Which books are worth the read and which should you skip? Find out what books I’ve been reading lately and whether I recommend them.
All I have to say is that audiobooks came in clutch for me this month.
I used to never (or almost never) listen to audiobooks. My husband loved them but I always preferred a book in hand. Admittedly, I still do.
However, this summer has left me struggling to find time to sit down and read. It just seems to be one thing after another.
Thank goodness for audiobooks. I’ve been able to pop my headphones in and read a book while I do laundry, dig in my backyard, workout, or spend long hours in the car.
With only a few weeks until my kids are back in school, I finally feel like my routine is settling enough for me to have more reading time. Even so, I think my new love of audiobooks might be here to stay.
Scroll down to see my reviews, and, as always, be sure to let me know what you’ve been reading lately in the comments!
July 2024 Reading List
The Teacher
Freida McFadden
Last year, Caseman High School was rocked by a scandal when a beloved math teacher retired after accusations he had an affair with a student. Even though Addie denied the rumors, she is now a pariah among her classmates. Meanwhile, Eve and Nate both teach at Caseman High and their marriage is already not going well so to have Addie assigned to both of their classes might just push them past the breaking point.
Frieda McFadden puts her trademark feel on yet another twisted psychological thriller where you aren’t sure you like any of the characters. The soap opera-level drama of McFadden’s novels are hard to look away from, especially as the twists get darker and darker. Although the writing is far from elegant, The Teacher is a quick and mindlessly fun read.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 6 February 2024
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Heartless Hunter
Kristen Ciccarelli
After a violent revolution, witches have been overthrown as rulers to become ruthlessly hunted outcasts. By day, Rune pretends to be a vapid socialite but by night she acts as The Crimson Moth, a vigilante saving other witches from the purge. When a rescue goes wrong, Rune decides to court the handsome witch hunter Gideon Sharpe. While each is using the other to gain information, Rune and Gideon never expected they would fall in love in this enemies-to-lovers fantasy series.
It’s only been a few weeks since I read Heartless Hunter and I barely remember the plot, which is never a good sign. This young adult fantasy was so run-of-the-mill that it just didn’t stand out to me – whether it should be even a young adult book is something to be considered. Although I liked the Scarlet Pimpernel setting, Ciccarelli’s love triangle wasn’t engaging and the fact that Rune and Gideon were pressured to move into a sexual relationship didn’t sit well with me. Worse, the ending left me even less interested in continuing the series.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 20 February 2024
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From the Backlist
The Woman in Me
Britney Spears
In the 1990s, Britney Spears burst onto the scene and became a cultural pop icon and leading the way for the teen pop revival of the 90s and 00s. Yet fame brought personal struggles and a shocking conservatorship that trapped her for decades. In her new memoir, Britney Spears discusses her journey and the power of telling your own story. Though not the best-written memoir of the year, The Woman in Me shocks with details about Spears’s life and contemplates the private pain of a public figure.
Britney Spears’s candid memoir shocks with revelations about her mistreatment by friends and family. Spears is not a great writer and comes off as uneducated and naive. Yet, her straightforward approach almost makes the horror of her situation worse. The truth bombs about her exes Justin Timberlake and Kevin Federline hit hard enough on their own even when not coupled with the insane pressure and misogyny she faced from the media and the industry is awful. But the true horror is reserved for the conservatorship and the abuse of power by her family, especially her father.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 24 October 2023
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Britt-Marie Was Here
Fredrik Backman
Britt-Marie cannot stand clutter or disorganization and she doesn’t mean for her helpful suggestions to come off as criticism. After walking out on her cheating husband, Britt-Marie takes a job as the caretaker of the local recreation center. Soon, she is heavily involved in helping a colorful collection of local characters and coaching the youth soccer team. Can Britt-Marie finally find a place where she belongs?
I have a soft spot for novels about misunderstood socially awkward adults trying to find connection. Sadly, Britt-Marie Was Here fell flat for me. It didn’t help that the plot was hard to follow, jumping ahead of an important and then explaining what you missed. The lovable cast of secondary characters was as expected but much of the story hinges on whether Britt-Marie will take her idiot husband back; a hell no to any reader, making it difficult to sit even sit through the possibility.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 3 October 2014
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The Well of Ascension
Brandon Sanderson
In the second book of his acclaimed Mistborn series, Brandon Sanderson ponders what happens after you overthrow an evil ruler. Kelsier’s band of thieves have vanquished the Lord Ruler and now must deal with the fallout. Elend is now King of Luthadel but can he rule justly with three armies at his door waiting to take over? Meanwhile, Vin and the rest of Kelsier’s crew struggle to settle into their new lives as respected leaders.
I absolutely loved the first book’s thrilling revolution/heist theme; so much so that I was worried about enjoying the sequel. To my surprise, I found myself riveted by The Well of Ascension. It helps that Kelsier’s crew are all entertaining and Elend is much more interesting than in the first book. Sanderson did an excellent job blending the contemplation of moral quandaries with an engaging plot.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 21 August 2007
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The Hero of Ages
Brandon Sanderson
Although Vin and Elend have conquered the Lord Ruler and maintained control of Luthadel, the world around them is falling apart in the third book of the Mistborn series. To battle the Deepness and the evil released at the Well of Ascension, Vin and Elend must follow a series of clues left behind by the Lord Ruler. But how do you fight a powerful force that can overhear any conversation?
My brother-in-law hailed The Hero of Ages as the best of the Mistborn trilogy. On the other hand, I found it a long slog. The dystopian setting added extra tension but the slow plot didn’t keep me very engaged. With a finale that depends on the reader understanding the complex nuances of his magical world, Sanderson packs too much information into one book.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 14 October 2008
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A Trick of the Light
Louise Penny
In Three Pines, Clara Morrow finally celebrates her triumphant first solo show as an artist only to discover a dead body in her garden the next day. To her shock, the victim is Clara’s estranged childhood friend who made a name for herself as a vicious art critic. Now Inspector Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir must dive once again into the people of Three Pines to catch a killer.
In the seventh installment of the Gamache series, Louise Penny seems to have solidly decided to shift the series toward being art mysteries. The latest case was a satisfying look at the character motivations of your favorite local citizens. Penny delivers more of the same in A Trick of the Light, which is nice in its predictability but does not exactly excite the imagination.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 30 August 2011
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The Beautiful Mystery
Louise Penny
On an island deep in the Québec woods sits a solitary monastery closed off to the world. Two dozen monks have taken a vow of silence and spend much of their day singing ancient chants to God. When the choir director is murdered, Gamache and Beauvoir discover a massive rift among the quiet monks. Yet the cracks in the Sûreté du Québec threaten to intrude on the case.
I found it refreshing to have a mystery not set in Three Pines for a change. The monastery was the perfect setting for a murder, with a whole new set of characters who are all suspects. The focus on the Gregorian chants fits into Penny’s art mystery trend. However, I didn’t like how the greater drama with Gamache and the Sûreté was inserted into The Beautiful Mystery. I was frustrated by the ending though, admittedly, it did set the stage for plenty of drama in the next few books.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 28 August 2012
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The Thief
Megan Whalen Turner
Among the best fantasy books for adventure-loving young teens is The Queen’s Thief series. Sitting in the King’s prison is a young thief named Gen who claims he can steal anything. So the king and his Magus put him to the test, needing him to steal a treasure that will let the King control other lands. But Gen has an agenda of his own, and it’s anyone’s guess which side he is on.
My husband’s family decided to start a book club that included the nieces and nephews so I ended up rereading Megan Whalen Turner’s The Thief. I read the first five books years ago and remember liking them. However, on a reread of The Thief, I realized how much I don’t like the first book. The Thief spends most of its story as a travelogue interspersed with long folk stories about the world’s mythology. The action is haphazard at best and the characters aren’t developed well. Although the first book isn’t a favorite, I still would recommend the series for it settles into a fun political fantasy in the next few books.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 1 October 1996
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Currently Reading
I always seem to have multiple books going at once. Here’s a peek at what I’m currently reading.
My To-Read List
What’s up next for me? Before I let you go, here are a few of the titles I’m hoping to get through this upcoming month.
Be sure to come back next month to see which ones I read.
Which Books Did You Read in July?
What books did you love this month? Which books can you not wait to read? As always, let me know in the comments!
More Book Lists to Enjoy:
Jeannie K says
Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade was ****
Kristen says
I LOVED The Lost Story – just what I needed this summer! And keep going with all the Louise Penny books – they just get better and better!
Anonymous says
Thank you so much for your newsletter. It is a fantastic tool for me to find new reads and avoid those not worth readin!