Month: September 2024

TBR | October 2024

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Hello friends!

I hope you are doing well! Another month asks for a brand new TBR list, so that’s exactly what I’m bringing you today: October’s TBR!

It’s funny how my reading mood changes so much and so drastically! In August I read a ton of books, but that was far from what happened in September – I was really into reading in the past months… but in September I almost didn’t read! It’s fun for me to put these lists together and picking up books from my TBR, but this month I decided to add some of the books I added previously that I never finished to my October TBR – meaning, you’ll see a few repeated books!

So without further ado, here are the books I’m planning on reading and why I’m reading them:

Yup, this is the list I have to share with you today! Let’s take a closer look:

1. Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins

Fun fact, this book was recommended to me by a friend, because, according to her: “he reminded her a lot of me”. So of course I was very curious by this! I immediately added it to my TBR, and now I’m planning on reading it in October. I admit I don’t know a lot about David Goggins, but the book seems very interesting and right up my alley. I’m curious to see what my friend means!

Synopsis

“For David Goggins, childhood was a nightmare — poverty, prejudice, and physical abuse colored his days and haunted his nights. But through self-discipline, mental toughness, and hard work, Goggins transformed himself from a depressed, overweight young man with no future into a U.S. Armed Forces icon and one of the world’s top endurance athletes. The only man in history to complete elite training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller, he went on to set records in numerous endurance events, inspiring Outside magazine to name him “The Fittest (Real) Man in America.”In Can’t Hurt Me, he shares his astonishing life story and reveals that most of us tap into only 40% of our capabilities. Goggins calls this The 40% Rule, and his story illuminates a path that anyone can follow to push past pain, demolish fear, and reach their full potential.”

2. In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Maté

One of the books I planned on reading last month, but it didn’t happen! As you know, I loved “The Myth of Normal” by Gabor Maté, and from that moment on I knew I wanted to read more from this author! This book in particular caught my eye because it focuses on addition and its physical manifestations. This is a subject that I’m curious about, so I decided to add this book to my October TBR! I just know this is going to be very interesting.

Synopsis

“He would probably dispute it, but Gabor Maté is something of a compassion machine. Diligently treating the drug addicts of Vancouver’s notorious Downtown Eastside with sympathy in his heart and legislative reform in mind can’t be easy. But Maté never judges. His book is a powerful call-to-arms, both for the decriminalization of drugs and for a more sympathetic and informed view of addiction. As Maté observes, “Those whom we dismiss as ‘junkies’ are not creatures from a different world, only men and women mired at the extreme end of a continuum on which, here or there, all of us might well locate ourselves.” In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts begins by introducing us to many of Dr. Maté’s most dire patients who steal, cheat, sell sex, and otherwise harm themselves for their next hit. Maté looks to the root causes of addiction, applying a clinical and psychological view to the physical manifestation and offering some enlightening answers for why people inflict such catastrophe on themselves.
Finally, he takes aim at the hugely ineffectual, largely U.S.-led War on Drugs (and its worldwide followers), challenging the wisdom of fighting drugs instead of aiding the addicts, and showing how controversial measures such as safe injection sites are measurably more successful at reducing drug-related crime and the spread of disease than anything most major governments have going. It’s not easy reading, but we ignore his arguments at our peril. When it comes to combating the drug trade and the ravages of addiction, society can use all the help it can get. –Kim Hughes”

3. Final Offer (Dreamland Billionaires #3) by Lauren Asher

One more repeated TBR book! But this time I’m concluding the “Dreamland Billionaires” trilogy in October (hopefully)! I had fun reading the two first books so far, and I’m curious about the last brother’s story. It seems like this is a second-chance romance – which to be honest, it’s not my favorite trope -, so I’m a little apprehensive. I can only hope it’s good, fingers crossed!

Synopsis

“Callahan
I’m the Kane brother everyone gossips about behind closed doors.
Trust fund brat. Washed-up athlete. High-functioning alcoholic.
No one knows the real me but her.
Lana Castillo—my childhood best friend and the only woman I ever loved.
When I broke her heart six years ago, I promised to never return to Lake Wisteria.
I kept my word until my grandfather’s will changed everything.
To receive my inheritance, I was tasked with spending a summer at the family lake house before selling it.
The request was simple in theory until my entire plan blew up on the very first day.
Turns out Lana doesn’t just live at the house, but she claims to own it, too
Alana
Falling in love with Callahan Kane was a mistake.
He told me so before destroying my heart and our friendship six summers ago.
When he promised never to come back, I foolishly believed him.
But then Cal showed up again, intending to sell his grandfather’s lake house.
The biggest flaw in his plan?
My name is on the deed.“

4. Death Note, Vol. 7 by Tsugumi Ohba

I’m sure you’re not surprised to see one more “Death Note” volume here! As you probably know by now, this is the manga series I’m currently reading, so I’m adding the next volume to my TBR for October!

Synopsis

“After a high-speed chase, Light and the task force apprehend the newest Kira. Light regains his Death Note and his memories, and the depths of his cunning are revealed as the plans he carefully put in place before going into confinement are slowly unveiled. His masterful manipulation of both humans and Shinigami lead him to the strongest position he’s yet enjoyed. But the glow of his victory is marred when a new threat appears. Can Light withstand a surprise attack on two fronts?”

5. Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Bridgertons #4) by Julia Quinn

One more repeated book – but one of the most awaited book for me! I’m a huge Polin fan, so I’m very excited to finally get into their story! My hope for this book is that it will be better than their Netflix series – for which I had some mixed feelings. I hope the story is good – but I’ll find out when I finally finish it in October!

Synopsis

“Everyone knows that Colin Bridgerton is the most charming man in London. Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend’s brother for…well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret…and fears she doesn’t know him at all.
Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of everyone’s preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can’t seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same – especially Penelope Featherington! The girl haunting his dreams. But when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide…is she his biggest threat – or his promise of a happy ending?“

6. More Than We Can Tell (Letters to the Lost #2) by Brigid Kemmerer

I added this to my September TBR, but I didn’t even started it, so I’m adding it to October. I’ve been wanting to read this book for so many years now! I read “Letters to the Lost” – the first book in this duology – as a standalone about (I’m guessing) 6 or 7 years ago! Some time later I found out this book existed and I immediately added it to my TBR List! As you know, I finished rereading the first book recently because I wanted to have the story fresh in my mind before reading this book. This is one of the oldest books on my TBR (probably top 3), so I’m excited to finally read it!

Synopsis

“Rev Fletcher is battling the demons of his past. But with loving adoptive parents by his side, he’s managed to keep them at bay…until he gets a letter from his abusive father and the trauma of his childhood comes hurtling back.
Emma Blue spends her time perfecting the computer game she built from scratch, rather than facing her parents’ crumbling marriage. She can solve any problem with the right code, but when an online troll’s harassment escalates, she’s truly afraid.
When Rev and Emma meet, they both long to lift the burden of their secrets and bond instantly over their shared turmoil. But when their situations turn dangerous, their trust in each other will be tested in ways they never expected. This must-read story will once again have readers falling for Brigid Kemmerer’s emotional storytelling.”

Aaaand there you have it friends, my TBR list! As usual, I hope you liked this post! Let me know if you have any recommendations for me. You know I’m always grateful for those!

Thank you for reading, have a great day!

Review | Terms and Conditions (Dreamland Billionaires #2) by Lauren Asher

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“I’ll give you anything you want—anything at all—so long as you give me a chance to make you as happy as you make me. A dog. A family. A home. I want it all. These are my terms and conditions, take it or leave it because I’m not open to negotiations.” – 4/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: fake weddings, big fluffy dogs, dyslexia, mountains of work, restaurant reservations, auctions, words with no direct translation, and of course, terms and conditions.

Declan
I’m destined to become the next CEO of my family’s media empire.
The only problem? My grandfather’s inheritance clause.
Fulfilling his dying wish of getting married and having an heir seemed impossible until my assistant volunteers for the job.
Our marriage was supposed to be the perfect solution to my biggest problem.
But the more we act in love for the public, the more unsure I feel about our contract.
Caring about Iris was never part of the deal.
Especially not when breaking her heart is inevitable.

Iris
My plan to marry Declan was simple in theory.
Move in together. Throw a wedding. Have a baby.
We set rules to prevent any kind of issues.
Ones that were never meant to be broken, no matter how much Declan tempts me.
But what happens when our fake relationship bleeds into our real one?
Falling in love was never an option.
At least not for me.

When I started this book, I was 100% convinced it would top the first book: I personally love the fake dating trope and the boss/secretary trope, so I was expecting it to be better than the first book in the series. And even though I liked it, that didn’t happen.

The beginning was okay and I was engaged and interested, but I wasn’t too fond of the last third of the book for a few different reasons – the main one being how the pace slowed down considerably.I liked the romance for the most part! I liked how they were so important to one another before the romance even started. They knew very well the value of the other person and there was a lot of respect and subtle admiration. As a side note, their relationship reminded me a lot of Harvey and Donna (they’re from a TV show named Suits) – well, this is for sure a darker version, but if you’ve watched the show I’m sure you know what I’m talking about! They have the same fun and flirty dynamic.

At the end of the day, I had fun reading this. At this point, the books are practically in the same tier, rating-wise. There’s only one book left, but I’m not sure what to expect because Cal (the remaining brother) seems a little different from his brothers. We’ll see!

Review | An Offer From A Gentleman (Bridgertons #3) by Julia Quinn

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“It suddenly made sense. Only twice in his life had he felt this inexplicable, almost mystical attraction to a woman. He’d thought it remarkable, to have found two, when in his heart he’d always believed there was only one perfect woman out there for him. His heart had been right. There was only one.” – 4.25/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: masquerade balls, gloves, fever, housemaids, earls, dowries, drawings, evil stepmothers, and mistresses.

Sophie Beckett never dreamed she’d be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton’s famed masquerade ball—or that “Prince Charming” would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.

Who was that extraordinary woman? Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other—except, perhaps, this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid’s garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers her his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?

I had no idea Benedict and Sophie’s story was a Cinderella retelling! It ended up being a really fun, swoony, and unexpected book.

As the characters go, I really liked both Benedict and Sophie as main characters. I felt really bad for Sophie for being put to the side for being a bastard child and for being mistreated for her whole life by her stepmother and stepsisters – and by the way, I still disliked Posy until the very end, you can’t change my mind on her. And Benedict is used to always being overlooked as “the second Bridgerton”, without people seeing him for who he is. And when they met for the first time… sparks flew! The masquerade chapters were some of my favorites from the entire book. It had such a magical feel to it! Sophie’s servants helped her dress up so she could attend the ball and have the best night of her life… right next to Benedict. Also, this is more of a side note, but I loved Violet’s interactions in this book. No one knows her kids like she does, and she always tries to parent them with kindness and help them navigate through life at all times. She’s one of my favorite characters from the entire series!

I enjoyed this book for the most part, but I kind of wished their relationship developed a little more. I don’t think it was necessarily superficial, but I would love to see them grow a more stable relationship before concluding the story
I’m not sure what my favorite Bridgerton book is so far! After reading this book, I think it’s a tie between Anthony’s book and Benedict’s book – I thought Daphne’s book was a little boring in comparison to the next two books. Let’s see if Colin’s book changes my mind!

Now I’m very excited about the Netflix adaptation for Benedict’s story! As I’m writing this, they just announced Sophie Beckett is going to be portrayed by Yerin Ha. I’m very curious to see what they do with the “lady in silver”. I beg you Netflix, please don’t ruin the story!

Review | The Hunger Habit by Dr. Judson Brewer

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“Now pay careful attention to this next sentence. If you don’t pay attention, it will be really, really hard to change your habits. If you pay attention, your habits will change for good. And this might be easier than you think.” – 4.5/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: hungry ghosts, feeling hunger, paying attention, food jail, mindfulness, RAIN exercises, meditation, cravings, and feeding emotions.

A program proven to heal our relationship with food and our bodies from New York Times bestselling author of Unwinding Anxiety.

Sometimes it feels as if there are as many ways to struggle with food as there are foods to eat.  Craving, habit, emotions, boredom, stress, anxiety, or just the simple fact that a box of donuts seems to be omnipresent in the breakroom (free food!) can lead to feeling out of control around food.  While anxiety feels like something that happens to us, the pull of food feels like something we should be able to handle. After all, we have to eat!  But it’s not that simple.  The result of this constant struggle—and then giving in or giving up—is a toxic cocktail of shame and self-judgment that makes it feel like it is impossible to change our behavior.
The Hunger Habit is based on Judson Brewer’s deeply researched plan proven to help us understand what is going on in our brains so that we can heal the guilt and frustration we experience around eating. This is not a diet book pretending not to be a diet book. The step-by-step program focuses on the training out brains to tap into awareness to change our relationship with food and eating—shifting it from fighting with ourselves to befriending our minds and bodies. There is no willpower, calorie-counting, or restricted eating. Setbacks are a good thing! The key is to learn how to work with our brains rather than resisting our impulses, and to adopt an attitude of self-kindness rather than self-judgment.
Grounded in cutting-edge neuroscience and several decades of clinical practice as a psychiatrist, The Hunger Habit is both accessible and compassionate. It will finally help you break out of food jail and reclaim your life.

Wow, this book is great! I didn’t think I was going to like this book as much as I did but I ended up taking a lot from it.
In this book, the author Dr. Jud shares his plan to help us heal from the guilt of overeating and give in to our cravings by helping us understand what is going on with our brains when it happens. With that information, we can take back our power to make changes and start the healing journey. This is not the type of book where you’ll get dietary tips or anything of the sort, so keep that in mind if you’re considering reading this. This book is focused on helping to change our behavior and relationship with food, with compassion and kindness, by working with our brains instead of against them.
So who are the people this book is appropriate for? I would say people struggling with binge eating disorder and/or people feeling that they have no control over food. There are a lot of people who have cravings and have the need to eat to feed emotions (boredom, stress, anxiety) – not necessarily because they’re hungry -, and end up feeling ashamed and angry with themselves. If you’re struggling with eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa, this is NOT the book for you. The author makes this very clear!
The idea behind the book is very interesting because I don’t think I ever read about this kind of approach for an issue like this. I think my big take from the book is in essence to be mindful about food and start paying more attention to body cues. This way it is possible to make long-lasting changes to our binging and eating habits. The book includes practice sections divided into days, so the goal is for you to read a section per day for 21 days. The author also makes available free resources for those who are interested in the hands-on approach!
I’ve started to practice what is preached, and I started noticing a few new things while I’m eating or thinking about food. It’s a work in progress, but I’m determined to persist to see a different outcome one day.
There were some moments in the book that were starting to get a little repetitive, and for that reason only, I didn’t rate this higher. With that said, I truly think this is a great book with a different perspective from other books with the same hot topic.

Review | The Big Bang Theory by Jessica Radloff

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“I’ve traveled around the world, and there’s never been a country that I’ve been in where somebody doesn’t say to me The Big Bang Theory was important to them. They shared it with their parents, it got them through something, it always made them laugh.” – 5/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: casting the perfect actors, two pilots, sequel shows, celebrity guests, memorizing lines, incredible props, fun costumes, easter eggs, creativity, behind the scenes secrets, and a lot of science talk.

The definitive, behind-the-scenes look at the most popular sitcom of the last decade, The Big Bang Theory, packed with all-new, exclusive interviews with the producers and the entire cast.

The Big Bang Theory is a television phenomenon. To the casual viewer, it’s a seemingly effortless comedy, with relatable characters tackling real-life issues, offering a kind of visual comfort food to its millions of dedicated fans. But the behind-the-scenes journey of the show from a failed pilot to a global sensation is a fascinating story that even the most die-hard fans don’t know in its entirety. 

The Big Bang The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series is a riveting, entertaining look at the sitcom sensation, with the blessing and participation of co-creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, executive producers Steve Molaro and Steve Holland, as well as Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Melissa Rauch, Mayim Bialik, and more. Glamour senior editor Jessica Radloff, who has written over 150 articles on the series (and even had a cameo in the finale!), gives readers an all-access pass to its intrepid producing and writing team and beloved cast. It’s a story of on-and-off screen romance told in hilarious and emotional detail, of casting choices that nearly changed everything (which even some of the actors didn’t know until now), of cast members bravely powering through personal tragedies, and when it came time to announce the 12th season would be its last, the complicated reasons why it was more difficult than anyone ever led on. Through hundreds of hours of interviews with the sitcom’s major players, Radloff dives into all this and much more. The book is the ultimate celebration of this once-in-a-generation show and a must-have for all fans.   

“Talking with Jessica, I realized how easy it had been for me to kind of put all 12 years of my time on Big Bang Theory under one general umbrella, as it were. The questions she asked and the information she’d reveal to me from someone else she’d interviewed forced me into a frame of mind where each season – and sometimes each episode – became it’s own, separate entity again. . . Frankly, it turned into a version of therapy I hadn’t realized I’d needed and couldn’t have known how much I’d enjoy.” —Jim Parsons

I was always a huge “The Big Bang Theory” fan, so of course I had to read this book. Now that I read it, I have to say this is without a question one of the best books I read in 2024!
I picked this book thinking this would be just another book with a compilation of random information that everyone already knows… but I was very surprised to see it wasn’t the case. This is a very complete piece of work that allows us to take a peak behind the scenes from the time the show was only an idea to the creation of the prequel show, “Young Sheldon”!
I consider myself a big fan of the show, so I knew about a few random things that happened behind the scenes – like for example how Johnny and Kaley dated for a bit, or that Melissa changed her voice to perform as Bernadette, or even how the building steps lead to nowhere -, but there are so many things that happened that the viewers can only find out by reading this book, me included.
What really amazed me was the amount of information the author was able to put together and then create a very well-structured, entertaining, and informative book! It was mentioned that it took hours and hours of interviews with the cast, producers, directors, prop people, and even costume designers to put this book together, and the effort shows because this is wonderfully done! Everyone who participated in creating this book opened up and talked about all aspects of the show, including what they were going through on a personal level – and even more surprising was how vulnerable and honest they were, even talking about personal relationships on set and conflicts.
I remember thinking to myself before starting it “Why is this book so long? Can there really be that much to say?” Long story short, the answer is a resounding: yes! There is no other way to describe this book other than a “The Big Bang Theory” bible. It uncovers an incredible array of behind-the-scenes details that most viewers never dreamt about.
Needless to say, I came away with a much deeper appreciation for the show and its production. I truly learned a lot! This is absolutely a must-read for all lovers of “The Big Bang Theory” like myself.

Review | Places We’ve Never Been by Kasie West

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“Maybe we were our truest selves as children, before we let the expectations of everyone else dictate who we should be.” – 3.25/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: road trips, secrets, friendship, flora and fauna, college interviews, RVs, Instagram posts, and drawing skills that never fade.

A contemporary Young Adult novel about a cross-country family road trip that puts one girl and her childhood best friend on an unexpected road to romance!

Norah hasn’t seen her childhood best friend, Skyler, in years. When he first moved away, they’d talk all the time, but lately their relationship has been reduced to liking each other’s Instagram posts. That’s why Norah can’t wait for the joint RV road trip their families have planned for the summer.

But when Skyler finally arrives, he seems…like he’d rather be anywhere else. Hurt and confused, Norah reacts in kind. Suddenly, her oldest friendship is on the rocks.

A summer spent driving across the country leads both Norah and Skyler down new roads and to new discoveries. Before long, they are, once again, seeing each other in a different light. Can their friendship-turned-rivalry turn into something more?

It’s no secret I’m a huge Kasie West fan, so I was really excited when this book came out. I don’t read that many YA books anymore, but Kasie’s books have a special place in my heart so I’ll always read what she writes.

It ended up being an okay read for me. It is not my favorite book from this author, but it also wasn’t bad as well. This book is about Norah and Skylar, childhood best friends that drifted apart, and are now “stuck” in a road trip together with their families. So the story is about them getting close again and fixing what made them drift apart – but there’s also more than the romance! There’s also a subplot that is developed at the same time, and this secret is the reason why the road trip happened at all. This made the story even more interesting because you kept thinking about what it could be! It was a good addition to make the story more interesting.

As far as the romance goes, it was okay – but I feel like something was missing? I can’t point out exactly what it was though. I liked the characters and their dynamics, especially between siblings! I like to read stories with big families, and even though it was not one but two families together, they all acted like a big unit and it was a delight to read!

I loved the setting! It was very cozy, and I believe this is a great option to read in the Fall. The writing was also good because it was descriptive, easy to keep up with, and very sweet.

Kasie West writes amazing sweet books, and this book was no exception! Even though it’s far from being my favorite, I still plan on reading all of her books! Yup, that’s how much I love them.

Wrap-Up | What I Read in August 2024

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Hello friends!

As always, I hope you’re healthy and doing well! I’ve been really into reading lately as you’ll see in a bit, so I’m excited to show you all the books I’ve read in the past month.

I ended up reading 11 books this month – it has been a while since I’ve read this much! This month I was able to read most of the books I had for my monthly TBR, and I was also able to fit a few spontaneous reads here and there. I was really lucky with all the books this month because of all 11 books, I disliked only one of them! I don’t know about you, but I think it’s safe to say it was a really good reading month.

Ok, let’s take a look at the books, shall we?

This is the list I have to share with you today! Let’s take a closer look:

1. Heartstopper Vol. 5 by Alice Oseman: 4.25/5⭐

This was the first book I finished this month! To be honest, I didn’t even remember this series existed until I was browsing my books on my e-reader at the beginning of the month and found this beauty marked as “to read”. I was a huge fan of this series when it came out, so I was wondering how Charlie and Nick were doing! This book has a specific focus on them figuring out their sexual relationship together, Nick’s dilemma with picking a university and possibly moving far from Charlie, and also Charlie’s issues with body image. It was nice to revisit these characters that I love so much, just going through puberty and figuring life out! There’s still one more book coming, so I’m excited to see what it’s all about. Still love this series!

Synopsis

“Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. The bestselling LGBTQ+ graphic novel about life, love, and everything that happens in between: this is the fifth volume of the much-loved HEARTSTOPPER series.
Nick and Charlie are very much in love. They’ve finally said those three little words, and Charlie has almost persuaded his mum to let him sleep over at Nick’s house … But with Nick going off to university next year, is everything about to change?
By Alice Oseman, winner of the YA Book Prize, Heartstopper encompasses all the small moments of Nick and Charlie’s lives that together make up something larger, which speaks to all of us.
Contains discussions around mental health and eating disorders, and sexual references.”

2. Death Note, Vol. 4 by Tsugumi Ohba: 4/5⭐

One more “Death Note” volume read – and oh boy, the plot is thickening! This is getting so crazy, I had no idea the plot was going this way. So far I’m really enjoying this story!

Synopsis

“With two Kiras on the loose, L asks Light to join the task force and pose as the real Kira in order to catch the copycat. L still suspects Light and figures that this is the perfect excuse to get closer to his quarry. Light agrees to the plan in order to have free access to the task force resources. But when Light manages to contact the new Kira, he discovers that his rival is anything but as expected. Will Light escape from love unscathed?”

3. Death Note, Vol. 5 by Tsugumi Ohba: 3.5/5⭐

I was on a roll because I ended up reading one more “Death Note” volume! It’s starting to be difficult to put the books down!

Synopsis

“After a week locked up with no one but Ryuk for company, Light is ready to give up his Death Note and all memories of it. Freed from his past actions, Light is convinced he’s innocent. But L is ready to keep Light under lock and key forever, especially since the killings stopped once Light was incarcerated. Then a new wave of Kira crimes hits Japan. Someone else has gotten their hands on a Death Note, and these new deaths aren’t focused on making the world a better place, they’re focused on making money. Big business can be murder, and Kira has gone corporate!”

4. Letters to the Lost (Letters to the Lost #1) by Brigid Kemmerer: 5/5⭐

I had no idea I was going to love this as much reading it for the second time! If you don’t know, I read this book years ago, but since I never read the second book I decided to read this again to get into the sequel next. And I mean… this is such a perfect YA book! I don’t read a lot of sad YA books like this one anymore because I think I’ve outgrown them a little, but if I had to pick favorites this would definitely be one of them! Loved it like the first time I read it, and I would highly recommend it!

Synopsis

“Juliet Young always writes letters to her mother, a world-traveling photojournalist. Even after her mother’s death, she leaves letters at her grave. It’s the only way Juliet can cope.
Declan Murphy isn’t the sort of guy you want to cross. In the midst of his court-ordered community service at the local cemetery, he’s trying to escape the demons of his past.
When Declan reads a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can’t resist writing back. Soon, he’s opening up to a perfect stranger, and their connection is immediate. But neither Declan nor Juliet knows that they’re not actually strangers. When life at school interferes with their secret life of letters, sparks will fly as Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart.”

5. Places We’ve Never Been by Kasie West: 3.25/5⭐

An unplanned book I decided to read this month! I’m a huge Kasie West fan, and I’ve wanted to read her latest book “Places We’ve Never Been” – so I started it and read it in a couple of days. It was an okay read! It wasn’t my favorite book from Kasie West, but it also wasn’t bad. I still plan on reading her books!

Synopsis

“A contemporary Young Adult novel about a cross-country family road trip that puts one girl and her childhood best friend on an unexpected road to romance!
Norah hasn’t seen her childhood best friend, Skyler, in years. When he first moved away, they’d talk all the time, but lately their relationship has been reduced to liking each other’s Instagram posts. That’s why Norah can’t wait for the joint RV road trip their families have planned for the summer.
But when Skyler finally arrives, he seems…like he’d rather be anywhere else. Hurt and confused, Norah reacts in kind. Suddenly, her oldest friendship is on the rocks.
A summer spent driving across the country leads both Norah and Skyler down new roads and to new discoveries. Before long, they are, once again, seeing each other in a different light. Can their friendship-turned-rivalry turn into something more?”

6. The Big Bang Theory by Jessica Radloff: 5/5⭐

This is one of the best books I read this month – or should I say year? Initially, I was a little taken aback by its length. “Why is it so long? Can there really be that much to say?” The answer is a resounding: yes! This is a wonderfully put-together book, and the author did a lot of interviews and investigating to put this book together. This is a “The Big Bang Theory” bible! It uncovers an incredible array of behind-the-scenes details that most viewers never get to see. It’s amazing the amount of things that happen during the show that the viewers don’t know about. I came away with a much deeper appreciation for the show and its production. I learned so much! This is absolutely a must-read for all lovers of “The Big Bang Theory” like myself.

Synopsis

“The definitive, behind-the-scenes look at the most popular sitcom of the last decade, The Big Bang Theory, packed with all-new, exclusive interviews with the producers and the entire cast.
The Big Bang Theory is a television phenomenon. To the casual viewer, it’s a seemingly effortless comedy, with relatable characters tackling real-life issues, offering a kind of visual comfort food to its millions of dedicated fans. But the behind-the-scenes journey of the show from a failed pilot to a global sensation is a fascinating story that even the most die-hard fans don’t know in its entirety. 
The Big Bang The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series is a riveting, entertaining look at the sitcom sensation, with the blessing and participation of co-creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, executive producers Steve Molaro and Steve Holland, as well as Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Melissa Rauch, Mayim Bialik, and more. Glamour senior editor Jessica Radloff, who has written over 150 articles on the series (and even had a cameo in the finale!), gives readers an all-access pass to its intrepid producing and writing team and beloved cast. It’s a story of on-and-off screen romance told in hilarious and emotional detail, of casting choices that nearly changed everything (which even some of the actors didn’t know until now), of cast members bravely powering through personal tragedies, and when it came time to announce the 12th season would be its last, the complicated reasons why it was more difficult than anyone ever led on. Through hundreds of hours of interviews with the sitcom’s major players, Radloff dives into all this and much more. The book is the ultimate celebration of this once-in-a-generation show and a must-have for all fans.”

7. The Hunger Habit by Dr. Judson Brewer: 4.5/5⭐

This book was amazing! It gave me a different perspective on my eating and binging habits and a new approach to changing them. I’ve started doing a few things the book suggests and I’m seeing a lot of differences! Definitely worth reading – but I’ll tell you more in my upcoming review.

Synopsis

“A program proven to heal our relationship with food and our bodies from New York Times bestselling author of Unwinding Anxiety.
Sometimes it feels as if there are as many ways to struggle with food as there are foods to eat.  Craving, habit, emotions, boredom, stress, anxiety, or just the simple fact that a box of donuts seems to be omnipresent in the breakroom (free food!) can lead to feeling out of control around food.  While anxiety feels like something that happens to us, the pull of food feels like something we should be able to handle. After all, we have to eat!  But it’s not that simple.  The result of this constant struggle—and then giving in or giving up—is a toxic cocktail of shame and self-judgment that makes it feel like it is impossible to change our behavior.
The Hunger Habit is based on Judson Brewer’s deeply researched plan proven to help us understand what is going on in our brains so that we can heal the guilt and frustration we experience around eating. This is not a diet book pretending not to be a diet book. The step-by-step program focuses on the training out brains to tap into awareness to change our relationship with food and eating—shifting it from fighting with ourselves to befriending our minds and bodies. There is no willpower, calorie-counting, or restricted eating. Setbacks are a good thing! The key is to learn how to work with our brains rather than resisting our impulses, and to adopt an attitude of self-kindness rather than self-judgment.
Grounded in cutting-edge neuroscience and several decades of clinical practice as a psychiatrist, The Hunger Habit is both accessible and compassionate. It will finally help you break out of food jail and reclaim your life.”

8. An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons #3) by Julia Quinn: 4.25/5⭐

Also finished one more book from the “Bridgertons” series! This book is focused on Benedict and Sophie’s romance – which I knew nothing about -, and I ended up really liking it! I had no idea this was a Cinderella retelling, so I was surprised to see Julia Quinn adding a retelling story in the middle of the series. I’m very happy the series is getting interesting! After Daphne’s book I wasn’t very excited to keep going, but now I’m glad I did because Anthony’s story and Benedict’s story were way better. Colin and Penelope are next!

Synopsis

“Sophie Beckett never dreamed she’d be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton’s famed masquerade ball—or that “Prince Charming” would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.
Who was that extraordinary woman? Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other—except, perhaps, this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid’s garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers her his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?”

9. Terms and Conditions (Dreamland Billionaires #2) by Lauren Asher: 4/5⭐

At the beginning of this book, I was convinced it would top the first book: I personally love the fake dating trope and the boss/secretary trope, so I was expecting it to be better than the first book in the series. Their relationship reminded me a lot of a darker version of Harvey and Donna (they’re from a TV show named Suits), and they seemed to have a very interesting dynamic. But to be honest, I wasn’t too fond of the last third of the book for a few different reasons. At this point, the books are practically in the same tier, rating-wise. There’s only one book left, but I’m not sure what to expect because Cal (the remaining brother) seems a little different from his brothers. We’ll see!

Synopsis

“Declan
I’m destined to become the next CEO of my family’s media empire.
The only problem? My grandfather’s inheritance clause.
Fulfilling his dying wish of getting married and having an heir seemed impossible until my assistant volunteers for the job.
Our marriage was supposed to be the perfect solution to my biggest problem.
But the more we act in love for the public, the more unsure I feel about our contract.
Caring about Iris was never part of the deal.
Especially not when breaking her heart is inevitable.
Iris
My plan to marry Declan was simple in theory.
Move in together. Throw a wedding. Have a baby.
We set rules to prevent any kind of issues.
Ones that were never meant to be broken, no matter how much Declan tempts me.
But what happens when our fake relationship bleeds into our real one?
Falling in love was never an option.
At least not for me.”

10. The Guncle Abroad (The Guncle #2) by Steve Rowley: 4.25/5⭐

Once again, I loved reading about the Guncle adventures with Maisie and Grant! This was a really fun read and I loved the European background for the story. I think it’s a really good option to read for the Summer, but my advice is for you to read the first book first because you won’t understand most of what they’re talking about. But it’s worth it, I promise!

Synopsis

“Patrick O’Hara is called back to his guncle duties… This time for a big family wedding in Italy.
Patrick O’Hara is back. It’s been five years since his summer as his niece Maisie and nephew Grant’s caretaker after their mother’s passing. The kids are back in Connecticut with their dad, and Patrick has relocated to New York to remain close by and relaunch his dormant acting career. After the run of his second successful sit-com comes to a close, Patrick feels on top of the world… professionally. But some things have had to take a back seat. Looking down both barrels at fifty, Patrick is single again after breaking things off with Emory. But at least he has a family to lean on. Until that family needs to again lean on him.
When Patrick’s brother, Greg, announces he’s getting remarried in Italy, Maisie and Grant are not thrilled. Patrick feels drawn to take the two back under his wing. As they travel through Europe on their way to the wedding, Patrick tries his best to help them understand love, much as he once helped them comprehend grief. But when they arrive in Italy, Patrick is overextended managing a groom with cold feet; his sister, Clara, flirting with guests left and right; a growing rivalry with the kids’ charming soon-to-be-launt (lesbian aunt), and two moody young teens trying to adjust to a new normal, all culminating in a disastrous rehearsal dinner.
Can Patrick save the day? Will teaching the kids about love help him repair his own love life? Can the change of scenery help Patrick come to terms with finally growing up?
Gracing the work with his signature blend of humor and heart, Steven Rowley charms with a beloved story about the complicated bonds of family, love, and what it takes to rediscover yourself, even at the ripe age of fifty.”

11. Wake Up, Sleeping Beauty, Vol. 1 by Megume Morino: 2.5/5⭐

This was the only book I read this month that I didn’t like. I felt like starting a shorter, quick manga in August to keep things fresh and escape a little from my current manga, so I found this series – which I thought was a contemporary, romantic, 6-volume series by the way -, and decided to go ahead and start it. I don’t know exactly what I expected when I started reading it, but it wasn’t what I read. This is such a weird story! It’s way darker than it appears to be, and I think it’s a paranormal story? I’m not entirely sure yet. I’m going to continue, in hopes that it will get better, but I kind of regret starting it if I’m being honest. If only I knew!

Synopsis

“This funny and heartrending romantic manga set in modern Tokyo is not the fairy tale you remember! This time, Prince Charming is a teenage janitor, and Sleeping Beauty’s curse is a supernatural, gender-bending dream that threatens to pull them both into a deeper and deeper slumber…
THE AWAKENING
High schooler Tetsu Misato is hardworking, frugal, and easily scared, but he commits to a part-time job at the mansion on the hill—the one that’s rumored to be haunted. As he toils away, he notices a building separate from the estate, and the mysterious girl who lives within it: Shizu Karasawa. Tetsu slowly becomes enchanted by Shizu’s lonely smile, but by their second encounter, he quickly finds himself in over his head. There’s an unsettling feeling he can’t quite shake, but there’s love there, too.”

As usual, I’ll be posting the reviews for these books soon.

What about you guys? How was your reading month? Let me know in the comments! Thank you for reading friends, I’ll catch you guys later!