And just like that, we’ve reached the halfway point of the year. Have I managed to reach my 2024 mid-year reading goals? Let’s find out.
2024 has been such a bizarre reading year for me. While one of my goals for the year was to read less, I truly didn’t anticipate reading as infrequently as I have over the last six months. As someone who went over three years without missing a single day of reading, picking up well over 200 books each year, and posting nonstop on bookstagram about current reads, it’s really fascinating to me how much calmer and quieter this reading year has been so far.
I’m definitely not complaining. I’ve given high ratings to more books than I have in years past and I’ve also really leaned into digital reading. While I still love my physical copies, my Kindle has become my favorite companion, and I’ve listened to more books each month than ever before. I’ve spent a lot less time caring about how others perceive my reading style and just read however and whatever I please!
At the end of December, I created my priority TBR for the upcoming year and now I’m sharing if I’ve managed to reach my 2024 mid-year reading goals. I’m also disclosing what my favorite books have been so far and some of my reading stats for the last six months. Keep on scrolling to see which of my priority titles I’ve picked up, how many books I’ve read in 2024, and what my reading plans are for the second half of the year.
related posts
5 Reasons to Utilize the Library // How to Read More Books // Why I Switched to The StoryGraph
My priority 24 TBR for 2024 was filled with lots of new releases from my auto-buy authors as well as a few books that have been on my radar for far too long. Here’s how I’m faring with my original list:
Akarnae (The Medoran Chronicles #1) by Lynette Noni – After falling head over heels in love with The Prison Healer series a few years ago (and loving it just as much–if not more– the second time around), I knew I wanted to read Lynette’s other books. However, these aren’t available from any of my libraries, so I’m waiting until I have some Kindle points or they go on sale for me to purchase them to read!
Before the Coffee Gets Cold (Before the Coffee Gets Cold #1) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi – I started this on audio a few years ago and didn’t enjoy the narration style, but I have a feeling that I’ll really like it if I read it with my eyeballs. I’m waiting until autumn for this one, because it seems almost too cozy for summertime.
Betting On You (Betting On You #1) by Lynn Painter – This was an okay read. I like Lynn’s adult romances a lot, but I think her YA books fall a little flat for me. I had received a copy of this from the publisher, so I decided to give it a read, but it won’t be one that I pick up again.
Business Casual (Lovelight Farms #4) by B.K. Borison – As I’m writing this post (on July 3rd), we’re just a few weeks away from this book hitting shelves and I can’t wait! I’ve adored the Lovelight series and just know I’m going to be completely obsessed with this cutie once I get the chance to read it.
Christa Comes Out of Her Shell by Abbi Waxman – Another adorable novel by Abbi. Her books never cease to make me laugh, and shockingly, this one made me cry as well. It certainly focused more on the family dynamics than it did on the romance, but I enjoyed the story a lot. It was very unique!
Down Comes the Night by Allison Saft – I’ve heard such mixed reviews about this book but I’m definitely going to give it a go… possibly closer to autumn? I’m not sure why, but it feels like an autumn book to me.
Eragon (Eragon #1) by Christopher Paolini – Good gracious I can’t believe it took me this long to pick up this masterpiece. I loved it! I honestly can’t wait to continue the series. There’s a reason it’s as popular as it is–it’s that good. And to think that it was written when Christopher was only 15. Absolutely incredible!
Funny Story by Emily Henry – Okay, let’s just say that I loved this one so much that I inhaled the ARC and immediately downloaded the audiobook to reread it as soon as it was released. Such a good book. Emily Henry is the queen of romance. There’s just no one else like her!
Girls of Paper and Fire (Girls of Paper and Fire #1) by Natasha Ngan – I had this book on my TBR for so many years and I’m really, really glad that I finally read it. In fact, I loved it so much that I finished it in just over a day, which I’ve struggled with doing this year (especially when it comes to fantasy). It deals with some incredibly dark themes, but the author navigates them really well. I look forward to continuing the series.
Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun – LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. I have zero complaints about this book. Alison’s previous two books have meant a lot to me, but this one is something extra special. It’s incredibly emotional and I found myself actually sobbing multiple times. But I also laughed so hard it hurt as well. It’s just spectacular.
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez – I always love Abby’s books. She does such a good job incorporating heavier topics into her romances and it gives them a level of depth that I sometimes find lacking in other novels. I enjoyed this one a lot. It’s not an all-time favorite, but it was very good!
Red Rising (Red Rising Saga #1) by Pierce Brown – This is such a hugely popular series on bookstagram, but I’m nervous about picking it up because of that! I want to love it but I’m also terrified I’m not going to enjoy it at all. Hoping I can “conquer my fears” and grab it soon!
Savor It by Tarrah DeWitt – Eek! This was so swoony. I loved the small-town romance goodness in this book. I also found myself thinking about the characters a lot after I finished it, which isn’t a super typical thing for me. I can still remember their names and some of their defining traits, so it’s clearly a stand-out read for me this year!
Song of Silver, Flame Like Night (Song of the Last Kingdom #1) by Amélie Wen Zhao – I’m not sure what my hesitancy is with this book, but I just keep pushing it off. Maybe because I feel like I read several books over the last few years that had similar themes and they all felt the same to me? I love the cover, the concept sounds amazing, and I really enjoy Chinese mythology, so I think I need to just bite the bullet and dive in. Maybe I’ll adore it (I hope so)!
Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young – This is one I’m saving for autumn. Last year, I read and loved The Unmaking of June Farrow and decided that it was high time for me to read everything else that Adrienne has written. I’m really excited about this one because some of my most trusted bookstagram reviewers have raved about it. I can’t wait to pick it up in October.
The Break-Up Pact by Emma Lord – Emma Lord’s first adult novel… can you hear me squealing? I’ve absolutely loved Emma’s YA books over the years and I’m really anxious to see how her writing will translate to adult romances. The plot for this one sounds like a blast. I hope I love it!
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo – This book was really fascinating to me. Partly because it was incredibly slow and didn’t really feel like it ever went anywhere. Partly because I actually loved it? I didn’t want to put it down and it didn’t necessarily “wow” me, but I still found myself recommending it upon completion. I guess that’s just the magic of Leigh’s writing.
The Grandest Game (The Inheritance Games #5) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes – Another book that comes out within the month this post is written and I can’t wait! I honestly want to get my hands on the stunning Barnes & Noble special edition. This is one of my favorite series and I love their covers almost as much as I love the story. Can’t wait to see what happens next for these characters.
The Rule Book (The Cheat Sheet #2) by Sarah Adams – This book was absolutely adorable. I believe it was Sarah’s first open-door romance and she did a great job with it. It was still very mild when it comes to spice but, like all of her other books, filled with the most delicious tension and chemistry. Such a fun sequel to The Cheat Sheet.
The Wrath & the Dawn (The Wrath & the Dawn #1) by Renée Ahdieh – One of my friends has been recommending this book to me for ages now, so I made sure to prioritize it this year! I have a feeling it’s going to be one that I pick up very soon. I’m really looking forward to reading it!
Unseelie (The Unseelie Duology #1) by Ivelisee Housman – This book was so much fun! I had the chance to meet Ivelisse at a book event at the end of 2023 and I also got to hear her talk about her writing process, how personal this book is for her, and really just her passion for storytelling. When I finally read the book, it was even more special to me because I knew all of the details behind it!
Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson – I’ve really liked Margaret’s other books, so naturally, that means I want to read this one! I plan to pick it up this autumn, since her other books were so wonderful to read during that season. Clearly, autumn is the reading season for me.
What the River Knows (Secrets of the Nile #1) by Isabel Ibañez – Someone said that this book is like The Mummy and Death on the Nile combined, which instantly piqued my interest. I really enjoyed both of those and the concept of mashing them together seems fascinating. I definitely want to give this a read before summer ends.
Wisteria (Belladonna #3) by Adalyn Grace – This is one of my most-anticipated books of the year. I’ve really loved the Belladonna series and I’m curious to see how Adalyn is planning to wrap up the story. I got the chance to attend a book signing for the previous installment in the series and meeting Adalyn was so much fun. It made me love her books even more!
2024 Reading Stats
Month-by-Month Breakdown
January – 14 books read: 3 physical copies, 3 ebooks, and 8 audiobooks. 12 of the books I read were rereads, which was wonderful. My favorites were rereads of both The Midnight Library, People We Meet on Vacation, and Heartstopper Volume 5.
February – 12 books read: 1 physical copies, 2 ebooks, and 9 audiobooks. My favorites were a reread of Bring Me Your Midnight, as well as Expiration Dates, and For Her Consideration.
March – 11 books read: 1 physical copies, 4 ebooks, and 6 audiobooks. My favorites were Funny Story, Mistakes Were Made, and Destroy the Day.
April – 8 books read: 2 ebooks, and 6 audiobooks. My favorites were Where the Dark Stands Still, Just for the Summer, and The Falling in Love Montage.
May – 10 books read: 2 ebooks, and 8 audiobooks. My favorites were Five Broken Blades, Eragon, and The Partner Plot.
June – 10 books read: 3 ebooks, and 7 audiobooks. My favorites were Here We Go Again, Late Bloomer, and Savor It.
It’s been a pretty decent first half of the year. So many wonderful books and so many incredible titles left to read! I’m proud of how I’ve done with my 2024 mid-year reading goals!
Shop the Post
bookish coconut wax candles (ESPRESSO10) | single-serve French press | wooden cake tray | cappuccino mug & saucer | faux cotton sprigs | similar birdcage | similar pillow | sweater | similar mirror | cinnamon sticks | fake pine cones | blue light-blocking glasses
You’re doing so great with your reading goals, hope the second half of the year is just as good for you! I’d highly recommend What the River Knows, it was an amazing read, and the second book is on my most anticipated list for this year.
I loved seeing your reading goals check-in! I also love my Kindle and have been slowly switching to reading more e-books than physical copies over the last few years 😄 I really hope you enjoy Vespertine, I loved it 🥰