7 Library Books I’ve Loved Recently

For the last 6 months or so, I’ve been using the library a LOT. I’ve been doing a lot more reading than usual and I know that if I let myself loose in a bookstore, my bank account would be seriously suffering, with all the books I want to read at the moment. We have a few great libraries near us, so I figured I would make the most of them.

It would break my heart to see libraries close so if there’s a library near you, please use it! It can save you money – loads of money – if you’re an avid reader and book lover like me!

I like a range of genres but one of my favourites is YA. And this is the genre I’m reading most at the moment, so you might see some books in this post that have recently been featured in my February Reading Wrap-Up post. There’s a dedicated section to YA and teen books in the library that I appear to be slowly working my way through!

Here are 7 library books that I’ve loved recently:

 

Dear Life by Rachel Clarke

I’m a big fan of non-fiction and in particular, medical non-fiction. Not because I’m morbid but because I find it fascinating and important. Dear Life was a book I knew I needed to pick up, after reading Your Life in My Hands by Rachel Clarke last year.

Dear Life is a raw and honest account of life as a palliative care doctor, the problems facing the NHS and the importance of human connection and tenderness in a person’s last months or days.

The Ocean At the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

This book was simply magic in every sense of the word. Coraline is my favourite film and one of my favourite books; Neil Gaiman’s imagination just captured me in that story. So reading The Ocean At the End of the Lane, I had a lot of expectations. 

For an older audience than Coraline (I think) but it no way loses any of it’s magic and splendor. Neil Gaiman is mesmerizing. This story is strange and captivating and beautiful and weird. I loved it.

SLAY by Brittney Morris

I rated SLAY 5 stars before I’ve even finished the book – I absolutely LOVED IT. I read The Cost of Knowing by Brittney Morris last year and enjoyed it but but SLAY. Wowzers. SLAY is on another level of brilliance.

SLAY is a firecracker of a novel. The main character, Kiera, is fantastic. Intellectually brilliant. She creates a whole Virtual Reality game – SLAY – for black people to enjoy and come to duel with others and allow them a space to feel seen with their shared histories. Likely a favourite of 2022 for me!

Snowflake, AZ by Marcus Sadgwick

Arguably this is the book on this list that the least happens in. Think The Catcher in the Rye type nothing happens. But unlike with CitR, I really enjoyed Snowflake, AZ. I thought it was an unusual and interesting premise.

You’ll see from the reviews that a lot of people did struggle with how slow paced this book was so if slow isn’t your thing, I’d probably avoid this one. I found the characters intriguing and the ideas around health and invisible illness important.

Jemima Small Versus the Universe by Tamsin Winter

Jemima Small Versus the Universe is a very teen book but I don’t mind them because I find them easy to read and a nice escape from more hard-hitting and difficult reads. This book was a delight to read though. It took me a while to get into but I loved Jemima from the get-go.

This is a fantastic book about body positivity and self-esteem. It’ll likely hit on a variety of feelings we’ve all had growing up (and probably still do have to this day, even as adults). A wonderful read!

Nowhere on Earth by Nick Lake

I absolutely ADORED Nowhere on Earth. It so wasn’t what I was expecting when I went into it but I think sometimes, that’s the best thing. When you’re completely caught off guard. I won’t spoil anything with this one but I’d just recommend reading it.

I loved the setting of the mountains, the relationship between the two main characters and the utterly beautiful, almost poetic prose at times. This book really made me think – which is the kinda book I love!

All the Things We Never Said by Yasmin Rahman

I really enjoyed All the Things We Never Said and loved how open and honest the dialogue was about mental illness. Although I would say, take some MAJOR trigger warnings for mental illness, depression, suicide, SH, anxiety, abuse and r*pe for this one. I think you could probably guess from the blurb that it’s not going to be a particularly light read.

Saying that, there were some really important moments and messages within this book; especially among the three girls and friendship. It really does show the power of friendship and support and having people around you that understand and don’t judge. A really interesting premise – but certainly not suitable for everyone.

I am planning to hold fire on the library visits for a while as I have SO many bookshelf TBR books to read and if I keep going to the library, I’ll never get around to them. But I just adore the library; it’s such a peaceful and safe space to me and what a wonderful and magical thing it is, to be able to read all these books for free.

Do you still go to the library? Have you read any of these books? Let me know your thoughts!

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