Can you believe that reading wasn't my jam growing up?! Clif Notes were my best friends in high school - I'd read 'enough' to get by, but other than that I didn't enjoy the act of reading so never did it... like ever. Maybe I wasn't reading things that held my interest or maybe it was because it was "required" so I didn't like it, but, whatever the reason, I'm glad I challenged myself to add the goal of reading 17 books in 2017 (which became 88 books in 2017, 77 books in 2018, 67 books in 2019, 66 books in 2020, 67 books in 2021, 41 books in 2022, 98 books in 2023 and 224 books in 2024). The majority of my "reading" has been listening to audiobooks since I haven't had as much time to sit and read physical books once I started working again full time out of the house. Even still, holding a physical book is my JAM and I hope can add more physical reading vs listening. Just like in years past, writing a monthly recap of the books I finish is a great way for me to both record what I'm reading and to stay accountable. So, here are the books I completed in the month of July:
- The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - I came across this series (four books, I believe) when I was scrolling through the YA section on my Libby app. I didn't know anything about it, but the first book was available for downloaded so I grabbed it. It turned out to be a story of Cassie, who is a 'natural profiler'. The FBI has a small class of teenagers who have natural abilities (reading emotions, being a 'human lie detector', etc) and Cassie is the newest member. The group is supposed to be working on cold cases, hoping to prove the legitimacy of the program, but they get wrapped up in a current serial killer's case when the FBI agents who are supervising them hit a dead end in the case. I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't have the crime(s) figured out and was kept on the edge of my seat for the majority of the book. I'm interested to see where the story goes from here, learn more about all of the characters and am now in line for the second book. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- The Comfort Book by Matt Haig - I had added this book to my 'for later' list when I finished another one of this author's books. It definitely was in a different vein than the book I read previously (which was a novel). This was a quick listen (the book says its 272 pages, but the audiobook is only 3 hours long because the pages themselves are small and the chapters aren’t necessarily traditional chapters {some are short, some are lists, some have inconsistent spacing}).This author has been very vocal about his struggles with anxiety and depression in his life and this is a book of quotes/ mantras/ stories/ lists that have brought him help and comfort over the years. I think because I was expecting this to be similar to The Life Impossible, I didn't go in with the right mindset (and that is totally my bad because I often don't look at what the books are about before I download them). Overall it was an uplifting book, just not what I was expecting. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce - I came across this series (only two books in it, but at least I know what I'll be reading next ;)) when scrolling through the Young Adult genre in my Libby app. Imagine a story about a theater student and gamer forced to work together and add in the age-old fake relationship trope and you've got yourself Dungeons and Drama. I'm not a gamer nor am I into theater (so don't think that you have to be to enjoy this book), but I was still all in on this ride. It was a nerdy YA romance book that didn't take itself too seriously. It's a cute, well-written quick read that made me feel warm and fuzzy. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- She Said by Jodi Kantor & Megan Twohey - While I was waiting for the next book on my Libby app to become available I grabbed this one. These are the deets behind the breaking of the Harvey Weinstein story. The two authors of this book were the two who wrote the article in the New York Times which first publicly revealed the scandal. Not only does this go into the sexual harassment story, it shows how much time, energy and interviewing had to go into getting the words on "paper" (or on the InterWebs). I have never been into journalism, although I have always assumed it was a lot of work, but this was really eye opening. Obviously not all media vet their stories like the New York Times, but to see the meticulous research and massive attention to detail that goes into an article is not for the faint of heart. I'm stoked to hear these two investigative journalists won a Pulitzer Prize for helping to expose the systemic abuse across industries. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce - The second book in this series became available so I snagged it on my Libby app. I was sort of hoping it would be a continuation of the story told from the first book, but it wasn't. It was in a similar vein (Dungeons and Dragons focused game play with a Young Adult romance thrown in), but a new cast of characters. If you enjoyed the first one (again, you don't have to be a fan of gaming to be a fan of this series), I'm sure you'll love this one as well. In this novel, the love interests both enjoy D&D but are in a group that has a rule that players can't date anyone else in the group because it can mess up the dynamics. I guess you'll just have to read the book to see if dating or dragons win out ;) I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover - I read the first book in this series when I received it in a book swap I did a few years back. I added the second book to my 'for later' list and it finally became available on my Libby app so I decided to give it a go. If you don't remember my recap from three and a half years ago, haven't read the book or seen the movie, let me give you a brief synopsis of It Ends With Us. It was about domestic abuse and how to break the cycle (if you are privileged enough to have the resources available). This follow-up was almost perfect. It was honestly like if the author climbed into my head and after finishing the first book, we worked together on what I thought should happen next. Don't get me wrong, there were still some surprises in the book, but overall it was the WIN that I was really hoping for with the main character. Not to mention, the audiobook was read by two different actors and you know I love a book told from multiple points of view. I think the only thing that could've made it better was if it was longer so we got more. I would give it a 9 out of 10.
- The Measure by Nikki Erlick - A friend had recently mentioned this book and how much she enjoyed it, so I looked to see if it was available on either on my audiobook apps and it was so I grabbed it. As per usual, I didn't know anything about it when I downloaded it, but WOW! I loved it! It was set at a time where every human (22 years old or older) was 'gifted' a box that had a length of string inside. The length of string was a measure of everyone's life. It was a very interesting idea. Some people decided not to look in their boxes, while others used their short string as a reason to cause havoc with no repercussions ('if they were going to die anyway...') and just about any other outcome you could imagine in between. As y'all know, I really enjoy books that are told from different perspectives and this one went above and beyond because it felt like there were probably ten characters (in total there were eight) that were sharing their point of view. I loved seeing how everyone reacted to the boxes, but also how all of the stories were eventually woven together. It didn't hurt that one of my favorite audiobook actors was who performed this book too ;) I would give it a 10 out of 10.
- Thank You for Listening by Julia Whalen - After listening to the previous book, I thought I'd see what other books my favorite audiobook reader had in her catalog. Little did I know she was also an author! This is her second novel (but it caught my attention more than the first), written about an audiobook actor. No, it is not a memoir or autobiographical, but it is still good! It is a romcom that is sort of poking fun at romance novels. I loved all of the characters (minus Sewanee's dad, but I think he was one we were all meant to hate) and the writing was so witty it had me smiling most of the time. It was steamy without being too graphic (for little ol' me anyway) but was still heartfelt and raw in parts. Now I've gotta grab her first book! I would give it a 9 out of 10.
- My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan - Like I said, it was time for me to go back to Julia's first book and give it a go. I'm not sure if I just had super high expectations or if this one just wasn't my jam, but it didn't seem as great as the previous one I listened to. It sort of felt like I had heard this story before. Don't get me wrong, I know there are tropes (i.e. storylines that are tried and true) and that many books follow the same arc, but this one felt a little too predictable for my taste. I did see that it was turned into a film, so maybe I can talk the hubby into watching it with me and seeing if I prefer the movie to the book this go-around. I would give it a 7 out of 10.
- We Solve Murders by Richard Osman - I had started another one of this author's series, but my audiobook apps don't have the next book, so I grabbed this one (the first book in another series that the apps don't have, hehe). Similar to the Thursday Murder Club, this one is a murder mystery. It's about a bodyguard who is being set up for three different murders. She ends up recruiting the author she is guarding and her father-in-law to help her solve the mystery before she is either murdered or arrested. There were quite a few characters in this one, so it jumped all over the place from their different points of view. It was a little hard to keep straight (someone would be briefly mentioned in one chapter and then turn out to be a main character shortly after), but these types of books do a great job at distracting you so you can't figure out whodunit. Now I just wish my audiobook apps had the other books so I could continue down the rabbit hole. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson - When I saw one of my fave authors wrote a new book and it was available on my Hoopla app, you bet I grabbed it (even if it was less than five hours long and was marked as 'children's fiction'). It was a keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat murder mystery (but for middle school aged kiddos). I didn't have the murderer pinned until it was actually revealed in the book, so I think kids who like the thriller genre will have a good time with this one. I felt for Kaylani with the snooty family she was stuck with on the island, but was glad she formed real friendships by the end of her summer. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune - This is actually a RE-READ. I first read this book back in May of 2021 and LOVED IT. Like I do with my favorite books, I bought the physical copy after I listening to the audiobook and it's been on my bookshelf ever since. Since I was out of Hoopla downloads and none of the books I was currently waiting for were available on my Libby app, I went to the bookshelf and thought I'd grab a fave. I remember someone saying this was like a Pixar movie in book form and they were 100% right. The story is heartwarming, weird, funny, compassionate, heartbreaking, courageous, love-filled and everything in between. I will say I read it from an LGBTQ+ perspective so the "magical" kids were even more impactful and meaningful for me, but even if you took it "at face value" it's still an amazing story. The world needs more people willing to stand up for and with those who need it most. I would (STILL) give it a 10 out of 10.
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas - This is another RE-READ. I first read this one back in February of 2018 and LOVED it. It has since made its way into my personal collection and I figured it was about time I picked it up and read it again. Just like last time, I legit couldn't put it down. The story is honest, tragic and necessary. I appreciate that it is written for a younger audience, because it seems that the young folks are those who are willing to stand up and make a difference! Not only do I hope everyone reads this book, I hope it has a lasting impact and we DO SOMETHING! It's not enough to get mad, post on social media and then move on with life... WE MUST MAKE A CHANGE! Thank you to the author who had the courage to write this book, for the people who are willing to enter into a dialogue and attempt to fix the system that has been broken for way too long, and for everyone who gets involved and demands better. I would (STILL) give it a 10 out of 10.
With that, July is done-zo. If you have suggestions, let me know! I'm always looking to add to my "must read" list!
What's the best book you've read lately?
