The Two Books I’ve Loved So Far This Year

Plus my favorite romance novel of the year

The Favorites by Layne Fargo

I was the sort of high schooler who had mascara tears on her pillow from crying over Heathcliff and Cathy. My DNA changed the first time I read, “He's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” I was and am, truly, madly, deeply, a Wuthering Heights girlie.

As soon as The Favorites was pitched as a Wuthering Heights adaptation set in the world of competitive ice dancing, I was in. I read it one glorious winter Saturday, swept away in the madness, the agony, the absolute intensity of this love story I baby-just-say-yes to every time.

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

The author of The Husbands designs games and this book feels like a video game, in the best way. Lauren’s attic produces an infinite supply of husbands. And with each husband comes a new, altered reality. A commentary on the nature of a world with endless choices. A reflection on who we are at our centers. A straight-up funny book. What’s not to love?

Some other books I’ve read this year…

A friend recommended Powerless  by saying, “Ask yourself, am I in the mood for a Hunger Games knock-off with the most cringy flirty of all time? If the answer is yes then boy do I have the book for you.” I was in the mood. I read both books in the series and will read the third one, I’m sure. But if you’re looking for this type of book I implore you to start with The Prison Healer series! It remains the gold standard!

Is She Really Going Out With Him was cute. PS I Hate You is my favorite romance so far this year. (It’s spicy!) I still think about The Wedding People.

And I read Darling Girls in a day, which feels  important because sometimes we need books to read in a day.

Have you read anything great this year?