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Books for Life is where I share bookish lists, recommendations, and favourites. You can also catch me talking about non-bookish things here, as well as my life outside of blogging. Today I’m talking about…

books i’ve loved but haven’t reviewed

Sometimes I read books that I don’t ever review because when I review a book I read it in a different way – I look at the things I often talk about in my reviews, I take note of all the trigger warnings, etc. But sometimes I read a ~me~ book (what I call books I read that aren’t for review), and I really love them and want to talk about them but also don’t want to review them. So I today I thought that I’d share some of the great ~me~ reads I’ve read this year :D

How We Fall by Kate Brauning

I really loved this book. It was one of those stories that gave me that aching feeling in my chest, and that is so rare and made this book so special. I know it won’t be for everyone, but gosh darn it gave me the feels the whole time I was reading it. I was just wanted Jackie and Marcus to talk to each other and be honest about how they felt and stop being annoying, evasive little shits. The added mystery/thriller element to this book was really interesting, and I know that I’ll be re-reading How We Fall in the future.

Peter Darling by Austin Chant

I have included Peter Darling on a few recommendation lists, but it still makes this list of books I’ve loved but haven’t reviewed. This retelling of Peter Pan with a gay trans guy Peter was everything. I loved the setting, the romance, the character growth, and the relationship development. I desperately want a sequel because I want to see what life is like for Peter after the end of this gorgeous book.

Sparkwood by Daria Defore

This is a one of my faves of the ~me~ books I’ve read this year. It just misses the NA bracket (from memory), but the protagonist is still in his 20s. He’s also bisexual!! YAY FOR FANTASY NOVELS WITH QUEER GUY MCS. This story also features fairies, and an enemies to lovers romance. Need I say more?

Agent of Chaos by Kami Garcia

So this book is the author’s take on what Agent Fox Mulder’s life as a teenager might have looked like. He wasn’t exactly my Mulder, but I really loved how Garcia interpreted teenage Mulder, anyway. The X-Files-y type story was interesting, and I would be 100% happy to read more books about teen Mulder.

George by Alex Gino

I can’t believe it took me so long to read George, but I’m glad I finally did. George is about a ten year old trans girl, Melissa, and her desire to be Charlotte in the school’s production of Charlotte’s Web. It also tackles bullying, coming out, and friendship. So much was packed into such a little book, but each element was addressed beautifully. I adored Melissa so much, and wanted her happiness more than anything. Everyone needs to read George.

Superior by Jessica Lack

OMG this book was so cute!! Set in a world where heroes and villains are real, Superior follows two boys – one who works for a villain and one who works for a hero – as they fall in love despite being on “opposite” sides. This was everything I’ve ever wanted from Marvel so if that’s not enough for you to pick this up I don’t know what is.

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

This book is a frank look at friendship, love (in all forms), and loss. It’s incredibly character driven, and that is one of the reasons I loved it so much. It didn’t focus on random subplots that don’t mean anything. We Are Okay focussed on Marin, what she went through, what she’s still going through, her grief, and her healing. The portrayal of Marin and Mabel’s relationship was incredibly moving. I devoured this book in one night, and it has stayed with me ever since.

The Hearts We Sold by Emily Lloyd-Jones

I had never heard of this book before it arrived in my August OwlCrate box. I’m so incredibly glad the team picked this title because The Hearts We Sold was awesome! I have never read anything like it, and it was such a nice surprise to discover a book that I might never have read if not for certain circumstances. If you want a unique book about demons and deals and found families then this book is for you.

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What about you? Are there any books you’ve loved this year but haven’t talked about much?

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Posted on: September 12, 2017 • By: Chiara

20 Responses to Books I’ve Loved But Haven’t Reviewed

  1. Tasya says:

    I’m so pumped to read We Are Okay and The Hearts We Sold, especially the latter. I always love reading Satan/Demon in YA books :D

  2. Louise ✨? says:

    I’ve been wanting to read Nina LaCour’s books for years but I especially want to read We Are Okay partly because of how much I love the cover.

    I haven’t written a review in about a year because I got bored of writing them all the time and was reading a lot of books that I had nothing to say about, but the last book that I really liked was Dangerous Girls, which I just finished this weekend.

    • Chiara says:

      Have you seen the cover for her other book, Everything Leads to You? It is one of my absolute all time favouriutes!

      I did go through a big review slump where every review I was writing felt so lacklustre, so I know what you mean. I’m so glad you enjoyed Dangerous Girls! That’s one of my big favourites!

  3. We Are Okay is such an amazing and well written book, I was in tears while reading it! It was my very first Nina LaCour book and I am so excited to read some of her other work after having loved this one! I am also so excited for Peter Darling, after having heard fantastic things about it! Lovely post (and idea) Chiara <3

    • Chiara says:

      I’m so glad you liked it, Anisha! I can say that Everything Leads to You is such a good book – mostly fluffly, which is nice :D I have yet to read her co-authored book with David Levithan but have heard good things :D

      Ah, I hope you read Peter Darling! It’s so worth it. Thank you <3

  4. Kelly says:

    I do the same Chiara, I have what I call pleasure reads. Books I’m reading just to enjoy, rather than review. Usually I read them when I have a few reviews built up and only a handful of review copies on my shelf. We Are Okay is a book that I’ve been meaning to purchase for so long now, after seeing it up on Netgalley. I love books that focus on friendships and relationships, bonding and even non romantic love. It sounds so honest and raw, will definitely be picking up a copy now <3

    • Chiara says:

      Yes! Sometimes I just get too overwhelmed with reading critically and I just want to relax and enjoy a book :) Ah, i think you would love it, Kelly! It’s such a special book in so many ways.

  5. Jeanna says:

    I’ve wanted to read The Hearts We Sold ever since I saw it pop up in the latest OwlCrate box. It sounds amazing! I’m so happy you enjoyed it! If I end up reading We Are Okay, I just know it will break my heart. To read or not to read- that is always the question! Happy reading!

    • Chiara says:

      That’s how I found out about it as well! It’s amazing how books come into our lives.

      We Are Okay is sad but not heartbreaking! And I definitely think it is a to read not a not to read, haha :)

  6. Annemieke says:

    Oh I heard about the young Mulder book when it was suppose to come out but then heard little of it so good to hear a good story about it, even though I have hardly watched any X-Files (I know, okay haha).

    I kind of love that cover of We Are Okay.

    • Chiara says:

      I randomly found it and pre-ordered both it and the young Scully one! The Mulder book was definitely better, and to be honest I don’t think you would have to be a huge X-Files fan to read it!

      Oh, it’s gorgeous, isn’t it? :)

  7. Jackie B. says:

    This is a great post! I can completely relate. There are quite a few books I’ve read and for some reason or another, I never wrote a review about them. For many of these books, I was so moved that I couldn’t figure out how to write down my feelings. Of the books above, George is the only book I’ve read from your list. Peter Darling is really intriguing, however! If I had to pick one book to read from this list, which would you recommend first?

    • Chiara says:

      Thank you! There have been times when I’ve read a book and I just know that a review would never do it justice – e.g. The Raven King. Peter Darling is so lovely, Jackie! I highly recommend it :D The one I enjoyed the most off this list was probably How We Fall!

  8. What a lovely post idea, dear Chiara! This is slightly off topic, but I’m struck by how beautiful all of the covers of these books are — the design elements are making my heart fly a little bit, haha <3 Superior & Peter Darling have been on my TBR forever (those premises??? Yes PLEASE), but I haven’t read any of your other picks — I must get to those as soon as I can. So many amazing books, so little time!

    • Chiara says:

      I’m glad you think so, lovely! <3 I hadn't realised but now that I look at them they are pretty easy on the eyes :D Ah, I need you to read both of those! I loved them a lot. And if you do get around to reading them please let me know what you think! There will never be enough time to read all the good books but we will not think of that tragedy.

  9. Jamie says:

    wow I haven’t read any of these book by they all sound really emotional! (I’m sure at least one of them would make me cry and I hardly ever cry!) I can totally relate to the reading books just because you want to and not reviewing them. I do that a lot with books that are like the third or fourth in the series and by then people don’t want to hear me rant about things they don’t understand! (I leave that to my lengthy goodreads reviews ;)) Great post! :)

    • Chiara says:

      A few of these are quite emotional! Although I hardly ever cry in books, haha. It is nice to read a book knowing that you don’t have to do anything afterwards, like pick it apart. Sometimes when I write my reviews I realise I didn’t enjoy a book as much as I thought and that doesn’t happen when I just read it, haha XD Yeah, reviews for second and third etc. books in a series hardly get any attention! Which is kind of sad. Thank you!!

  10. My TBR doesn’t thank you right now.? JUST KIDDING OF COURSE IT DOES AHHH!! I did love Peter Darling so much. <3 Definitely one of my favourite Pan retellings. (Also why aren't more retellings queer and diverse?!?) I am adding Sparkwood immediately and I REALLY need to read The Hearts We Sold because I got it in the Owlcrate box too! And George was so cute. ?❤️

    • Chiara says:

      *evil laughter* Peter Darling is everything. And I don’t know why more retellings aren’t diverse. It makes me sad because they subvert old and boring tropes? COME ON, PUBLISHING. DO BETTER. I hope you like Sparkwood and The Hearts We Sold! I honestly enjoyed both of them a lot. George is beautiful and everyone needs to read it!

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