Category Archives: Bookish Thoughts

Can’t-miss summer reads: Three authors whose books belong in your beach bags!

Posted in Bookish Thoughts, Books & Authors by

I’m taking a moment today to shout the praises of three wonderful authors who certainly deserve tons of attention — and whose books make perfect beach reads, yet also stand out as great books, period.

There are the blockbuster authors — Emily Henry, Christina Lauren, Elin Hilderbrand, Abby Jimenez — who probably need no introduction, and have legions of devoted fans promoting their books all over social media. And they’re great… but I’m going to focus on some authors, whom you may or may not have given a try yet.

TL;DR: Read these books!

A background note: Each of the three authors I’m about to highlight was new to me within the past few years. Whether through catchy covers or a friend’s recommendation, I decided to give them a try — and have now read everything of theirs I could get my hands on!

I’m not saying that people haven’t heard of these authors… just that I don’t see them getting as much attention online as some other authors — and since I love their books so much, I thought I’d do my booklover-ish best and give them all a big shout-out!

Note: The book titles link to my reviews. I’m also including links to the authors’ pages on Amazon and Bookshop.org — these are affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you) if you click through and make a purchase.

ANNABEL MONAGHAN

Picking up my first Annabel Monaghan book was a total lucky fluke! I saw it up for request on NetGalley, liked the look of the cover, and thought I’d give it a shot. And now, having read all four of her adult novels, I can say without doubt that this is an author whose books shouldn’t be missed! I love that her books focus on grown-ups with relatable lives, complex histories and relationships, and love stories that we can see developing before our eyes. Plus, terrific writing, humor, and lovely settings and situations.

Purchase links: Amazon – Bookshop.org

CARLEY FORTUNE

I think I’d probably seen Carley Fortune’s books while browsing bookstore shelves, but hadn’t picked one up until a friend absolutely insisted that her books were must-reads! I gave her first book a try in November of last year… and by now, a mere six months later, I’ve read all three published before 2025 and I’m currently reading newly published #4! I love them all — a perfect summer vibe, with characters who touch my heart. There’s so much loveliness and joy in these books, even while the characters deal with loss and sadness and life’s challenges. The romances are important elements of each of these stories, but the family and friendship foundations are what make them feel so deep and meaningful My friend was right — these books are amazing!

(Note: Every Summer After has been optioned by Amazon Prime and is in development as a series! According to the author’s newsletter: “I’m happy to report that we are very close to shooting season one and that casting is currently underway.”)

Purchase links: Amazon – Bookshop.org

ALI BRADY

Ali Brady is the pen name for a writing duo, Alison Hammer and Bradeigh Godfrey. I’ll admit to judging their books by their covers! The gorgeous blue hues of their first books caught my eye, and when I had a chance to read the ARC of their 3rd, I grabbed it… then immediately went back and read the previous two books! A 4th (sadly, no blue cover! but it still looks so appealing) is coming out in June, and yes, I will be grabbing it as soon as it hits the shelves!

Purchase links: Amazon – Bookshop.org

Have you read anything (or everything!) by these authors? Any favorites among their books?

Hope you have some terrific reading lined up for this summer!

Cover reveal: We Burned So Bright by TJ Klune (coming April 2026)

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Dying of excitement ever since seeing this post on social media:

Blurb from the publisher’s page:

A heart-wrenching standalone novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune, We Burned So Bright follows an older queer couple on an end-of-the-world road-trip.

The road stretched out before them. No other cars, just the headlights on the blacktop. Above, the cracked moon in a kaleidoscope sky….

Husbands Don and Rodney have lived a good long life. Together they’ve experienced the highest highs of love and family, and lows so low that they felt like the end of the world.

Now, the world is ending for real. A wandering black hole is coming for Earth and in a month everything and everyone they’ve ever known will be gone.

Suddenly, after 40 years together, Don and Rodney are out of time. They’re in a race against the clock to make it from Maine to Washington State to take care of some unfinished business before it’s all over.

On the road they meet those who refuse to believe death is coming and those who rush to meet it. But there are also people living their final days as best they know how–impromptu weddings, bright burning bonfires, shared meals, new friends.

And as the black hole draws near, among ball lightning and under a cracked moon in a kaleidoscope sky, Don and Rodney will look back on their lives and ask if their best was good enough.

Is it enough to burn bright if nothing comes from the ashes?

Read more, here.

Can’t wait!!

Preorder links: Amazon – Bookshop.org
Note: These are affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.

Cover reveal: Blind Date with a Werewolf by Patricia Briggs

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A treat for fans of the Mercy Thompson series! Here’s a look at the newly revealed cover for an upcoming new release by Patricia Briggs. Coming in October, it’s Blind Date with a Werewolf!

This should be lots of fun!

Here’s the blurb:

When the deadly werewolf Asil is gifted five blind dates by some anonymous “friends,” his reclusive life will never be the same, in this enthralling novel in stories from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mercy Thompson series.


Includes two all-new stories as well as three previously published stories.

I’m off to place my preorder. A new Mercy-verse book is always worthy of a celebration!

Preorder links: Amazon – Bookshop.org
Note: These are affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.

Affiliate programs: Worth the effort?

Posted in Blogging, Bookish Thoughts by

Affiliate programs: An affiliate program is a marketing arrangement where an individual or website (the “affiliate”) earns a commission by promoting another company’s products or services. The affiliate earns a percentage of each sale made through their unique affiliate link, effectively outsourcing sales efforts

Years ago, when I first started blogging regularly, I jumped at the idea of signing up for affiliate programs.

The general concept is this: You enroll or set up an an affiliate account with an online retailer, provide links to products on your blog (or whatever platform you use for sharing content), and when someone clicks through from your link and makes a purchase, you make a certain percentage of the price as a commission.

Ah yes, the illusive idea of actually earning a bit of money through blogging. Ha.

I enrolled in Amazon’s affiliate program, as well as Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and (the dearly departed) Book Depository. Amazon dropped me because I failed to meet their quota, which was something like three purchases via affiliate links in the first three months. (I had zero). In all, I made a whopping $0.80 through my various affiliate accounts!

Woo hoo! Eighty cents! I’m rich!

After keeping the other non-Amazon programs going for a bit, I dropped the idea entirely and stopped including purchase links in my posts. But lately, I’ve been toying with the idea again. If people are stopping by my blog to check out my reviews or other book-related posts, and want to go from there to a purchasing site to buy one of the books I mentioned, why not try to get a teeny bit of a benefit out of it?

So, a couple of weeks ago, I signed up once again for the Amazon affiliate program, reactivated my Bookshop.org account as well, and have started including purchase links at the end of my book review posts.

I’m on the fence about it all. I don’t actually think I get enough traffic to make the links worthwhile, especially since most of the people I engage with are also book bloggers — so why would they use my links when they probably (maybe) have links through their own blogs?

And let’s be clear, I by no means consider myself (or would ever want to be) an influencer! I’m just a reader, who loves books, and likes to chat with other people who love books too.

My point in all of this is to put some questions out there to my fellow book bloggers:

  • Do you participate in any affiliate programs?
  • If so, which ones? Are there any you find especially worthwhile?
  • Have you actually earned anything through affiliate programs?
  • If you’re not in an affiliate program, have you considered it?

I’m interested in hearing about other people’s experiences, as I debate whether to bother with it all. I’m guessing that without a lot more effort than I’m willing or interested in investing, my connection to affiliate programs will go nowhere. I’m curious to hear whether anyone else has actually seen their links pay off in any sort of way.

The topic of monetizing blogging comes up quite a bit in the blogosphere, and in general, it’s never been of interest to me. As I’ve said in so many different contexts, I blog because it’s fun and I enjoy it. It’s not a job, it’s not an obligation, and I don’t expect to make a dime from it. This is why I’m so on the fence about affiliate programs: Sure, it’d be nice to get a few dollars back from time to time (which would go right back into buying more books), but I’ve never expected a financial payoff from blogging, so why start now?

So… affiliate programs: Yea or Nay? Please chime in and share your thoughts!

My Classics Club Spin book for winter 2025 will be…

Posted in Bookish Thoughts, Fun and Whimsy, The Reading Life by

Earlier in the week, I shared a post with my list of books for the newest Classics Club Spin challenge (see it here), and a few days ago, this spin’s number was announced. (For those keeping track, it’s CCSpin #40, and for me personally, #12!)

Hosted by The Classics Club blog, the Classics Club Spin is a reading adventure where participants come up with a list of classics they’d like to read, number them 1 to 20, and then read the book that corresponds to the “spin” number that comes up.

For CCSpin #40, the lucky number is:

And that means I’ll be reading:

Dracula by Bram Stoker (published 1897)

Synopsis:

‘Young lawyer Jonathan Harker journeys to Transylvania to meet with the mysterious Count Dracula only to discover that his nobleman client is a vampire who is thirsty for new blood. After imprisoning Harker in his castle, Dracula travels to England to seduce Jonathan’s fiancée, Mina, and the battle against an ineffable evil begins.

Led by philosopher and metaphysician Professor Van Helsing – Dracula’s most indomitable adversary – Harker, Mina, and a band of allies unite, determined to confront and destroy the Count before he can escape.

Bram Stoker ingeniously modernized gothic folklore by moving his vampire from traditional castle ruins to modern England. With Dracula, which has been interpreted and dissected by scholars for generations, Stoker changed the vampire novel forever.

Okay! This is a good result! What’s funny is that I replaced all but two of the books on my spin list this time around with 20th century classics related to a reading challenge I’ve committed to, and Dracula was one of the only two exceptions. But that’s fine!

I actually have read Dracula before, but it’s been decades, and I’ve been meaning to do a reread for ages now — it’s been on every one of my spin lists since I started participating, and I guess it was time for its number to come up.

I’m excited to dive in. I’m also super tempted to treat myself to a gorgeous hardcover edition with illustrations by Edward Gorey as a little motiviating gift to myself… should I give in to temptation?

I haven’t quite decided on my reading format. There’s a full cast Audible edition of the unabridged text that looks like it would be an amazing listen.

What do you think, read the physical book or listen to the audiobook?

And most importantly: What do you think of my spin result this time around?

The deadline to finish this spin is April 11th. I’ll be back with my reaction to Dracula before then!

Here’s my list of 20 titles for Classics Club Spin #40:

  1. Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne DuMaurier
  2. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R. A. Dick
  3. A Damsel in Distress by P. G. Wodehouse
  4. Dracula by Bram Stoker
  5. Peony by Pearl Buck
  6. White Fang by Jack London
  7. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  8. Pat of Silver Bush by L. M. Montgomery
  9. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
  10. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
  11. My Family and Other Animals by  Gerald Durrell
  12. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
  13. Cakes and Ale by W. Somerset Maugham
  14. The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham
  15. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
  16. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
  17. East of Eden by John Steinbeck
  18. Pale Horse, Pale Rider by Katherine Porter
  19. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
  20. My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin

My previous Classics Club Spin books:

The Black Moth (read 4/2022)
Cannery Row (read 7/2022)

Are you participating in this Classics Club Spin? If so, what book will you be reading?

Getting ready for the Winter 2025 Classics Club Spin!

Posted in Bookish Thoughts, Fun and Whimsy, The Reading Life by

It’s time for another Classics Club Spin!

Hosted by The Classics Club blog, the Classics Club Spin is a reading adventure where participants come up with a list of classics they’d like to read, number them 1 to 20, and then read the book that corresponds to the “spin” number that comes up. This will be my 12th time participating — although for the Classics Club, it’s spin #40!

Here are the dates and guidelines from the host blog:

On Sunday 16th February 2025 we’ll post a number from 1 through 20. The challenge is to read whatever book falls under that number on your Spin List by the 11th April, 2025.

We’ll check in on the 11th April to see who made it the whole way and finished their spin book!

What’s Next?

  • Go to your blog.
  • Pick twenty books that you’ve got left to read from your Classics Club List.
  • Post that list, numbered 1-20, on your blog before Sunday 16th February 2025.
  • We’ll announce a number from 1-20. 
  • Read that book by 11th April.

Usually, when a new spin is announced, I simply replace the book chosen on the last spin, and otherwise keep the rest of my list intact. This time, though, I’m making several substitutions: I’m participating in a 20th Century Decades reading challenge in 2025, aiming to read one book published per decade. To support that, I’m swapping out almost* all of the books on my list published prior to 1900, and replacing them** with books that fit my challenge.

*Exceptions: Dracula and Frankenstein have both been on my lists since I started participating in these spins, and I’m still waiting for their numbers to come up.

**Have no fear! I’m making note of which books I’m (temporarily) removing from my spin list, and will add them back for future spins, once I make progress on my reading challenge!

All that intro out of the way…

Here we go!

Here’s my list of 20 classics for the next Classics Club Spin:

  1. Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne DuMaurier
  2. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R. A. Dick
  3. A Damsel in Distress by P. G. Wodehouse
  4. Dracula by Bram Stoker
  5. Peony by Pearl Buck
  6. White Fang by Jack London
  7. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  8. Pat of Silver Bush by L. M. Montgomery
  9. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
  10. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
  11. My Family and Other Animals by  Gerald Durrell
  12. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
  13. Cakes and Ale by W. Somerset Maugham
  14. The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham
  15. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
  16. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
  17. East of Eden by John Steinbeck
  18. Pale Horse, Pale Rider by Katherine Porter
  19. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
  20. My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin

Wish me luck! I’ll be back on February 16th to reveal my spin result!

My previous Classics Club spins:

Spring 2022 (CCSpin29): The Black Moth by Georgette Heyer
Summer 2022 (CCSpin30): Cannery Row by John Steinbeck
Fall 2022 (CCSpin31): A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain
Winter 2022/2023 (CCSpin32): O Pioneers! by Willa Cather
Spring 2023 (CCSpin33): Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay
Summer 2023 (CCSpin34): Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Fall 2023 (CCSpin35): Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell
Winter 2024 (CCSpin36): A Night to Remember by Walter Lord
Spring 2024 (CCSpin37): Howards End by E. M. Forster
Summer 2024 (CCSpin38): The Sound of Waves by Yukio Mishima
Fall 2025 (CCSpin39): An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott

Reading goals: Series to read in 2025

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Here we are, approaching the middle of January — and that means it’s time for me to think about my plans for reading series in the coming year.

Each January, I typically identify a few series that I want to prioritize in the coming year. At the moment, I only have one in mind that I know I want to read a lot of, or maybe even read all the way through to the end.

Meanwhile, there are a few series (completed or ongoing) that I’d like to at least start. If I like the first book, maybe I’ll decide to keep going… but in any case, I hope to sample a few series starters and then see how I feel.

My priority series to read in 2025 will be:

Rockton series by Kelley Armstrong: I read the first book late in 2024, and can’t wait to clear my reading obligation pile a bit so I can start bingeing more books in this series.

If I somehow manage to get through the remaining six books, I’ll likely want to start the follow-up series, Haven’s Rock… but that’s a big if, and I’m not going to plan on that right now.

Other series to sample or binge in 2025:

The Mary books (Lady Janies series) by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows: I’ve now read the three Jane books, and would like to get to all three of the Mary books in 2025… but so long as I read at least one, I’ll feel pretty good.

Green Rider series by Kristen Britain: I’m planning to read the first book, and if all goes well, I hope to continue. I have high hopes — I’ve heard good things!

A pair of duologies round out my list for now — I’ve been wanting to get to these, and hope that 2025 will be the year when I make it happen.

The Stolen Heir duology by Holly Black: Technically, only one of these would be new to me. I read The Stolen Heir when it was first released, but I’d need to do a re-read before reading The Prisoner’s Throne.

Gilded duology by Marissa Meyer: I own hardcover editions of both books (don’t ask!), but have yet to pick them up. Maybe audio will be the way to go.

The “maybe” books:

And now, all my “maybe” choices — these are all series starters that I’m interested in. Maybe I’ll get to some of these in 2025, and then maybe I’ll want to read more from the same series… or maybe not. In any case, here are the other series starters that I’m considering this year, including several that are holdovers from 2024:

  • Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall
  • Pines by Blake Crouch
  • Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
  • Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
  • Arrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey (because I feel like I absolutely should have read the Valdemar books by now)
  • Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky (which, yes, has been on my series-to-read list for several years now, but I haven’t given up!)
  • Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews (one of my holdovers — so if it doesn’t happen in 2025, it’s probably never going to happen)
  • Never Fall for Your Fiancé (Merriwell Sisters, #1) by Virginia Heath
  • Virgin River by Robyn Carr (because I’ve watched every season of the Netflix show, and it’s probably time to check out the original story)
  • Dragonflight (Dragonriders of Pern, #1) by Anne McCaffrey (because how have I made it this far in my reading life without ever trying this series?)

Are you planning to start any new series this year? If you’ve read any of the series on my list for 2025, please let me know what you thought and if you have any recommendations!

A look back: Series reading in 2024

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At the start of each new year, I write a post about my intended series reading — which series I want to start, which I want to finish, and maybe even some that I want to devour all in one big reading binge.

Now that we’re at the end of December, it’s time to check back in and see if I actually accomplished any of my series reading goals for 2024.

So how did I do?

In 2024, my priority series to read were:

Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series by Mia P. Manansala:

Status: NOPE. Every time I pack for a trip, I throw my paperback copy of Arsenic and Adobo into my bag… and yet I still haven’t read it. That’s one well-traveled book! I do intend to read at least the first book eventually, but I seem to be missing the motivation to actually do it. I’ll keep book #1 on my TBR list… but can’t see myself making this a priority in 2025..

A Stitch in Time series by Kelley Armstrong:

Status: DONE! I’d read the first book a few years ago, but started again at the beginning, and read them all (plus the novellas that fit in between). Amazing series! I just wish there were more books still to read…

The Lady Janies series by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows:

Status: YES, I DID! I read the three books above, and had so much fun with them. There are still more to go — not officially “Janies”, as the next three each focus on a different Mary — but they’re part of the same overall Janie-verse (in a way), and I’m definitely going to continue.

Innkeeper Chronicles or Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews:

Status: NOPE. I never got around to starting either one, and despite having these books recommended to me quite a few times, I don’t see myself reading them anytime soon.

Eye of Isis by Dana Stabenow:

Status: TWO out of THREE. These books are so interesting… but two felt like enough for me in a single year. I look forward to coming back for book #3 at some point in the future (and there’s a 4th book set for publication in 2025, so there will be even more to look forward to!)

The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper:

Status: TWO AND DONE. I liked the first book in the series, but found the second a bit boring. Maybe I’ve just read too many children’s quest books at this point in my reading life, but I couldn’t find any reason to keep going with the series.

Maybes:

I mentioned a whole bunch of “maybe” series on my list for 2024… and didn’t read a single one! I’ll have to give serious thought to whether any of those will still be maybe-reads for me in the coming year.

Besides all the books mentioned above, I read a few other books from series during the past year, including a book that starts a series that I’m super excited to continue in 2025. I’m going to try not to overplan or overcommit, but that makes at least one series for sure that will be on my next list!

That’s it for my 2024 series reading. How about you?

Did you read any series in 2024? Any particular favorites?

Check back in January, when I’ll set a new batch of series reading goals for the new year.

All the books I meant to read – 2024 edition

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It’s time for my annual end-of-year tradition — all the books I meant to read! Here’s a look back at all the books I purchased in 2024, but just didn’t get around to reading for one reason or another.

I do think I’m getting much better at keeping my purchased hard copy books under control. More and more, I’ve been leaning toward mainly buying either (a) new books by authors or in series that I know I want to own, or (b) buying hard copy books for my shelves after discovering (either through an ARC or the library) a book that I love.

Of course, I still do give in to temptation when I happen to walk into a brick-and-mortar bookstore, especially a used book store! Then all restraint goes out the window.

When it comes to physical books, I seem to have improved my track record during this past year! I bought fewer hard copies overall, and many of the hardcovers and paperbacks I purchased were copies of books I’d already read, loved, and then decided to add to my bookshelves.

In terms of e-books, there are many, many more of those purchased in 2024 but not yet read. I tend to grab copies of ebooks when I see a good deal, not necessarily when I have an immediate intention of reading them right away. So, you’ll see lots and lots of new Kindle books added in 2024… and most of them still to be read.

Let’s get to it. Here’s a salute to my unread books of 2024!

First, the hardcovers and paperbacks:

Note: I’m reading The Spellshop right now… so maybe I’ll actually finish before the end of the year!

As for the ebooks added to my Kindle library in 2024:

Save

Yes, that’s a ton of e-books! Keep in mind, almost all of these were purchased when their prices dropped to a dollar or two… but still, that’s way more than I really should be adding to my library, when I still have so many books yet to read. I’ll try to do better in 2025 (but also, I acknowledge that I say this every year!)

End note:

While I’m talking about “meant to read” books, I thought I’d take a look at my quarterly Top Ten Tuesday TBR posts of 2024, to see if I actually read the books I listed as my priorities each season. And guess what? I did pretty well this year! Apparently I did a good job naming books that I was truly interested in, and ended up reading all but four of the 39 books I named! (Yes, 39 is correct — one book was listed two quarters in a row, but I did finally read it!). My unread TTT/TBR books are:

  • Starling House by Alix E. Harrow: Still plan to read
  • The Thorns Remain by JJA Harwood: Still plan to read
  • D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins: DNFd — just not for me
  • On Her Own by Lihi Lapid: Still plan to read

Have you read (and loved) any of my 2024 “meant-to-read” books? Please let me know if you see any you’d consider best of the bunch!

Onward to 2025! Happy New Year!Save

Goodreads Choice Awards: Should we even care at this point?

Posted in Bookish Thoughts, The Reading Life by

Goodreads has already announced the winners of the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards… and as far as I’m concerned, the announcement has landed with a big thud.

Honestly, I’m not even sure what the point is anymore.

Over the years, the number of categories has decreased. The write-in option for round one is gone. And now, there are only two rounds. It kind of feels like Goodreads is continuing the awards because they have to, but they don’t actually care at all about making it make sense for readers.

How do they determine what books get nominated for round one? No idea! And I can’t find the answer, other than that dates of publication are specified for eligibility.

I’m not necessarily mad at the winners — but given how limited the choices were to begin with, I’m not sure how meaningful any of this is.

For what it’s worth, here are the Goodreads Choice Award winners for 2024:

And in text format:

House of Flame and Shadow – Sarah J. MaasRomantasy
The God of the Woods – Liz MooreMystery & Thriller
Ruthless Vows – Rebecca RossYoung Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction
The Women – Kristin HannahHistorical Fiction
Heartstopper #5: A Graphic Novel – Alice OsemanYoung Adult Fiction
Funny Story – Emily HenryRomance
Somewhere Beyond the Sea – TJ KluneFantasy
The Third Gilmore Girl: A Memoir – Kelly BishopMemoir & Autobiography
The Bookshop – Evan FrissHistory & Biography
The Wedding People: A Novel – Alison EspachFiction
How to End a Love Story: A Novel – Yulin KuangBest Debut Novel
The Anxious Generation – Jonathan HaidtNonfiction
The Ministry of Time: A Novel – Kaliane BradleyScience Fiction
You Like It Darker – Stephen KingHorror
Funny Story – Emily Henry, Julia WhelanAudiobook

Of the award winners, I’ve read five — and thought they were all terrific!

  • The Wedding People by Alison Espach (review)
  • Heartstopper, #5 by Alice Oseman
  • Funny Story by Emily Henry (listed twice — once for romance, once for audiobook) (review)
  • Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune (review)
  • The Women by Kristin Hannah (review)

And I intend to read:

  • You Like It Darker by Stephen King
  • The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
  • The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

I’ve marked as maybe/eventually:

  • The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore by Evan Friss
  • How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

So as you can see, I actually think there are great books among the winners! I think it’s the process that bothers me, and the lack of explanation or opportunities for reader input. But I guess that’s what happens when what’s originally an independently-owned site gets acquired by Amazon — faceless corporations don’t need to care much, so long as they’re selling books.

Sigh.

Am I being too cynical? What do you think of the Goodreads Choice Awards — in general, and in terms of this year’s process and results?