Once you have read a book you care about, some part of it is always with you

Louis L’Amour

Life has been wild! We’ve had sick pets, social adventures, work overtime, travel planning, craft fairs, and everything in between the past few weeks. Reading has been just as wild meaning it’s been wildly inconsistent. I’ve still read some amazing books lately that really left an impression on me, so I wanted to put them on your radar!

Have you read any of these? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Also, all of my reviews/snapshots/comments are free from spoilers! Check this list out and then check them out of your local library or bookstore!

Still Me by Jojo Moyes

This series caught me by surprise. I bawled during the first book and it’s really the first series in this sub-genre of romance that I read. They’re just so well done and I really feel like I read them at the perfect time. me for me.

• Third book in the Me Before You series.
• Heartfelt, courageous, travel-inspired
• Finding yourself despite obstacles and embracing imperfections
• Unlikely friendships

The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina by Zoraida Córdova

This was such a unique low fantasy book and it wasn’t like anything I’ve ever read or was expecting. The grandkids are called back to their grandmother’s house to receive their inheritance, but it’s nothing like they expected or anything you’ve read before.

• Unique world building
• Culturally diverse characters with interesting family dynamics
• Magical realism at its finest
• So much inspiration from South American myth, legend, and folklore

Grave Reservations by Cherie Priest

A travel agent who moonlights as an inconsistent psychic? Who also saved her client from a plane incident and now consults for him to help solve murders? I couldn’t open this audiobook fast enough.

• Fresh and fun take on a murder mystery
• Unlikely friendships (quickly becoming a favorite trope of mine)
• Quirky characters that you just keep on loving more as the book goes on
• It’s a page-turner that could really be finished in one fun-filled sitting

In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune

TJ Klune has an unwavering ability to create characters, plots, and themes that sucker punch you right in the feelings in the absolutely best way possible. His writing restores my faith in humanity and while I love all of his books, this one was so timely and touching that I honestly thought about taking a day off of work to finish it. I still think about this one.

• Technology lovers will really like this one
• Be prepared to immediately fall in love with every character
• Finding your true self and learning to love all of the imperfections, insecurities, and accepting help from others
• Queer author and characters with an amazing story about love.

The Poppy War Series by RF Kuang

I have this author on here several times for a reason. She can do no wrong. An author who can write so spectacularly across genres is a unicorn and she does it so well. This

• A dark military fantasy novel that does not mess around with its descriptions but manages to create an extremely vivid world I didn’t want to leave. Check your content warnings before you read this.
• Strong and flawed female protagonist
• No romance! It’s rare for a fantasy book to not have a romance and I absolutely loved that this didn’t have one.
• Heavily based on Asian history and legends which was great to see that influence instead of the typical fantasy world building I’m used to.

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

The very same author who wrote one of my favorite books (Dial A for Aunties) wrote another hilarious and quirky masterpiece.When Vera wakes up one morning to find a dead man in her tea shop and the police don’t seem to suspect foul play, Vera befriends the suspects and tries to solve the murder on her own.

• A hilarious whodunnit with the most unlikely and absolutely lovable characters
• Senior female protagonist (adore this)
• The author is a master of weaving the hilarious and heartwarming moments together to make you go through a spectrum of emotions and it’s fantastic
• She takes whodunnits to the next level

The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah

Another author who created an entirely new-to-me world full of cultural mythology and influences. It gives me Aladdin vibes, but not in a Disney way. It’s more of a this was inspired by this and the author created their own world full of imagination, jinn, power seeking, and magic.

• The author creates one hell of a vibrant world
• First in what will surely be an epic trilogy
• This was a long book, but it went by SO quickly with lots of twists and turns
• Makes me want to learn more about Arabic legends, myths, culture, and more!

Yellowface by RF Kuang

Obsessed with how good this book was is putting it lightly. Two authors, one white (June) and one Asian (Athena), are up-and-coming authors. Athena is a literary darling and June can barely publish a book. When Athena dies in a freak accident, June steals her manuscript and publishes it as her own with some tweaks.

• Tackles diversity, racism, ethics, and cultural appropriation in a riveting book that doesn’t feel like it it’s your face
• Immediate connection with the characters
• You will feel SO many emotions and rethink how you see the publishing world
• The author chooses to narrate the story through the eyes of the white woman to expose the cultural appropriation and it’s fascinating as much as it is surprising . Could not get enough of her writing style

When in Rome by Sarah Adams

Pop star takes a hiatus in a small town and falls in love with a baker? I absolutely love romantic comedies and this one did not disappoint. Was it the fiction masterpiece of the year? No, but it made me smile and it was such a fun read. I can’t wait to read number two in the series!

• I fully expected this to be set in Italy. Nope, Kentucky
• Grumpy tour guide and quirky musician? This is almost enemies to lovers which is my favorite trope and it was so dang cute.
• Quick and easy read that really refreshed my reading lately
• I want to eat all of the recipes mentioned in this book

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

How dare a book about an aging octopus be so heartwarming and make me cry happy tears. I cannot recommend this book enough. It was phenomenal.

• For fans of Fredrik Backman who love his characters, how their stories intertwine, and how he makes you feel things you never knew you could on a level you didn’t know was possible. Shelby Van Pelt is on that level
• Animals and humans becoming friends? I will forever love this.
• A story told from the point of view of an octopus? It’s as amazing as it sounds
• Intricate plot that is easy to follow and keeps you glued to the book

The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons

An old woman begrudgingly befriends her new neighbor, a quirky 10 year-old girl. This story will burrow right into your heart and cling there.

• Unlikely friendships foster a renewed sense of life and purpose
• Multiple timelines and perspectives that give you more character depth
• This book really shows you the power of friendship and putting yourself out there
• It’s never too late to start living, especially when you embrace your true self

A Good Day to Pie by Misha Popp

This is the sequel to Magic, Lies and Deadly Pies, so I had high hopes that were 100% met! It was less about murdering toxic men and leaned more into the baking competition aspect touched on in the first book. Overall, Misha Popp knows how to write one hell of a fun book.

• Perfect for fans of baking shows, especially the Great British Baking Show
• Same inspiring feminist vibes from the first book
• So much more baking and tons of recipes!
• I liked that this book didn’t follow the same format as the first book. It shows more of the author’s dimension and I loved that she keeps on creating this super interesting world I want to dive right into.