What’s up bookworms?? What’s new in your reading life?
I’ve been reading A LOT of library books. My library holds have been coming in at a ridiculous pace and I’m struggling to keep up with them. I don’t think I’ve even read a book outside of my library books.
I had a bit of a reading break this past 2 weeks because I was sick (and basically just slept with the spare moments I could sleep) and then I went to Disney. BUT I’ve been back home and reading again.
Anyways, let’s get to talking about what I’ve been reading lately!
[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.]
Gildead by Marilynne Robinson
I feel like I was TOTALLY missing something here with this book. I’ve owned it for YEAAAARS and finally decided to tackle it. I had heard nothing but wonderful things about it and it’s won so many awards and crap. But I just didn’t get it. I should have put it down but I just kept waiting for it to click. I was bored to tears and didn’t care about any of the characters at all. It’s slow-moving and I don’t typically get tripped up by that but that combined with not connecting in any way to the characters just made it fall flat. TELL ME WHAT I MISSED. TELL ME WHY YOU LOVED IT. (Amazon // Barnes & Noble)
The Darkest Minds & Never Fade (book 2) by Alexandra Bracken
I am so happy I finally picked this series up! I really needed a page-turning book to read and I devoured the first two books of this series and I would have finished the 3rd book had my avalanche of library books not come in. I’ve really missed reading dystopian books so I was excited to jump into this series. CANNOT WAIT TO FINISH. (Amazon // Barnes & Noble)
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
Definitely one of my favorite books I read this year! I loved the alternating stories of the grandmother when she was a young girl during the revolution in Cuba and her story of what led up to them fleeing and then the granddaughter returning to Cuba in the present day and learning more of her family’s history and her grandmother’s story. A great multi-generational family drama! (Amazon // Barnes & Noble)
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
This one was another one on my most anticipated book list for this year and I wasn’t disappointed. It was very page-turning even though I’m not quite why it was so page-turning considering it was a pretty slow novel. Just very compelling — I wanted to see how this marriage would turn out. The whole thing broke my heart basically but it explores a lot of really weighty issues perfectly without being heavy-handed. (Amazon // Barnes & Noble)
Ghosted by Rosie Walsh
Another on my most anticipated list! I really enjoyed this one. It was a mismash of a romance and a mystery and I couldn’t wait to figure out what the heck happened to this guy and why he ghosted her. It definitely unfolded WAY differently than I had imagined but I really enjoyed the story and the twists. The thing that keeps this book from being a GREAT book is that I just didn’t feel that invested in this whirlwind romance that started this whole thing. (Amazon // Barnes & Noble)
The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams
Another on my most anticipated list! I thought this was a good and engaging read that I definitely couldn’t put down with all the drama and secrets and STUFF that happened. But it was just that…just enjoyable but didn’t really do much more for me! This was my first one from this author but I’ve heard from people that others are better! (Amazon // Barnes & Noble)
Have you read any of these? What did you think?! Any of these going on your TBR? Tell me what you’ve been reading!
Need more reading inspiration? Check out this list of books for fans of Pretty Little Liars or past books recommended by various reading moods !
Beas book blog says
Oh, can’t wait to read An American Marriage. I just picked it up at the library (thanks to you and your blog posts!). Right now I am reading Sadie by Courtney Summers.
Jamie says
Oh I hope you love it too! Let me know what you think! And oooh Sadie has been on my TBR and I really need to get to it!
Annemieke says
The Darkest Minds is so much fun!
Jamie says
SO FUN! I can’t wait to finish the series. Have you watched the movie?
Annemieke says
Nooo ._. They barely showed it anywhere here and going to the movies is hard if I have to go across the country haha. So I’m just going to wait until I come across it on dvd. Same with Love, Simon. ._.
megan says
I’m the same with Gilead. It’s been on my self for years and I keep trying to read it and putting it down because it’s dreadfully boring. I recently threw in the towel and donated it.
Liz says
I have read all of Williams’ books and this one, while enjoyable, was definitely one of my least favorites. I highly recommend picking up one of her other novels!
Cori says
I agree with so much in your post! Ghosted was way different than I thought but I couldn’t stop reading!! Havana was just amazing (new book by the author bect Spring…..yay!) And Williams book was the same, good but nothing that sets it apart! Hope your next few books are just as good!
Krystianna says
I have heard such good things about The Darkest Minds. I really want to check out the new movie, too.
Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian
K. Elizabeth says
I’ve been rereading the Harry Potter series with my son. All of my library holds have been coming in back to back as well. I’ve been trying to stay on top of them and get everything read. I’m finishing up Dread Nation and hoping to get started on A Blade So Black over the weekend.
Sarah J. says
I absolutely adored An American Marriage! It wasn’t on my radar for the longest time until I saw a review on Goodreads and I’m so glad I listened to the audiobook. It was phenomenal! So glad to see that you also loved it.
Susan (Bloggin' 'bout Books) says
I haven’t read any of these, but I am looking forward to reading HAVANA. I also want to read more Beatriz Williams since I enjoyed THE GLASS OCEAN. Her books have been on my TBR list for years — I just haven’t gotten around to reading her yet. Maybe I won’t start with THE SUMMER WIVES, though 🙂
Jamie says
I’ve heard great things about The Glass Ocean. But yeah it seems the consensus is that The Summer Wives isn’t her strongest according to fans. I enjoyed it but there wasn’t anything WOW about it.
Gayathri says
Wow that is a lot of books. I couldn’t get into Gilead at all and I DNF-ed it within a few pages. Thankfully it was a borrowed copy, else I would have struggled through the end. Sigh. Have a great week ahead.
Jamie says
I’m glad it wasn’t just me!!! I thought I was missing SOMETHING lol
Charlotte says
I have a copy of Gilead lurking in my calibre library and have never gotten round to reading it. I might not bother as the consensus is it’s boring as hell. The American Marriage looks good.
Jamie says
Yeah, I honestly don’t think you are missing anything! Definitely read American Marriage though!!