April – June was a busy time for me, but I was still able to fit in a lot of great reading, 26 books finished with 3 DNFs. The books that I’m still thinking about weeks or months after reading are the ones that made my favorites list. Check it out below, and let me know if you’ve read any!
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Historical Fiction
The Star of Camp Greene by Joy Callaway
My favorite read of the year so far! This book had so much meaning for me as I grew up just 30 minutes west of the former site of Camp Greene – and I was never taught about it! This book is perfect for those who love WWI historical details, Broadway tunes, and swoony love stories! Read my review here.
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki
I love historical biographical fiction and wanted to read this book before the DC historical readers retreat this fall. It tells the story of Marjorie Post, a woman with a famous last name who had an amazing life full of business wins, personal losses, and fabulous artistic treasures. Post’s home in Washington, Hillwood, would be the perfect place to visit during the readers retreat! Read my review here.
I had a big trip planned in June to London, Nice, Monaco, and Provence, so I loved reading books set in these gorgeous locations!
The Kew Gardens Girls and The Kew Gardens Girls at War by Posy Lovell
Set in the Kew Royal Botanical Gardens, these books taught me so much about WWI and WWII. It made my visit to the gardens even more special! Read my reviews here and here.
Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb
When I realized we were visiting Monaco, I had to read this book set during Grace Kelly’s wedding. It was lovely and so atmospheric! Read my review here.
The Gatsby Gambit by Claire Anderson-Wheeler and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
These two books pair so well together. I reread the classic tale of Gatsby after falling in love with the Broadway musical. The Gatsby Gambit is told from the viewpoint of Gatsby’s sister and changes the original tale to include an Agatha Christie-like murder story. It’s fun! Read my reviews here and here.
History Nonfiction
Grace Coolidge: The People’s Lady in Silent Cal’s White House by Robert H. Farrell
Grace Coolidge ended up being one of my favorite First Ladies I’ve studied in my Booking It Through History: First Ladies project. This book was the only one I could find about her, and while it was short, it packed a lot of information in it! Read my review here.
Contemporary Novels
Summer is the perfect time to read love stories. These are my two favorites of the entire year!
It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
Monaghan has become my favorite contemporary writer with her excellent romances that feature real-life issues and older protagonists. Her latest doesn’t disappoint and will leave you smiling! Read my review here.
Sing Me Home to Carolina by Joy Callaway
Joy is one of my favorite historical fiction authors, and I knew I would love her contemporary writing just as much. Her first romance novel is a nostalgic look at life in a small town and how growing up there never leaves you. And the romance is swoony! Read my review here.
Middle Grade Books
The Union Spymistress: The Story of Elizabeth Van Lew by Libby Carty McNamee
I am so excited for Libby’s book to release! Releasing today, this novel tells the amazing story of a Richmond woman who ran a covert spy ring for the Union in Richmond. It’s perfect for kids and adults alike! Read my review here.
Conspiracy at the Launch by Steven K. Smith
I always love Smith’s latest installment in the Virginia Mysteries series. This one has a fun tie to current events with drones, space launches, and tech billionaires! Read my review here.
It was a great three months of reading, and I am excited to see which of these books make my top reads of 2025 list in January!
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