Once — in that long ago time before self-employment and caring for a tiny human — I used to stubbornly finish every book that I started. If I read chapter one, I read every chapter that followed. It was a matter of principle… and also I had plenty of time.

Recently, though, I’ve abandoned that self-imposed rule. I try to finish every book that I start (and I always pay my library fines when it takes me longer than I expected). But if I’m not enjoying a book, for whatever reason, I no longer feel obligated to spend my leisure time on it. Every book deserves a chance, is my way of thinking. But not every chance works out.

In the last couple months, I had a higher than normal proportion of abandoned books. But I also discovered some absolute gems, revisited favorite authors, and thoroughly enjoyed a good adventure or two.

Reading, friends. It does a body good.

Recently finished:

The Changing Tide by K.A. Dowling. Kelly and I connected on Instagram through a post-a-day challenge for writers (though I’m pretty sure neither of us posted every day). And I’m so glad we did — this first installment of her pirates and rogues YA trilogy is a fun, fast-paced read that manages to touch on some serious issues without losing its sense of adventure. She just released book three, which means I have a little catching up to do so I can finish out the series.

Hollywood Homicide by Kellye Garrett. A snarky, hilarious, page-turner of a murder mystery written by someone who clearly knows and loves (and loves to hate) the bizarre world that is Hollywood. There was so much to adore about this book that it’s impossible for me to do it justice. It took me less than 36 hours to read this one, and I am desperate to get my hands on number two. Dayna Anderson may be my new favorite amateur sleuth.

A Burial at Sea by Charles Finch. This was an interesting twist on the “closed room” mystery setup because it took place primarily on a ship, which was the best kind of claustrophobic. I’ll admit to not loving the villain’s wrap up — and the explanation of his motivations — but the mystery was overall delightful. Charles Finch does pacing so well. I did miss the characters from earlier books who were not on the ship, but I respect that change of cast as a writing choice.

A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas. This is book #2 in a new series that I am just loving. (The first is A Study in Scarlet Women. How delightful is that title?!) I’m always up for a good Sherlock Holmes twist. In this one, Sherlock is actually Lady Charlotte Holmes, secret detective who pretends to have an invalid, crime-solving brother. The tone and style are faithful to Conan Doyle but the storytelling is entirely original. (Fun fact: the Lady Sherlock mysteries are one of the comps I used in my query letter, and one of the lit agents I talked to last week knows Sherry Thomas! We had a delightful fangirling conversation as a result.)

Currently reading:

Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance. A memoir of life in rural white America that is beautifully written and incredibly bleak and also makes me really angry. (Lots of feelings in general while reading this.) There’s a reason everyone was talking about it when it came out.  It especially hits me hard because of how much it reflects the lives of the seniors I volunteer with.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. I tried to read this book on my own and gave myself apocalypse-planning insomnia. (No joke, I asked my husband at two in the morning whether we should get him LASIK so he’d have a better chance of survival after the collapse of civilization.) Now my long-distance best friend and I are reading it for our two-person book club, which gives me an outlet for ALL THE FEELINGS that it provokes.

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton. This is currently “reading rather” that “recently finished” because I got halfway through before the library reclaimed my borrowed ebook. I’m eager to get another copy because it was such an intriguing read. I don’t yet feel very connected to the main character — I felt much more concerned about various mysterious revelations than she did, which is an odd feeling. But the worldbuilding is so darn intriguing I really want to see where it goes.

Upcoming reads:

An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole. A Civil-War-and-spies historical romance that looks amazing. I added this to my library hold list because I loved the summary, then discovered that it is wildly well-reviewed. Also it’s the first in a series, and I do love a romance series. I can’t wait.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein. A YA World War II spy thriller that sounds utterly chilling and fascinating. (Apparently I’m in the mood for spies this summer.) I’m five years behind the times on this one. But I’ve heard so many people mention it lately that I finally added it to my hold list. Of course, the wait is 40+ people long. Le sigh.

What’s on your bookshelf these days?