I think I may have officially entered my “reading era,” and honestly, I’m very much here for it. Over the last couple of years I’ve slowly but surely been setting myself slightly more ambitious reading goals. I do have a bit of a tendency to set incredibly high and sometimes slightly unrealistic goals for myself, but when it comes to reading it’s actually been surprisingly motivating.

Setting a book goal that feels just a little out of reach has pushed (or maybe encouraged) me to read a lot more than I used to. It turns out that opting for a few pages here and there instead of endless doom-scrolling really does add up. Before you know it, you’ve finished a book and you’re already reaching for the next one.

You may have noticed I used the word “consume” instead of “read” in the title. That’s because I’ve recently started listening to far more audiobooks too. At the start of the year I set myself a slightly silly but fun goal: reading 28 books in my 28th year. A few months in and about two books down, I quickly realised I might need to bring a few audiobooks into the mix if I wanted to stand a chance of hitting that goal.

So audiobooks have officially entered the chat. They’ve been keeping me company on my commutes to work and on my little mental-health walks, which has made them the perfect way to squeeze more stories into my days.

I’ve always loved the idea of being part of a book club, so I thought… why not start a tiny one right here? I wanted to share a few of the books I’ve read this year in case you’re looking for a little inspiration for your next read.

`THE WEDDING PEOPLE`

This is a story of heartbreak, loss, grief, real friendships, the importance of community and a whole lot of joy and banter wrapped up in one book. I had seen so many people rave about this one online that it almost put me off starting it. Sometimes when the hype is that big, I worry it can’t possibly live up to expectations.
But from the moment I started it, I could not put it down. It absolutely lived up to the hype.
If you haven’t already read it and it isn’t on your TBR list, you should 100% add it. I loved it.

`DEAR DOLLY`

I started reading (and listening to) books by Dolly Alderton a couple of summers ago, beginning with Everything I Know About Love. It was such a great audiobook and honestly got me through many long cardio sessions at the gym.
Dear Dolly was another brilliant one to listen to. Dolly narrates the audiobook herself, which makes it feel incredibly engaging, almost like you’re listening to a really thoughtful, comforting podcast. I’ve also read Good Material by her and absolutely loved that too. She seems to have the rare ability to nail both fiction and non-fiction.
Dear Dolly is a collection of her agony-aunt columns, covering all sorts of topics including friendship, dating, love, breakups and self-worth. Throughout the book she answers questions sent in by readers, offering advice that feels both honest and reassuring.
If you’ve maxed out your favourite podcasts and you’re looking for something new to listen to, especially something that might make you feel a little more seen and understood, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a go.

`JOAN IS OKAY`

I can’t quite remember the last time I read a book quite like this one. I have been known to get well and truly sucked in by a colourful book display or an enticing front cover, and this was definitely one of those picks for me.
*It actually sat on my bookshelf for a couple of years before I finally decided that this would be the year I picked it up.*
The story follows Dr Joan Zheng, an ICU doctor living and working in New York. We see her navigate the rhythms of her daily life in the hospital while also dealing with a complicated family dynamic following the sudden death of her father. The timeline of the story also runs through the COVID-19 pandemic, which added a really interesting layer to the narrative.
I was really glad I stepped slightly outside of my usual reading comfort zone with this one. If you’re looking for something thoughtful, insightful and a little different, this would definitely be worth adding to your list.

`TABLE FOR ONE`

This book follows the story of Willow, a woman in her 30s navigating life after a major breakup and an unexpected career shift, all at a time when everything had seemed like it was finally falling into place. It’s a relatable and often very funny story, but it also touches on deeper moments of sadness, grief and loss.
I loved the way Willow learns to navigate single life, embracing self-love and independence along the way. It’s also a lovely reflection of female friendship and the importance of the people who show up for us when life feels uncertain.
I listened to this one as an audiobook and would definitely recommend that format if you have Audible. It’s such an easy, feel-good listen and the perfect book if you’re trying to get yourself out of a reading slump.

`LIVING LIFE PCOS FREE`

This book is definitely a little more niche than the others I’ve shared, but I wanted to include it in case anyone else might be experiencing something similar to me and is looking for some gentle, informative reading around PCOS.
I first heard about this book while watching a segment on This Morning, where they were discussing what it’s like living with PCOS. The authors were featured talking about the book, and it immediately caught my attention.
It’s written by a mother–daughter duo: gynaecologist Dr Nitu Bajekal and nutritionist Rohini Bajekal. What I really appreciated about this book is the balance between science-based information and a compassionate, human approach. It helped me feel much more informed while also reassuring me that everything was going to be okay.
Towards the back of the book there’s also a 21-day meal plan filled with some really delicious recipes, quite a few of which I’ve already tried out myself.The book focuses on the potential benefits of a plant-based diet for managing PCOS.
*If this is something you’re experiencing yourself, or if you’re trying to support someone through their own diagnosis, this could be a really helpful place to start.*

Those are a few of the books I’ve been enjoying so far this year, and I’d love to know what you’ve been reading too. If you’ve come across any books recently that you couldn’t put down, please send them my way, my ever-growing reading list is always open to new additions 🖤

These are a little sneak-peak into my current reads/ listens that I can’t wiat to chat about with you next time: