Hey guys! I am BACK with another reading list because I’m tackling my HUGE TBR list that just keeps growing and growing one book at a time. Last month I was watching a ton of book recommendation videos on YouTube and just doing research on which books to read and guys, there are SO MANY good ones out there. Like so many.

I’ve also just been going to the bookstore once in a while to just look around and soak in all of the beautiful books. It’s so calming and I love seeing all of the new stuff- and the old stuff that they put on clearance. I got a book on psychology for six bucks, and a combined hardcover copy of Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey for twelve. I’m going to need to keep finding deals like that because all of this reading is going to make me broke. Anyways, I definitely recommend just going to a bookstore and chilling if you need some time to chill!

I picked three books for this month that I think will be great for summer, and are all super highly recommended online. Last month I read A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab which I enjoyed- I wanted to read the second one this month but they didn’t have it available in paperback. But I think A Darker Shade of Magic was my first foray into adult fantasy. Up until a few months ago I thought all fantasy books were either for kids or teens, so this opens up a whole new world! I’ve included an adult fantasy read on this list:)

I also have kind of a darker fiction/fantasy novel that should be interesting, and more of a summery teen mystery as well. So as usual there’s a pretty good mix going on! I just need to start reading more intensely because I’ve been slacking a bit by watching history videos on YouTube before bed lately….

Hope you enjoy this list!!

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

What a cover, hey? This book follows a middle aged man who come back to his hometown in England for a funeral, and basically begins reminiscing about his childhood and all of the weird and kind of haunting things that happened to him when he was seven and met a girl named Lettie Hempstock. Lettie lived at the end of the lane where there was a duck pond that she claimed was an ocean- and takes the boy along for a pretty wild ride. This book was supposed to fit into my prompt of “Less that 200 pages”, but then I realized this edition has more than that!! I might just use it anyways lol. I’m about fifty pages into The Ocean at the End of the Lane and it’s alright so far. Neil Gaiman is also the author of Coraline which totally creeped me out when I was younger (and still kind of does), and I can definitely sense that kind of vibe going on in here so far. Should be an interesting read!

We Were Liars

This book was actually recommended to me by my cousin a while back but I haven’t picked it up until now- and I’m so excited to read it! A group of friends is summering on a private island in Massachusetts, and they each have something to hide. That’s, like, almost all of the info about this book that I can glean off of the internet and the back cover. But I DO know that it’s a mystery/thriller novel and it seems like it will be a great summer read! I also heard that there’s a bit of romance going on, so that’s kind of fun. And apparently there’s a revolution and a secret and an accident, so I don’t know if that means a murder???? I guess we’ll see! I’ll keep you guys updated.

The City of Brass

This is the longest book so I thought I’d save it for last, but it might be the one that I’m most excited for. It’s an adult fantasy novel and it’s set in the Middle East which I think is so unique, and it just looks amazing!! It follows Nahri, who is a con woman in eighteenth century Cairo, struggling to survive. But she accidentally summons a djinn warrior named Dara, and is forced to flee with him away from Cairo in search of the city of brass, Daevabad. It’s full of magic and royalty and an epic adventure and just such good stuff!!!!!!! Also I believe it is the first book in a trilogy so if it’s good y’all know what I’m reading next month:) If you’re looking for something that’s fantastical but are a bit bored of your typical fantasy story lines, definitely give this one a try!

That’s all for June! Hopefully I get all of these done by the end of the month, but I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. Reading is supposed to be enjoyable, and I have all of the time in the world to get through my TBR list.

Have a great week and happy reading!! Let me know what you plan on reading this month in the comments:))

Yours Truly,

Olivia:)