Best I've Read In 2018 .... So Far.

As the midway point of the year is quickly approaching I figured it was time to check in with my year in reading up to this point. It's a great way to see how influential the first half of the way was to my overall reading and just a nice way to see how far I've come so far.

Sadly, I am way behind on my Goodreads reading challenge this year. I am 10 books behind schedule and I am not hopeful I'll catch up. I am going to give it my all but I am okay with possibly no making my goal this year.

I have noticed that my reading selection gets better every year and this year is no exception. I know what I like as a reader and have a better ability to pick out the books I am going to enjoy. It means my Goodreads ratings are trending really positive right now, but I am considering that a perk of the journey of discovering who I am as a reader. Does anyone else worry about being too positive sometimes, or are you just happy that you're picking books that you enjoy? Let me know.

I am reading a lot more romance than I tend to (at least for the first half the year). It's not surprising as there have been some great ones that have come out. I still think my reads lean heavily to young adult and I doubt that will ever really change.

As previously mentioned I haven't read as much as I typically have by this point in the year. This has made picking my ten favourite reads of the first half of 2018 harder in some ways and easier in others. I have less choices, but each choice feels more deliberate. Each exclusion hurts a little more than it has before.

With that said, here are my top ten of 2018 (so far) ....

*These are in no particular order* 

1 Side By Side by Jenni L Walsh

2 Royals by Rachel Hawkins

3 I'll Be Gone In The Dark by Michelle McNamara

4 The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory

5 Save The Date by Morgan Matson

6 Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody

7 Legendary by Stephanie Garber

8 The Kiss Quotient by by Helen Hoang

9 Leah On The Offbeat by Becky Albertalli

10 You by Caroline Kepnes

Each book links to my review (except for The Kiss Quotient which I have not reviewed yet, but will be up next week).

What books would make your own best of lists at this point in the year? Let me know in the comments as I am always looking for new books to add to my to be read list. 

Leah On The Offbeat by Becky Albertalli

Leah On The Offbeat by Becky Albertalli
Release Date - April 24,  2018
Publisher Website - Harper Collins

Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages -  352 pages
My Rating - 5/5
**purchased**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Leah Burke—girl-band drummer, master of deadpan, and Simon Spier’s best friend from the award-winning Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda—takes center stage in this novel of first love and senior-year angst.

When it comes to drumming, Leah Burke is usually on beat—but real life isn’t always so rhythmic. An anomaly in her friend group, she’s the only child of a young, single mom, and her life is decidedly less privileged. She loves to draw but is too self-conscious to show it. And even though her mom knows she’s bisexual, she hasn’t mustered the courage to tell her friends—not even her openly gay BFF, Simon.

So Leah really doesn’t know what to do when her rock-solid friend group starts to fracture in unexpected ways. With prom and college on the horizon, tensions are running high. It’s hard for Leah to strike the right note while the people she loves are fighting—especially when she realizes she might love one of them more than she ever intended.

If you're anything like me you read and loved Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda when it came out. You probably also wanted a sequel almost immediately upon finishing. When it was announced that we were getting a follow up in the form of a companion novel from Leah's point of view I was very excited. I loved Leah and was eager for her to have her own story. My expectations were high and Leah On The Offbeat shattered them. It's a feel good read that will leave you smiling as you hug your book. It's a fitting send off for these characters, and one that readers will want to return to again and again.

Fans of the first book will delight in the return of many beloved characters. We are given the opportunity to say goodbye to so many of our favourites. They have substantial roles within Leah's story in ways that charmed me completely. There is a ton of adorable Simon interactions in this book simply because he's one of Leah's best friends. I was surprised that even minor characters were given their due in this finale. It's a love letter to the fans of that first book in so many ways and I am confident it'll make readers emotional just for that perspective.

Readers fell in love with Simon while following him on his journey and they can expect to fall in love with Leah during hers. Being inside Leah's head is different than viewing her through Simon's perspective. She's snarky, loyal, fiercely protective of both herself and those she cares about, and complicated. She's imperfect and unsure at times and that makes her so interesting. I can see people labeling her with the 'unlikeable female character' moniker but I feel that's inaccurate and a disservice to her character. She's abrasive at times but that doesn't make her unworthy. She makes mistakes, but that just makes her feel all the more real as a character. I instantly loved her and the journey she navigates in her story.

Leah On The Offbeat, like Simon Vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda, is a sort of coming out story. Leah knows who she is but just hasn't shared it with anyone outside of her family. Her bisexuality is addressed on the page in a really plot centric way. Leah is presented as noticing both male and female characters as attractive. There are two characters who could potentially be the love interest, even though it isn't what I would call a love triangle. It is, in my opinion, clear pretty early on who the true love interest is but it clearly showcases Leah's version of bisexuality in a way that suits her character. It's never up for debate, and is something Leah labels herself as throughout the book. It's very much presented as part of her character without being the only thing about her character.

The romance itself is pretty swoon worthy, but just as complicated as you would expect for a character like Leah. There are some delightful moments that exist between the two characters that are filled with flirty undercurrents and the potential for something more. It's a romance that fits who Leah's character is and that means it isn't without its bumps. Those bumps just make the pay off all the most rewarding. I also think the type of journey you should take with Leah, and not know too many spoilers going in.

Becky Albertalli once again crafts a story that is filled with humour, heart, and a swoony romance that is just charming as its predecessor. It'll have fans excited for whatever Becky Albertalli writes next even as they bid farewell to these beloved characters. It hits both the cozy notes of familiarity for those invested in these characters, but also allows Leah's story to be something all its own. 

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews)

I am sure that the book I have this week will also appear in many mailbox posts this week! I am a huge fan of Simon Vs The Homosapiens Agenda and am very excited to be returning to this world and these characters. 

Leah On The Offbeat by Becky Albertalli (goodreads)

What bookish goodies made their way into your mailbox this week? Let me know in the comments.

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

This was supposed to actually post last week and I did not notice until way too late that it didn't. I am going to post it this week and do a catch up post next week with anything that has caught my eye since.

BOOK

Cover for Becky Albertalli's Leigh On The Offbeat (goodreads)

I love this cover. So much. It's eye catching and everything I wanted it to be.

I am even more excited for this book to be released next year!

TV/MOVIE 

American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace Trailer

The full length trailer for the upcoming season of American Crime Story is here and I love it. Darren Criss is giving me chills and the trailer has me very excited for what is to come!

I am excited to see everyone in this. I predict that some of the performances are going to be amazing. The only question is if it'll be as high caliber as the previous season. I hope so.

What are you obsessed with this week?