Summer 2024 Backlist Check-In and Life Update
This summer absolutely flew past me. My family didn’t have huge plans, but we had a lot of little things to do that kept us close to home and pretty busy. We managed to get most of those things done and still visit the beach a few times and see friends, so I feel like overall it was a successful season.
I also managed to read a pretty long list of backlist books. I listened to seven of these as audiobooks. Five of these titles are graphic novels and another two are heavily illustrated, which are also pretty quick to read. All of that combined to help me get more reading time in than I anticipated. During the months of June, July, and August, I read more than 80 books, and of those, 24 were backlist titles. I’m really happy with that progress.
A few of these titles had been on my reading list for a long time, so I’m super excited that I finally managed to read them. Most notably, those titles are Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. I also really enjoyed my reread of Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery.
Keep scrolling for details about all the backlist titles I read this summer.
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Summer 2024 Backlist Check-In and Life Update
Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renée Watson and Ekua Holmes
What you need to know: The collage illustrations in this book are incredible alongside the thoughtful poetry that celebrates home, girlhood, and growing into your power. Loved it.
Published February 13, 2024 | My Review to Come
Rise of the Shadowfire (City of Dragons #2) by Jaimal Yogis and Vivian Truong
What you need to know: It picks up soon after the first book ends and takes Grace and her friends on a wild race through the Paris catacombs. Grace and her dragon’s relationship is one of the sweet highlights of this quick-to-read graphic novel.
Published October 17, 2023 | My Review to Come
Legends and Lattes (Legends and Lattes #1) by Travis Baldree
What you need to know: This was a really fun book to read. The cozy elements really worked, but I never felt like the story dragged or wasn’t interesting. The characters are fabulous. Definitely glad I read this!
Published February 22, 2022
On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder
What you need to know: Total impulse read, but a good one. It’s only about 100 pages and goes through twenty things you can do when you’re worried about a fascist government.
Published June 4, 2024 | My Review to Come
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
What you need to know: Really rich storytelling in this graphic novel in which three storylines merge into one. This has some (purposely) uncomfortable moments that confront readers with the impact of racism, especially racist “jokes.” A powerful book.
Published September 6, 2006 | My Review to Come
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehesi Coates
What you need to know: This one has been on my reading list for a while. I listened to the audiobook version read by the author. It’s so powerful. His explanation of how his understanding of history evolved when he was in college is incredibly poignant. He frames his experience in terms of bodily autonomy for himself and the people around him. I’m not sure I’ve read anything else that more clearly communicated the experience of being Black in America. It’s a must-read, for sure.
Published June 4, 2024 | My Review to Come
Garden of the Cursed (Garden of the Cursed #1) by Katy Rose Pool
What you need to know: I’ve heard a lot about this author, so when I got the chance to read this book, I jumped in with both feet. It was easy to get lost in this world of magic and mayhem along with a friends to enemies to lovers forbidden romance.
Published June 20, 2023 | My Review to Come
Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human
Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan
What you need to know: A conversational, graphic novel-style book exploring topics related to sex, dating, identity, and relationships. The format makes the information very accessible, and the authors do a great job presenting basic information about a variety of topics. This is also among the top ten most challenged books of 2023.
Published March 9, 2021 | Review to Come
The Winnie-the-Pooh Collection by A. A. Milne and Ernest Shepard
What you need to know: I read Milne’s classic stories about Winnie-the-Pooh for the first time this year. They’re sweet and insightful tales about friendship and exploration.
Published August 6, 2024 | My Review
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
What you need to know: This was a reread for me, and it only made me realize how much I love this story. The insights into family bonds and celebration of imagination are fabulous. I’m so glad I got to revisit this one.
Published August 28, 2014 (Orig. 1908) | My Review to Come
A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus
What you need to know: The story follows three orphans who need to find a guardian at the time that children were evacuated from London because of the bombing during WWII. This story was everything I wanted it to be. I have to read more by Kate Albus.
Published February 2, 2021 | My Review to Come
How to Write a Soundtrack to Your Life by Fiona Hardy
Kane Miller Website | Bookshop | Goodreads
What you need to know: A shy, young composer must figure out who stole the music from her original song. This is an anthem for all shy, musically gifted kids. I loved this one.
Published August 25, 2020 | My Review
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
What you need to know: One of the most challenged books of 2023. Tells the story of Pecola, an eleven-year-old Black girl who prays for her eyes to turn blue so she will be beautiful. A powerful read.
Published June 24, 2007 (Orig. 1970) | My Review to Come
What did you read over the summer?
Did you do any reading over the summer? If so, what were your favorite books? Leave a comment and let me know, or let me know if you’ve read anything from my list.
