School’s out for the summer, and as much as I love spring, summer is my favorite. No work (ok, minimal work…) and now I even have a pool in my backyard! I fully plan on floating all day, every day, with plenty of good books.
But before I start planning all of my summer reading, let’s take a moment to look back at the best books I read this spring. I’ll be honest, my reading came to a screeching halt when we found out we were pregnant, and I’ve been struggling to get back into the swing of things. Despite this slump, I managed to read some really excellent books, and nearly all were books that I own! Double win.
Total Books Read in Spring: 29 Books
Total Authors Read in Spring: 27 Authors
Total Pages Read in Spring: 5536 Pages
Total Audio Hours Listened in Spring: 104 Hours
Average Rating: 3.98 Stars
The Inheritance of Orquida Divinia by Zoraida Córdova
A grandmother calls all of her family back to her estate when she’s dying… but then she becomes a tree. What has happened in her past, and how can the family save her?
Rating: 5 Stars
Wow I have absolutely lived in this book for the last 24 hours. It’s been a while since a book so completely sucked me in… I ignored my phone, chores, plans, my husband to finish this book. The magic in this novel was so accessible and entrancing, and the characters were so complex and dynamic.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that the mysticism and folklore in this novel was easy to follow. I don’t read a lot of books set in Central and South America, so I do often find the mysticism in the novels I pick up to be a bit tough to follow. This one was so approachable though… it never had me questioning what was going on, just eagerly reading to find out what will happen next.
I feel like this was a super underrated BOTM pick, and I want to put it in everyone’s hands!
Who Should Read It: Anyone who enjoys magical realism. Anyone who wants to read books set outside of the US and UK. Anyone looking for a memorable cast of characters.
The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey
She figures out how to clone people, then her husband leaves her for a clone of herself. And that’s just the first chapter.
Rating: 5 Stars
This book blew my mind in the wildest way. I mean, I had read the synopsis so I knew this book would be about a woman, her clone, and the man they both… loved? But I was not expecting the pace of this short novel. Every single chapter had a new twist or turn. Every new chapter had me gasping or laughing or thinking. There was so much happening that I didn’t see coming, but not in a way that felt implausible or inauthentic (I mean… within the sci-fi narrative, anyway).
There were moments where I was frustrated with both women for their focus on the man of the story, but the way that they overcame his influence in their lives and worked through that struggle with him, with each other, with the other people in their worlds… so good!
Who Should Read It: Anyone looking for a short, fast-paced novel. Anyone who enjoys sci-fi novels. Anyone looking for an approachable book featuring science.
The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith
Greta James, famous musician, has lost her mojo after her mother passed away. When she’s forced to go on an Alaskan cruise with her dad, she realizes just how far she has to go to fix the damage in her life.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Full disclosure: I read this book in (essentially) one sitting. I had to pause to cook supper, but immediately picked it up after I was finished and stayed up past my bedtime to get to the end.
This book was so readable, so digestible, and it had so much heart. I think the description is a little misleading. Yes, Greta’s relationship with her father plays a large role, but so does Greta’s relationship to herself and to the man she meets on the boat (I mean ship). All of these external and internal conflicts could overpower each other, but they don’t. Rather, they drive Greta to true discovery and growth.
I appreciated the ending a lot, and I loved the way everything wrapped up for each of the characters. This book is so recommendable.
Who Should Read It: Anyone? I can’t picture anyone not finding something to enjoy in this novel.
One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London
Bea is a plus size fashion blogger who ends up on a Bachelor-type show… but how can she trust that the guys are there for the right reasons?
Rating: 4.5 Stars
I’ve been on a rom-com kick and this was… just so stinking adorable. To be fair, I don’t watch the Bachelor or many other reality dating shows, so this is not a book that would normally catch my attention, but I’ve been deeply craving lighthearted novels and this hit the spot.
There was a lot of focus on Bea’s weight, which I knew there would be because it’s basically the synopsis, but it did get a little tiring towards the end. I am happy with the resolution of the novel, though, and I appreciate the thought that went into the diversity of the characters. Solid listen, and I dreamed about it all night last night.
Who Should Read It: Anyone looking for a unique rom-com. Anyone who is a fan of the Bachelor. Anyone who is not a fan of the Bachelor but enjoys rom-coms.
True Biz by Sara Nović
Students go missing from a boarding school for the Deaf, and the headmistress must look at the events that led to their disappearance.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
I really loved this novel, and it was such a surprise. I picked it up on the premise alone, but I heard nothing but good things about it while it was waiting on my bookshelf to be picked up.
This was a novel that featured some YA themes — a few of the main POVs were teenagers, after all. But a couple of the POVs were adults, and the book was messy and real and political and honest, and I really enjoyed the myriad of sign language lessons thrown in. (I will say, definitely go print on this one over audio.)
I would recommend this one widely… diverse perspectives, intriguing plot, character growth and heartbreak, larger political issues at play, and it made me think. Highly recommend.
Who Should Read It: Anyone who has never read a book featuring a Deaf character before. Anyone interested in learning more about the Deaf culture. Anyone looking for a great set of character perspectives.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
A man wakes up to find himself in a pod with no recollection of who he is or how he got there… Until he remembers that he’s on a mission to save Earth.
Rating: 5 Stars
Wow this book. I really enjoyed The Martian, but I was unsure about reading another sciencey-spacey book, especially with the recent slump I’ve been in. But it was next on my reading challenge, so I picked up this 450+ page novel.
And I’m so glad I did!
This book was about science, and spaceships, and saving the planet, of course. But it was also about friendship and self-sacrifice and what it means to be a good and true person. There was so much depth to the characters in this novel and I enjoyed watching their friendship take hold. It’s hard to not spoil this book, so I’m not going to say much besides it was beautiful and soul-touching and also action-packed and a page turner.
Who Should Read It: Anyone who enjoys sci-fi. Anyone looking for a book about unique friendships. Anyone who likes books featuring memory loss.
The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel
Yona is stolen from her home in Germany and raised in the forest by a woman who forsees Yona’s purpose in life.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
I’ve been avoiding WWII books lately. I love a good story, but with *the world* right now, I’ve been reaching for something that is a bit more escapism. But I was told over and over to read this book, so I finally did. And it was amazing.
This was a WWII story I had never heard before, told in a unique and interesting way. It’s set nearly entirely in the forest, which was new, and it centered the lives of Jewish refugees. It was awesome to read the Jewish perspective that didn’t end in a concentration camp, and the characters were so rich and full and dynamic… I really, really enjoyed their perspectives.
Plus, Yona. I mean. She’s a fabulous protagonist. Just fantastic.
Who Should Read It: Anyone who enjoys WWII novels. Anyone looking for a unique historical fiction. Anyone who likes strong female characters.
Several People are Typing by Calvin Kasulke
It’s just a normal day at the office — some people are calling in sick, some are getting stuck in the Slack channel…
Rating: 4.5 Stars
What to say about this novel? It was just at 250 pages long, and I read it in 2 hours! The entire novel was written in Slack conversation… and while I know this can get a bit gimmicky, it actually worked pretty well for this book.
Don’t get me wrong. There’s some weird shit that happens here, and I’d definitely classify it as sci-fi. But it was funny and intriguing and confusing at some parts, but I really enjoyed it. Definitely worth an add to the “I’m behind on my reading goals and need a short book to catch up” list.
Who Should Read It: Anyone looking for a short novel. Anyone who uses Slack for work. Anyone who enjoys novels with unique structures.
Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Civil finds her first job out of nursing school in 1973 at a women’s clinic serving the poor of Montgomery. But what she’s asked to do while there makes her question her future.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
I knew what this book was about before I started it (which, tbh, is not always a given for me). But I’ve read about Henrietta Lacks, I’ve heard about the Tuskegee experiments, I thought I had a good idea of what medical systemic racism looked like in American History.
But this book made it real for me. This book took the statistics I knew and put a face to them. Wow, did it make me angry. Honestly, I’m surprised Black women trust doctors at all, knowing this history.
More than angry, it made me sad for each girl affected, and it made me want to fight for the justice that they deserved. I loved Civil’s point of view as someone who is in the Black community, but had a level of privilege within that community. It lended so much authenticity to the narrative and allowed me to connect to it deeply.
Who Should Read It: Anyone who enjoys historical fiction about real events. Anyone looking to start their day with a bit of rage.
