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Home | book list | The Standout Books Of 2022 (So Far!)

The Standout Books Of 2022 (So Far!)

June 30, 2022 - Updated June 30, 2022 // 1 Comment

Midway through the year and it’s time to talk about the BEST books of 2022 so far — according to me!

There’s always a question of if I have a distinction between “favorite books” and “best books” and I definitely do think that best books of the year and favorite books of the year so far can mean two totally different things but sometimes can be used interchangeably. Some favorite books of mine I can objectively say aren’t necessarily the BEST books but they have personal fave status for whatever reason.

This list, for me, is always a mishmash between those two things. There are some books that I am like “objectively this is one of the best books on a large scale” and others that fall more in “for whatever reason this book just really wormed its way into my heart and became a personal favorite regardless of its objective best status.” A lot of books on this list are both of those things — objectively best and also favorite.

Really, it’s just a gut feeling when I make this list. I peruse through everything I’ve read and see what books I rated the highest, what books stuck with me on a longer term since I read it and what book just jumps out at me more than others when I’m thinking about what my best reading experiences were this year so far.

Anyways, that being said, this reading year has been interesting. The first quarter started out steady and strong and then my life went off the rails in the spring and I’ve been in a “reading is hard” brain space. I’ve been slowly getting back to more normal reading patterns in June.

I’m still reading mostly adult fiction these days rather than back in the day when I read mostly YA books — about 30% young adult from rough calculations. So many fave YA authors wrote adult fiction this year that I’ve definitely prioritized, as another interesting tidbit from my reading habits in 2022.

Genre-wise it’s really been all over the place — mostly contemporary fiction and romance with a smattering of fantasy, thrillers and dystopian.

So, let’s get to this list! It’s in no order, honestly, based on how I went down my list of books I’ve read.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links which means that if you click on a link and purchase something I’ve talked about or recommended, I’ll receive a very small percentage of the sale. Please see my disclosure policy for more info

Best Books Of 2022 So Far This Year

Book cover for Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

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This book felt like, for me, if The Summer I Turned Pretty and Sarah Dessen’s summer-set books became grownups. The can-feel-it-in-my-bones summer setting, the pining, the romance, the flashbacks to summers past.

I loved this story so much and devoured it whole to find out what happened that summer that changed everything. The best beach read for 2022 and beyond!

Book cover for Notes On An Execution by Danya Kukafka

Notes On An Execution by Danya Kukafka

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This book is truly one of the best books of 2022 — I was so impressed by it and can’t recommend it enough. If you enjoyed Long Bright River last year, I highly recommend this one. Literary fiction meets suspense and true crime, I don’t even have adequate words for how compelling this one.

As it unravels the story of a serial killer on death row, told mostly by women in his orbit somehow though you do get chapters from him, it also explores many compelling themes including a deft exploration of society’s obsession with true crime and serial killers.

I loved how the focus is more on the women in this story. Just a brilliant book that made for some thought-provoking reflection during and after my reading of it.

Book cover for All My Rage by Sabba Tahir

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

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One of my most anticipated YA books for 2022 and I could cry just thinking about this powerful and poignant story — especially how the last chapter broke me. Heartbreaking to the bone at times but ultimately a battle-worn hopefulness to cling to with this one.

Book cover for The Unsinkable Greta James

The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith

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This one was one of my most anticipated books as it was YA author Jennifer E. Smith’s adult fiction debut and it so delivered in the ways I hoped it would.

Fantastic setting to get lost in as you watch the main character grieve the loss of her mother and navigate this trip and the shaky relationship with her father. Just a beautiful story with a dash of romance. The father-daughter story and that co-mingling of grief is what really took the cake for me with this one!

Pro tip: Mae Whitman does the narration for this one and I HIGHLY recommend in general but especially if you also like audiobooks narrated by celebrities/actors.

Book cover for Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

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I had been CRAVING a fantastic multi-generational family drama and this one totally delivered for me as it wove the layers of family secrets throughout generations and spanning continents so carefully. I gave it a full 5 stars and I stand by that still even many months later!

Book cover for Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour

Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour

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Nina LaCour’s adult debut was everything I could have wanted — a character-driven beautiful and messy coming of age novel meets a love story!!

I listened to this one on audiobook and Julia Whelan’s performance (she’s one of the best audiobook narrators ever!) was perfect as always.

The two main characters experience so much trauma so it’s definitely a more heavy book but I loved watching them both grow, heal and make their way toward one another.

If you like more character driven novels, I highly recommend this one. But don’t let that make you think this book will be slow and that nothing happens — I promise you won’t think that. Plus it had Nina’s signature GORGEOUS writing to boot!

Book cover for Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

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This was the first time I listened to one of Emily Henry’s books on audio because normally they are packed in the beach bag with me and enjoyed by a body of water. I couldn’t wait to read this one until my first beach trip so I took advantage of the early audiobook review copy I received from the publisher and LibroFM. Julia Whelan, as always, is amazing and I could not get enough of this romcom. Seriously. It made me so happy and is the perfect summertime read. I loved the sister story in addition to the rivals-to-lovers romance. The setting of this little town was so great, too. And the characters — I loved them!! Emily Henry nails it again for me!

book cover for Delillah green doesn't care

Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake

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I was in such a bad headspace when I read this one and the amount of grins and mushy heart feelings it gave me was off the charts. I loved this sapphic romance so much and the characters were absolutely so fleshed out and I really appreciated some of the exploration of family and belonging. It was smart, sexy and I cannot wait for more Bright Falls romcoms. One of the best 2022 romances for sure!

Book cover for Only A Monster

Only A Monster by Vanessa Len

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I can see why this book was pitched as This Savage Song meets Passenger but this monster-filled, time travel urban fantasy totally stands on its own. It’s planned to be the first of a trilogy and I could NOT put it down. It wasn’t just the great and propelling plot that stood out for me but also the strong world-building and the hero/anti-hero exploration.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: BEST YA BOOK SERIES

Book cover for The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead

The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead

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Woo boy this one was dark! It comes out in August and I could NOT put my early copy (c/o the publisher) down — read the majority of it on a flight! If you are fascinated by cults, don’t miss this dark thriller.

Favorite Backlist Books I Read In 2022 So Far

I always like to showcase EVERYTHING I read through the year not just books published in 2022! So let’s take a look at all my favorite books that weren’t 2022 releases.

Book cover for The Girl With THe Louding Voice by Abi Dare

The Girl With The Louding Voice by Abi Dare

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I heard raving things about this one and oh they weren’t wrong at all! Adunni is one of those rare captivating voices in fiction that you will literally won’t ever forget. Her story was so hard to read at times but you will root for Adunni at every obstacle and cheers as she preserves despite some of the awful things she’s been dealt.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: BEST BOOK CLUB BOOKS

Book Cover for NOthing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

Nothing To See Here by Kevin Wilson

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Just listen to this book on audio, trust me! It’s one of my most recommended audiobooks already because Marin Ireland just elevates this story with her narration. I appreciated this quirky, filled-with-so-much-heart story of found family! A great short book club book!

Book cover for Ace of Spades

Ace of Spades by Faridah Abike-Iyimide

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This social thriller was truly a page-turning blend of Pretty Little Liars, Gossip Girl and Get Out that kept me hooked! I listened to it on audiobook and it was fantastic.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: BEST YA BOOK CLUB BOOKS

Book cover for The Gilded Cage

The Gilded Cage by Lynette Noni

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This sequel to The Prison Healer was FANTASTIC and I’m clamoring to grab my copy of the last installment which just came out! If you enjoy YA fantasy, this series is not to be missed!

Have you read any of these? What have been your favorite or the best books of 2022 so far?

P.S. Check out these great posts:

  • Book to Movie Adaptations For 2022
  • New Thrillers To Read In 2022
  • New Historical Fiction To Read In 2022
  • Best Books For Fans of Bridgerton

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Filed Under: book list, books Tagged With: best of, book list, favorites

About Jamie

Jamie is a 32 year old married lady (with a new baby!!) who is in denial that she's actually that old to be a married lady and a mom. When she's not reading you can find her doing Pilates followed by eating ice cream, belting out Hamilton (loud and offkey) and having adventures with her husband, daughter and rescue dog.

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  1. Ethan says

    July 1, 2022 at 11:26 am

    I’ve got Yerba Buena set to read this month, so your inclusion of it on this list gets me even more excited! My favorite book so far has been Unmasked by Paul Holes. I don’t usually read non-fiction, let alone true crime, so I was pleasantly surprised by how much it has stuck with me.

    Reply

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“Why is it so hard to pick my next read?” — “Why is it so hard to pick my next read?” — she says as she is surrounded by piles on piles of books on the floor and desk and packed on her bookshelf and book cart. (Partner @berkleypub - thanks for the review copy).⁣
⁣
I managed to pick my next read, as chronicled in these photos, but it was not easy with so many options! 

Decided to go with a most anticipated book of 2022 for me from an author who has written books I’ve really enjoyed.
⁣
I am about halfway through and cruising along because I NEED to figure out if Joseph is the worst or what really is going on here in this story that starts with 3 women being stood up by the same guy on Valentine’s Day.  I feel like there is something more to this one but I can’t quite put my finger on it yet! ⁣
⁣
Hoping to finish it this weekend! What are you reading this weekend? And do you have trouble picking your next read? How do you choose amongst all the options?
Sunshine on my face and a mass market fitting perf Sunshine on my face and a mass market fitting perfectly in my hands.⁣…
⁣
Truly felt like there were zero things more joyful than the warm sun on my face after colder, dreary days and remembering how much I love the feel of reading a mass market paperback. It’s probably a very specific little joy of mine and I definitely reveled in it today.⁣
⁣
But the real big joy has been rereading this book and experiencing it all over again before @bridgertonnetflix season 2 — especially the Pall Mall scene. And something to do with a 🐝 😅 iykyk⁣
⁣
With all the joy I’m getting out of this reread it makes me wonder why I don’t prioritize rereading like I used to before I started blogging 10 years ago.⁣
⁣
In my head I just want to experience all the new stories and try to make a dent in my TBR but I forget, until I do it, the genuine pleasure in revisiting old companions and how it’s a different side of reading one can experience — the nostalgia, the person I’ve become since reading the book and the way I approach a book already knowing what happens. Well the general sense of what happens because my memory is 💩!⁣
⁣
Anyways that’s what I’m up to currently. Trying to finish this up so I can pack my books for a short trip I’m going on later this week. My first ✈️ since 2019!⁣
⁣
Whatcha reading? Do you reread often? And tell me a little teeny tiny joy from your day.
If I was a person who made Reels I would somehow m If I was a person who made Reels I would somehow mash up the “screaming, crying”  Blank Space clip with the “emotional damage” refrain to the Bastille’s Pompeii to let you know how I feel after the last few chapters of #TheGildedCage !!⁣
⁣
And if you don’t understand what that means, I’m sorry 😅⁣
⁣
But woo boy do I need the third installment of this series!!! But I also think I’m going to be even more emotional damaged after that one soooo.⁣ 
⁣
Seriously, one of the best simple joys of my life is the feeling of being so wholly and totally invested in a series that you have to remind yourself it’s fiction lest you spend all day in bed crying about the devastated look a character had on their face — a face you didn’t even see with your own two eyes but you are so invested that you feel nauseous and gutted like you sure did.⁣
⁣
Just me orrrrrr?⁣
⁣
No but for real. If you love YA fantasy, go start #theprisonhealer so you can be caught up when The Blood Traitor comes out in June (and be my emotional support person for the duration of reading it). I love these characters and I dying to see what happens next. 

Have you read this series yet? Last book series that had you SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP because of the EMOTIONAL DAMAGE it inflicted?
A real life reading photo because I couldn’t be A real life reading photo because I couldn’t be bothered to make it pretty — mismatching fuzzy sucks, coffee almost gone and Christmas pajama pants that are super old.⁣
⁣
But y’all Black Cake is so good!! I’m almost halfway through and I know it’s A Choice to declare it one of the best books I’ve read all year but I’m feeling bold based on how it’s going.⁣
⁣
I love a good family story (especially one with a family secret!) and this is top notch. The writing is 👌🏻 and I know I’m going to be screaming when the pieces come together!⁣
⁣
In other news, I’m 65% of the way through The Dry by Jane Harper and I’m enjoying it so much that I ended up staying on the treadmill twice this weekend after my allotted time was over just so I could keep listening.⁣
⁣
Will and I FINALLY started Ted Lasso this weekend. It is a damn delight!! For all the hype and praise, it has overdelivered for me which is kind of shocking because normally hype is scary. I told Will that I feel like all the praise hasn’t even come close to how much I could love it. We are only 7 episodes in so no spoilers!⁣
⁣
I’m kinda mad we sat on starting it for so long but at the same time I think the timing is right to help me see my way out of this February funk I have found myself in the past couple weeks.⁣
⁣
Anyways, hope everyone is having a good weekend! Have you read Black Cake or The Dry? Where are my Ted Lasso fans at? I’m happy to join your ranks! Also please tell me your fave character bc I am finding it impossible to pick this far!
No but seriously every year I contemplate organizi No but seriously every year I contemplate organizing a search party for one Katjay Millay who wrote one beautiful and amazing book and then...vanished.

Like for real. She wrote a tweet in 2015 that she was taking a few weeks off and then.... no tweets, no new books. Radio silence.

I hope she’s okay, for real, and that she knows I obsessively stalk Goodreads/Twitter/the internet to make sure I haven’t missed new book news from her at least twice a year. 🥺

Is there any author who you’ve been waiting forever for a new release from??

I’d also like to add YA author Sarah Ockler to this list! Last release was 2015 😭😭
Ahhh some of my absolute OG young adult faves are Ahhh some of my absolute OG young adult faves are becoming movies/tv shows soon! And one of them is out TODAY!⁣
⁣
The Sky is Everywhere — it’s out today on AppleTV+ and I can’t wait to sob my brains out. One of my absolute most favorite books ever by one of my all time favorite authors. It’s gorgeous and heartbreaking in its poignant depiction of grief, first love and healing — all woven together in Jandy’s signature gorgeous, lyrical writing.⁣
⁣
Along For The Ride (out April 22) — one of a handful upcoming @sdessen books being adapted in the near future and I can’t wait! These books are so near and dear to my heart.⁣
⁣
No release dates yet for The Summer I Turned Pretty tv series (the ultimate coming of age summertime story!) or The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight (the cutest meet cute of all meet cutes all set in 24 hours) but I am HYPED and have all my fingers crossed for 2022 🤞🤞

Have you read any of these? Anyone else hyped for these adaptations.

Also, for the past few years, I’ve kept a running list of books becoming movies/tv shows for the year. Head to my bio to check out the list! I try to update it weekly and keep on top of it all but life ya know 😆 but I try!
Is this a book club? I think we just started a boo Is this a book club? I think we just started a book club. Or maybe just a @jenniferesmith appreciation club?? (partner @randomhouse )⁣
⁣
Either way, after loving Jennifer E. Smith's YA books for years, it's been a real treat to also read her debut picture book with Riley (we loved!!) as well as her adult debut out in 3 weeks!⁣
⁣
⁣So let me tell you about that adult debut — The Unsinkable Great James!!

This one just was the perfect warm-hearted read for a cold and gloomy January.

A perfect setting to escape into (Alaska), a tender-hearted meet cute and a poignant look at the shared grieving experience of those left behind.

I was initially drawn, like I always am, to the daughter losing a mother storyline and an exploration of that grief but I was so taken by the father/daughter relationship between two people who were left untethered by losing the person who held their family together.

Greta and her father don't see eye-to-eye on basically anything when they are thrown together on this Alaskan cruise, a trip Greta's father and mother were supposed to take, and you can feel the tension of their long-standing tumultuous and fractured relationship -- a relationship that feels like its hanging in a balance and could not recover.

The two are both hurting so much from this loss  and it took my breath away at times in how true it rang to be in your own grief bubble and feeling like the loss is yours and yours alone while forgetting about the others shouldering their own piece of this loss. I loved watching them very slowly SEE one another.

I can't say enough good things about this one -- great setting, Greta's music, the meet-cute, the messy and imperfect nature of family and love. Definitely recommend!⁣
I was on a hot reading streak and now for the past I was on a hot reading streak and now for the past few days I get all cozy in bed to read at night and am asleep by 4 pages in. Will got a kick out of waking up to me basically spooning my kindle. Ebbs and flows, y’all.⁣
⁣
Let’s do a little reading update with an edition of Last, Current & Next.⁣
⁣
Last - The Girl With the Louding Voice: Adunni is by far one of the most memorable voices I’ve read in a book in a very long time. Her hope and resilience in the face of some awful situations kept me turning the pages and rooting for her. I can’t believe it took me so long to finally read it. Highly recommend!⁣
⁣
Now - Deep in Providence (thank you @fiercereads ): I’m about halfway through after I carved out some time to read early this morning and I’m enjoying this story of grief, love and magic. I’m nervous about these girls trying to resurrect their dead friend though! When I put it down today I was getting a little creeped by some things happening.⁣
⁣
Next - The Kiss of Deception: I’m rereading the first book in this YA fantasy series because it’s been forever and I really wanna finish the trilogy. I’ve been really wanting to go through series I’ve left unfinished for years (not for lack of interest but because I suck at juggling all the series I start) so this is one of them. I remember loving it so I’m excited to dive in and binge. 

Whatcha reading? Have you read any of these? Anyone else on the struggle train with reading at night right now?
Braved the downpour to get my library holds. I hop Braved the downpour to get my library holds. I hope they are worth it! Please tell me they are!⁣
⁣
This is also, before I get to the stack,  an appreciation post for my tiny library and wonderful librarians.⁣
⁣
They normally open at 9am during the week —except Fridays. Did I remember that? Nope. So I was I was SO proud of Riley and I for getting our butts in gear to be for around opening time to drop off a stack and get my new ones.⁣
⁣
And alas, I go to open the door and it’s locked. Now I’m holding Riley’s hand, two tote bags full of books, an umbrella that I’m trying to keep over the both of us, mind you. I’m thoroughly confused until it hits me that it’s Friday.⁣
⁣
So I’m like, welp, guess we are just dropping off in the bin so I try to grab my books out and put them in one-handed while juggling the umbrella and less than enthused Riley.⁣
⁣
Mercifully the door opens and  our children’s librarian takes pity on us and lets us in to drop off and pick up the holds.⁣
⁣
Is this what being a VIP as a celebrity feels like?? Sure feels like it to me 😆 for real though, it pays to be a regular and have a cute kid in tow who is being pelted with rain.⁣
⁣
Anyways excited about this stack but especially Wahala, Daughter of the Moon Goddess and How High We Go In The Dark the most.⁣
⁣
Also have been meaning to snag The World Gives Way after @jordys.book.club recommendation!⁣
⁣
Have you read any of these? Any that you think were definitely worth the rain-soaked journey for??⁣
⁣
Alright now I’m off to curl up and read on this rainy, dreary day which is really what I think a day like this is meant for.
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More about Jamie

Jamie is a 32 year old married lady (with a new baby!!) who is in denial that she's actually that old to be a married lady and a mom. When she's not reading you can find her doing Pilates followed by eating ice cream, belting out Hamilton (loud and offkey) and having adventures with her husband, daughter and rescue dog.

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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“Why is it so hard to pick my next read?” — “Why is it so hard to pick my next read?” — she says as she is surrounded by piles on piles of books on the floor and desk and packed on her bookshelf and book cart. (Partner @berkleypub - thanks for the review copy).⁣
⁣
I managed to pick my next read, as chronicled in these photos, but it was not easy with so many options! 

Decided to go with a most anticipated book of 2022 for me from an author who has written books I’ve really enjoyed.
⁣
I am about halfway through and cruising along because I NEED to figure out if Joseph is the worst or what really is going on here in this story that starts with 3 women being stood up by the same guy on Valentine’s Day.  I feel like there is something more to this one but I can’t quite put my finger on it yet! ⁣
⁣
Hoping to finish it this weekend! What are you reading this weekend? And do you have trouble picking your next read? How do you choose amongst all the options?
Sunshine on my face and a mass market fitting perf Sunshine on my face and a mass market fitting perfectly in my hands.⁣…
⁣
Truly felt like there were zero things more joyful than the warm sun on my face after colder, dreary days and remembering how much I love the feel of reading a mass market paperback. It’s probably a very specific little joy of mine and I definitely reveled in it today.⁣
⁣
But the real big joy has been rereading this book and experiencing it all over again before @bridgertonnetflix season 2 — especially the Pall Mall scene. And something to do with a 🐝 😅 iykyk⁣
⁣
With all the joy I’m getting out of this reread it makes me wonder why I don’t prioritize rereading like I used to before I started blogging 10 years ago.⁣
⁣
In my head I just want to experience all the new stories and try to make a dent in my TBR but I forget, until I do it, the genuine pleasure in revisiting old companions and how it’s a different side of reading one can experience — the nostalgia, the person I’ve become since reading the book and the way I approach a book already knowing what happens. Well the general sense of what happens because my memory is 💩!⁣
⁣
Anyways that’s what I’m up to currently. Trying to finish this up so I can pack my books for a short trip I’m going on later this week. My first ✈️ since 2019!⁣
⁣
Whatcha reading? Do you reread often? And tell me a little teeny tiny joy from your day.
If I was a person who made Reels I would somehow m If I was a person who made Reels I would somehow mash up the “screaming, crying”  Blank Space clip with the “emotional damage” refrain to the Bastille’s Pompeii to let you know how I feel after the last few chapters of #TheGildedCage !!⁣
⁣
And if you don’t understand what that means, I’m sorry 😅⁣
⁣
But woo boy do I need the third installment of this series!!! But I also think I’m going to be even more emotional damaged after that one soooo.⁣ 
⁣
Seriously, one of the best simple joys of my life is the feeling of being so wholly and totally invested in a series that you have to remind yourself it’s fiction lest you spend all day in bed crying about the devastated look a character had on their face — a face you didn’t even see with your own two eyes but you are so invested that you feel nauseous and gutted like you sure did.⁣
⁣
Just me orrrrrr?⁣
⁣
No but for real. If you love YA fantasy, go start #theprisonhealer so you can be caught up when The Blood Traitor comes out in June (and be my emotional support person for the duration of reading it). I love these characters and I dying to see what happens next. 

Have you read this series yet? Last book series that had you SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP because of the EMOTIONAL DAMAGE it inflicted?
A real life reading photo because I couldn’t be A real life reading photo because I couldn’t be bothered to make it pretty — mismatching fuzzy sucks, coffee almost gone and Christmas pajama pants that are super old.⁣
⁣
But y’all Black Cake is so good!! I’m almost halfway through and I know it’s A Choice to declare it one of the best books I’ve read all year but I’m feeling bold based on how it’s going.⁣
⁣
I love a good family story (especially one with a family secret!) and this is top notch. The writing is 👌🏻 and I know I’m going to be screaming when the pieces come together!⁣
⁣
In other news, I’m 65% of the way through The Dry by Jane Harper and I’m enjoying it so much that I ended up staying on the treadmill twice this weekend after my allotted time was over just so I could keep listening.⁣
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Will and I FINALLY started Ted Lasso this weekend. It is a damn delight!! For all the hype and praise, it has overdelivered for me which is kind of shocking because normally hype is scary. I told Will that I feel like all the praise hasn’t even come close to how much I could love it. We are only 7 episodes in so no spoilers!⁣
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I’m kinda mad we sat on starting it for so long but at the same time I think the timing is right to help me see my way out of this February funk I have found myself in the past couple weeks.⁣
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Anyways, hope everyone is having a good weekend! Have you read Black Cake or The Dry? Where are my Ted Lasso fans at? I’m happy to join your ranks! Also please tell me your fave character bc I am finding it impossible to pick this far!
No but seriously every year I contemplate organizi No but seriously every year I contemplate organizing a search party for one Katjay Millay who wrote one beautiful and amazing book and then...vanished.

Like for real. She wrote a tweet in 2015 that she was taking a few weeks off and then.... no tweets, no new books. Radio silence.

I hope she’s okay, for real, and that she knows I obsessively stalk Goodreads/Twitter/the internet to make sure I haven’t missed new book news from her at least twice a year. 🥺

Is there any author who you’ve been waiting forever for a new release from??

I’d also like to add YA author Sarah Ockler to this list! Last release was 2015 😭😭
Ahhh some of my absolute OG young adult faves are Ahhh some of my absolute OG young adult faves are becoming movies/tv shows soon! And one of them is out TODAY!⁣
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The Sky is Everywhere — it’s out today on AppleTV+ and I can’t wait to sob my brains out. One of my absolute most favorite books ever by one of my all time favorite authors. It’s gorgeous and heartbreaking in its poignant depiction of grief, first love and healing — all woven together in Jandy’s signature gorgeous, lyrical writing.⁣
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Along For The Ride (out April 22) — one of a handful upcoming @sdessen books being adapted in the near future and I can’t wait! These books are so near and dear to my heart.⁣
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No release dates yet for The Summer I Turned Pretty tv series (the ultimate coming of age summertime story!) or The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight (the cutest meet cute of all meet cutes all set in 24 hours) but I am HYPED and have all my fingers crossed for 2022 🤞🤞

Have you read any of these? Anyone else hyped for these adaptations.

Also, for the past few years, I’ve kept a running list of books becoming movies/tv shows for the year. Head to my bio to check out the list! I try to update it weekly and keep on top of it all but life ya know 😆 but I try!
Is this a book club? I think we just started a boo Is this a book club? I think we just started a book club. Or maybe just a @jenniferesmith appreciation club?? (partner @randomhouse )⁣
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Either way, after loving Jennifer E. Smith's YA books for years, it's been a real treat to also read her debut picture book with Riley (we loved!!) as well as her adult debut out in 3 weeks!⁣
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⁣So let me tell you about that adult debut — The Unsinkable Great James!!

This one just was the perfect warm-hearted read for a cold and gloomy January.

A perfect setting to escape into (Alaska), a tender-hearted meet cute and a poignant look at the shared grieving experience of those left behind.

I was initially drawn, like I always am, to the daughter losing a mother storyline and an exploration of that grief but I was so taken by the father/daughter relationship between two people who were left untethered by losing the person who held their family together.

Greta and her father don't see eye-to-eye on basically anything when they are thrown together on this Alaskan cruise, a trip Greta's father and mother were supposed to take, and you can feel the tension of their long-standing tumultuous and fractured relationship -- a relationship that feels like its hanging in a balance and could not recover.

The two are both hurting so much from this loss  and it took my breath away at times in how true it rang to be in your own grief bubble and feeling like the loss is yours and yours alone while forgetting about the others shouldering their own piece of this loss. I loved watching them very slowly SEE one another.

I can't say enough good things about this one -- great setting, Greta's music, the meet-cute, the messy and imperfect nature of family and love. Definitely recommend!⁣

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