I go through phases with my hobbies and right now reading is sort of on the backburner as I’m spending time crafting and fixing up the house, but with audiobooks and reading a little bit every day I still make progress. I have a feeling the last few months of the year will be even lighter on number of books read, but during the third quarter I managed nine. Here they are:

The Farthest Shore by Ursula K. LeGuin: Some really great fantasy here. Enjoyed the old characters and the new. (4 stars)

Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead: Smart and entertaining summery read. The characters are kind of tragic but also hopeful. (3 stars)

Insurgent by Veronica Roth : Liked it, maybe not quite as much as the first, but it’s still one of the better YA dystopian series I’ve read. (audiobook, 3 stars)

Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver: Great writing and characterization as usual, but preachy and kind of boring. (2 stars; full review here)

The 7 Experiment by Jen Hatmaker: This was a Bible study and workbook as well, but I mostly just read it. I loved just about everything about it. Jen is funny and self-deprecating and approaches really serious, difficult topics in a completely non-judgmental way. It made me see that there is a lot about my life that I want to change, but it didn’t make me feel guilty because there is so much grace in here as well. I just saw opportunities for progress toward where I want to be when it comes to simplicity and cutting back on excess and being generous. I was inspired and uplifted and I will probably go back and reread it when I am prepared to challenge myself in a similar way that she did. (5 stars)

A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin: Still really enjoying this series and am seriously hooked. (4 stars)

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein : Super good the whole way through but it picks up a LOT during the second half when some details are revealed. Portrait of a wartime friendship that was just heartbreaking and lovely. (audiobook, 4 stars)

You Are One Of Them by Elliott Holt: This story seemed straightforward but as it went on became more and more complicated and you realize there are secrets and spies and all kinds of possibilities. It got better in my mind the more I thought about it. (4 stars)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling: Reread this for the first time in nearly ten years and it was even better than I remembered. I definitely cried out of happiness at the end. (audiobook, 5 stars)

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart: A smart and fun YA book that featured a strong and ambitious female character. Enjoyed a great deal. (audiobook, 4 stars)