July was a record breaking reading month for me – a total of 22 books! At the end of July I was able to attend our first socially distanced, corona-time wedding. It warmed my heart so much to be able to celebrate our two college friends who had been waiting so long for this magical day. Leading up to the wedding, I was a giant ball of anxiety about making sure that we quarantined beforehand and took all of the necessary precautions to make sure we were being safe. It was taxing on my mental health to say the least. With that, apparently, I turned to re-reading some of my favorite books of the last few years. I didn’t even realize I was doing this until I started composing this re-cap and 3 of my five star reads were re-reads.
Five star reads of July
Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev
A great sophomore romance in the Raje family. A young woman is able to find her way past her traumatic past and into the arms of long lost love, all while on a cooking game show!
The Name Of The Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Rothfuss is known as one of the fantasy greats for many reasons that are all true. I initially avoided this book because of its medieval setting, but do not let that deter you. Kvothe is the hero we all need.
I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver
The journey of a young non-binary high school student coming out to their family and dealing with the fallout. What a phenomenal ‘coming out’ and ‘coming of age’ story. Ben had the courage and spunk that you love to see in a main character and the way that they grow through their hardships renewed my faith in people.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
A re-read; a fun, dark, fantasy romp with lots of romance. This book is all over bookstagram right now (a.k.a. ACOTAR) for good reason. Let yourself fall into Feyre’s world and journey with her into the land of the fae.
Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) by Sarah J. Maas
Another re-read; an intricate fantasy world of assassins and royal secrets. This is Sarah J. Maas’s first book in a seven book series that I am reading with my online book club. The world-building can get a bit confusing but the heart and drive of Celaena makes you want to see her succeed through everything.
A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor (Carl #2) by Hank Green
Hank Green has made his way onto my auto-buy author list with this novel. The journey of April May and the Carls continues in this fun, spunky science-fiction story. I couldn’t put it down. This book has everything I love about science fiction all in one – multiple narrators/storylines, artificial intelligence, a mystery, a fast moving plot, and introspective characters.
The Dry (Aaron Falk #1) by Jane Harper
A third re-read (must have needed some nostalgia last month); I listened to this atmospheric Australian mystery on audio. The audio made the mystery so much better a second time around. As usual, I had no idea who-dun-it (even though I’d read it before!). I am trying to re-read all of her novels before the next one comes out later this year.
I also want to give out Honorable Mentions to The Space Between Worlds by Miciah Johnson (Thanks to Del Rey Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC!) and Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth. Both of these were amazing novels and deserve to be read and loved by the masses! I rated both of these at 4-4.5 stars.
The Space Between Worlds by Miciah Johnson
The concept of the multiverse and the detail put into the different lives of each and every character in parallel universes was remarkable. Cara jumps from world to world as part of her job, and you never know who or what she is going to come across next. What seems innocent, a job collecting data, turns into something much more sinsister. Cara uses her cunning and strength to push herself through the challenges of the multiverse and manages to come out (minorly) unscathed and an unsung hero. Johnson tackles race and class issues in the middle of a propulsive story, sending the reader on an intense journey leaving them questioning reality. I could not put this book down. I am amazed that this is a debut novel and will be reading anything else Micaiah Johnson puts out.
Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth
Turning the ‘Chosen One’ trope on its head, Roth was able to create a universe exploring the dark side of having defeated a major villain and how someone might deal with the fallout. The world-building was done amazingly well, combining urban fantasy and science fiction (alternate universes). At the beginning I found myself wanting more of the original defeat of the Dark One, but as the story gained steam I was pulled further into Sloane’s story. Sloane showcased the gritter side of human personality, and her struggles were humanizing. I wanted the best for her, and for Mox.
Longlist: 22 books read in July
- Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev
- Lovely War by Julie Berry
- The Name Of The Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
- Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare
- One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London
- The Switch by Beth O’Leary
- The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
- Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner
- You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson
- A Taste Of Sage by Yaffa Santos
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
- Akata Witch by Nnedi Okarafor
- How The Penguins Saved Veronica by Hazel Prior
- Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth
- The Guest List by Lucy Foley
- I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver
- Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) by Sarah J. Maas
- A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler
- The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson
- Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan
- A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor (Carl #2) by Hank Green
- The Dry (Aaron Falk #1) by Jane Harper
Sadly, there was also one DNF for me in July. It was An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. Unfortunately, the violence and intensity of the world left me feeling anxious and uncomfortable so I wasn’t able to finish. This was my second time attempting the novel, and my friend who is less sensitive than I am to violence was able to finish and rated it five stars.
SJP Books 