Mini Book Reviews

I love that every summer people seem to crack down on their reading goals. Whether it is because the ghost of summer reading past is coming to haunt you or you have a beach vacation coming up, whatever gets you reading is a good thing in my book!

I’ve had more free time lately to read dive into my reading goals for 2026. I’ve read some really good ones, and I can’t wait to share some mini reviews below!

1. Mayflies by Andrew O’Hagan- I gave it 3 stars on Goodreads. This quote from the book seems to sum up my experience reading this one- “They were just boys,” she said, “and the romance of it all lay in the knowing they’d seen the sun together.” A story of two friends living the punk rock scene in Scotland younger in life, followed by a part two 30 years later as one of them struggles through a devastating life experience.

2. Penance by Eliza Clark- I gave it 3 stars on Goodreads. Trigger warning for adolescent violence and dark subject matter. This book seemed to get rave reviews on the internet, but to be honest I found it disturbing. It follows the case of a teenage girl who was killed by her friends from the perspective of a journalist. True crime vibes.

3. Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden- I gave it 4 stars on Goodreads. I truly believe this book is worth the hype its getting. The writing is incredible. The story is devastating as it follows Burden’s life after her husband announces of out the blue he wants a divorce during COVID. I found her voice singular.

4. Variation by Rebecca Yarros- I gave it 3 stars on Goodreads. Many of my book club friends adored this one. It follows the story of a world famous ballerina and Navy diver as they reunite in a small beach town years after their original friendship. Has elements of romance, family drama, and a landscape that becomes an additional character.

5. Exit Lane by Erika Veurink- I gave it 3 stars on Goodreads. A modern day When Harry Met Sally adaption in novella format. Enough said. Fun overall, but the main character annoyed me at times.

6. Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune- I gave it 4 stars on Goodreads. I devour anything Fortune writes, and this was no different. A classic friends to lovers storyline after one of them gets left at the alter. They end up going on the honeymoon together in a gorgeous part of Canada. Though it didn’t feel like Fortune’s typical writing to me, I still ate it up. A perfect summer beach read.

7. My Name is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende- I gave it 3 stars on Goodreads. The last time I read a book by Allende was in high school, courtesy of an incredible English teacher. This is the story of an American female journalist in Chile during their civil war. Overall, I thought it was good, but it could have been shorter. Good for fans of historical fiction.

8. Piglet by Lottie Hazell- I gave it 4 stars on Goodreads. This is the story of Piglet as her wedding day approaches and simultaneously unravels due to a revelation from her fiance. Every character is insane. This novel explores an interesting relationship between Piglet and food, and also the ways in which our family dynamics deeply, deeply impact who we are. It’s batsh*t.

I hope you read something lovely this summer - and if you do, I hope you pass along the title to me! I’m currently working my way through an intense list:

1. The Atomic Habits by James Clear

2. The Odyssey by Homer

3. Good Material by Dolly Alderton

4. The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

5. Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

6. Witness to Hope by George Weigel

7. The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller

Happy Reading!!

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