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book recs and other goodies from a lazy bookworm
33
items phenomenal books and some of my favorite places to borrow and read them, along with other fun bookish goodies
Map
Sections
6
what i'm currently reading
god-tier books and series
anticipated reads i am counting down the days for
other great reads
my favorite sf bay area libraries
kindle and e-reader accessories, and other bookish goodies
what i'm currently reading
i cannot guarantee these are top-tier books, but here's what i'm reading right now. let's buddy read! drop your book thoughts here, and/or join me on storygraph (@melchong). i usually have a few books in progress, one on kindle, one hardcopy, and one...
i am currently reading book 2 (a gathering of shadows) and i am really enjoying the series so far! i really like both main characters, especially the fmc, lila. the premise is interesting (parallel londons), and the intrigue that book 1 (a darker sha...
Shades of Magic Boxed Set by V. E. Schwab
i would read r f kuang's grocery list
Katabasis by R. F. Kuang
currently on pause until i get it back from the library! i just started this as an audiobook, so i'm not sure how i feel about it yet, but i've generally liked emily henry's previous books, so i'm optimistic!
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
god-tier books and series
books i would sell my soul to read again for the first time. don't forget to check your local library if you're not ready to commit to purchasing yet!
fresh-voiced, smart, satirical romp. no book has ever made me laugh like this one. note, though, that it is a very specific brand of humor, so check out the summary for a little taste!
The Sellout by Paul Beatty
a fantasy trilogy you will continue to think about for years after it ends. caution, this series is INTENSE. the first book less so than the latter two, but know that there are many detailed scenes of war.
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang (Book 1)
in case you trust my recommendation and are ready to gamble on the full trilogy :)
The Poppy War Series by R.F. Kuang
a touching, perhaps unconventional, story of love
Alone With You in the Ether by Olivie Blake
the fantasy romance series that reignited my love of reading, and reminded me how fun it is to get lost in a fictional world. but SPECIFICALLY read this series for book 2, a court of mist and fury (just trust me).
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas
in case you trust my recommendation and are ready to gamble on the full box set :) more books are coming in the future, too!
A Court of Thorns and Roses Box Set by Sarah J Maas
the hold iris and roman's love story had on my heart was UNREAL. waiting for the second book was torture! i didn't love the second book nearly as much, but the first one was perfection.
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross (Book 1)
a work of fiction about a man who rises the ranks of the north korean state. it deals with some HEAVY content.
The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson
this one will make you question what you know about language and power. read. this. book.
Babel by R.F. Kuang
i read this once a year and it brings me joy and laughs every time!
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
anticipated reads i am counting down the days for
you can bet i have already preordered these
lyla sage's rebel blue ranch series (book 1 is done and dusted) will be a comfort read for the rest of my life!! i have already read the series twice this year. to say i am excited about her upcoming book is an understatement.
Soul Searching by Lyla Sage
this series is so sweet and fun, and i am SO EXCITED to get the last book!! i would specifically read this series to get to book 2, practice makes perfect, because i love the characters in that book so freaking much.
In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams
other great reads
i might not sell my soul for these ones (actually, maybe for a couple), but i would still reread them. don't forget to check your local library if you're not ready to commit to purchasing yet!
a fantasy romance with only good tropes!
Quicksilver by Callie Hart
cozy fantasy series about a librarian that travels between worlds, perfect for a rainy day with a cup of tea and a warm blanket
The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman (Book 1)
this came highly recommended to me by MANY people and i really enjoyed it! it is a long read, so prepare for that. catch book 2 on my “what i'm currently reading” list soon!
Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn Saga, Book 1)
in case you're chaotic like me and are prepared to commit to the entire box set before reading any of the series.
Mistborn Trilogy Box Set by Brandon Sanderson
i love learning about food and the human diet, and this book is both fascinating and frustrating (in the best way).
Hooked by Michael Moss
this romance series is SO FREAKING CUTE! reading these books feels like watching a romcom. all three are adorable and i highly recommend reading them all in order, but my favorite is book two, practice makes perfect.
Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams (Book 2)
small-town cowboy romance?? SIGN ME UP! this whole series (4 books) is going to be a comfort read for me for the rest of my life. book 1 (done and dusted) and book 4 (wild and wrangled) are my FAVS and i adore the focal couples so much!!
Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage (Book 1)
i read the whole series and it is so insanely addicting! if you like sports romance, READ THIS SERIES!! all of the characters are so great and i love them so much. this series will be a comfort read in the future!
Mile High by Liz Tomforde (Book 1)
my favorite sf bay area libraries
the best book selections and the coziest places to read and work in the bay. i haven't checked out every library in the bay, though, so send me your favorites, too!
the main branch of the hayward public library system has an extensive collection of books in a modern but cozy setting! it's the perfect place to find something new to read and/or get work done.
Hayward Public Library
adorable and cozy - the perfect (albeit small) place to curl up with a book or some work!
Claremont Branch, Berkeley Public Library
if you've ever wanted to feel like you're the main character in a college movie, the north reading room in doe library on the uc berkeley campus is the place for you!
Doe Library, UC Berkeley
kindle and e-reader accessories, and other bookish goodies
i am very proud of my lazy bookworm lifestyle. here are the things that enable it! i especially love pairing all of these goodies with ebooks that i check out for free from my local library. the libby app makes it super easy to find and check out boo...
i have an OG kindle keyboard and insisted i didn't want/need to upgrade, but i received this as a gift and GOSH it was worth upgrading for the backlight alone. it's so much nicer to use the kindle with backlight at night as compared to my book light ...
Kindle Paperwhite E-Reader
if i'm holding my kindle, it's with these (specifically in lavender). i use them paired with a kindle case, so they don't lay quite as flat at the corners, and the case creates more tension because it adds thickness to the kindle. but i don't mind ei...
Strapsicle
i am a lazy person and this, paired with a kindle page turner button, is PERFECT for my lazy bookworm lifestyle. it's adjustable in terms of screen height and angle, so it's perfect for reading on the couch or in bed, and i love the fun green color!
Tablet, Kindle, or E-Reader Stand Pillow
another enabler of my lazy bookworm lifestyle! i use this specifically for reading in bed by attaching the mount to my nightstand. because i have a large bed, the neck of the holder really only reaches far enough for me to read on my side, but you co...
Gooseneck Tablet & E-Reader Holder Stand
my pink page turner rounds out my collection of fun, colorful kindle accessories that enable my lazy bookworm lifestyle. it allows you to turn the page remotely (excessively indulgent, i know), so you can curl up in a blanket and read your book with ...
Remote Control Page Turner for e-Readers
alright this one is admittedly silly and just for fun, but i have the cell phone smiski attached to the top of my kindle and it is so adorable and fun to have a little buddy to be on my device with! i have also received so many compliments on it.
Smiski HIPPERS
i just finished putting together this book nook and it is SO FREAKING BEAUTIFUL! the details in it are insane, and it was so much fun to build. it has lots of pieces (at least i think it does, it's my first book nook), so it gave me many hours of fun...
Book Nook Kit, Ancient Chinese Town