Hey reader fam!
Can you believe that it’s almost halfway through 2021? How did we get here?! I have been spending the last week moving, and can say with sincerity that I have never been more exhausted in my life. I’ve definitely been feeling the stress of the week, and have been giving myself some grace when it comes to my reading life. In positive news, check out the view from my new reading chair!
I don’t have too much to update in terms of recent and current reads, but I’m still going to add a lot of exciting books to your TBR this newsletter. Let’s dive in!
The single book I've read recently
What if it’s Us by Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli: What a heartfelt story! I was in need of some YA romance to pull me out of some life stress, and this one was perfect. We follow two boys from vastly different life experiences who, upon a chance encounter, discover one another and find love in the process. This one is chalk full of nods to Broadway musicals, performers, and songs - so if that’s something in your wheelhouse it will be an added bonus to your enjoyment! Buy a copy here!
Currently reading (listening to)…
The Last Story of Mina Lee by Nancy Jooyoun Kim: I thought that this was just a story exploring a mother/daughter relationship, but this one is also a bit of a mystery! I’m enjoying the blend of intrigue and deeper themes. I’m listening to this one on audio via Libro.fm. If you want to support local through an audiobook subscription, I highly recommend getting a Libro membership. You can sign up here. (If you sign up via my link, I receive audiobook credits, which means more content for you!)
May releases I’m excited about
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry: I enjoyed Beach Read but didn’t seem to adore it the way many readers did, but I’ve enjoyed Henry’s backlist in YA titles, so I’m still eager to give this one a go. I love a romance and a feel good story, especially during stressful life seasons. Preorder a copy here!
The Bookshop of Second Chances by Jackie Fraser: This one would go great in a bookish flight with The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan. It has a Scottish coastal setting, a sweet love story, and is the perfect summer read for a night on the porch with a glass of white wine. Buy a copy here!
Hurricane Summer by Asha Bromfield: First of all, this cover is absolutely stunning. Secondly, this book discusses so many intersections of race, gender, wealth, and mental health that I found to be quite poignant. It’s a coming of age story (a favorite trope of mine), and a family story about a father and daughter and their complicated relationship. It holds themes on colorism and classism, and it’s consumable while also exploring important topics. Buy yourself a copy here!
The Guncle by Stephen Rowley: This one just seems perfect for summer reading! I really enjoyed Lily and the Octopus and The Editor, and I have a feeling I will love this one as well. Rowley does a great job at creating lovable characters and heartfelt stories, then centering them around important issues. The Guncle is about a famous gay sitcom star that is left with his niece and nephew after a tragic family incident. Knowing Rowley, I’m sure this novel will be filled with warmth, depth, and hilarity. Preorder yourself a copy here!
Books I can’t stop thinking about
Because I haven’t been reading as much recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about the books that I have read. There are some books that I read prior to this year that have really stuck out to me, and I think of them often. I’m going to share a few of them with you.
Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven: This one flies under the radar a bit, having only 5000 or so ratings on Goodreads; however, it’s ratings are pretty high, and for good reason. This story is unique in it’s interview style and structure, each chapter being from the perspective of a different interviewee. It follows a group of teens - and a few adults - that were abandoned at a theme park during a hurricane. Some park attendees didn’t make it to the rescue buses on time, and unfortunately for them, the hurricane was the least of their worries. The fight for survival becomes all too real. There is murder. Some people stick together in organized groups, and some forge their own path. But regardless…blood is shed, terror ensues, and nobody knows who they can trust.
This under-hyped horror novel is gripping, propulsive, and terrifying. But so unique in its structure and plot. If you want something exciting to read while the weather warms, please pick this one up! I also recommend the audio. There are only two performers, but they’re so talented, it’s like listening to a full cast. Buy yourself a copy here!
Lovely War by Julie Berry: In this delightful and deeply moving YA novel, the Greek Goddess Aphrodite tells a story to her husband, Hephestus, and her lover, Ares, to help answer the age-old question: Why are Love and War forever drawn to one another? She weaves together two stunning romances that are each set during the pinnacle of WWI. The narrative holds hope and hardship close together in a way that makes it manageable to consume, which I believe to be perfect for the marketed Young Adult audience. It is sweet, romantic, and tender - perfect for those readers who want a foray into romance without explicit content if this is something you are sensitive to. Buy yourself a copy here!
The Poppy War by RF Kuang: A fantastic military fantasy, that also provides educational insight into Chinese history. The plot follows Rin, a war orphan who was able to test into Sinegard, a very prestigious military academy. The first half of the book follows her training at the academy (calling all school setting lovers!), and the second half involves war and military strategy. The events in this story represent The Nanking Massacre and The Rape of Nanking. This book is absolutely brutal. The narrative does not shy away from the atrocities that occurred when the Japanese invaded China and effectuated genocide. The author explains that her intention was to simulate this event, and not try and sugar coat an event that was so horrifically terrorizing. I understand why the author made this choice, but I don’t think this book will be appreciated by every reader. The specific chapter holding the events from the Nanking Massacre is a hard chapter to read. Rin also represents an important, yet villainous figure in Chinese history, Mao Zedong. It follows a character who you want to make good choices, but who consistently becomes consumed by the hunger for revenge and power. If you like Military fantasy, you can’t miss this one. Buy yourself a copy here!
Fun bookish news and closing notes
Before I let you go:
I stumbled upon two new Little Free Libraries this week! I was able to stock them up with many of the books I culled from my shelves before moving. Look how cute they are!
I hope you’re able to find some bookish serendipity and joy this weekend. Happy reading!
Xo,
-H