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Mid Year Wrap Up: Books I Read from Jan - June 2026
33
items I've read 33 books so far this year (including 8 from my list of 26 to read in 26!) - here's a brief recap of each one, grouped in order of how much I enjoyed them.
Sections
3
Favorites
Would recommend
Not for me
Favorites
Incredible, devastating, beautiful - all the words. One of the best books I've ever read. Beloved is set in the period shortly after slavery was (formally) abolished in the US, and follows a woman called Sethe, her daughter and mother-in-law, and the...
Beloved - Toni Morrison
Li went through one of the worst possible experiences imaginable: she lost both of her teenage sons to suicide. She has written such clear-eyed yet devastating reflections on this - made me cry a few times and will stay with me for a long time.
Things in Nature Merely Grow - Yiyun Li
This book poses the questions: how do times of crisis change our moral character? Are we a truer version of ourselves in abundance or in scarcity? Set in a near-future Kolkata affected by extreme heat and food shortages, it's the most gripping book I...
A Guardian and a Thief - Megha Majumdar
Such a thorough and important look at the lasting effects of sexual violence and the enormous burden of proof put on victims in the legal system. Give this to the men in your life to read!
Know My Name - Chanel Miller
The story of a woman who gets trapped in an endless loop of waking up in the same day. Not much happens but I couldn't put it down. The writing was quiet and meditative but so engaging. I get that it's not for everyone but I loved it, and have since ...
On the Calculation of Volume (Book I) - Solvej Balle
Interconnected short stories about women across Mexico - filled with anger and power.
Reservoir Bitches - Dahlia de la Cerda
Much more accessible than I had initially expected. Frankenstein has so much profound commentary on greed and power, specifically of men. I think the book is so much better than the movies.
Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
A passionate and articulate argument for victims' right to be angry in the face of oppression. El-Kurd critiques the view that empathy should be reserved for victims who “sanitize their trauma”, and the onus should not be on people who have suffered ...
Perfect Victims: And the Politics of Appeal by Mohammed El-Kurd
Would recommend
Sula - Toni Morrison
Yesteryear - Caro Claire Burke
Captures the feeling of being stifled and unfulfilled by your 9-5 brilliantly.
Discontent - Beatriz Serrano
East of Eden - John Steinbeck
Surviving the 21st Century - Noam Chomsky & Jose Mujica
A story about a family curse on daughters to never find lifelong romantic love. Ironically, I was more invested in the romances in this book than I have been in any novel that markets itself as a romance. The characters have distinct voices and was a...
Cursed Daughters - Oyinkan Braithwaite
Half His Age by Jennette Mccurdy
Definitely my least favorite in the series so far, but would still recommend because I think getting to book 3 and 4 are worth it!
On the Calculation of Volume (Book II) - Solvej Balle
Series picks up again for me, with new interesting variables introduced.
On the Calculation of Volume (Book III) - Solvej Balle
I enjoyed this almost as much as the first - tackles more philosophical questions, as well as other practical ones that have been on my mind! As always, ends in a cliffhanger - can't wait for book 5.
On the Calculation of Volume (Book IV) - Solvej Balle
A fascinating true story of an ordinary man who commits hundreds of art robberies in broad daylight. One of the most interesting parts about this thief is he never resells an art piece - he simply loves each work and thinks he therefore has the right...
The Art Thief - Michael Finkel
Interconnected stories about four women in Iran that have all dealt with living under patriarchy in very different ways. I enjoyed the magical realism and social commentary through each character.
Women Without Men - Shahrnush Parsipur
If you want to understand more about how the economy works but you're intimidated by all the information or don't know where to start - this is a great intro. The book is written addressed to the author's daughter, and concepts are explained in a ver...
Talking to My Daughter About the Economy: or, How Capitalism Works - Yanis Varoufakis
If there was ever a book to convince you to get a pre-nup …
Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage - Belle Burden
The novel starts out with a woman in an abusive marriage just after she's had a baby boy. She discusses what they should name the baby with her daughter, which results in three possible options - the one favored by her, by her daughter, and by her hu...
The Names - Florence Knapp
Eating Ashes - Brenda Navarro
A Beast Slinks Towards Beijing - Alice Evelyn Yang
The Jakarta Method - Vincent Bevins
Not for me
To be fair, I'm not a big romance fan so I knew it would take a lot to move me, but I'd heard so many good things I was willing to take a shot. Unfortunately, this captured so many things I don't typically like about romance books. I didn't find any ...
Heart the Lover - Lily King
I had read this before Heart the Lover since I knew they were loosely connected (same female protagonist). I thought it was an okay book, but after reading HTL I think this was the stronger one; we at least learn something about Casey's life outside ...
Writers & Lovers - Lily King
I agree with the main premise of this book, which is essentially that many bright people “waste” their talent in high-paying jobs with little social impact, and that we should incentivize ourselves to also pursue more meaningful projects. I just thin...
Moral Ambition - Rutger Bregman
I felt like this lacked the depth and character studies I was expecting. So many people I watch with very similar book tastes to me loved this so I read it twice to make sure I wasn't missing the point, but it just didn't move me. For a book that doe...
I Who Have Never Known Men - Jacqueline Harpman
A short book told from the perspective of a queer mountain lion living alone in LA. Not a bad book at all and has interesting musings on belonging; it was just a bit forgettable for me.
Open Throat - Henry Hoke
Another 3-star read for me!
Fair Play - Tove Jansson
I love a ‘no plot just vibes’ book so when I heard more about Clarice Lispector's work I was sure I would love her style. Unfortunately, it doesn't really resonate with me. There are some beautiful lines in the book but I find her writing a bit too a...
An Apprenticeship or The Book of Pleasures - Clarice Lispector