Many friends who know I read a lot often ask me what books I recommend. In fact, I used to post weekly on a Booktube (YouTube) channel. So I figured that at the end of each month, I’d post about what I read during that month. These won’t be in-depth reviews, just a couple of sentences about each book.

I actually decided recently to scale down by reading as I was spending too much time doing it and, in the process, ignored other things I needed to do. Still, I managed to read nine books this month.

1. Here’s to Us by Becky Abertalli and Adam Silvera
   

This is the sequel to “What If It’s Us” by the same authors. Ben and Arthur find themselves drawn into each other’s orbit once again. Unfortunately, they both have a boyfriend. So what is the universe going to do?

2. The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman
   

This is another book in the author’s Practical Magic series. This one follows Owen’s siblings in the 1960s (including the two sisters who will grow up to be the memorable aunts in Practical Magic). In this book, we learn more about the dreaded Owens curse. Loved it!

3. Manitou Canyon by William Kent Krueger
   

I’m a massive fan of this author and this Corkrin O’Connor series. This is the 15th book in the series though they don’t have to be read in order. In this book, a man camping in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness goes missing, and the search is concluded without finding a body. The man’s family asks Cork to stay on the case, so he does — and ends up in a deadly situation.

4. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
   

This is the first book in Clare’s “Infernal Devices” series, which takes place during the Victorian era. This was a fun read with plenty of intrigue and action. I am looking forward to continuing with this series.

5. Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson
   

This is the third book in Sanderson’s epic fantasy series, “The Stormlight Archive.” I loved it just as much as the first two. This is one of my favorite fantasy series.

6. Game Changer by Neal Shusterman
   
   I love twisty mind-bendy books, and this one ticked all the boxes. This follows a young man who discovers he can shift into parallel universes. A lot of mayhem ensues. So far, I’ve loved everything I read by this author, and Game Changer did not disappoint. It’s worth mentioning that I listened to this in audiobook format, and the narrator was phenomenal.

7. The Nerd Jock Conundrum by Hayden Hall
   
   This was a cute gay romance book following a football player and a chemistry nerd that was plenty of fun. I’ve wanted to check out this author for a while now, and I’m glad I did. This is the first book in the College Boys of New Haven series, and I plan to continue on with this series.

8. Punching the V-Card by Leta Blake
   
   I’ve read books by Leta Blake before and have enjoyed them. This one…not so much. This was more smut than romance with very little plot. It was more like one continuous sex scene. I don’t mind a sex scene here and there, but it doesn’t work for me when that’s the only focus of the book. I suppose the title should have been a clue as to its contents. But if you’re looking for a fun, super sexy read, then this might be worth checking out.

9. Refuse to Be Done: How to Write and Rewrite a Novel in Three Drafts by Matt Bell
   

I always try to read new books on the craft of writing. There are a ton of helpful revision tips in this guide, broken down into manageable steps. It’s definitely worth the buy.