Books On My Bookshelf TBR: Mid-Year Update

At the start of 2023, I wrote this post, highlighting some books that have been sitting on my bookshelf for far too long, that I wanted to try and get around to reading this year. I buy books at approximately 5 times the speed that I can read them so, inevitably, the amount on my shelves adds up rather quickly.

I had 12 books on this list, of varying different genres.

A lot of them came from a little Waterstones haul I did at the start of the year, with a voucher I received for Christmas, others are random books that I’ve had on my shelf for far too long and just needed to hold myself accountable for reading.

But I had a nice selection of books here, all of which I was looking forward to reading (to varying degrees), so I wanted to do a mid-year check in (mid-year, already, AS IF) to see how I’m getting on.

So let’s go through them and see which ones I’ve read, which ones I haven’t and which ones I’m still putting off:

The Lemon Tree Café by Cathy Bramley

I still haven’t read this one because to me, it feels like it would be better read in the Summer. I know we’re well and truly heading towards Summer now so I don’t really have an excuse any more, do I?

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

I am KICKING myself for putting this off for so long because this is definitely one of the best books I’ve read this year so far. An absolutely stunning read.

The Keeper of Stories by Sally Page

I’m reading this as I’m writing this post and it’s good. Super easy to ready, probably one of the quickest books I’ve read this year so far. Not sure if it’s one I’ll really remember but a solid read.

How To Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie

I freaking loved this. I was totally intimidated by this book because of all the good things I’d heard about it but it was right up my street. Really dark and really funny. The main character was an absolute delight (in the worst way possible!)

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo 

Nope, still haven’t read this one. I’m just put off by the fact I’ve had someone tell me they hated it and someone else tell me it was one of their favourites. Clearly quite a polarizing book!

The People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagihara

Nope, whoops. I’m actually wondering whether I pushed myself too far out of my comfort zone with this one and pondering why I bought it in the first place. It might surprise me – I hope it does.

The Push by Ashley Audrain

Again, no, I’ve not read this one yet. For no particular reason other than I’ve just not got around to it. Although I do continue to hear people say how good it is, so I am looking forward to picking this up.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

I loved this book! I’ve since bought another of Emily Henry’s books as well, which is a rarity for me to get hooked on one specific author. I really enjoyed Book Lovers, it was the exact sort of rom-com I like!

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

I went to see the movie A Man Called Otto and only then did I realise it was based on this book, so I read this as soon as I’d seen the film and absolutely loved it. A beautiful read.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I’ve not read this yet. This is quite a hefty book and I do struggle with long books sometimes, so I’m a little intimidated by the size but I’ve heard amazing things about this one so I’m excited to read it when I do.

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

Ugh, I hated this one. Sorry. I know so many people who loved it but I just absolutely hated it, it was not for me at all. I feel like the same sentiments were being repeated over and over again and did anything ACTUALLY happen?

The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker by Lauren James

Not yet but I’m really looking forward to this one because I’ve read a Lauren James book before and was blown away by it. This one seems really different but I’m looking forward to delving into YA again.

6 out of 12 isn’t too bad going, I don’t think. Considering in previous years, I’ve not read ANY of the books I’d set out to read! Apart from Get a Life, Chloe Brown, I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed these books too.

The stand outs so far have probably been Book Lovers, How To Kill Your Family and The Vanishing Half, all of which I awarded 5 stars to on Goodreads.

I’ll likely check in again with this selection of books at the end of the year to see how I did – I really hope I can get through all of these by then. 2023 has been an amazing read year so far!

Have you read any of these? What did you think?

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