What I Read This Summer

June through August

This one is a little chaotic and long, so if you’re looking for a tl;dr — my most notable and memorable summer reads were The Stormlight Archives series and Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson, as well as Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

June

Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett

Rating: 3/5

Format: audio

Unlikely Animals was quirky, introspective, and funny. It brings levity to some heavy topics—in a good way—and is overall a humorous and heartwarming read.

The Blonde Identity

Rating: 3/5

Format: audio

I picked up The Blonde Identity because I loved Ally Carter’s The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year. While I didn’t like this one as much, and found it hard to be invested in by the nature of the story (romance with amnesia in a high-stakes scenario), it has similar humor and fast-pacing.

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

Rating: 4.5/5

Format: physical, digital, audio

I have had this book on my to-be-read list, but have been too intimidated to pick it up, for basically my entire adulthood. I finally committed to reading the series this year, figuring I could aim for reading one book every 1-2 months. Long story short, I read the entire series over the summer because I loved it so much and didn’t want to ever put it down or stop listening. I switched between audio, physical, and kindle for most of them.

The Way of Kings is an excellent setup to an intriguing world and amazing start to The Stormlight Archives series.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Rating: 3/5

Format: audio

I decided to re-listen to this one after recently reading Sunrise on the Reaping. I originally rated Ballad 2 stars. While I still don’t love it and it took me quite a while of starting and stopping before finishing it, I had a greater appreciation this time around and upped my rating to 3 stars.

Friends to Lovers by Sally Blakely

Rating: 4/5

Format: digital (eARC)

I’m a sucker for the friends-to-lovers romance trope, and I really enjoyed this one. This is what I wanted Love and Other Words and Every Summer After to be (they both missed the mark for me), with an added dash of People We Meet on Vacation (which I love). It is a bit of a slow burn, which I appreciate. I felt invested throughout and liked the pacing.

Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson

Rating: 5/5

Format: physical, digital, audio

I am surprised to look back and realize that I read this in 5 days. Words of Radiance had me so obsessed with The Stormlight Archives, the magic system, the Cosmere universe, and the characters. I became really attached to the characters in this one, which gave me momentum through the rest of the series. There are so many mind-blowing moments in Words of Radiance that I wish I could read again for the first time. If you know, you know.

July

Edgedancer by Brandon Sanderson

Rating: 3/5

Format: audio

Edgedancer is a Stormlight novella following a side character of the series. It was a very quick listen, especially compared to the main books. While I wouldn’t say it’s a necessary read, it’s kind of fun and gives a little more context to some of the characters in the books.

Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson

Rating: 5/5

Format: audio and digital

Oathbringer was another banger. Loved it.

Dawnshard by Brandon Sanderson

Rating: 4/5

Format: audio

Dawnshard is another Stormlight novella. I liked this one more than Edgedancer.

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Rating: 5/5

Format: physical

I always love Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books and had been eagerly looking forward to Atmosphere. It was a refreshing change-up amidst going so hard on Stormlight books. Atmosphere includes women breaking glass ceilings, lesbian romance, unconditional love, and an awe for science and nature that is nothing short of spiritual. I flew through this one on a family trip and absolutely loved it.

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 5 by Beth Brower

Rating: 5/5

Format: digital

If you’re listening to me at all, you know this series is everything. Emma and her crew are my comfort characters and these books fuel my spirit. If you like beautiful words, clever jokes, and uplifting feelings, read Emma’s journals.

Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson

Rating: 4.5/5

Format: audio, digital

I struggled a bit more with the pacing of book #4 in The Stormlight Archives, but it still gets 4 stars from me because I love the world and characters so much and I thought the ending was really good.

August

Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson

Rating: 3.5/5

Format: audio, digital

This was my least favorite Stormlight book. I struggled with all of the different point’s of view, it felt extra choppy to me. I still enjoyed it overall and found myself satisfied with how Sanderson wrapped up this era of a series I love.

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

Rating: 4/5

Format: audio, digital

I love the adventure, whimsy, and wit in Tress of the Emerald Sea. I picked it for my book club pick as a way to have the group try a fantasy. It is one I think my kids would really like.

The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton

Rating: 5/5

Format: audio

Anthony Ray Hinton was wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to death. After 30 years on death row, he was proven innocent with the help of his attorney, Bryan Stevenson (Just Mercy). This memoir is heart-wrenching and so important.

Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson

Rating: 3/5

Format: audio

We started listening to this as a family in the car and my kids loved it! It is funny and unique.

Silver Elite

Rating: 4/5

Format: audio

The internet made me think this would be a hate read for me. But, I liked it. Except when I didn’t. But, mostly I did. This reminded me of Divergent mixed with Fourth Wing.

Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry

Rating: 2/5

Format: audio

I really wanted to like this one, as I know others who love it. It was a miss for me, though.