot development and will totally be reading book 3. Full Review here!
Normally, I find that incredibly hyped books rarely live up to expectations, but this one totally did. The writing, the characters, the unique setting… it was almost like You’ve Got Mail, in a WWII setting, with magic. I loved just about everything about it. (Except that cliff-hanger ending!) I’ve recommended it to pretty much everyone I know and currently have the sequel on hold at the library. Full review here.
Another book that totally lived up to the hype. After loving Beach Read, this one cemented me as a Emily Henry fan. Perfectly balanced between thoughtful and fun, with characters that just sizzle with chemistry. Even though this was one of my earlier reads in this year, it has totally stuck with me. And now I’m on hold for Henry’s next book, Happy Place as well! Full review here.
Felicity Chen might be one of my favorite rom-com heroines. Her voice is so punchy and fun, the romance was perfectly executed, and the premise of a reality show in the world of titanium and gold matching technology was *chef’s kiss.* I would LOVE to have more books in this world, and a movie, pleassseee!! Full review here.
This was one I didn’t know I was looking for. A darker, more literary historical fiction outside of my normal reading wheelhouse, I fully enjoyed this masterpiece. It was actually only after reading this that I realized I’ve really loved most of Lehane’s work. This was no exception. Despite the grittiness of the tale and the instensely flawed characters, something about that ending was so satisfying. Highly recommend, and fully expect a movie. Full review here.
Another fantastic contemporary romance that totally sold me as a Jimenez Fan. (I’ve now read all the books she’s published so far and can’t wait to read her next release.) Her banter is always delightful, and her characters so loveable even as this one explores a deeper blend of themes. Reading a Jimenez book feels like easing into a hot bath, and I can’t wait to read more of her work! Full review here.
It was a such a great reading year! I’m still catching my blog up on my Goodreads reviews. But if I missed some of your favorites from this year, definitely drop them in the comments and I’ll check them out on Goodreads! Please remember to support your favorite authors with ratings and reviews to spread the word about their amazing books, and as always, thanks for reading! 😊
I’m not going to lie. I was scared to read this book, because I don’t trust sequels. I loved Defy the Night SO much, I was so scared the sequel wouldn’t live up to it. But, it did NOT disappoint. Tessa and Corrick are back and facing new troubles in both the kingdom and their relationship that flow well from the first book and make a lot of sense. The new adventure takes us onto a ship (which I love) with a dashing captain (who I also love), and intrigue and twists to spare. The only two things that fell a little flat for me were the third POV (which I won’t spoil) and I did wish that Tessa had more of a stronger role in this book. I felt like she played more of a supporting/pawn role here than in the first book, but I think it’s set up perfectly for her to come into her own big time in book 3. I also loved the narration of the audiobook—couldn’t put it down—and look forward to the third!
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Thanks for reading!
Dannnnnng. This was a good friggen book.
Okay. THIS BOOK. This was another one that I came into with big expectations. The hype has been CRAZY, and I loved Beach Read (though not People We Meet on Vacation, so this was an Emily Henry tiebreaker for me.)
And boy, did she deliver. The characters are likable and relatable, they had great chemistry, the concept is fun, and the twists fit perfectly like missing puzzle pieces. One thing I love about this book and Beach Read is that while it is, at its core, a romance, it goes so much deeper than just the relationship and I love the growth her characters undergo in her novels. Her writing is beautiful as she peels back the onion layers of her characters, and I am so here for every word. Also the audiobook narration is fantastic. There is some steam and language so if you’re not into that, beware, but otherwise, I’m recommending this one to all romance fans, and I’ll definitely be picking up Emily Henry’s next book, whatever it is.
My favorite read of the year so far. Five glittering stars.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thanks for reading!
I feel like this is one of those personality tests I didn’t know I was taking! I completed my Goodreads challenge, and have managed to read 61 published (so not counting beta reads) books this year! I’ll probably squeeze in a few more before the end of the year, and if I’m lucky enough to stumble across another contender this late in the game, I’ll be sure to update accordingly!
For the record, I usually love fast-paced books with likable characters and satisfying endings. Throw a slowburn romance in there, and you’ve got me completely hooked. That said, sometimes the books I like the most are those I had no idea I was looking for.
Without further ado (and in no particular order):
Not only is this the best Young Adult book I read this year, but this is probably one of the best young adult books I have read EVER. Yeah. A contemporary rivals-to-lovers romance with a fun premise that is paced to perfection. Seriously, give me the movie now!!! *Grabby hands* Full Review here!
Okay. I read Kemmerer’s A Curse so Dark and Lonely and enjoyed it, but not enough to read the sequel. THIS book, however, was on a completely different level, and I will DEFINITELY be reading the next book in the series. I adored the double POV here, the high stakes, the interesting world – basically everything I love about books. And I currently have the book 2 audiobook on hold! Squee! Full Review here!
Okay, you know I think highly of a romance when I recommend it to my mom, and I can definitely say we both loved this one. Emily Henry’s “People We Meet on Vacation” didn’t work for me, but I absolutely adored this one. I loved the emotional depth, and the progression of their relationship was just so sweet. Loved it, and I have the Book Lovers audiobook on hold now. Full review here.
This one’s definitely not my usual read, but I’m so glad I picked it up. Nana’s voice is so strong, and lends a light, sardonic air to this bittersweet reflection on life. Heavy and yet so soothing at the same time. Yes, I loved this one too. Full review here.
Okay, generally speaking, I’m not a series person. If the first one is amazing, I often find the sequel disappoints. And if the first one wasn’t amazing, why would I want to read the second. It’s such a trap! However… sometimes they do suck me in, and this one was SO worth. The characters, the romance, their quirky little town, the mystery – I loved it all, and I would read a million more of these suckers. Please write more Sunshine Vicram novels! Pleassseee! Full review here.
A fantastic reading year over all! But if you think I missed some of your favorites, please feel free to drop them in the comments and I’ll check them out on Goodreads! I’m always on the lookout for new gems, and I’m excited to see what books 2023 brings my way. Please remember to support your favorite authors with ratings and reviews, and as always, thanks for reading! 😊
The Travelling Cat Chronicles was an unexpected gem. Told from a cat’s perspective, the story follows a sardonic stray (Nana) as he is adopted by a Satoru, a kind, optimistic cat-person with a somewhat tragic backstory. The main meat of the plot follows Satoru as he visits his friends across Japan trying to find a place for Nana to stay.
And it is just incredibly poignant, thoughtful, funny-in-turns, and in the end completely satisfying. The themes of friendship, the journey of life, and closure are so well delivered here, but in such a flowing, peaceful fashion, punctuated by amusing commentary from the sarcastic cat (especially in contrast with his benevolent owner.)
This is one that’s hard to give justice through a review so you really just have to go read it (or listen to it, because the audiobook is narrated fantastically). Definitely one of my favorite books of 2022, and I’m absolutely adding it to my list of books that I shall now go recommend to everyone and their grandmother. A truly beautiful novel. Don’t miss this one.
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Thanks for reading!
Hayley Reese Chow 