Summer 2023 Backlist Reading
One of the things I’ve been frustrated and feeling a bit stuck about is how to share backlist titles that I’ve been reading lately. A lot of my lists feature books from the upcoming season or the season just passed, and I’m never sure what to do to feature backlist books more regularly.
For one thing, I read backlist titles kind of sporadically. And because my review calendar has been so full the last couple of years, sometimes I’ll read a book but not post the review for months. Which means I’m waiting months to talk about some truly incredible books.
At first, I experimented with a weekly wrap-up post. I love the idea of those posts, but the sad truth is that I’m often too busy to keep up with them. I don’t have a good rhythm to a set time to create them yet.
So, meet my newest idea! A Seasonal Backlist Check-in! This will include all the backlist titles I’ve read this past summer (which is actually a little more than I thought). I’m being pretty liberal with my definition of backlist. Basically, if it came out before this summer and I read it too late to include it in my seasonal favorites list for the season it was released, I’ll include it here.
Thanks for checking out the books I read in my summer 2023 backlist reading.
Money Out Loud: All the Financial Stuff No One Taught Us Berna Anat
What you need to know: Practical money advice presented in a clear, super fun way. This was a lot of fun to read, actually. A must-read for anyone entering the workforce or still struggling to figure out their finances.
Published: April 25, 2023 | Review to Come
J.R. Silver Writes Her World by Melissa Dassori
What you need to know: J.R. discovers the things she writes in her school essays come true, but they have consequences. A story about changing friendships and a budding writer. I loved this one. Perfect for fans of Gillian McDunn.
Published: July 19, 2022 | My Review
Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen
What you need to know: When rumors of a vampire reach Garlic and her friends, they nominate her to deal with him. After all, vampires can’t tolerate garlic, right? Such a cute book! I loved all the veggie characters and the warm conclusion.
Published: September 28, 2021 | Review to Come
The Deadlands: Hunted by Skye Melki-Wegner
What you need to know: A group of young dinosaurs exiled from their tribes team up to expose a hidden threat to their former tribes’ survival. This one completely took me by surprise. I loved the characters and the prehistoric adventure. It’s very LAND BEFORE TIME meets WARRIORS.
Published: April 4, 2023 | Review to Come
Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken, Leigh Dragoon, and Kit Seaton
What you need to know: A wizard and a weaver journey to the capital with information that could stop a war, their enemies following closely behind them. I enjoyed this adaptation of the young adult novel. Now I want to read the original.
Published: September 28, 2021 | Review to Come
Roll for Initiative by Jaime Formato
What you need to know: After her brother (and best friend) moves away to college, Riley finds new friends and independence through playing Dungeons and Dragons. This charming story has nuanced relationships and a fun celebration of a beloved game. I loved it!
Published: September 27, 2022 | My Review
House of Salt and Sorrow (Sisters of Salt #1) by Erin A. Craig
What you need to know: Annaleigh mourns the loss of another sister as rumors of a curse swell around her family. Desperate to find a marriage match, Annaleigh and her sisters sneak away to dance through the night at ball after ball, leaving their father puzzled at their worn slippers. A haunting, sea-bound retelling of Twelve Dancing Princesses. I enjoyed the romance, though I think I like the second book in this series better.
Published: August 6, 2019 | Review to Come
The Vermilion Emporium by Jamie Pacton
What you need to know: Marketed as RADIUM GIRLS meets HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE. I adored this love story and the immersive fantasy world in which it takes place. One of my favorites for the year.
Published: November 22, 2022 | My Review
Sorceline by Sylvia Douyé, Paola Antista, and Tanya Gold
What you need to know: Sorceline joins a school on a magical island, learning to identify and help magical animals. A mysterious threat begins turning students to stone, and Sorceline may be the only one who can stop them. I loved the lush, fantastical illustrations in this book.
Published: May 17, 2022 | My Review
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
What you need to know: The author compares the caste system of India to Nazi Germany and slavery and race relations in the United States. It’s definitely the kind of thing you can’t unsee afterward, if that makes sense. Definitely worth reading.
Published: August 4, 2020 | Review to Come
Have you read any of my summer 2023 backlist titles?
Which book sounds like the one you’d enjoy most? Have you read any of the books on my list? Will you be adding any of these titles to your backlist reading list?
I often find myself with books that seem too old to put up my review, but sometimes I just do it anyway. I figure it’s never too late to review a good book. I haven’t read any of the books on your list, but I do have J. R. Silver Writes Her World on my list. Someday…
Thanks for the post.
I agree– especially if the book was really enjoyable, why not talk about it? 🙂 I hope you enjoy J.R. Silver when you get to it!