
I am WOEFULLY behind on sharing what I’ve been reading. I haven’t been reading nearly as much as I used to, pre-Riley, but I totally AM still reading and I’m super behind on sharing that.
I feel like I’ve come to terms with my new reading life. Back when she was a newborn I felt like I’d never read again or finish a book and slowly but surely I’ve gained more time to read — she started sleeping more consistently and I’m not trying to catch up on sleep. A rhythm has emerged and I’ve learned to fit reading where I can.
It’s not the same reading life I had but I’m okay with it and enjoy the time I do have to read. Plus I get to read books with Riley and that’s pretty fun to watch her find a love for them like I do. That’s pretty special thing to gain!
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The Other Side of Lost by Jessi Kirby
It’s always a treat when I get to read a Jessi Kirby book (seriously she’s so underrated and her books are some of my all time fave YA contemporaries). I really enjoyed this one — it reminded me of like a coming-of-age Wild (which is a book I totally enjoyed). The whole social media angle of this book was relatable as someone who is a creator on the internet and I enjoyed watching the main character figure out a big of who she was being unplugged and away from the eyes of the internet. I had to suspend my disbelief that she could just hike this much and this well (despite her mishaps) without having NOT done it at all but otherwise I really enjoyed her trek through the wilderness and the people she met along the way. I LOVED the group she met along the way and I secretly wish there could be a novella for each of them to know their “why” for setting out to do this hike and just their backstory! (Amazon // Barnes & Noble)
My reviews of Jessi Kirby’s other books: Golden // Moonglass // In Honor// Things We Know By Heart
The Way of Beauty by Camille Di Maio
I was really craving a historical fiction and I had this out with Kindle Unlimited so I started it and I loved this one even more than I thought I would. I loved the way Penn Station (a place I’m rather familiar with) almost is a character in its own. I loved that it is a story told about mother and daughter, in alternating points of view, a generation apart growing up and finding themselves and love in the city. I really got caught up in both of their stories — Vera finding out the love of her life is engaged but ending up becoming so close to their family, especially his charming wife Pearl, and Alice’s complicated love life. It was just a GORGEOUS book about family and love that weaved in the women’s rights movement, social classes and more. (Amazon // Barnes & Noble)

How To Walk Away by Katherine Center
This was one of the books on my must-read books for 2018 list because I ADORED her book Happiness For Beginners with all of my heart. I’m happy to report that I wasn’t disappointed with this book. I loved Margaret’s story and I felt every high and low with her vividly. Her fiance is THE WORST and I wanted to punch his fictional face. The romance was captivating but I REALLY loved the family elements and all the secrets and family dynamics that were explored between Margaret and her mom/dad/sister. It was a really fantastic read! (Amazon // Barnes & Noble)
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
OH YOU GUYS. If you are looking for a dark and cruel fantasy — you need this book in your life! I think it might be one of my favorite reads of the year for sure!! I DEVOURED it. It was full of action and twists and the world was just super brutal. I don’t read many fae books but I’m so into this. I am literally aching with a need for book 2!! (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 my list of Fall reads for 2018!




Sam@WLABB says
I was trash for The Other Side of Lost. It made me feel all the feels, and earned a solid 5-stars from me.
Jamie says
SO MANY FEELS.
Annemieke says
I am actually reading more now than I did pre-Merijn. And as he gets older I’m sure it will take a bit of a dip again. It is what it is, ne.
I really liked The Cruel Prince. 😀
Jamie says
TELL ME HOW YOU DO IT??!?
Angela says
I really liked The Other Side of Lost, too, but I also wondered how she was able to do the hike without any training or prep or anything!
Jamie says
I’m glad it’s not just me!! I’m like…I would never be able to do that lol
Melissa says
Just added Happiness for Beginners to my tbr. Never heard of that author before!
Jamie says
YESSSSS. Her books are so good!!
Jessica says
I just added a couple books that sound good to my tbr! The Way of Beauty and the Other Side of Lost! I also read and enjoyed How to Walk Away! I’d love a “if we were having coffee” post, I would love to know how you are doing post move!
Gayathri says
How to walk away seems so good. I will have to check everything you have mentioned.
Samantha Frances says
I keep hearing such good things about The Cruel Prince – I think I’m going to have to add it to my TBR! I don’t think I’ve ever read a fae book! xxx
http://www.samanthafrances.co.uk
Alexandra says
I read “The Cruel Price” earlier in the year – yeah, it is sooo brutal, but good – so many points where I was like, “ah, no, please don’t happen like that!” And it happened anyway.
A lot of my “book money” is being spent on bits & pieces for bub right now, but I do have my eye on a couple of books, both to buy (e g Neil Gaiman’s “Art matters” and to borrow (e.g. “The True History of Chocolate” by the Coes). It’s been interesting, I’ve always considered myself a firm Fiction Reader, but over the last few years I’m finding that I’m reading
and writing – and enjoying – more and more non-fiction (although if I could only pick one to read for the rest of my life, it would definitely have to be fiction).
La La in the Library says
The Way of Beauty has piqued my interest! Thanks for the heads up. 👍✨
Jamie says
It’s SO good! Let me know if you read it because I feel like I don’t know anyone else who has!
Gaby says
I really want to read The Cruel Prince by Holly Black, I don’t know why I haven’t!!
Jamie says
OMG IT IS SO GOOD GABY!!! You need to read it!!
Ruby Nash says
I really enjoyed The Other Side of Lost as well. Really impressed. My current read is Coming of Age in Berkeley. I love it as I am into forbidden romance type stories and also I grew up not far from Berkeley and when you can know where they are draws me in even more. Jake Warner is the author, it’s a really good read!