Apparently June was just a fluke because my reading stats have gone back down again for July, will this semi-reading slump ever disappear?? I read a total of 7 books in July, not too bad but for some reason I'm struggling to pick up a physical book. I've been "reading" Strange the Dreamer by Lainie Taylor for a month and a half and yet I just can't seem to find the motivation to pick it up. I don't seem to want to read any other physical books either so I'm a bit flummoxed. Moving forward though, August is usually the month I read loads of summery contemporaries so maybe those will get me back on track!
Stats
The Roxy Letters by Mary Pauline Lowry
I feel like I read this book ages ago probably because I think I finished this one on the first day of the month. I'm struggling to recollect what happened in this novel, a sign it didn't leave a lasting impression. I think it was told through letters from Roxy to her ex-boyfriend and just about her new friendships and relationships. I remember thinking the main character was incredibly annoying, her actions at times were ridiculous. I also made a note that said I thought this book was trying to be an American version of Bridget Jones (it even references it a number of times) but it failed to capture the charm and humour of Bridget.
Foretold (The Scryers #1) by Violet Lumani
I really should have got my review up for this book by now but I've been struggling to just sit down and write it. The main thing that I got from this one was that it gave me major Harry Potter vibes. There's a sort of school setting that teaches different kinds of divinatory magic, a quirky group of friends and a high stakes situation at it's core. The magic system was a little difficult to follow at times but it was a really interesting way of using magic in a realistic setting. The plot was good, a fun introduction to a new series with relatable and funny characters (I adored Griffin, so hilarious). I had a bit of a problem with the main love interest, I thought the whole situation was a bit too quick in terms of their feelings. I'm definitely interested in reading future installments though as this was a lot of fun.
Hope Nicely's Lessons for Life by Caroline Day
Heartwarming and emotional with a lovely positive message. Centering on a main character with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, we see the world through Hope's eyes as she starts writing her autobiography in the hope of discovering why her birth mother drank during the pregnancy and gave her up for adoption. I really enjoyed this one, wonderful characters and teaches you a lot about acceptance and friendship. You can read my full review here.
I'll be taking part in the blog tour for Kat Ellis's latest twisty YA thriller (my review will be coming on the 10th August!) and I'm happy to say, I enjoyed it immensely. We follow Ava a year after her parent deaths in a car accident that left her with scars on her hands as she finds herself caught up in a series of murders that point to her as the prime suspect. The town of Burden Falls has some creepy legends including One Eyed Sadie but Ava will have to discover the truth of whether a ghost is really picking off teenagers in order to clear her name. Fast paced and littered with plenty of classic thrills and horror elements, I couldn't put it down. Keep an eye out for my full review!
Ghosts by Dolly Alderton
I genuinely enjoyed this contemporary novel about finding love in your early thirties more then I initially thought I would. It had a terrific audiobook narrator in Holliday Grainger (adore her!) and I found myself charmed by Nina and her experiences with dating apps, ghosting boyfriends and mates who are all getting married and/or having babies. Incredibly funny and relatable, this is a terrific fiction debut by an author who I can't wait to read more of.
Prime Suspect & Prime Suspect: A Face in the Crowd by Lynda La Plante
I wasn't originally going to include these two as part of this wrap up as I'm technically reading a bind up of all three Prime Suspect books but I mean they should really count towards my July reading so I decided to just include them. My mum was a big Lynda La Plante fan so i'm familiar with some of her other books like The Red Dahlia but this is my first time reading the Tennison books. La Plante writes very straightforward crime books with tough cops and gritty crimes, she doesn't feel the need for flowery writing or fussy descriptions which I quite like. Both of these crimes were well thought out and pieced together and are strong crime thrillers. These were published in the 90's though so some of the language tends to be pretty racist and sexist to reflect how the police force was (and probably still is) so it's a bit frustrating at times plus Jane Tennison isn't a particularly likeable main character. Overall, these books are fine but not a series I'll probably return to after finishing.
And those are the books I finished in July. Praying my luck changes a bit in August! 🤞 Happy Reading!
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