2nd Quarter of 2021

I’m not super sure how we’re already halfway through 2021 but it’s already time for my second roundup of 2021! I read SO many good books this quarter that it’s definitely hard to narrow down my favorites! I also realized when I was pulling my photos that I actually misnumbered and I’ve read one more book than I thought I had .

28. Bitter Orange: Claire Fuller
29. Fateful Mornings: Tom Bouman
30. In the Land of Second Chances: George Shaffner
31. The Bestseller: Olivia Goldsmith
32. Evvie Drake Starts Over: Linda Holmes
33. Beach Read: Emily Henry
34. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: J.K. Rowling
35. The Sisters of Glass Ferry: Kim Michele Richardson
36. The Winter’s Child: Cassandra Parkin
37. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: J.K. Rowling

38. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: J.K. Rowling
39. The Rose Code: Kate Quinn
40. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: J.K. Rowling
41. Atomic Habits: James Clear
42. The Awakening: Kate Chopin
43. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: J.K. Rowling
44. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: J.K Rowling
45. The Pull of the Stars: Emma Donoghue

46. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: J.K. Rowling
47. The Mystery of of Mrs. Christie: Marie Benedict
48. Virgil Wander: Leif Enger
49. The Lions of Fifth Avenue: Fiona Davis
50. Sex and Vanity: Kevin Kwan
51. The Midnight Library: Matt Haig
52. Hillbilly Elegy: J.D. Vance
53. Twisted Twenty Six: Janet Evanovich

54. Fortune and Glory: Janet Evanovich
55. Oona Out of Order: Margarita Montimore

My favorites this quarter are as follows: The Bestseller, The Rose Code, obviously all Harry Potter books, Virgil Wander, The Lions of Fifth Avenue, Sex and Vanity, The Midnight Library, Hillbilly Elegy.

The Bestseller: I surprisingly loved this book. It follows a handful of characters who are trying to write the next bestseller, and also focuses on the editors & publishers so you can see each story from two sides. It kept me on my toes and I was disappointed when it was finished!!

The Rose Code: I love everything that Kate Quinn writes – her female leads are always so strong and her books are incredibly well researched. I’d read a non fiction book about Bletchley Park a few years ago and loved the fictional take on it. It does start out a bit slow but will pick up, and then there’s a great twist in it!! Highly recommend!!

Harry Potter: I read these every single year, and every single year they’re on my list of favorites. I’ve listened/read them SO many times that I can recite parts and it’s so calming and soothing for me to listen to or read.

Virgil Wander: I LOVE Leif Enger! He’s a phenomenal writer and both books that I’ve read of his are full of magical realism. This one was no exception, and I couldn’t put it down!!

The Lions of Fifth Avenue: This takes place in an apartment located inside the New York public library, where the caretaker and his family lives. It’s a fast paced mystery with an interesting view inside the library!!

Sex and Vanity: Kevin Kwan is one of my favorite authors because his books are always SO far over the top (he wrote the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy). This was no exception, and was so much fun to read!! It was pretty quick and I really enjoyed it!

The Midnight Library: I’d heard mixed reviews about this one and wasn’t sure if I’d like it, but I ended up loving it!! It follows a woman who is on the precipice of death when she finds out she can (for lack of a better term) – “choose your own adventure” her life. She’s able to explore all of her different parallel lives that have changed based on a tiny decision each time. I really loved this one!!

Hillbilly Elegy: I’m not going to lie, I knew nothing about this book except that it was a Netflix movie (that I still haven’t seen). It was PHENOMENAL. It’s an autobiography about growing up in the Rust Belt of Ohio and the migration from Appalachia to the Midwest. J.D. Vance portrays his upbringing in the glaring light of the reality that he lived in, and it is a no-holds-barred tale of poverty, abuse, and success. I couldn’t put it down.

Janet Evanovich: This is an honorable mention – I absolutely love reading Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series because they’re so fun and quick and total brain candy. They’re sequential, so make sure that you start with book 1, but I promise that you’ll enjoy them!!

As always, let me know if you have any recommendations because I always need more books to read!!