Well, in all this time we have not had any monthly wrap ups or updates on what we have been reading, so I thought it would be interesting to list all the books I have personally read since January, 2018 and give a quick line about how I felt about the books.
I am actually surprised by what books I have read, and how many I have read. Making this list is a good way to look back and reflect and see how much I’ve read. I think I may do this again!
I have been much better at logging my reading books with Goodreads. It’s a great way to track what I’ve read because I do literally forget books that I’ve read, especially ones that are not memorable.
Here’s what I’ve read in the last 6 months! Click the book covers to get info on the summary.
1. The Horse Dancer by Jojo Moyes.
This was a good read, not spectacular but is worth checking it out if you’re a Moyes fan. The story is about a girl and a horse and though I wasn’t pulled into the title it was an interesting read.
2. Belgravia by Julian Fellows.
If you miss the Downton Abbey television series by Julian Fellowes and need a new infusion then check out this book. Julian Fellowes didn’t disappoint and I really enjoyed this one.
3. The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman.
The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman is a prequel to the book The Golden Compass. I enjoyed this one because it bought me back to that world of dust and daemons.
4. The Silent Wife by A. S. A. Harrison.
The Silent Wife by A. S. A. Harrison was an okay read. The beginning was intriguing as we are told the wife is going to murder the husband. It’s the rest of book that didn’t work for me. I didn’t think it was believable. I did like learning about psychology terms and their meanings though.
5. Red Rising by Pierce Brown.
The Red Rising series was on my reading list for such a long time and I am glad I read it. Though I enjoyed it I did feel it was bogged down with details. I did like the world building in this.
After reading Red Rising, I went on to read the rest of the series- Golden Son, Morning Star and Iron Gold.
6. Brooklyn by Colm Toibin.
Lovely read! I enjoyed this one we did for our book club. See the review!
7. The House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus, III.
House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III was a memorable book. I thought it was an interesting and compelling read.Definitely worth the read.
8. The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. I like the love story and how it was all revealed in the end.
9. The Breakdown by B. A. Paris.
The Breakdown by B. A. Paris was an okay read. See the full review.
10. Sing, Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward.
This was an interesting story and it was an okay read. I had trouble focusing on the book. It didn’t hold my attention.
11. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett.
I love Ken Follett’s Century trilogy and Pillars of the Earth is another book to add to the love it list. It is fantastic! What an epic tale!
12. Dry Bones by Peter May.
I loved May’s Lewis trilogy and wanted to check out his other works. This one was good too.
13. The Girl Before by J. P. Delaney.
Another psychological thriller that I wasn’t that impressed with. It was okay. I did love the descriptions of the house though.
14. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.
There’s so many good reviews about this book that I felt I should have enjoyed it more than I did. I did enjoy The Book Thief but I was expecting spectacular. The best part of the book was Death’s perspective.
15. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn.
Dark and twisted but a good read. Fans of Flynn should check out this book. See the review!
16. Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate.
A fantastic historical fiction that was compelling to read. See the full review!
17. Once Upon A Time In The North by Philip Pullman.
I enjoyed this novella. I particularly enjoyed the story of howTexan Lee Scorsby and Irorek Byrnison the armored bear met. I wished it was longer though.
18. A Bollywood Affair by Sonali Dev.
A light romance read that had Indian characters. It was a fun read.
19. Flat Broke With Two Goats by Jennifer McGaha.
Interesting read with some funny parts but it did drag a bit. It also got a bit repetitive.
20. Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier.
Enjoyed this one! Can’t go wrong with Du Maurier.
21. The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks.
This was another okay psychological thriller. It got rave reviews but it fell flat for me.
22. The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman.
The Rules of Magic is a prequel to Pratical Magic by Alice Hoffman. It is my first book by Alice Hoffman and it was okay. I was hoping for more magic?
23. Heartless by Marissa Meyer.
24. No One Is Coming To Save Us by Stephanie Powell Watts.
This book did not captivate me like I was expecting. Okay read. I found this to be too slow as well.
25. Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella.
A comical and light read on the longevity of a marriage. I enjoyed this book!
26. The Immortalist by Chloe Benjamin.
The Immortalist left me wondering what I would do if I knew the date of my death. It was a good read. This one is worth the reading.
27. The Fates Divide by Veronica Roth.
I am a fan of Roth in the Divergent series but The Fates Divide the sequel to Carve The Mark wasn’t for me. The first book was okay but the second book didn’t come together. It also reads like a teen book.
28. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan.
29. The Shape of Water by Guillermo Del Torro.
I didn’t know director Del Torro wrote books too and wanted to check his book. The trailers for the movie also looked great.
It was an okay read. The book lacked answers though.
30. Nemesis by Brendan Reichs.
This book started out really well and then it just went downhill and the ending was rubbish. The premise of the story was interesting but it didn’t come together and was a huge disappointment.
That’s all for the midyear wrap up!
I hope that the thrillers/mystery/suspense books that I chose to read will be better in the second half of the year. Somehow they are all mediocre!
Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Do you have some recommendations for a good book that you love?
The only Jojo Moyes book I’ve read is Me Before You. I liked it, but I don’t imagine that her books are anything spectacular. I’m sorry you had some issues with The Book Thief! I remember loving it, especially Death’s perspective. I think I need to give it a re read soon! I hope you get some more thrills from your books for th rest of the year!
Hi Emily!
Moyes is a good writer but I don’t think she’s brilliant. I loved Me Before You but her other books are not as good.
I am having been reading some really good fantasy lately – any good books whatever the genre will make me happy! 🙂
I still need to read Isabel Allende myself, but glad to hear you enjoyed her. Hope you pick up more amazing novels during the second half of the year!
Hello Alicia!
I read some good books so far. I just need to read a few good ones to keep me going.
Reading bad/not so good books makes the the reading more enjoyable on the good ones! 🙂
So many books! You should do more wrap ups. I loved The Lunar Chronicles enough to be hesitant about trying her other works. I have bought Heartless but have yet to start it. I loved The Book Thief but am sorry that you couldn’t love it more. The Alice Hoffman novel, anything by Gillian Flynn, The Japanese Lover and the Fates Divide are all on my TBR too.
Hi Olivia!
We definitely have books in common! I did enjoy The Book Thief but it didn’t wow me like I was expecting.
I am aiming for another wrap up in 6 months! LOL, I love to read but the writing has gone down to a drip…
An interesting mix of genres etc. Hope you enjoyed the majority! 🙂
Hi Cee!
I did enjoy most of the books. I was only disappointed that the thrillers/mystery weren’t as good as I had hoped.
Thanks for stopping by at Arlene’s Book Club!