Whoops! This post is coming to you late, mostly because I’m ashamed at how little I’ve been reading! There’s a weird combination of settling into a new work routine (although it’s been two months, so I probably can’t use that excuse much longer), and having the hardest time getting into anything. I’m not sure I’ll be able to hit my goal of 52 books this year, but who knows! All the more reason to be glad I hit my travel goal, to be honest. The reading has picked up a bit lately, but for now, here are the books I finished earlier this summer…

The Nightingale, Kristin Hannah

This is literally the only book I read in June. To the surprise of nobody, it’s World War II historical fiction set in France – aka my favorite very specific genre (I read All the Light We Cannot See while lying on a beach in the Bahamas in March). I was thrilled that The Nightingale focused on the women “left behind” while their husbands were at war, and shed light on everything women did for their families and their countries. I highly recommend it. Four stars

Eleanor & Park, Rainbow Rowell

My best friend suggested I read some Rainbow Rowell when I said I was struggling to find anything, and I remembered reading and loving Attachments several years ago, so I got Eleanor & Park on audiobook and listened to it. It’s young adult, sure, but a great, realistic story. And it was SUCH a nice change to read a book with an ambiguous ending – and no promise of a sequel. Sometimes things should be left up to the imagination! But if that would bother you – this isn’t your book. Three stars

Under the Banner of Heaven, Jon Krakauer

After so many novels in a row I went on a non-fiction kick, specifically non-fiction written by journalists. There’s a bit of controversy over how accurately Under the Banner of Heaven portrays modern-day Mormons, but I found at least the historical pieces to be extremely educational. This book is part history, part crime thriller, and 100% journalistic. Three stars

The End of the Perfect 10, Dvora Meyers

This book came out in the lead-up to the Olympics and I bought it right away. I’m a huge gymnastics fan (and not just every four years!) so it was fascinating to get an in-depth look at how scoring and the sport have changed over time. Even though I already knew the basics of the changes, I loved reading exclusive interviews and getting different perspectives. Highly recommend if you’re a sports fan in general, and if you loved watching Team USA dominate in Rio! Four stars, due to an overabundance of unnecessary pop-culture references

So, that’s where I’m at! Including August so far, I’ve read 27 books this year (52% of my way to 52!) I’m clearly in desperate need of suggestions, so fire away in the comments, and follow me on Goodreads here.

I wrote this post on May 29, and the intro read…

It was a very average month for me, with four books read and a few others started. Although it feels very slow-going, I’m officially only one book behind on my goal of 52 for the year, with 20 read so far. Considering that not long ago I was only reading 20 books a year, I’m trying very hard to feel accomplished! Here’s what I read in May…

And then I closed my laptop, picked up a novel, and read the whole thing in three sittings, finishing up on May 31. SO, now I am on track and, yes, feeling accomplished!

Choose Yourself, James Altucher

I saw this book on one of those lists (can’t remember where!) of books that millennials should read, particularly if they’re interested in entrepreneurship. Although that doesn’t really apply to me, I’m usually interested and inspired by these kind of reads (I read #Girlboss back in March and enjoyed it), and it was available for free through the Kindle Lending Library, so I decided to give it a go. Unfortunately, despite a strong start, the premise ended up being “just have an idea and then make a million dollars!” which is… more discouraging than anything else. Two stars

Crazy Rich Asians, Kevin Kwan

This novel has been on my list FOREVER and I finally decided to give it a go via audiobook – my first time listening to a book that isn’t a memoir or autobiography read by the author. I was surprised that I LOVED listening to it – the reader, Lynn Chen, was incredible at coming up with unique voices for each of the characters. The story was captivating and it was so fun to learn about this world of crazy rich Asians – however embellished the book may be. I’ve already downloaded the sequel! Four stars

Living History, Hillary Rodham Clinton

In my ongoing attempt to be an informed voter in this insane election year, I decided to read (listen to) Clinton’s memoir from her time as first lady. (I read her book about being secretary of state in 2014). Although I generally consider things that happened in the ’90s to be irrelevant to where our country is heading, it was definitely fascinating to learn more about things that happened when I was too young to understand. Four stars

Neither Here Nor There: Travels in Europe, Bill Bryson

This was my first Bryson book, and frankly, I was disappointed. It was fun to read about different cities in Europe, about half of which I’ve visited myself,  but Bryson came across as whiny and privileged, and the book was more about him than about the places he explored. I’ve since heard that this is one of his less-impressive works, so I do still plan to read more, but it was a bummer of an introduction to a man who is generally considered an incredible travel writer.

Brooklyn, Colm Toibin

The winner for the month, the first time in a long time I’ve gotten so swept up in a novel that I was sneaking glances at the book whenever I could. I’m a huge historical fiction fan, and it was so fun to read about my borough (my neighborhood, even!) back in the 1950s. I really think it would be a relatable read for anyone who’s made a big move – across the world or just across the state – and wondered if it was the right choice. Highly, highly recommend. I can’t wait to rent the movie this weekend! Five stars

To keep up with what I’m reading in real time, you can follow me on Goodreads here.

I’ve been putting off writing this post because I feel like I flopped again… it’s been very back-and-forth this year, with 6-book months alternating with months when I read about half that. But! In addition to the three books I did read, I also read half of two other books! One will go in May’s roundup, and the other is Eat, Pray, Love. Again. I think it’s time to admit I’m the only person on this earth who’s not a fan of Elizabeth Gilbert.

Here’s what I managed to read in April.

My Paris Dream, Kate Betts

If a book has the words “memoir,” “France,” and “journalist” on the back cover, it’s safe to bet I’m going to read it. My Paris Dream was a fun peek into the life of an American in Paris in the 1980s, as well as a glimpse into the fashion industry, which is a complete mystery to me. It was a quick, easy read. Three stars

Spellshocked, Michelle Monroe

My friend wrote this book! I have a friend who wrote a book! It’s a sci-fi/fantasy novel about a 20-something waitress in LA who wakes up one day in a hospital to discover she has super powers. If you’re thinking this is way outside my usual genre, you’d be correct. I started it to be a supportive friend, and I finished it because it was REALLY REALLY GOOD. Seriously. Download it! It’s free! Four stars

Looking for Lovely, Annie F. Downs

I read this one on the recommendations of my mom and sister, and because I read Downs’ Let’s All Be Brave for a community group once and enjoyed it. It’s mostly anecdotal, the story of Downs’ journey to discover loveliness in the every day – quite similar to my own mission – with applicable tips at the end of each chapter. It’s another quick read, mostly fluffy but with some substance to be found. Three stars

Although it was a slow month, I’m only one book behind being on track to meet my goal of reading 52 books this year! (Goodreads says I’m two books behind, but Spellshocked isn’t on there yet). I went on a book-buying spree last week, so hopefully I get more read in May! Stay tuned!