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Katharine's avatar

I'll start! I just read and LOVED (loved loved loved) The Force of Such Beauty by Barbara Bourland. I'm in the mood for a really good romance, one that will have me smiling the whole time (and that also has plenty of steam) – think Lease on Love, Talia Hibbert, and Jasmine Guillory. Any recs?

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Alexandra Kelebay's avatar

Ohhh! Have you read the latest Tessa Bailey?

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Katharine's avatar

I've never read any Tessa Bailey at all 😳

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Alexandra Kelebay's avatar

Could be a good option for the smile and steam factors! 🔥

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Katharine's avatar

I have It Happened One Summer on my shelf so I'll move that up my queue!

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Courtney's avatar

+1 for Tessa Bailey, especially it happened one summer!

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Katharine's avatar

Perfect! That'll be at the top of my romance TBR.

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Jul 21, 2022
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Katharine's avatar

I'll definitely read them soon! I follow her on Tik Tok and love her content.

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Cassie Gutman's avatar

The Force of Such Beauty is next up on my list!! I have heard nothing but rave reviews and cannot wait to start it!

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Katharine's avatar

An absolutely STUNNING read! Envious of folks who get to read it for the first time.

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Christina's avatar

Have you read Chef’s Kiss? That was a five-star romance for me!

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Katharine's avatar

I haven't but someone else recommended that to me too!

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Tara Thomas's avatar

I just read Book Lovers, Every Summer After and Nora Goes Off Script. Clearly I have a type LOL I loved all of them and I'm excited that for two of the authors it was their first book. Looking forward to reading more from them! Not sure what i'm going to read next but I probably need to shift genres.

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Katharine's avatar

Such wonderful summer reads! And I can't wait for more from Annabel Monaghan.

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Erin Schellenberg's avatar

I'm in the middle of The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany and absolutely loving it. The perfect fun summer read (imo). I find myself thinking about it when I'm not reading it and that has been rare for me lately

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Katharine's avatar

I have that on my shelf – might pick it up when I'm needing some armchair travel. Thinking about a book when you aren't reading it is a great sign!

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Rhonda Thayer's avatar

I finished Dream On, which was delightful, but not very steamy. Sweet romance & great friendships too. Cass wakes up from a coma with vivid memories of a boyfriend that she's never met. Then months later she bumps into exact man! He exists! It was very cute and light, but with enough depth that I was hooked. Angie Hockman is the author. She also wrote Shipped. Another book I read and loved was The Beach Trap by Ali Brady. Romance, steam, but mostly a sister story. Perfect beach read, IMO.

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Katharine's avatar

Those sound good! I'll have to check them out, especially The Beach Trap.

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Renee Beck's avatar

Just read Book Lovers (loved!) and The Nantucket Hotel. I wasn’t sure how I’d like the latter (I figured I’d love the former) but I really enjoyed it! Looking for some more lighter summer reads for upcoming beach trips. ☀️

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Katharine's avatar

If you haven't read Nora Goes Off Script or Every Summer After (I didn't get the hype as much as some, but still a good summer read), check those out.

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Natalie G. (@readingtomydogs)'s avatar

I really loved The Goldfinch, Pachinko, and Cloud Cuckoo Land. Something epic, engrossing, ok with multiple narrators. No romance. Looking for something similar!

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Katie's avatar

Have you read The Book of Form and Emptiness? It's engrossing and kind of epic even though it zooms way in on just a couple people.

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Natalie G. (@readingtomydogs)'s avatar

No but it’s very high on my list, since it just won the Women’s Prize!!

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Katharine's avatar

There's a book coming out on August 2 that might work – The Many Daughters of Afong Moy. I haven't read it yet but am eager to.

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Natalie G. (@readingtomydogs)'s avatar

Multi-generational AND trauma!! That’s all me. It helps me process my own.

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Cassie Gutman's avatar

You might like When We Fell Apart by Soon Wiley too!!

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Natalie G. (@readingtomydogs)'s avatar

Added it! thank you!

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Aurora Ginzburg's avatar

You may also like House of Spirits. Multigenerational, family trauma, definitely epic. A common theme is the resistance in Chile.

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Natalie G. (@readingtomydogs)'s avatar

Thank you!! I added the audio and print book to my tbr!

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Carin Ganjon's avatar

I just read the Reading List which I really loved. It took me a minute to get into it but I wasn't really in the headspace for it. Read a few romcoms and then went back to it. I loved it. moody teenagers, library, lots of book talk, connecting via books, a really great read.

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Katharine's avatar

I have that and keep meaning to read it! Going to move it up my list because that sounds like something I will be in the mood for very soon.

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Susie's avatar

I am giving up on Cloud Cuckoo Land. I am finding it too hard to follow. David Sedaris’ most recent made me laugh out loud as usual!

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Katharine's avatar

I haven't tried that book because it intimidates me. Never hesitate to put down something that isn't working for you!

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Natalie G. (@readingtomydogs)'s avatar

Oh it’s a fun read. Multiple times and storylines, very well done and tied together later in the story. You’re Kat! Don’t let that intimidate you. Now War and Peace to me….

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Krystina's avatar

Just finished Happy-Go-Lucky too! He is always a good read.

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Susan's avatar

I read a Tia Williams' backlist book called The Perfect Find, plenty of romance and steam! I loved Nora Goes Off Script, no steam. Well Behaved Indian Women was really good, more into culture and roles of men and women, the ending was a surprise! My book mood is definitely easy reads and romance, that's all my brain can handle in the current world state!

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Katharine's avatar

I have that on my shelf – so glad to hear it was a good one!

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Elena Langberg's avatar

Ohhh I loved Seven Days in June last year - I need to check out Tia Williams' backlist too!

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Susan's avatar

It was very hard to find a copy but worth it!

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Lucy Austin's avatar

I’m currently reading the second in the Aristotle and Dante series and loving being back with the characters again, they make my heart so full. Partially fits the brief of what you were looking for Katharine if you haven’t read them already! Next I need to get into a proper summer read - I usually read the new Paige Toon book at this time of year but she’s not releasing one this year so looking for a similar vibe? Heartwarming romance, usually dialled down on the steam!

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Katharine's avatar

I haven't read those but have been curious about them. I'll put them on my list!

Nora Goes Off Script might work – there's SOME steam, but not much and easy to skip. Anything by Kerry Winfrey, Abbi Waxman, or Jenny Colgan might be good too.

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Natalie G. (@readingtomydogs)'s avatar

Lin-Manuel Miranda narrated the audiobook for Aristotle and Dante!!

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Elena Langberg's avatar

I just read The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave which I enjoyed but sadly did not live up to the Bookstagram hype for me. Also finished This is How You Lose the Time War last night - I loved it but I also have no idea what it was about LOL.

I'm in an easy reads mood so I think I am going to pick up a thriller or a summer contemporary next - definitely open to suggestions!

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Katharine's avatar

I remember really enjoying The Last Thing He Told Me, and also that it wasn't quite what I expected. And This is How You Lose the Time War has been on my TBR for a while, but it intimidates me.

Thriller rec: Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier. Summer contemporary rec: Cover Story if you haven't read it yet, or City of Flickering Light for some Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo vibes.

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Elena Langberg's avatar

If you pick up This is How You Lose the Time War, give it 50 pages or so. It is hard to get into at the beginning but it's worth it I think.

Thanks for the recs!

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Katharine's avatar

Thank you, I'll do that! I was thinking of trying it on audio, which sometimes helps me get into a book faster.

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Natalie G. (@readingtomydogs)'s avatar

A great summer contemporary is You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty. Steamy but beautiful writing.

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Katharine's avatar

Yes! Loved this one so much.

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Krystina's avatar

This one is next up for me to read, but I am getting through As Seen on TV which is just OK.

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Olivia Swindler's avatar

I just finished Portrait of a Thief and have not stopped thinking about it!! Are there any other books deeper character arcs (like The Unsinkable Greta James)? I love a happy go lucky romcom, (Funny You Should Ask is my favorite from this year!) but I think I've hit my light read max.

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Katharine's avatar

This Time Tomorrow might fit the bill! Or if you want something more backlist maybe Skye Falling by Mia McKenzie.

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Olivia Swindler's avatar

I devoured This Time Tomorrow—so so incredible! But that’s the vibe I want! I will add Skye Falling to the top of my tbr!

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Katharine's avatar

I think Skye Falling will be perfect!

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Beth Burdine's avatar

I just finished the Book of Unknown Americans and loved it! Infinite Country is also on my list. I’m not sure what I’m in the mood for now. Something more fun and light-hearted maybe but not a romance.

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Katharine's avatar

I need to add Book of Unknown Americans to mine!

Rock the Boat might be a good one. There's definitely a romance in there, but it's about a lot more – coming home after moving away, lifelong friendships, a library in need of help. Another one that might fit is The Next Great Jane. It's middle grade, which isn't always a genre I gravitate toward, but it's great for summer and has a lot of heart.

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Beth Burdine's avatar

I will look into these. Thanks!

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Alexandra Kelebay's avatar

I’m currently reading It All Comes Down to This! Enjoying but not totally loving so far. I’m always on the hunt for a good beach/summer read—but the catch is, I don’t necessarily love the light romance kinds! I LOVE a New England setting and messy, complicated family dynamics (think The Paper Palace & The Most Fun We Ever Had). Anything I should add to my must-read list for the beach next week?

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Katharine's avatar

I haven't read this one yet, but I've been meaning to read Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan for YEARS. Maybe that might be worth checking out? I loved her book The Saints for All Occasions which definitely had similar vibes to The Most Fun We Ever had.

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Susie's avatar

Love Saints for All Occassions!

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Alexandra Kelebay's avatar

Oh gosh I LOVE her and read all her books! These are the exact vibes I’m going for 😂

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Katharine's avatar

Glad to know I'm on the right track! Let's see, have you read French Braid (or any Anne Tyler) yet? That's on my list and might have a similar feel. And I'm assuming you've read Ask Again Yes?

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Alexandra Kelebay's avatar

Really loved French Braid too! And OMG I have not read Ask Again Yes yet but I have it 🙈 thank you!!!

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Katharine's avatar

You're welcome! Let me know what you end up thinking if you end up reading it.

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Anna's avatar

I just finished Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin and oh my gosh what a delight this book was. It is moving and reads like poetry. The characters, the plot, the themes… it was all *chefs kiss*. This may be my new favorite book of all time.

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Diana's avatar

I just got back from vacation and my reading was incredible. I only brought books I own and it turns out that I buy books I really like. Who would have guessed? 😂 The five star reads were Disability Visibility, Remarkably Bright Creatures, The Lincoln Highway, Book Lovers, and The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.

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Natalie G. (@readingtomydogs)'s avatar

I had to buy the Long way after reading both books of Becky Chambers’ Monk & Robot series. If you want a warm hug with unusual characters, that is IT.

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Diana's avatar

Yes! I just got the second Monk and Robot book from the library yesterday. The characters in her books are a delight.

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Angie's avatar

I just finished The Beach Trap, it was pretty good. Currently listening to My Government Means to Kill Me. Really enjoying it so far!

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Cassie Gutman's avatar

I’m currently doing some backlist and really enjoying AFTER THE FLOOD by Kassandra Montag. It’s one I’d give to people looking for more after they finish Where the Crawdads Sing, but I think this one is a bit heavier and has better developed characters.

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Chrissie Wright's avatar

Love these threads! I’m currently reading and loving CLEOPATRA AND FRANKENSTEIN by Coco Mellors. I’m loving messy litfic with high def characters at the moment!

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Angie's avatar

I have been wanting to read this one! My library doesn't have it- but if I see one more good review of it, I'm going to have to buy it!

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