Summer Book Haul
Within two days of leaving college, I decided to step up my reading game. Over the past couple months, I'd been racking up books that I wanted to read, but didn't have the chance to. Of course, as soon as I got home, that all changed, and with one trip to the library, I already had around ten new books in my hands.
Some of these books I've already had the chance to read, others are books I'm rereading, and the last books are the ones I'm eagerly awaiting to read. If you've read any of them, let me know your thoughts on them, and I'll share my thoughts on the books I've already had the chance to read.
Books I've Read So Far:
1. All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
I've been waiting a long time to read this book, and from the second I picked it up, I was not disappointed. The book takes place during WWII, and is split between the perspectives of a young French blind girl and a young man who joins Hitler Youth. The writing is some of the most beautiful that I've ever seen, and heartbreak is woven so intricately and flawlessly into every line. Doerr's writing triggered emotions in me that I didn't know I could have or feel, and he has a gift for describing the scenery in perfect metaphors. Some sentences felt like a punch in the gut, and others made me the book feel so real that I was sure that these characters (and their world) were tangible and right in front of me. Overall, I would give this book 5/5 stars without hesitation; it's obvious to see why this book has won a Pulitzer Prize.
2. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
Before I started this book, I was unsure if I was in the mood for a fantasy book. However, after starting the book, I was immediately addicted. The book reflects a Lord of the Rings-esque quest, where the protagonist finds a harmful object that he must journey to destroy. This book was a fun, easy read. The main character has magical powers, but he soon encounters a girl, who, at first glance, is a mere human, but is easily as clever as him and has a knack for surviving. The book follows their adventure, and is a nice introduction to this world, and I give it a 4/5 star rating. I'm definitely going to read the rest of the series; the books are already awaiting expectantly on my bedside table.
To read:
Books 2 and 3 in this series: A Gathering of Shadows and A Conjuring of Light
3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
I read this book once in middle school, and I've been meaning to reread this book for a while. I was talking about this story to one of my best friends, and she told me, "That book changed how I read altogether." From that point, I immediately decided I wanted to pick this book up again, as the only detail I remembered from the book was that it is narrated from Death's perspective. From the first page, I was immediately hooked. The story follows Liesel Meminger, the book thief, and the people she interacts with. I finished this book only an hour ago, and I am in shock that I could have ever forgotten a book like this. It is so well written, and does such a phenomenal job at emphasizing the power of words and stories. Honestly, the book left me in such a state of awe and speechlessness that I can't articulate how much I love this story in a way that would do it justice. Without a doubt, this is one of the best books I have ever read, if not the best book. Easily, without hesitation, I give it 5/5 stars.
4. A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
This is a novella meant to bridge the world of A Court of Thorns and Roses and her new upcoming series. Honestly, I don't have much to say about this book, because absolutely nothing happened. The novella itself is around 220 pages, but there is no plot. As much as I love Sarah J. Maas and her stories, this book was a disappointment. It didn't have the character moments I wanted, and with no plot, the book seemed mostly pointless. What especially bothered me, though, was the change in person when chapters were narrated by Cassian and Mor. Feyre and Rhysand's perspective were told in the first person, but when the story was told from Cassien's or Mor's perspective, suddenly, the writing was in third person. Overall, I don't even know how I would rate this book, because it didn't seem like a necessary addition to the series.
To read:
5. My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
This series was recommended to me by one of my best friends. I trust her opinion wholeheartedly, so I cannot wait to get started on it. I've cracked open the first book already, and Ferrante's writing (well, the translation from Italian), already seems so compelling and lyrical. If all goes well, I also plan to read the rest of the series: The Story of a New Name, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, and The Story of the Lost Child.
6. Vicious by V.E. Schwab
Since I enjoyed her other fantasy series, I decided to check out this one. Some of my friends and I decided to start a book club, and this is our first book, and I'm excited to dive into it, especially because I know so little about it.
7. A Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
I saw some buzz about this book online, and I'm excited to read it, mainly because I haven't figured out if I'm in the mood for YA books anymore, so this book will probably help me decide which genre I feel like sticking to.
8. War Storm by Victoria Aveyard
This is the final book of the Red Queen series, but all of a sudden, I lost all motivation to finish the series. My friends who also read this series feel the same way; I think King's Cage disappointed me more than I initially realized, and so I rapidly lost interest in this series. Still, I bought the book, because I want to finish what I started.
9. The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry
I bought this book two years ago, as I had heard so many things about the story. However, I have never been able to get into it, and last time I checked, I'm around 100 pages in. I'm determined to finish it, though, and see if it lives up to all of those recommendations. It would be a shame for such a pretty cover to go to waste.
10. The Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic
I've seen a lot of buzz about this book online, and I got it out of the library, but not sure if I'm in the mood for a book like this. I'm sure I'll get around to it at some point.
11. Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs
I read the first two books of this series, and forgot about the third book, so I got it out of the library. Unsure about how I feel as the series as a whole, but so far these books have been fun, easy reads.
Books I Haven't Gotten My Hands on Yet:
12. A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir
I can't mention books that I have to read and ignore the conclusion of this series. I'm stoked to see how the series will end.
13. Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
I asked my cousin for book recommendations, and she told me to read this, so I decided I would check this out.
14. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Also recommended by my cousin.
15. Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
I asked one of my old teachers for book recommendations, and this is one of the books she told me about. I trust her opinion, and so I've been planning to read this story and her other recommendations (the following two books) for a while.
16. The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
Recommended by one of my old teachers.
17. My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
Also recommended.
18. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
This series has been recommended to me by my mother and my friends, so I when I have enough time, I want to sit down and really sink my teeth into this series.
Honorable Mentions:
19. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
I read this book a while ago, and it was an interesting set up in a YA fantasy/contemporary series. I enjoyed the read, and will probably finish the series, but it is fairly predictable, as some YA books tend to be. However, the main character is a kickass female protagonist, and those are always a pleasure to read.
20. The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
I also read this a while ago, and it was a fun take on fairy tales. It reminded me of a contemporary, even though it was split between the real world and a fantasy one. I believe that this is the first in a series, and because it was such a fun read, I will probably continue the series.
