35. What I read in July

because I'm easily influenced and I have *several* new favorite books (very rare)

I’ve been inspired by the lovely and thoughtful July recaps I’ve read the last few days. So, here we go! I haven’t done one of these on here before, so please let me know if you’d like me to continue this!

This month, I felt like I started bouncing back towards my typical reading. For a few months, I hadn’t been reading very much. Even now, sometimes it feels like I’m forcing myself to read rather than enjoying it. Typically, after I start the first few pages, I’m sucked into it like normal.

Summer is very much a romance centered time for me. It just feels right. I read a bunch of romance books, but also enjoyed a thriller week and two historical fiction books. It was a great month with books that have become favorites of the year and all time favorites.

The Women by Kristin Hannah (historical fiction)

This book. Wow. I am a huge Kristin Hannah fan. She does such a fantastic job with her historical fiction novels. You can tell how much care and research go into each one, and they also specialize in female relationships. One of my favorite books of all time is The Nightingale. I also loved The Great Alone and The Four Winds. I have two of her books on my physical TBR right now! The Women has joined The Nightingale as one of my favorite books of all time. Not one page went by where I wasn’t deeply engaged. The pacing was perfect. Nothing was romanticized - we see the Vietnam War in all of its ugly glory, and we see the reaction of everyday people to our veterans. It made me want to cry. Frankie, our main character, joins the Vietnam War as a nurse. We see her experience war in her early twenties. We see her try to reconcile with her experience in her late twenties. We want to reach out as she goes through the hardest of times coming home post-war. Because, as everyone said, there were no women in Vietnam. It’s heartbreaking the way she reaches out for help only to be turned away and her experience disappear, have no worth. I dare say this is her best work yet. I’ll end this with the same quote in my Instagram review.

“She’d begun by believing she was stupid and learned slowly that she was human”

Next of Kin by Hannah Bonam-Young (romance)

You may see that this month has turned me into a full Hannah Bonam-Young stan. In every single one of her books, she does not shy away from representation. This one covers the foster care system and childhood trauma. Chloe takes in her baby sister as a recent college graduate. Warren has been trying for years to get his deaf younger brother into his care. They come together to have the right living and financial situation to be approved by the system. The trauma all of them have gone through is so sad. It brings a fascinating mix of maturity for their ages with emotional immaturity, particularly for Warren. Chloe was adopted, but her relationship with her adoptive parents is far from perfect. Hannah shows us the stark reality of the system and all it’s imperfections. But Warren and Chloe? That was definitely one of their successes.

Next to You by Hannah Bonam-Young (romance)

This one is technically the sequel to Next of Kin, but I read them out of order. Oops! In this one, we’re building a live-in school bus and dealing a lot with parental loss and sibling relationships. Lane is easy to fall in love with. The grief she feels over the loss of her dad comes across so realistic. Matt is pure. He has a good soul and knows how to use his words. His family home sounds like a dream, and he and his family help show Lane the beauty in loving and family and also loss. The scene with Lane and Matt’s mother had me sobbing. Lane, her sister, and her mom are able to come back together in a way that is hilarious but also tear jerking. Gosh, I loved this one so much. Reviews for both on my Instagram here.

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson (mystery/thriller)

We entered thriller week people!! I never read the mysteries on my TBR, and it just came to me I guess? I was really looking forward to this book! I loved how we started - in the backend of putting a true crime documentary together. This is both fascinating for readers like me and a truly brilliant way to drop all the information we need to know. The story of Rachel is fascinating. I was never quite able to put the pieces together. I did accidentally (I swear) see one of the plot twists too early. I’m not sure if I would’ve guessed it or not honestly. The devolving of so many characters was done well, too. Thriller week reviews here.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley (thriller)

My mom and I love Lucy Foley’s books. This one was fascinating. It’s a jarring start, like always, as we are thrown right into it. It always seems like Lucy knows how she wants to end, then devolves each string to find her starting place. Each of her characters are always so unique, and I felt like we did a good job getting to know each one. I think it also touches on a good topic for today’s time - creating a high-end hotel in a quiet town that doesn’t want it there. Respecting the town and people versus making money. Unfortunately, we know which one almost always wins. Some of this was weird, some of the plot twists I guessed at, but the last line had my jaw drop. I talked to someone on Instagram who guessed that one already, but I didn’t!! Looking back, it makes so much sense, and I love it.

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz (mystery/thriller)

I started this one out with really high hopes. I liked the writing and premise of the book at first. I didn’t really like our main character, Alex, at all. A weird feeling but one that I do appreciate - I love a three dimensional character. I ended up taking a break mid book because I was scared after reading so many thrillers at once lol. When I came back, I had just finished The Heart’s Invisible Furies. It was a stark contrast. I didn’t love the writing in this one anymore, after reading that fabulous book. I felt like the plot devolved - maybe that was a point? It’s always confusing with mystery books. The whole climax and ending left me wanting more. It wasn’t very surprising. Some of the book was rather explicit as well, and I’m not sure what purpose it served. While I can see the idea Julia had, this one didn’t really hit for me.

Behind Closed Doors by BA Paris (thriller ; audiobook)

My first audiobook!! And guys, what an audiobook to start out on. This was super creepy, especially hearing Jack’s voice. It made it seem so much more real. I’m not sure if I like audiobooks, but I did like this book. I feel like the plot was slow-ish moving throughout the middle, but the last bit was amazing. And man, the last sentence had my JAW on the FLOOR. I don’t want to give anything away, but let’s just say women supporting women!! Having a character like Jack is scary. It’s hard to think that people like that can be real. Interestingly, I like to watch true crime shows, but thriller books scare me. I think it might be because the true crime is typically solved, and in the thriller we’re in the thick of it. Plus, we dive into the warped mind of our antagonist. I think it may be a bit too personal to me. However, I do love the plot twists at the end of these books.

Business Casual by BK Borison (romance)

Hello, another 2024 favorite! I’m a fan of the whole Lovelight Farms series, with this being the fourth. I really enjoyed all three from before, especially my sweet Beckett’s story, but I hold Nova and Charlie really close to my heart. They are so relatable in so many ways, and it’s truly a joy to see them become themselves with each other. There really isn’t much I’d change about this book, if anything at all. Borison’s series brings together family in so many ways. These are a great example of how romance books mean more than just romance. Each character is unique. Each character you can relate to. And each character shows that life problems are able to be overcome. Nova and Charlie are more than enough alone and together. It was a joy to watch them discover that as well.

The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce (romance)

An all time favorite. This book still remains in my head. It is done so, so well. A second chance romance, which always makes me hesitant. I struggle with cheating tropes in books, but I am happy to report that is not this book!! It’s even better. It’s life and work that gets in the way. It’s learning to be yourself and that it is enough. People’s love of you is not conditional. My sweet Georgia and her lists. Lists are my big OCD thing, so Georgia is me in so many ways. ELI. What more do I have to say? The prologue had me tearing up. Eli working on himself and realizing what he wants from life is really beautiful to watch. Seeing them come together again is the prime example that sometimes growing alone makes people better together.

The Hearts Invisible Furies by John Boyle (fiction)

I was a skeptic at first. It’s secretly a massive book. I was worried that it might be plot heavy, hard to get through. Boy was I wrong. John is a truly beautiful writer. He has a talent. The pacing and plot of this book were done perfectly. In a huge book about an Irish boy from the mid 1900s, I was never bored and always turning the page. How talented is that? I was skeptical because I’ve seen this formula of a book before. It reminds me a lot of A Little Life, but not as dark. There were so many times I hated Cyril. There were times I didn’t like Julian then grew to love him. There were times that Cyril was hilarious, and it made me mad because I didn’t want to laugh at him. Say it with me: I love a three dimensional character. This book of Cyril is his life. His life in all it’s beautiful, hurtful, messy glory. He was a gay man in Ireland in the 1900s, and I didn’t realize how late Ireland was to modernize until this book. He was also adopted, and his adoptive parents are interesting, to say the least. We follow him through childhood, into his private school, through coming to terms with his sexuality and making terrible decisions. We join Cyril as he proves that you can live a hundred lifetimes in one life. We find love with him. We find family in the most unconventional of ways. We watch him as he proves that life has a funny way of putting the people you need in front of you. He’s funny. He’s lost a lot. He’s strong. He’s made mistakes. But in the end? He wouldn’t have changed a thing because it got him where he was in the end. I’m crying as I type this. Just read it.

Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young (romance ; reread)

This reread made me fall more in love with Bo and Win. I truly aspire to have a relationship like theirs. One of the only books I like with the accidental pregnancy trope. This book is just special. You can tell how important it is to Hannah, particularly with the limb loss and disability. You are meant to find your people at the right time. Life doesn’t have to be something spectacular to be perfect. Asking for help is okay and welcomed. Life isn’t meant to be done alone. It’s like I run out of words to describe what this book means to me - I just feel it in my heart and soul. UGH. I LOVE THIS BOOK.

Wish I Were Here by Melissa Wiesner (romance, arc, release date Oct 15)

I enjoyed this one, although it seems more YA than Adult! We follow Catherine as she figures out who she is. We see a lot of parental and childhood trauma that is worked through. We see how family is found, how community comes together, and how the right people are often right in front of you. Luca is a humble little sweetheart who I want to squeeze. I adored the magical aspect of this book as much as I loved the older characters. I had a permanent smile while reading. I can’t imagine losing my identity, but I certainly have wished I could just be nobody with no responsibilities before. At first, the dad’s job aspect seemed very random to me (reader, he is a clown), but as we learn more and more it makes so much sense. Plus, it’s a great representation of life. Nothing is ever as it seems on the surface. It matters more about people & how you treat them than any perceived “success” in life. Family is found. There is joy in letting go.

Articles I loved this week:

1. July Reads by

   Martha
   , Martha’s Monthly

2. that sense of fear, of furtive unrest by

   Nicole Raimondi
   , Literaria

3. Books to Get You Out of a Reading Slump by

   Ashley Holstrom
   , Crooked Reads

4. Good-looking NYC bookstore merch by

   Tembe Denton-Hurst
   , Extracurricular

---

What’s releasing the week of August 5th? Let’s see. (note: how is it august?) Also: affiliate links!

1. Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer (Fantasy): August 6, 2024

2. The Pairing by Casey McQuiston (Romance): August 6, 2024

3. Shadow of Doubt by Brad Thor (Thriller): August 6, 2024

4. If We Were Perfect by Ana Huang (Romance): August 6, 2024

5. Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson (Mystery): August 6, 2024

6. A Sorceress Comes to Call by T Kingfisher (Fantasy): August 6, 2024

7. The Perfect Son by Frieda McFadden (Thriller): August 6, 2024

8. The Enemy by Sarah Adams (Romance): August 6, 2024

9. Good Boy by Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen (Romance): August 6, 2024

Books I’ve compiled from mainly the NYT Bestsellers List, but also the B&N Top 100 and Amazon Bestsellers in no particular order. I’ve decided to simply add the books I haven’t before, since I’ve caught up to the new additions. If you’re curious, last week’s post can be found here.

1. The Book of Elsewhere by Keanu Reaves and China Miéville (Fantasy)

2. The Exchange by John Grisham (Thriller)

Thank you for the recommendation in the chat on Friday!! We’re doing Carley Fortune.

via carleyfortune.com

I have to confess something. I am not a huge fan of her books. I’m terribly sorry because I know so many people love them. I thought Every Summer After was fine until the ending (I don’t like cheating tropes). I liked the bones of Meet Me at the Lake, but I felt that it lacked depth, included more cheating, and the timeline felt a bit too unbelievable for me. Due to this, I haven’t read This Summer Will Be Different. I don’t say this to turn you away from her books, but to be honest. It’s just my opinion, and I have many friends who adore her books!

Now, Carley is pretty freaking awesome. She grew up in Australia and Barry’s Bay (the setting of Meet Me at the Lake!). Before becoming a New York Times Bestselling author, she was an award winning journalist and editor. She worked at The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, Toronto Life, and was the Executive Editor of Refinery29. Carley currently lives in Toronto and is writing her fourth book. I love her love of writing.

I also saw on Instagram the other day that Every Summer After will be turning into a movie! That is so awesome - congrats Carley! Also, her book covers are works of art. You can keep up with Carley on her Instagram and website.

Just a reminder to submit any books you think others will love on the R&R page or to my email: thesundayreads@gmail.com!

1. The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne (Fiction, Coming of Age)

   1. I cannot tell you how much this book affected me. It’s almost like a less dark version of A Little Life. We follow Cyril, who is an adopted boy in the mid 1900s in Ireland. We grow up alongside him. It’s beautiful and sad and hilarious. Such good writing.

That’s all for today. Much love

Izzy