SUMMER FAVORITES: 2018

The summer of romance novels and rediscovering audiobooks. 

Favorite author(s): 

• Mariana Zapata aka the Queen of Slow burn Romances: Before June I had no idea who she was and now she is one of my favorite authors. I read four books of her books in a month and a half. I even read From Lukov with Love twice. She has a way of writing characters with such great chemistry that it does not even matter that they don’t touch until page 300. Her books are long (and can be slow at times), but the payoff is so worth it. 
• Maggie Stiefvater: I hadn’t read a Stiefavter book since last November, but for some reason this summer I felt the need to start listening to her books via audio. I listened to The Scorpio Races and The Raven Boys. I am planning to reread the entire Raven Cycle via audio this year. Maggie Stiefvater is one of those people who seem bigger than life. Honestly, follow her on twitter for some quality content
• Aminah Mae Safi: Safi is a debut author of Not The Girl’s You’re Looking For. I met her twice this summer (if you count the beginning of May summer) and she is so sweet. She was hilarious on a debut author panel and tbh she could have a career as a moderator. NTGYLF is a great contemporary novel that deals with messy, but fierce, friendships. Also, follow her on instagram if you like cats bc she posts about hers all the time.

Favorite reads: 

• From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata: Such a gorgeous slow burn romance that features hate to love and figure skating. Honestly if you like romance, read one of her books (or all of them and then please talk to me about them). 
• Save the Date by Morgan Matson: I had been looking forward to this book for years and it did not disappoint. It has great family dynamics and had themes I did not expect to relate to. Also, a wedding and everything goes wrong? Fun times. 
• Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir: I need book four. Now. I am simultaneously excited and terrified for the next book. Sabaa please be nice to us.  Also, I finally like Helene? 

Favorite audiobook(s): 

I love audiobooks, but my only experience listening to them was using CDs in the car during family road trips. My family listened to Half Blood Prince the entire way home from Idaho to California (This was in one day too). It was glorious. I recently discovered that I can check out audiobooks from my library and it has changed the game. Now I typically listen to an audiobook instead of music while driving. 

• The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater: This audiobook is beautiful. Even if you have read this book before, I would recommend the audiobook. This was a reread for me, but my first time listening to the audiobook. I listened to it at normal speed and it did not feel slow at all. Puck and Sean have different narrators which was nice. There is also original music by Maggie Stiefvater herself. 

Misc Favorites: 

• Glossier’s Balm Dot Com: I’ve been using this product for about six months, but during the summer I started carrying in my bag which was a game changer. 
• The State of Washington: I was lucky enough to visit this state again this summer and I think I love it even more than I did last year. I am not much of a hiker, but the scenery is breathtaking and I love all the trees. I feel so at peace here. Also, we drove through Forks (aka where Twilight takes place) and there wasn’t much going on, but it was still great. 

Hope you had a wonderful summer!

xoxo, Tree