July Wrap Up

I read 15 books, a total of 5639 pages.

July was a very good reading month. I’ve been trying to work through my owned TBR and I only had 1 DNF and 1 ‘I’ll read you later’. I DNF’d ‘A Field Guide To Getting Lost’ by Rebecca Solnit, I read the first chapter and realised it is not a book for me, I’m just not clever enough for it I think. I also read the first chapter of The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton, but I wasn’t in the mood for it, I borrowed this book from my mum as she thought I might like it, I’m putting it on August’s TBR and if I don’t read it then I will just give up on it as I’ve not been in the mood for it for a year already. So books that I did finish this month...

Restless Slumber by KJ Sutton ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ve been absolutely loving this series, KJ Sutton is one of my new favourite authors, the way she writes is so addicting, the characters she writes are so layered and I cannot wait to read the next instalment.

Death Note Vol 1 by Tsugumi Ohba ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was so interesting, I’ve never watched the anime and knew the premise and thought it was great, I wasn’t desperate to read the next volume, but definitely will pick them up when I’ve made my way through more of my manga collection as it has grown substantially in June/July

Wundersmith by Jessica Townsend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another series I’ve started and obsessed with, awaiting the next release, which I’ve preordered. I love this world, I love seeing Morrigan’s journey, and I’m looking forward to seeing her grow more in Hollowpox. I have a review up of the series so far on my blog.

Cogheart by Peter Bunzl ⭐️⭐️⭐️

An exciting adventure that I did enjoy, with a heartwarming ending, again I’d be interested in reading more in the series but I’m in no rush, there are so many series I want to finish first.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have no original thoughts on this book, I just want as many people as possible to read it, it’s so impactful and I know I’m late to the party but I’m so glad I’m here now.

Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have no idea what happened with this book, but everyone raves about it but it was just fine for me. It was my first sci-fi and my first book by either author. I don’t know whether it was the format or what but it was just not as good as the hype suggested to me and I won’t be carrying on the series.

The Bromance Bookclub by Lyssa Kay Adams ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I always forget how much I love so contemporary romance, and this book reminded me of that, it’s just so easy to read and requires so little brain power and I’m always happier at the end no matter what mood I was in when I picked up the book. I really want this book to made into a film, it’s so sweet and just the right amount of steamy.

The Little Shop of Happy Ever After by Jenny Colgan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Jenny Colgan is my favourite author, I’ve read nearly every book she’s written. This one is making me want to buy a van, fill it with books and run away to Scotland. Such a great feel good story.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cute! I like the art style and the story, I like magic girl stories and looking forward to carrying on with the series in August, I have the complete set (3 volumes) and looking forward to seeing where the story goes, the anime series is on Netflix and I really want to watch it.

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was my first Sanderson, I loved it, I really want to read more from him.

This story was so good, I liked Spensa and M-Bot is definitely my favourite character. I immediately preordered the paperback of Starsight (I have the paperback of Skyward and need them to match) which is released on the same day as Hollowpox, so I will have a real dilemma as to which I will read first!

The Girl Who Drank The Moon by Kelly Barnhill ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another book that is everyone’s favourite but wasn’t as impactful to me. It was a lovely story and I liked the characters, the atmosphere was great but it just was fine to me, maybe because it’s the same month I read Wundersmith which I’m just more invested in... I don’t know, I can’t put my finger on why it’s only 3 stars for me, it just is.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll ⭐️⭐️

I just don’t get it. I know it’s not meant to make sense but it was just a massive Nope for me. My book also contained Through the Looking Glass and I read it too, I JUST DON’T GET IT!!!! I don’t understand how people can say it’s one of their favourites, can someone please explain it to me?

The Five by Hallie Rubenhold ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fascinating! This was such a well researched book, I really enjoyed (?possibly not the right sentiment given the content) learning about these women’s lives and they came to be in the situations they were in. I have long held an interest in true crime and serial killers, because I just don’t understand the logic behind it (there is none that why) but I’m very aware that the victims are often forgotten in the bigger story so it was great to learn more about the victims. Also this book points out how unfairly these women were treated and it made me angry.

Hidden Nature by Alys Fowler

I feel weird rating people’s memoirs, so I’m just leaving it off. I liked the story and the journey Fowler goes on, literally and figuratively. I used to live in Birmingham and one of my flats was right on the edge of the canal and I loved walking along it, one of my favourite places in the city centre is Brindley Place so I felt a certain nostalgia while reading this. Fowler’s story really is a journey of finding herself and it was just lovely.

Heidi by Johanna Spyri ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I did not expect to love this book, if I'm being honest it was a complete cover buy, I just want the complete set of puffin in bloom editions and had no intention of actually reading any of the books except maybe Little Women. But then realised the ridiculousness of this and decided to pick up Heidi. I am so glad I did! Yes it's preachy but more than that it's a story about a little girl who just loves to be outside and with her grandad and the people she loves. Heidi is the least selfish little girl, thinking always of how she can help others even when it's hurting her. I was genuinely concerned for Heidi and many of her elderly companions throughout parts in this book but it true children's classic style, the happy ending is there and all the sweeter for the journey. A truly heartwarming tale and one I wish I had read as a young girl.

Overall I think I had a pretty good reading month, although I’ve noticed that I am reading a lot of first books in a series and need to continue/finish some, although in my defence a lot are awaiting publication of the next book. I’m also really pleased with my page count too, as I read 7 books less than last month but was only about 400 pages less and I still enjoying pretty much everything I pick up.