July was the month of “it was fine” reading for me. While I did great with quantity, I have said it over and over – I am really looking for quality. Why? Because there are just too many books to read! I am pretty much over the, “It was fine” books and want to be wowed! I did finish 4 great books this month, but the rest were pretty much – just fine. At least there were no DNFs or anything really just quite terrible!
Here are the books that I read in July.
The Happiest Man On Earth – Eddie Jaku
This is the story of Eddie Jaku, who I surprisingly had never heard of prior. A short book that packed an enormous punch. Eddie tells his story and always had considered himself a German first and a Jew second until he was separated from his family, arrested, beaten and taken to a concentration camp. There are so many lessons to learn from Eddie and in this age of great political divide of beliefs, values, morals, having Eddie whisper in my ear was very welcomed. Eddie Jaku passed away late last year but you can also catch him speaking on TedTalks.
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Nora Goes Off Script – Annabel Monaghan
This was the rom-com/summer beach read I didn’t know I needed. I loved Nora & her kiddos. It’s a fairly predictable story (but still will likely surprise you) that is clever & quirky and has all the feels. Pack this one in the beach bag & enjoy. 100% entertainment.
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Remarkably Bright Creatures – Shelby Van Pelt
I tend to get nervous when picking up a celebrity selection and this was no exception – however I was pleasantly surprised to dive into the world of Marcellus the Pacific octopus and a strong cast of characters. Tova, a night time cleaner at the aquarium, is one of my favorite characters in a long time. This book is woven together with expertise, so much so that it is surprising to learn that this is a debut novel.
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Please Like Me – Mindy Kaling
I enjoyed Kaling’s latest on audible during my morning commutes and loved starting my day with a chuckle here and there. She is a lovely, funny woman who shares more satires of her past and some now as a mom that are head shaking but relatable. I wish I could watch her on The Office for the first time all over again.
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Gilt – Jamie Brenner
Potato chip book, listened to audio. And by potato chip – it is salty but addictive and crunchy and annoying. But you just can’t stop. In a similar fashion to Brenner’s previous Blush.
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Things We Do in the Dark – Jennifer Hillier
This is a mystery / twisty thriller that has a very dark component. Big time warning regarding child abuse consisting of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Well written but I had initially hoped to enjoy it a bit more. Paris’s husband is famous and it appears he has commuted suicide however she’s charged with his murder. Thing is, she has so many secrets she’s trying to keep hidden. Thank you to NetGalley and Minatour Books for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Things We Do in the Dark is now available.
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The Ruin – Dervla McTiernan
Two timelines – one with a cop at the beginning of a career as he finds two children with their deceased mother at an apparent heroine overdose. The second is thirty years later. There are a good host of trigger warnings with this one and it gets fairly gritty at times.
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Vladimir – Julia May Jonas
This one is kind of weird. Vladimir is kind of crazy, kind of steamy, kind of odd – and then kind of not all of those things. The narrator seemed out of her mind, but I sort of loved her. If you want to read about a late 50’s woman struggling with aging and a host of other issues (I thought I did, but maybe I didn’t), you will likely enjoy this one more than I did. Like my theme, overall, it was fine.
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The New Neighbor – Karen Cleveland
This is the 3rd book I have read from this author and I thoroughly enjoyed my first two, going into this one with high expectations. Ultimately, The New Neighbor was just ok for me. Beth is a CIA analyst that seems to be having a rough time in all aspects of her life – she is lonely because her kids have all left the nest, her husband is leaving too, she is moving and leaving her friends and at work is being taken off a case she has worked for over a decade. The biggest problem for me was the writing just didn’t flow and was a a tad clunky. I also felt Beth’s behavior wasn’t believable at all for a long term CIA operative. The first half of the book was stronger than the last as I did get hooked and wanted to finish. There are some strong reviews out there, so maybe this one will be a better fit for you than it was for me. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the early release copy in exchange for my honest opinion. The New Neighbor is now available.
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Girl In Snow – Danya Kukafka
I decided to read Kukafka’s debut novel after loving Notes on an Execution. I did not love this one as much as her latest and was often confused and unclear with the choppy nature of the book. There is no doubt to me that this is a very gifted writer, but coupled with the style here and the content, it was just ok for me. I look forward to reading more from her in the future as it is obvious her writing has grown and flourished since this debut.
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