Best Books I’ve Read This Year (and the worst) + How to Fall More in Love With Reading

Hello friends! 💖
This week I'm sharing a chatty bookish video (that I hope feels like a facetime call with a friend?) where we chat about my favorite books of the year, the worst books I've read this year, my most anticipated books for the rest of the year as well as tips for becoming a reader, or how to fall back in love with reading.

⭐ Questions I answer ⭐
1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2024
2. Best sequel you've read so far in 2024
3. New release you haven't read yet, but want to.
4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.
5. Biggest disappointment.
6. Biggest surprise.
7. Favorite new author?
8. Book that made you cry.
9. Book that made you happy.
10. Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year?
11. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

Most of these questions in the first half of the video come from the Mid Year Book Freakout Tag originally created by Earl Grey Books 📚

Thank you so much to my incredible executive producers
(Patrons who are members of the Etherial Angels tier, updated as of July 2024)
✨ Kristy (Thank you so much Kristy! I'm so grateful for your support!)
✨ Mariana (Sending you a million thank yous because I'm SO grateful for your support! Thank you!!!)
✨ Veronica (Veronica! Thank you SO MUCH MY SWEET FRIEND!!)

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► Social Media

[brickgarden]

Tips for if you have kids and can’t find the time to read: if the book is appropriate, read out loud! I’m reading the Fellowship of the Ring to my boys (2 and 5) while they play. Sometimes they stop to listen, sometimes they ignore me (lol) and sometimes the 5 year old will stop me to ask questions or ask me to keep reading. It’s also a good way for my 2 year old, who’s been slow to talk, to hear words as he’s playing. It’s been a joy.

[KMort]

Girl the sit down videos are my favourite. It feels like a sleepover chat.

[StudioLindsay]

Desi: *Posts a bookish video*
Me: *Gets ready to add more books to my TBR* 😊

[catiesteas]

I remember devouring books in a day or two when I was a pre-teen. So lately, when I’m in a book slump, I will go to the kids section of the library and pick up a sweet middle grade adventure book. They can be so heartfelt, sincere, and deep-yet-digestible. I have cried when reading those middle grade books like “Love, Ruby Lavender” for how genuine and heart-filled they are. They’re not usually long, and they’re always so atmospheric!

[lisamcfall]

I wake up between 5:30 and 6:00 every morning. I open my bedroom window to hear the birds in the garden, make a cup of coffee and get back in bed to read a couple of hours 😊😍

[laurenschmelzle]

I’ve just discovered your YouTube channel and absolutely LOVE IT! You are an incredibly talented videographer. My 14 year old daughter asked what “movie” I was watching. Love your cozy, clean content and the reminder to romanticize life! Also a HUGE lover of books and really enjoying your suggestions!

[nelliecoody]

My tip to becoming a reader is to make a thing out of it. Go to your favorite bookstore, grab your favorite coffee, and browse the shelves to your heart’s content. Pick a book that catches your eye

[viraghorvath]

Can’t fall asleep so this came at the perfect time. I hope you’re doing well, Desi! And everyone who’s reading this. :)

[KathyDubs]

Another tip for getting back into reading if you used to enjoy it: Pick a book from the same genre or maybe reread something that you remember liking from that earlier period in life. That puts you back almost age-wise from where you stopped and then youvcan work your way up to new reading new things. I had a coworker try this (she started reading fantasy from her middle school years) and then she worked up to adult fiction.

[meganp]

Thank you Desi for another wonderful video! A tip I've discovered to help me read is to thrift a bookcase from a charity shop, and then decorate it with new and second hand books you want to read, add a cosy lamp, and create your own reading space with warm lights and blankets that helps you feel excited to read at the end of the day. It makes reading feel that extra bit special and relaxing.

[spinstercatlady]

As one of your older viewers, I'd love to see you review/discuss classics, cozy middle grade and historical fiction as you used to do more often! These recent reviews all seem so YA romantasy heavy. Nothing wrong with YA, but bc I'm a bit older, it's often hard to connect with the YA romance at this point in my life. Always loved seeing the beautiful Jane Austen editions and Brambly Hedge style books you'd find and share ❤

[littlelifeofbooks]

Reading and chatting books at the same time you are is my FAVORITE thing. Love you!! ✨🥹💕

[CamHanhKinsell]

it's kinda crazy how nobody's talking about the banned ebook Magnetic Aura

[coralibear]

One of my favorite things to do while listening to an audiobook is to have the book with me and follow along. I love the feeling of having my physical copy, but don't always have the focus to read it, so doing this really helps me stay focused and get the same cozy feeling! Loved this video btw ❤️

[baejay]

Always so happy to see a new Darling Desi video! It’s like a treat

[theonlymaryam]

With all the love and respect to u... i think people talking abt betterhelp being not a good service... I think u might wanna double check the trust u have for them as a sponsor :/ really, the number of people telling stories against it is enough 💔💓

[maddy-books]

Desi! Add "A Dark and Secret Magic" to your reading list for October. I just finished an ARC of it and am obsessed!!! Here's part of the description "A Dark and Secret Magic is a celebration of the Halloween season and a love letter to anyone who drinks pumpkin spice in August and carries the spirit of a witch inside their heart all year long."A warm, spellbinding tale about a witch and the secrets her coven has been keeping from her, with echoes of the classic Hades and Persephone story, in the tradition of Practical Magic and Witch of Wild Things."

[CozyLilLo]

Goodreads is down as I try to find my favorite book so far this year, and I feel like it's because all of the kindred spirits shuffling through right now haha. My favorite so far has to be Starling House! It changed my entire heart haha

[Kribsen]

I discovered your channel two-ish years ago and you're the reason why I've fallen in love with reading again 💛 My goal is to read at least one book a month and so far i have if not more! I also love the recommendation of books you've done over the years and i've read a good few of them. You're really inspiring and i love your videos so much. Keep up the amazing work and i hope you'll have a super cozy (hyggelig) rest of your summer. Hugs, from an usually silence viewer, from Denmark.

[LAJ]

You got me into reading last year. I had never read before. I hated it growing up, but now i love it. Thanks so much for your beautiful videos