Workout Recap - Week 33

Sunday, August 9th – 10.10 mile run

Monday, August 10th – 6.2 mile run

Tuesday, August 11th – 8.58 mile run

Wednesday, August 12th – Rest Day

Thursday, August 13th – 7.27 mile run

Friday, August 14th – 10.10 mile run

Saturday, August 15th – 5.5 mile run

Two double-digit runs this week - HECK TO THE YES! The heat and humidity have not let up, but I must be getting acclimated to it because a couple of times this week I felt like I could have kept going (on Tuesday I was out of water and had to call it and on Friday I didn't have any fuel with me and knew I'd hit a wall if I went much further). Saturday the hubby said he might run with me after he got done surfing, so I did a shorter run before getting groceries in case I was going to go out again, but he ended up being too tired, so that was fine for me. I got in 47.75 miles for the week and my body feels a-okay, so I am going to take that as a major win (even if my pace has slowed to accommodate the weather)! 

How were your workouts this past week?

Walt Wednesday

Some people do a "Wordless Wednesday" post, where they simply share a photo or image, but I thought I'd make a little series out of my Wednesdays. And since I love alliteration so much, why not go with Walt Wednesdays (obviously everyone can use a little break from the seriousness, scariness and sassiness of life - and what better way to help put a smile on your face than with a cute wiener dog picture, am I right?!)... So, without further ado...

WALT WEDNESDAY!

When life gets overwhelming, how do you de-stress? 

Workout Recap - Week 32

Sunday, August 2nd – 7.77 mile run, 2 mile paddle

Monday, August 3rd – 7.27 mile run

Tuesday, August 4th – 5.65 mile run

Wednesday, August 5th – 7.07 mile run

Thursday, August 6th – 7.37 mile run

Friday, August 7th – 8 mile run

Saturday, August 8th – Rest Day

Oh, golly gee, this heat and humidity just won't quit. I don't think it's been cooler than 77* in the house for 7 or 8 weeks straight. I'm forcing myself to run routes that go by multiple drinking fountains, because even on a 5 mile run I'm running out of hydration. My pace may be slowing down due to the weather, but I've still been feeling somewhat strong. I was thinking about running another 6+ miles on Saturday so I could hit 50 miles for the week (for the first time in quite some time), but I know I need to be smart about training and give my body time to recover, so 43ish miles for the week it is.

How were your workouts this past week?

Walt Wednesday

Some people do a "Wordless Wednesday" post, where they simply share a photo or image, but I thought I'd make a little series out of my Wednesdays. And since I love alliteration so much, why not go with Walt Wednesdays (obviously everyone can use a little break from the seriousness, scariness and sassiness of life - and what better way to help put a smile on your face than with a cute wiener dog picture, am I right?!)... So, without further ado...

WALT WEDNESDAY!

When life gets overwhelming, how do you de-stress? 

Workout Recap - Week 31

Sunday, July 26th – 7.17 mile run

Monday, July 27th – 7.17 mile run

Tuesday, July 28th – 4.44 mile run

Wednesday, July 29th – 7.17 mile run

Thursday, July 30th – 8.08 mile run

Friday, July 31st – 5.55 mile run

Saturday, August 1st – Rest Day

The heat and humidity have been cramping my style, not to mention my actual menstruation cramps that have been leading to less than stellar runs. Here's to next week being a little cooler and maybe my runs feeling a little more relaxed. 

How were your workouts this past week?

July Book Recap

It's still a little hard for some of y'all to believe, but I didn't really grow up reading. Clif Notes were a lifesaver in high school. I'd read 'enough' to get by, but I didn't enjoy the act of reading so never did it. Maybe I wasn't reading things that held my interest or maybe it was because it was "required", but whatever the reason, I'm glad I took the challenge 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, 224 books in 2024 and 136 books in 2025). The majority of my reading recently has been listening to audiobooks, but it still counts! Even still, holding a physical book is my JAM and I hope I can add that back into my routine on a more regular basis. 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 (so I don't forget and in case anyone is curious) and to stay accountable. So, without further ado, here are the books I completed in the month of July:

• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir - Let me start off by saying I am normally not one who enjoys things related to space (whether that's books or movies), but the hub-bub around this movie which was recently released might have gotten the best of me. When the hubby mentioned he wanted to see it, I figured I might as well read the book first (since we all know that the book is better than the movie like 99% of the time, right?!). I got in line for it at my local library and when it was finally available I went and picked it up. I'll be honest and say that I was pleasantly surprised. I had heard a few people mention that like 60% of the book was 'over their head' based on all of the math and science, so I was expecting to skim over parts, but I was actually engaged the entire time. I enjoyed how the book seemed to jump back and forth between present time and flashbacks, helping the main character piece together some of his recent past that he had been 'forgetting'. You won't find any spoilers here, but let's just say that I was all in on the friendship between Grace and Rocky. Now it's time to watch the movie. And, although I'm not planning on diving into a ton of sci-fi in the near future, maybe I won't be too quick to write-off space themed media if I come across something every now and then ;) I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley - I read the first book in this series last month, so once I finished it I got in line for the sequel on my Libby app. This one picked up a few years after the first one ended, with GUP (Gay Uncle Patrick) wrapping up filming a movie in London and taking the kiddos (Maisie and Grant) on a European excursion before ending at their final destination - their father's wedding. Along the way, Patrick tries teaching the kids about different love languages (in hopes that they no longer want to stop the wedding between their father and his soon-to-be wife). It was cute, it made me smile, it was entertaining, there were some tender/ heartfelt moments, but I wouldn't say it will stick with me for very long. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Heart the Lover by Lily King - I had seen this on quite a few lists, so I got in line for it at my local library and after a few months it finally was my turn to check it out. As with most books I read, I didn't know anything about it prior to opening the cover. This turned out to be about a college senior who gets caught up in a love triangle with two friends. Drama abounds when the first couple break up and she starts dating the best friend. I've gotta be real and say I found the story a bit slow. Don't get me wrong, it was a short book and a quick read, but at times it didn't feel like much was going on. Maybe I just wasn't in the right mindset when I read this one, but I didn't get all of the hype behind it. The story was broken into three parts - and I personally enjoyed the second and third parts more (it seemed like part one was a little too slow of a slow build for me). It was good, but I'm not actively running to the library to get in line for any of this author's other books. I would give it a 7 out of 10.

• And Now, Back to You by BK Borison - I read the first book of this series a few months ago and knew I needed to snag this next book as soon as it was released. This is a rom-com set in Baltimore. The two main characters are Jackson, a very buttoned-up radio 'weather guy', and Delilah, a super fun and energetic tv 'weather girl'. The two have had run-ins over the years, seeing as the two stations they work for share a parking lot and one of them can't seem to park worth a darn, but they are forced into close proximity when the pair are assigned to track an incoming storm in the mountains. From the jump you know the two will fall for each other, it's just figuring out when and how. I thought it was a sweet opposites attract romance that had plenty of great banter and some heartfelt moments. It felt like a warm hug. I'll obviously be grabbing the third book in the series when it comes out... it's just too bad that it won't be until February of next year. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Verity by Colleen Hoover - I had seen this book mentioned a few times recently (I think because the movie adaptation will be released this fall) and since I had recently read another one of this author's books and really enjoyed it I thought I'd give it a try. This book is a little different from this author's normal books because it had an element of thriller/ suspense in it. I'll be honest and say it was a little deranged. The story is about a writer who is asked to take over another writer's series (it was slated to be a nine book series, but only the first six have been completed) because she is unable to continue it. Lowen, the writer who has been asked to step in and take over, moves into the home of the writer who is incapacitated (she was in a car accident that has left her in an unresponsive state) and comes across an unpublished autobiography. In the meantime Lowen is also falling for the famous author's husband, Jeremy. As you can imagine, nothing is as it seems and all hell breaks loose. It sort of gave me Misery vibes (although it's been a long time since watching it, so I'm not sure how close that comparison actually is ;)). I'd say it kept me intrigued, but I don't know I love the departure from this author's usual writing. I'll see the movie, but it definitely wasn't a favorite of mine. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick - I'm not sure how this book got added to my Libby 'for later' list, but I saw it when I was looking for an audiobook to listen to while running and it caught my eye. This was a sweet story about a man who recently lost his wife and, when he was going through her stuff a year after her passing, stumbles across a charm bracelet. After living a somewhat quiet and reclusive existence after his wife died, he steps out of his comfort zone and decides to track down the stories behind the different charms. Along the way, he learns about the life his wife lead before they met (and a bit about himself as well). It was heartwarming, and, dare I say it, charming, that had me smiling the whole time. The characters we met along the way were all great too. I could see it easily being made into a movie. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey - I was waiting for more of holds to become available at my local library, so I went perusing through some of my go-to authors' catalogs and noticed that I hadn't read this one yet. This was a quick, but spicy, read filled with the grumpy/ sunshine trope. Stella was just released from prison when Aiden gives her the opportunity of a lifetime - staging a window, on a trial basis, at an upscale department store in Manhattan. Normally the man is the grump in this romance trope, but this time around Stella is the closed-off character. I'll be honest and say this wasn't one of my favorites from this author (not sure if it was the spice level or the characters or the fact that it was a holiday book I read in the middle of summer), but it was a quick, easy read, so I didn't sacrifice too much time. I would say that when I read in the acknowledgements that Aiden was modeled after Ted Lasso (at least his demeanor) it did make me smile. I would give it a 7 out of 10.

• The Daisy Chain Flower Shop by Laurie Gilmore - This is the sixth book of the Dream Harbor series and by now you better know exactly what to expect from these books. It's small time charm mixed with some sort of rom-com. This go around we are following the fake relationship between Daisy, the local flower shop owner, and Elliott, the new-to-town architect. Daisy, or more accurately, the town believes that Daisy is cursed because her previous three weddings she supplied flowers for all ended in divorce (not to mention she has been unlucky in love herself). One day, while at work, her ex shows up at her shop with his new fiancee in tow (looking for wedding venues nonetheless) and it sends Daisy spinning. Thankfully for her, Elliott walks through the door and she quickly lies and tells her ex that of course she's happy and has a new boyfriend to boot. The pair realize the fake relationship could potentially help them both - letting the town see Daisy succeeding in love and hence not being cursed and getting Elliott's mom off his back after his recent divorce and downward spiral. Let's just say we all know how this goes - a fake relationship turned real feelings ends in happily ever after (and I'm here for it). Now to wait for the last book in the series to come out. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• No Dumb Questions by Jason & Travis Kelce - I had seen this on a newly released list and noticed that my local library had it in stock, so thought I'd give it a try. I will start off by saying that I am probably not the target audience for this book, but I still enjoyed it. I chuckled out loud a couple times, but otherwise I would say it read as a transcript from one of their podcast episodes. The format was that people submitted questions and then they answered them (switching back and forth between the brothers). It was fine, but had it been any longer I probably wouldn't have stuck with it. It was a quick read, but one that most folks (besides their loyal podcast fanbase) could probably skip. (Funny side note though, I did happen to read it on the day that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce apparently got married without even realizing it.) I would give it a 6 out of 10.

• Everyone Is Lying To You by Jo Piazza - I had seen this one mentioned a few times recently, so got in line for the book at my local library. The little blurb on the cover said something along the lines of "Gone Girl but make it tradwife", which is exactly the vibe of this one. It was a thriller about an influencer, Rebecca, and her college best friend, Lizzie, who is a struggling journalist. Rebecca is 'big' in the tradlife realm (homesteading, raising a family with non-toxins, living on a farm, homeschooling, being a 'traditional' type of wife, etc), but obviously, as with most social media, there is more than meets the eye. Rebecca gets in touch with her college best friend after fifteen years of radio silence and invites her to a mom conference so that Lizzie can 'break' a huge announcement. The book switched back and forth between the two characters' POVs (along with a police interview here and there), which I tend to enjoy because it doesn't give you much time to ponder what exactly is going on. It kept me engaged the entire time. I would say there were points it felt like I had 'been there, done that' and had read similar storylines before, but it was entertaining nonetheless. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• She's Not Sorry by Mary Kubica - I have many thoughts on this one (spoiler alert - not all of them are good). First, I wasn't sure if I would be able to make it past the first chapter or two because of the initial gut punch it had on me. Had there been a trigger warning (or maybe had I read the synopsis ahead of time) I may not have read this one. A woman ends up in the ICU of a hospital after emergency services believes she may have jumped from a bridge. Next, it was a pretty slow build. It seemed to drag a bit in the beginning (even though I listened to the audiobook at 1.75x speed). I will say I was engrossed in the characters and although some of the story was a bit predictable, I was interested to see where it all would lead next. I definitely didn't guess a few of the twists along the way. With that being said, I felt like the plotline of the attacker around town was not needed in the story. It felt like that pushed it over the edge of throwing too much into one book for me. At points I felt like I was engaged and at other points I thought it just felt 'meh'. I would give it a 7 out of 10.

• This Weekend Doesn't End Well for Anyone by Catherine Mack - This is the third book of the series and since I enjoyed the first two, I expected this one to be another winner (which, spoiler alert, it was). This go-around Eleanor and her friends/ enemies/ people in her author world/ etc end up in the Bahamas for a writing conference. As you can imagine, people are dropping like flies and Eleanor has to try to piece together whodunit. Just like with the other books, this one is full of footnotes, speaking directly to the reader, tons of characters/ suspects, and plenty of mystery. I would say that I guessed who was behind the murder plot pretty early on in this one (which is surprising because I was on the edge of my seat until the final chapter of the first two books), but obviously not how everyone intertwined with one another (seeing as there are a billion and a half characters always involved). This would be a great vacation/ beach read. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Hello Stranger by Katherine Center - I read one of this author's recent releases last month and enjoyed it (as I usually do with everything this author writes), so figured I'd read a few more in her catalog. My Hoopla app had a couple of her audiobooks that I hadn't checked out yet, so I downloaded them so I could listen to them this month. This story follows Sadie, a struggling portrait artist, who develops face blindness after undergoing brain surgery. Sadie's world is flipped upside down when she can no longer do what she used to do prior to the procedure - paint faces. Shoot, she can't even recognize her own face! I thought this was a unique premise and a super sweet romance (even if it is sort of a love triangle trope with a caring neighbor and her hot veterinarian). I knew where the story was going early on, but I was still all-in. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Go Gentle by Maria Semple - I read one of this author's books last month and enjoyed it, so when I saw my library had her new release available I thought I'd give it a try. I'll be honest and say I did not enjoy it as much as her previous book. This one was about philosopher living in New York City, working for a family as a tutor. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was a little too all over the map for me. It seemed like it was part philosophy, part thriller, part art heist, part romance, part satire. For me, it felt like there was too much going on so it wasn't doing any one thing amazingly well. I got sucked in at the beginning because I enjoyed the idea of 'the coven' and unmarried/ divorced women living together in an apartment building, taking care of one another, but that ended up being such a small part of the plot that I was a bit disappointed. I kept reading, though, not because I was overly interested in the story, but because I felt like I had sunk enough time into the book that I might as well finish it. For all the hype around it [it was an Oprah Book Club pick for goodness sake] and because of how much I enjoyed 'Where'd You Go, Bernadette', I was expecting more. I would give it a 7 out of 10.

• This is Not About Running by Mary Cain - I saw this memoir was coming out and crossed my fingers that my local library would get a copy. I had followed Mary's running career, the downfall of her previous coach, her expose in the New York Times, etc, so I knew I'd gobble this book up as soon as I could get my hands on it. Like the title said, this wasn't about running. Don't get me wrong, Mary's life revolved around running, so the book is definitely about the sport, but it's more about the ugly, insidious, damaging side of it - especially when it comes to youth sports. It's written in snidbits - a memory about a race here, a conversation there. The chapters are short (maybe averaging about 3 pages), so it was easy to want to keep reading. Mary is brutally honest while she lets everyone see what goes on behind the curtain. Although this could be seen as a cautionary tale, she wants to force the hard conversations and demand change. This isn't just about her, this is about the culture. We need to hold brands, coaches, mentors, parents, etc to a higher standard and we need to make sure they are walking the walk, not just talking the talk. I appreciate everything Mary has done for running, for mental health, for the community, for advocacy, for others, for herself. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino - I had seen this title mentioned a few times in the 'must read' thriller category, so I thought I'd snag it from my local library. Other than it being a thriller, I wasn't sure what to expect. Turns out this is a debut novel (kudos to this author for writing a 'hit' the first go-around) about status, ambition and the housing market. You might not think the housing market could be an interesting subject matter, but then, maybe you haven't tried to buy a house recently. This book follows a couple as they try to find the 'perfect' house (in hopes that then their 'perfect' life can begin). Margo, the extremely competitive and ambitious wife, believes she's found 'the one' and will do everything and anything to make her dreams become a reality. Let's just say the story (and main character) is a bit unhinged, but I bought in from the first moment and couldn't look away. Sure, I wouldn't say it felt realistic (the main character felt a bit 'too delusional' to be believable and I was actually surprised that at some points I was totally rooting for this unlikeable character), but sometimes you just want a book to entertain you and this did just that. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser - I had seen this on the Reese's Book Club list and thought I'd give it a shot. This is the re-telling of Cinderella, but from the perspective of the stepmother. With that being said, this book is so much more than that. I thought it'd be entertaining, but I didn't realize I would enjoy it as much as I did. It sort of has a feminist twist that I was digging. It's about a twice widowed woman who is trying to take care of her two daughters, one stepdaughter and crumbling manor during a time period where women were viewed about as valued as property. It focuses on a mother's love and not accepting what society may deem you worthy of. You might go into this book thinking that Lady Tremaine is the villain, but you will leave it feeling all the feels and rooting for her to get her own happily ever after (no man needed!). I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett - I had seen rave reviews about this book, but I'll be honest and say the length of it kept me away. I mean, for goodness sake, the audiobook was over 28 hours long! With that being said, the hubby, pup and I were going up to Mammoth for a long weekend and I knew I'd need an audiobook for the ride there and back, so figured I'd give it a go. Holy wow! I am normally not one for historical fiction, but for some reason I was totally okay with this one being set in the 1930s. This book is told from two different perspectives - Birdie and Meg. Birdie is an unwed and outspoken woman, coming to Oxford, Mississippi to ask her sister (and her very well-off husband) for financial help. Meg is a smart-as-a-whip 11 year old girl who seems to get the short end of the stick at the orphanage in Oxford. There is so much going on and I don't want to give anything away, but let's just say this turns out to be a story about friendship, social observations, hardship, overcoming circumstances, suffering, heartbreak and so much more. Despite its length, I wish the story went on even further (like, for real, my one negative about this book was the fact that there felt like there was so much build up and now I want to know what happens 'after'). Oh yeah, and I think one of my favorite characters might have actually been Flossy (she might need her own book ;)). I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner - I had this in my 'for later' list on my Libby app and needed something 'short' for the remaining drive home from Mammoth. A friend had mentioned really enjoying this book, but other than her brief endorsement I didn't know much about it. This is a memoir about a Korean-American woman who is processing the grief of losing her mom. Michelle and her mother may have had a strained relationship, but the love they had for one another oozes from the page. It's a beautiful and deeply moving story about familial relationships, food, shared experiences, culture, identity and much more. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth - I had heard so much hype around this book that I knew I wanted to grab it (unfortunately neither of my audiobook apps had it available so I had to get in line for it at my local library). This is about Mabel, an 81 year old woman living in Australia. When she was younger, it seemed as though death followed her, so now she is sort of untangling those webs for the reader. I wanted to love this one, but I just couldn’t. You see, starting around chapter three I was waiting for the reveal surrounding Daphne (both in the “now” and the “then” timelines). It was a distraction in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the older female main character, I enjoyed her friendship with her younger neighbor and the 'thawing' of her jaded heart, the relationships amongst everyone on the street were interesting, etc, but I felt like I was waiting for the unveiling with her best friend since shortly after the book started and it just drug on for way, way too long. It was good (even if I felt as though it was pretty predictable), just not great. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune - To say this was a highly anticipated read for me would be an understatement. I have immensely enjoyed everything I have read by this author, so when I saw she was releasing another book AND that it was going to be set in Tofino, I was sold. The hubby went to Tofino a few years back for a photoshoot and has been talking up that little island ever since. This rom-com is your classic friends-to-lovers tope. It follows two childhood best friends - Frankie and George. Frankie is left meer hours before her wedding and George swoops in a couple months later to help her get over the heartache. Frankie and her ex-fiance had already partially paid for their honeymoon, so Frankie and George end up going on the one week trip to Tofino instead. Frankie hopes the week away with her childhood best friend will help them get back to their old friendship, while George may have other ideas in mind. I'll be honest and say that I am usually a little partial to the 'he fell first' storyline, since that isn't always the norm in rom-coms, so as I'm sure you can imagine this was right up my alley. This author can do no wrong in my book. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• Rolls and Rivalry by Kristy Boyce - This is actually the third book of this series. I enjoyed the first two (which I read last July), so had my Libby app set up to alert me when the next book was released. I'll be honest and say that this was my least favorite, but it was still enjoyable. I'm not into the Dungeons and Dragons realm nor was I in band growing up, but that's why I enjoy books - because they expand your horizons. This is a cute coming-of-age story about Hazel, a senior color guard who is hoping to start her own D&D campaign. When her childhood friend returns to town after a few years away, she's taken aback when he seems to hold some animosity towards her. The two feud for a while before falling back in step (both in marching band and in their friendship). It's exactly what you'd expect for a nerdy, fun and flirty YA rom-com. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Into the Blue by Emma Brodie - I had seen this book mentioned in the 'summer must reads' for a few months, so once my local library got a copy of it in their catalog I got in line. I didn't know anything about it, other than it was a love story. It ended up being about two main characters - AJ and Noah. Noah comes from a long line of famous actors/ actresses and AJ gets wrapped up with him when she's seventeen and his great aunt takes the pair of them under her wing. The story jumps around a bit between different periods in their relationship (friends, coworkers, lovers, scene partners, costars, etc). I'll be honest and say I guess I was expecting more from this one seeing how much hype had been surrounding it. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it (although it did feel slow/ long at times), it was full of yearning, very character driven and a fun premise with the intergalactic show series thrown in, but it wasn't as amazing as I was expecting it to be. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• The Love Haters by Katherine Center - I have always enjoyed the books I've read/ listened to by this author, so when I saw another one of hers in the 'recommended' section of my Hoopla app I thought I'd grab it for while I was out on runs or walking the pup. This was yet another super sweet and fun rom-com with witty banter and, thankfully, not too much spice ;). We follow Katie, an aspiring videographer, who lies about her ability to swim so she can get the roll as lead on a documentary following a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. Feelings abound when Katie has to be in Hutch's orbit nonstop for the recruitment film. Of course there's drama aplenty (including Hutch's brother, the possibility of job loss, fake relationships, a hurricane and much more) to keep you engaged and smiling from ear to ear. You know what you're getting with each of this author's book (pure joy) - and I will keep grabbing them as long as she keeps releasing them! I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Good Joy, Bad Joy by Mikki Brammer - I had seen this book mentioned a few times in the newly released lists and since it was available at my local library I thought I'd snag it. I didn't know anything about this one when I first nabbed it, but it ended up being more than I was expecting. Deep down, I would consider this a love story about female friendship. We follow a pair of friends, Joy and Hazel, over an EIGHTY PLUS YEAR friendship! Joy is the cautious, play-by-the-rules one, whereas Hazel is the adventurous, wild-child. As you can imagine, at the age of 89, these two are two of the last people in their realm of family/ friends standing. When Hazel is diagnosed with cancer, Joy is left wondering if it's too late to make a change in her life and a difference in the world around her. This story is tender, beautiful, uplifting and heartwarming and will have you reflecting on so much more than just the difference between "good" and "bad". I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth - I had seen this book mentioned recently, probably because this author just released a new book (Mad Mabel, which I read earlier this month), which means I got in line for it at my local library and once it became available I grabbed it. I didn't know anything about it prior to checking it out, but it ended up being about three women who grew up in the foster care system in Australia. The book was told from each of their perspectives (and it switched back and forth between the past and the present). The three had to return to the home they originally met at because there were bones found on the premises and the police had questions for them. Although they grew up in hellish conditions, the three found one another during the experience and became sisters. This wasn't an easy read (I truly hope that child abuse never becomes something that is palatable), but overall it was a decent thriller. I wouldn't say it was amazing and I'm probably not going to run to the library for any more of this author's books in the near future, but I stuck with it and thought it was good enough with a few twists I didn't see coming. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• The Better Mother by Jennifer Van Der Kleut - This one popped up on the trending section of my Hoopla app and since I had one last download for the month that I could use I figured it was worth a try. It was another triller - this time about a woman who finds out she is pregnant after having a short fling with a man she met a few months before. The story quickly takes a dark turn when she lets the man know and he has gotten back with his 'ex'. Little does Savannah know, Max's 'ex' is actually his wife who is unable to have children of her own and decides that Savannah's pregnancy is the perfect way for her to get a baby to claim as hers. I'd say it's your traditional thriller, filled with suspense and unhinged characters. I could see it easily becoming a made-for-tv type movie (if something like this doesn't already exist... seeing as it didn't feel too inventive). The story kept me engaged, but it wasn't anything too special to write home about. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick - I had seen this recently released book pop up a couple times on my feed so I thought it might be worth checking out. As per usual, I had no idea what this book was about. It turned out to be about Phoebe (duh), an almost thirty year old virgin. She is a lover of the romance genre, yet hasn't had a romance of her own. Prior to her thirtieth birthday, she receives a letter she wrote to herself as a senior in high school with a goal she hopes to have completed by that time... which said 'lose her virginity'. Seeing as that hadn't happened for her yet, she goes about writing a list with ways to do so by her birthday (which is about a month away). With three guys on her radar (her best friend from college, a guy she's been interested in for the last year and a new teacher at the school she works at), she starts on her quest. Although the premise of this book seems to revolve around sex, there was very little in the book (which I appreciate since I can be a prude when it comes to spice ;)). What I really appreciate about this story is the way it addresses mental health (specifically anxiety). Sure, it's a light-hearted, fun book, but it also focuses on how anxiety can be ever present in every aspect of our lives. Apparently this author is a popular podcaster (I don't listen to any, so I'm out of the loop), so maybe I'll have to check it out. I would give it a 9 out of 10. 

• I Love You Don't Die by Jade Song - I am not sure where I came across this book, but it was available at my local library and I had in on a list of books I should try so I grabbed it. Since I didn't know anything about it prior to snagging it, I didn't realize what type of story it would be. This one is a character-driven novel about a couple of friends - Vicky and Jen. There are themes of loss, grief, love, depression, debt, friendship and death. As you can probably guess from that list, it is not a happy-go-lucky type of a story. Had I known what this was about, I probably wouldn't have checked it out. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't terrible, it just isn't my normal type of book (and I also feel like it is one you have to be 'in the mood for') and I didn't really vibe with any of the characters. It wasn't my cup of tea, but that doesn't mean you won't enjoy it. I would give it a 7 out of 10.

• Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne - I had seen this rom-com audiobook on my Libby app a while back and put it on my 'for later' list. It didn't have a wait and I felt like I wanted something light and fun, so I gave it a download. This is about Ruthie, who works at a retirement home (and is accidentally identified as a Golden Girls cosplay actor - incorrect on so many levels ;)), and Teddy, a tattoo artist and son of the new owner of the retirement community. This is all about opposites attract (and maybe a bit of a 'he fell first' romance). I identify with Ruthie's Type A personality and perfectionism, and appreciated Teddy's willingness to come alongside her and help build her confidence. It's exactly what I was hoping for - witty banter, likeable characters and a sweet, swoon-worthy love story (and turtles - who knew we needed turtles?!). I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• So Old, So Young by Grant Ginder - This is a recent release that I saw mentioned a couple times and thought I'd give it a go. Apparently I need to start reading the synopsis of books (or maybe change the source where I'm finding them), because this turned out to be another character-driven novel. This one I actually did enjoy, as it followed a group of college friends through different times of their lives. There were six different perspectives that the book jumped back and forth between (which keeps you on your toes and shows you how people can experience the same situation completely differently). I enjoyed seeing how their relationships changed, grew, fractured and morphed over time (just as the people all did the same). The characters all felt real and the situations seemed relatable. I could see this being turned into a mini-series on a streaming service. Not my normal cup of tea, but I enjoyed it more than I was expecting to. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• I See You've Called In Dead by John Kenney - I came across this one on my Libby app because it was the book of the month and had unlimited copies (so no one had to wait in line to check it out). The name caught my attention, so I thought I’d give it a try. It was about an obituary writer who, after a terrible blind date (where she brought her boyfriend with her), the main character, Bud, gets drunk and ends up publishing his own (very false) obituary. The newspaper he works for takes this very seriously and puts him on leave while they decide what to do. Bud meets Clara, who enjoys going to wakes and funerals of people she doesn’t know and Bud starts following suit. This book is about death, but despite the dark and heavy topic, it had me smiling, smirking and chuckling throughout. It was serious and sarcastic, heartfelt and humorous. I loved the side characters too! It was a reminder to LIVE life and make a mark on the world around you. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid - I need to start off by saying that I believe this author can do no wrong. I have loved everything she's written (that I've read, anyway) and expected nothing different from this one - and I was right! Her strong female main characters are always CHEFS KISS! This one was about Carrie Soto, a tennis superstar, who retires after becoming the greatest of all time and then decides to come back (five plus years later) when one of her records is threatened. Carrie is driven and determined, but to the outside world she's cold, heartless and a "b word". The book follows her career - the good, the bad, the ugly. There are transcripts from different sportscasters throughout, which I really appreciated because I thought it clearly shows how others (especially men) see women with ambition. It also dives into the racism and sexism in sports. The story is vulnerable, emotional and about so much more than tennis. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides - I had seen this book mentioned for quite a while now, but the line for the audiobook on my Libby app is always so long so I finally just grabbed the physical copy from my local library. I didn't know anything about this one, other than it was a thriller. Turns out it was about a famous painter who was convicted of killing her husband and sent to a mental institution because after the murder she stopped speaking. The book is told from the perspective of Theo, a psychotherapist who wants to work with Alicia and 'help' her. Let's just say I was NOT expecting the twist that came along with this psychological thriller. That said, I felt like there were some aspects of the plot that left me confused (or at least some points that were never clearly wrapped up). The ending, in my opinion, also felt a bit rushed. Even so, I can see why it gets such high praises and I would totally watch the film if it ever gets made. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Ellie Haycock is Totally Normal by Gretchen Schreiber - I saw this one in the YA section of my Libby app and thought I'd grab it (apparently it seems as though I have a thing for yellow covers - I guess they just catch my attention while I'm scrolling on the audiobook app). This is a coming-of-age story about Ellie, a disabled teen who has been admitted to the hospital yet again. Ellie has always tried to keep her two worlds (life at home/ school and life at the hospital) separate, but this most recent trip threatens this plan. Sure, this is a YA romance, but it's also so much more. It's about how the world sees disability, it's about self advocacy and bodily autonomy, it's about friendship, it's about the medical profession (and how sometimes a patient is not 'heard'). I enjoyed the snarky comments (it felt like things a teen would legit say), but also the heartfelt and emotional moments. We need diverse voices in media, more stories told so everyone can see themselves in the world and you can tell this author writes from a place of personal experience. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Strangers by Belle Burden - This book had been mentioned quite a bit recently, so I got in line at my local library and it was finally my turn. This is a memoir about a marriage (and the dissolvement of it). Belle shares her personal experiences of her marriage and then her separation and divorce. Their marriage ended without any warning (at least from Belle's perspective) right when the pandemic was hitting. Belle tries to look within the relationship to see if there were any warning signs or missteps that she took that could have lead to this ending. As with most memoirs, I was drawn in to see this personal perspective. I would say that there were points of the story that made me unable to sympathize with her story, seeing how much privilege and wealth that Belle was afforded, but she did go into it a bit when she mentions her work with immigration cases. I appreciated the rawness and openness that this author gave to her readers, but I don't know that I found it to be as gripping (or relatable) of a tale as some others have made it out to be. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson - I had seen this book pop up and it looked intriguing, so I got in line for it at my local library. I'm not really sure what I was expecting - maybe a cozy mystery or something - but this was much different than whatever my mind had cooked up. You see, I am NOT one for scary movies. I even close my eyes during scary previews. Well, I guess I should've read the synopsis of this one, because it was a combination of a rom-com and a slasher. Yep, like the Freddy Krueger and Michael Myers type! The main character is Jamie, a grad student who is writing her thesis about the similarities between rom-coms and slasher films. One night her and her best friend Laurie go to a speed dating event and, if you didn't guess it right away I'll tell you, the night turns into a real life horror. I actually had to talk myself into finishing this one multiple times (I wasn't sure if I could stick with it). Don't get me wrong, the plot was creative, just not in my comfort zone. I did enjoy the little rom-com easter eggs throughout the story (and, I'm sure if I knew anything about slasher films I would've noticed some from that genre too). I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn - The hubby and I were looking for a series to watch and came across this one on HBO. It mentioned that it was adapted from a book, so I figured I should probably read it before we watched the show. I got a sense from the preview that it would be a thriller, but didn't really pay attention to much more. Camille is a reporter who has moved away from her small town in Missouri to live and work in Chicago. Her boss was looking for some breaking news and noticed that there could be a big story coming out of Camille's hometown. She is tasks to go back home and dig into the murder of a young girl and the disappearance of another. This is definitely a psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I would say that I predicted a few of the twists along the way, but I was still interested enough to see it to the end. If I had to guess, I'd say the hubby and I will eventually watch the series. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• The Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean - I had seen this book mentioned on a few summer TBR (to be read) lists and figured I'd jump on the bandwagon. This story is set in Rhode Island, on a private island. We follow along with a dysfunctional family who get together for a week after the father dies. The father was a tech guru, a billionaire, a man who needed to have control. The children are forced into 'playing a game' that he set up in order to get their inheritance. You've got Greta, the oldest sibling who is very Type A and caters to her mother's every whim, Sam, the son who never lived up to his father's expectations, Alice, the one who escaped the clutches of the family and was banished out of the inner circle, and Emily, the youngest, a yogi and the most spiritual of the group. The week is filled with anger, secrets, angst and surprises. There's even a little romance thrown in for good measure. This would be a great beach or vacation read. I would give it an 8 out of 10. 

• Vox by Christina Dalcher - I stumbled across this book while scrolling on my Hoopla app, looking for something read by one of my favorite audiobook narrators - Julia Whelan. I saw this one and it was available for download, so I decided I'd give it a try. This is a political-ish, sci-fi thriller. It reminded me a bit of The Handmaid's Tale. It is set in a version of the United States where females are being silenced - physically. They are all fit with a 'bracelet' that counts the number of words they are allowed to speak a day (100 words) and emits an electrical current if they go over. The main character is a neurolinguist and is tapped by the president to help create a 'cure' for a neurological issue, only to find out the request is much more nefarious. I thought it was gripping, suspenseful and thought provoking. I was ready to give it a 9 or 10 out of 10 rating, but the ending just didn't do it for me. I think it was just way too rushed, which was extremely disappointing. (That being said, I'd still probably watch it if they ever made it into a movie or series ;)) I would give it an 8 out of 10. 

• The God of the Woods by Liz Moore - I had seen this book mentioned a few times recently (even though it's been out for a while now), so I figured I could grab it from my local library since there wasn't a wait and give it a try. This novel follows a family who has two children go missing (the son in 1961 and the daughter in 1975). It is set in the Adirondack Mountains (at a camp the family owns and their nearby residence) and switches back and forth between the different timelines and mysteries. I want to start off by saying that the sweet spot I've found for books seems to be around the 300 or 350 page mark, but this one was almost 500 pages. With that said, it felt long to me. There were a lot of different characters (and the story being told from each of their point of view) and a lot of different timelines. It kept me engaged, but at parts I was thinking 'okay, let's get along with it already'. I'd say it was good, but not great. Word on the street is they've started filming a screen adaptation (I believe for Netflix), but I didn't see a release date mentioned yet. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Frankly in Love by David Yoon - Yep, I guess the yellow cover caught my eye again ;) I saw this YA book on my Libby app and thought I'd give it a listen. This is a coming-of-age story about Frank Li, a Korean American high school senior. He falls in love, but concocks a fake-dating scheme as a way to date his girlfriend in secret. You see, his parents are racists and don't want him to be with anyone who isn't Korean. When he falls for a white girl, he has to decide what to do (especially seeing as his parents had already disowned his older sister for dating [and eventually marrying] a black man). Frank asks one of his family friends, Joy, to fake date him so both of them can see their significant others without their hounding parents (Joy is dating outside of their race as well). The two eventually realize they have feelings for one another and make their fake relationship legit. This story is about love, friendship, racism, identity, tribalism and much more. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Everyone in this Room will Someday be Dead by Emily Austin - I don't remember how this book got on my 'for later' list, but it was short and available at my local library so I thought I figured I'd snag a copy and give it a read. This one sort of reminded me of Where'd You Go, Bernadette, but it didn't connect with me as much. It was about Gilda, a lesbian, atheist obsessed with death and who somehow gets a job as a receptionist at a Catholic church. The employee who's role Gilda is taking over had recently passed away and, come to find out, there seems to be some suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. Gilda is now doing her best at trying to hide her identity from her employer, as well as try to figure out what happened to Grace. There was a lot going on in this short little story and I think that's why I couldn't really get into the book - it sort of felt like everything was underdeveloped to me. I will say that I was a bit surprised with the reviews that mentioned laughing a lot or that it was hilarious because I didn't find much in the story funny. I would give it a 7 out of 10.

• The Dead Husband Cookbook by Danielle Valentine - This book ended up on my 'for later' list a few weeks ago and I saw that my local library had a copy on its shelves, so I stopped by and checked it out. The spine said 'mystery' and that's about all that I knew. It ended up being about a woman, Thea, who was a literary editor. She was involved in a large scandal and was sort of just biding her time at her current job, waiting to get fired. While waiting for the other shoe to drop, she was offered a HUGE opportunity - to help edit the memoir of one of her favorite chefs. Not only did Thea grow up cooking all of Maria's recipes and watching her television shows, she had a scandal of her own - her husband supposedly died by suicide thirty years prior, but Maria had never publicly discussed any of the tragedy. Not only would Thea be able to work with an idol of hers, she could potentially have a career making opportunity on her hands. Rumors were aplenty when it came to the death and disappearance of Maria's husband, even including cannibalism and making him into her famous meatballs, but nothing could have prepared Thea for what her time with this author would reveal. I was hooked on this one from the jump, even if it was a bit gory for my personal taste. I would give it an 8 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?