A year ago, I started seasonal reflections alongside the seasonal TBR’s. The first season I reflected o was summer 2023. I can’t believe this has been a year ago and that it’s already time to look back on summer 2024. When writing this post, it’s approximately 30 degrees (Celsius) outside, so summer is showing itself early. Since my balcony is facing South, this means that it’s way too hot to sit outside and read, because the sun is shining brightly from noon till sunset. However, summer 2024 was filled with romance, the entire year was apparently. But did I read the seasonal TBR I set for myself and my bookhauls from July, August and September 2024? Links will direct you to reviews if existent.

Did I read my summer 2024 TBR?

1. Tokyo Dreaming by Emiko Jean – I finally read it, after taking this with me onto several TBR’s since summer 2022 (or 2023?). I read it last February, so it was way overdue!
2. Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez – No, I haven’t read it still. In my defence, I didn’t realize it was a third book in a series of companion novels, so I have to read the first two before I can actually dive into this one. And I still need to do so.
3. Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan – I read this pretty soon after acquiring the book and it was exactly the emotional rollercoaster I expected it to be. I read this book in Dutch, but I’m afraid the rest of the “Skyland” series won’t be translated as I’m still waiting for the second book.
4. The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab – No, I haven’t read this one yet and with good reason. I want to reread the original “Shades of Magic” series to refresh my memory and that just didn’t happen. I reread A Darker Shade of Magic last year and never continued this project.
5. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater – This book gives off so many fall vibes that I decided to move it to the fall TBR, and I indeed read it in that particular season.
6. Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor – I had planned on rereading this book as it was a book club pick last summer, but I didn’t get to it and I still haven’t gotten to it one year later.
7. Did I Mention I Need You? by Estelle Maskame – No, I haven’t read it yet. Maybe this summer? But there are so many new shiny releases to choose from!
8. One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid – I read this, and this was my least favourite TJR so far. I finished it in one sitting on holidays and unfortunately, I wasn’t emersed into the entire story and romance. It was not bad, but not too good either.
9. The Chase by Elle Kennedy – December counts as summer, right? Just kidding. I didn’t get to it in summer, but I did so in winter, and I noticed some outgrowing on my part. I still have the other books in this “Briar U” series which I will read eventually, but I’m pretty cautious now with books by this author.
10. Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas – 2024 Was the year I was rereading the entire “Throne of Glass” series in English. Or at least, that was the plan. This fifth book took me over a month to finish and I never continued. So yes, I’ve read it, but my personal project hasn’t been finished.

Did I read my summer 2024 bookhauls?

1. It All Comes Back to You by Melissa Wiesner – Yes, I read this one during my summer getaway and I really enjoyed it. So much so, that another book by this author will be in my June bookhaul.
2. Let The Games Begin by Rufaro Faith Mazarura – I read this during the Olympics and even though it really fits the setting and addresses important themes, I wasn’t a fan of the story overall. The characters didn’t work for me, nor did the romance and chemistry.
3. Frambozenzomer by Lucas Versteeg – I read this in the same summer break and I reviewed it on my Dutch blog as it’s a Dutch book.
4. Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent – No, I haven’t read this one yet, but I haven’t read thrillers all year.
5. Reckless by Lauren Roberts – I read this one and in contradiction to other readers I really enjoyed this book as it highlights the characters and their growth.
6. Where Time Stands Still by N.S. Perkins – Another book I’ve read and really enjoyed.
7. Burning Crowns by Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber – I also read this one after much hesitation, but only just recently. Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed by it.
8. Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan – I haven’t picked this one up yet and I see mixed reviews everywhere, so I’m a bit reluctant to do so.
9. The Right Move by Liz Tomforde – Of course I read this and the entire series is such a surprise to me.
10. Body Check by Elle Kennedy – No, I haven’t read this and when looking at the synopsis, I’m wondering why I hauled it in the first place. What was I thinking at the time…
11. One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig – This was not a good summer read, it made more sense to me in winter. To give it a fair chance, I reread it in December or so.
12. Savour It by Tarah DeWitt – I was curious for the hype surrounding this author as many fellow bloggers talked about her books. But this one ended up to not be for me.
13. The Rule Book by Sarah Adams – I forgot I hauled this! Oops!
14. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater – Yes, see above.
15. The Wren in the Holly Library by K.A. Linde – This book was on my fall TBR actually, but didn’t get to it. I hope to pick it up soon.
16. Tijd droogt alle tranen by Emma Anna – Did I even haul this? Okay? I forgot!
17. Kleine gelukjes by Audrey Adelin – Yes, I read this book on an exceptionally summery day in fall.
18. Alleen thuis by Carlie van Tongeren – Even though this book addresses an important topic, I wasn’t too intrigued. Maybe it’s because it’s YA, but I had the feeling it stays at surface level too much. It’s a Dutch book, so no review here.
19. Born of Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout – Well, this was so slow and so disappointing, it took me a long time before I finished it.
20. Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao – Another book I read on an exceptionally hot fall day, and this was a nice surprise. The sequel however is a different story and ended on the DNF pile.
21. Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh – No, this is a big one and I wasn’t in the mood.
22. Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune – Yeah, I read this and although this sequel was good, the first book is better.
23. House of Secrets and Vows by Genna Ashwood – Another book I forgot about, whoops.

Verdict:

• I read 6 books from my summer 2024 TBR, with no DNF’s
• I read 15 books from my summer 2024 bookhauls, with no DNF’s either

Summer 2024 was a good season in the end as I read most of both my TBR and bokhaul. For the ones I haven’t read yet, I’m sure I’ll pick up pretty soon.

Have you dared to look back on your 2024 summer yet? Are you curious for how you did on both your TBR and bookhaul after an entire year? Or don’t you really mind?