Happy Monday everyone!
Before I get to my September reading wrap-up – let me announce the winner of my September Pick Your Book giveaway
Congratulations to AMBER S. !!!
Wrap-Up!
September was a fantastic reading month for me!!! I read an average amount (for me) # of books – 14 but a) I made a major dent in my ALA arc book pile, & b) I ENJOYED most of what I read.
Honestly, so many months are a blur of books that don’t make any sort of impression in my mind. I forget them as soon as I put them down – even if I liked them.
But this month I had a few that will make my best of 2018 list.
*Click on covers to go to Goodreads page
The Best!
Josh and Haze’s Guide to Not Dating by Christine Lauren. THIS was the romance book I have been looking for. Sweet, low angst, romantic and hilarious.
Rainy Day Friends by Jill Shalvis – RDF was a little angsty, with a women’s fiction vibe but I adored the sense of family, second chances, humor and solid supportive hero.
Pride by Ibi Zoboi – I loved how Zoboi struck all the notes of the classic in her P&P retelling but made this story her own and completely relevant to today’s times.
For Every One by Jason Reynolds – at just over 100 pages, this is a quick inspirational read that encourages the reader not to give up on their dreams.
Honorable mentions!
Seasons of Wonder (Haven Point #9) by RaeAnne Thayne – this was a sweet holiday themed story about a single mom to two young girls trying to start over in a small town who falls for a single cop.
it had a quiet quality that just never grabbed me. Still – a nice story with nice people trying to make their lives better.
Perfect Day by Sally Malcom – this is a M/M Persuasion retelling. This was super angsty but in a good way. I loved the couple – past and present - and adored Finn’s family but some of the drama was weird and dragged out. Overall I really enjoyed it though!
Disappointing!
After finishing Josh & Hazel I was so excited to get approved for Lauren's next book - My Favorite Half-Nigh Stand but I didn't enjoy this one at all. :-((( *sad panda* I'll have a review up closer to the release date.
I was really looking forward to this Mary Shelley biography but this was a huge let down.
You can see my September reading bookshelf here on Goodreads.
2018 reading Goals!
My goal was 100 books but I’m up to 127 so I just adjusted it to 150
How was your September reading?
I'll have my October goals up later this week as well as my adventures in audiobooks. Hint....it's not going well lol
After reading Roomies, I think CLauren are my go-to for fun chick-lit romance. I can't stand angst, I tried, It's officially not my thing.
ReplyDeleteHalf-Night just wasn't for me. A lot of lying and miscommunication but it does have a lot of 5 star reviews. But Josh & Hazel is perfect!
DeleteI loved Josh and Hazel and Rainy Day Friends too. I was eh on Seasons of Wonder. I am so sad that the new Christina Lauren was disappointing for you.
ReplyDeleteSoW was cute but agree...eh.
DeleteToo much unnecessary drama in the latest Lauren for me. I was bummed because I LOVED J&H
Awesome month! SO many I wanna try too
ReplyDeleteIt's rare that I have this good of a month.
DeleteI'm listening to Josh and Hazel AS WE SPEAK
ReplyDeleteAnd??? I have another friend who is reading it and texting me non stop lol
DeleteI have put Rainy Day Friends on hold at my library. I look forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it Amy!
DeleteIt's awesome when you have one of those months where you really enjoy most of the book you read!
ReplyDeleteYessss! It's weird how much of my reading is a blur that I don't remember lol
DeleteMy Favorite Half-Nigh Stand had me intrigued but booo to hear it didn't work for you!!
ReplyDeleteIt has a lot of 5 star reviews. It just relies on a lot of lying and one conversation would resolve it all so not my thing.
DeleteI need to read more Lauren but so sad that last one let you down. Also sad about Mary Shelly. Still looks like a good month!
ReplyDeleteI don't understand how you can make Mary Shelly boring but it was lol
DeleteI really love RaeAnne Thayne and I love how she writes small town romances.
ReplyDeleteThis was a sweet, gentle small town romance. I wasn't wowed by it but I enjoyed it.
DeleteSeptember went OK for the most part so I can't complain but I'm going to be a reading beast this month! Lots of great sounding horror to get my teeth into!
ReplyDeleteI really wanted to get to some horror for October but I have so many arc's for this month I'm not sure how that will go. Maybe I'll read horror for Christmas just to be contrary lol
DeleteGreat job on your September reading. I feel like I haven't been reading a ton each month lately and I'm not really sure why. Sigh. I did hit my goal of 100 books - I'm at 103 right now, so yay! And look at you - you're doing great. I really need to read and Josh and Hazel. I think I'll love it. Sorry you didn't like Christina Lauren's newest though.
ReplyDeleteOh, and if I didn't mention it, love all the Halloween graphics on your blog!
-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
I've been reading a consistent amount but nothing ever sticks with me or stands out anymore. I think that's why I loved this month so much. It's been awhile since I've read WOW books.
Delete& Thank you!
I'm bummed I didn't grab Josh & Hazel but glad I passed on Half-Night Stand. That one didn't seem like a story for me. I have Season of Wonder so I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it. Must get a copy of Josh & Hazel. You had a great September, Karen! :)
ReplyDeleteJosh and Hazel is so cute. i ended up buying it at Target on slae because I initially passed as well.
DeleteI have not had a great reading month. Too much going on. I set aside another book last night. I need to find something to grab my attention. I did finish the audiobook of Josh and Hazel, sad you didn’t love their next one.
ReplyDeleteThat's a bummer. I feel like the last few years have been kind of blah for me so last month was a nice surprise!
DeleteMy goal this year was 100 books too but I'm only at 67 right now. I don't think I'm gonna make it. lol
ReplyDeleteThat's still great!
DeleteI really just read super fast but I always start with smaller goals then creep up lol
I think I am going to listen to Josh and Haze’s Guide to Not Dating.I am at 204 0f 250 with two book over 70% complete..so I am on track. We shall see. You had an awesome September!
ReplyDeleteIt's SO flipping cute and smile inducing!
Deletemy reading was good too and yes I agree with you about half night stand. I loved the other book. I read a dark and lonely curse by brigid and loved it ...very much beauty and the beast and loved the people in the book. I'm also reading school stuff :)
ReplyDeleteI thought you liked Half-Night Stand??
DeleteGlad you loved A Dark and Lonely Curse!
I also loved 3 of your 4 best, I haven't read the Reynolds book, and I pretty much agree with everything you said. Way to crush the reading challenge too.
ReplyDeleteReynolds was a super quick read but I have his novel Long Way Down to read next. Curious to see if I still like his writing in a longer format.
DeleteOk. I've been having an up and down relationship with Christina Lauren's books. Loving You, Hating You annoyed me to no end so I haven't picked up anything since then. Thanks for the heads up on Half Night Stand. Steering clear of that one!
ReplyDeleteHave a great month, hun!
I was surprised by how much I loved Josh and Hazel because their books don't always work for me either. But that one was adorable!
DeleteYou've been absolutely killing it this year with your reading Karen, apart from those pesky audio books. I've been trying to get into them for years and just can't manage it. Maybe we're listening to the wrong ones and need something a little more exciting. Christina Lauren books seems to be such a hit or miss for most readers and I've seen so many dislike Half Night Stand as well. Hope you're having a fabulous week of reading Karen darling ♡♡♡
ReplyDeleteSame with their books. Josh & Hazel was the first I was totally in love with.
DeleteHalf-Night Stand pissed me off lol
Good to see you loved Pride it sounds really good although I haven't read Pride and Prejudice. Congrats on smashing your reading goal, if I hit 100 this year I'll be pretty happy.
ReplyDeleteTori @ In Tori Lex
I think 14 books is awesome (waaay above my average)! And hooray for making progress with the arcs.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that Christina Lauren made both the favorite and disappointing lists. I'm so excited for Josh & Hazel. I really need to pick that one up SOON!
Their books are always iffy for me. In fact, I wasn't going to pick up J&H but something about it kept tempting me.
DeleteJosh and Haze’s Guide to Not Dating sounds so much fun, I've heard nothing but good things about it. It's being added to my first book buying binge once the house-moving austerity ends!
ReplyDelete14 books is awesome for a month. I'm lucky if I make 10 on a good one. :)
That book made me so happy. I wish there were 100's of romances like that. Just the right balance of humor/angst/romance.
DeleteYay for reading so much and being able to finally enjoy a lot of what you read - enjoying books is the most important thing and it's so sad when you can't :/ I'm glad Pride made your top list.
ReplyDeleteI've been on a good reading streak! There have been a few duds but most have been great!
DeleteLove when a month is just awesome on the reading front. I loved the family in Rainy Day Friends, too :) Hope OCT is going fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete