What I’ve Been Reading: Q2
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We’re almost at the end of Q2, and friends, you will be so proud of me. I have officially caught up to my reading goal (and then some!) and am back on track to finishing 50 books in 2022.
I know, I can’t believe it either.
There is one book in today’s post that I legitimately NEVER thought I would be able to finish. But my mom told me it was good and kept asking me if I had finished it, so if for no other reason than to tell her I did, I finished that dang book and now I can move on with my life.
So the fact that I caught up is a very big deal. Go me!
Anyway, it’s been really great getting into a habit of reading in my downtime, and in order to keep up with this goal, I have started listening to audiobooks while driving, running or doing chores around the house.
At the end of Q1, I had read 8 books. I know we still have a couple weeks left, but as of today, I have read a total of 22 books!
Here’s what I’ve been reading, and as always, I’ll link them on Amazon for your perusing pleasure.
This book is super cute. It’s a short, sweet romance - perfect for a day at the beach. I used to read a lot of Meg Cabot in high school and it’s just as adorable as I remember. I love to have these cute stories in between some of my longer, heavier reads.
House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas
This is the sequel to Crescent City, and it’s long, and complex and HOLY COW. If you’re an SJM fan, you HAVE to read this series. It’s got a wild ending. It took a while to get through, but it was worth it.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
This book. This book had me questioning everything I’ve ever believed about myself in that it was SO HARD TO FINISH. I kid you not, I started this book sometime last summer, and could not get through it for the life of me. I am not one to not finish books, but I seriously considered Cliff Notes-ing it. Anyway, it was very informative, and the story is interesting, but goodness, it could be half the length and have the same impact. But honestly, I’m glad I finished it just to say that I did and now I never have to pick it up again.
What Happens in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand
This is the sequel to Winter in Paradise, which I read in Q1. It’s a fun romance/mystery that keeps you on your toes. It’s set in the Virgin Islands, and it’s so nice to read about warm, sunny places when the weather isn’t quite so warm and sunny. I couldn’t put this one down.
The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan
I started this one earlier this year, but my loan from the library expired so I had to wait to finish it. The Great Hunt is the second book in the Wheel of Time series (that just launched a show on Amazon Prime Video), and they’re long, classic and very similar to Lord of the Rings. I am enjoying this series and am starting the third book soon!
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
I started listening to this classic tale as an audiobook, as a recommendation from an influencer on Instagram. She is a reader of classics and said that Anne was her favorite series of all time. I figured it would be a nice, light read to listen to, and it was delightful. There’s just something about a whimsical young girl and her adventures that just brightens up your day.
Troubles In Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand
The third and final story in this series did not disappoint. Like the two previous novels, I couldn’t put it down. It had twists and turns and characters you can’t help but love. I’ve read several other books by this author and these are, by far, my favorite.
Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery
The second book in the series was just as fun and delightful as the first. Anne has grown up into an intelligent scholar, but still has her fair share of whimsy and adventure. I do love this little break from reality to imagine life in simpler times with an endearing community of characters.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
I should have read this book in October when I’m in a spookier mood. It’s a mystery involving a haunted house, and would have been perfect for fall, but alas, I read it in April. It was good and I enjoyed it, but it would have fit in perfectly with my Agatha Christie, spookier line-up.
The third installation in the ORC series did not disappoint. As Lexi and her friends navigate even more treacherous terrain, she is able to use a new skillset and learn the truth about her family. Julie did a fantastic job, and the fourth (and last!) novel in this series will be out this summer! If you haven’t picked up this series yet, it’s perfect for a beach read to unwind and escape for a bit.
Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery
As I “watch” Anne grow into a brilliant young woman, I’m so glad I chose to finally read this series. I adore Anne, and I’m so excited to see what she does and where she goes next! With Anne, life is never dull. I love the life lessons that are learned along the way.
I didn’t realize that I never finished the Narnia series, but I’m glad that came to my attention! I had read the first chapter over a year ago, but never finished it. This time, I picked it up as an audiobook and it was so exciting to listen to the end of the story. The end brought me to tears. Every book I read by C.S. Lewis makes me love his writing more and more.
Anxious For Nothing by Max Lucado
This was a short read by a favorite Christian author. The audiobook was only 4 hours long, but was so impactful as he really dove into a popular scripture from Philippians. It really hit home, as many of us, myself included, suffer from one form of anxiety or another.