July 30, 2021
July 2021 Reading Wrap Up
How was your July reading?
Overall, July was a satisfactory reading month because of the variety of reads.
Out of eight books, I had two 5-star reads (one rounded up), four 4-star reads, and two 3-star reads.
My most compelling fiction reads of the month are a tie between Gilead by Marilynne Robinson and The Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley. They are very different so it was difficult to choose a favorite.
Did we read any of the same books?
***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links or my linked reviews.
ARC=Advanced Readers Copy (complimentary copy for review)
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
5 Stars. Literary Fiction and Pulitzer Prize in Fiction Award (2005). Reflective and poignant. My review of Gilead here.
The Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
5 Stars (4.5 rounded up). Page-turning Historical Fiction and Family Drama. My review of The Firekeeper’s Daughter here.
Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean
4 Stars. Young Adult Contemporary Fiction. An interesting story. Not yet reviewed.
Under the Magnolias by T.I. Lowe
4 Stars. (ARC) Family Drama, Coming of Age. My review of Under the Magnolias here.
The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth
4 Stars. Family Drama with an unreliable narrator. My review of The Good Sister here.
Pride by Ibi Zoboi
4 Stars. Diverse read. Pride & Prejudice retelling. Not yet reviewed.
A Place Like Home: Short Stories by Rosamunde Pilcher
3 Stars. (ARC) Light-reading short story collection. My review of A Place Like Home here.
Wait For It by Jenn McKinlay
3.5 Stars. (ARC…pub date: 8.10.2021) Contemporary Fiction, Women’s Fiction (beach read). Page-turning RomCom with some STEAM (some Open Door scenes….easily skippable but I prefer closed door) My review of Wait For It here.
QOTD:
What was your favorite July read?
Did we read any of the same books?
Which of these books is on your TBR?
ICYMI:
July Blog Posts:
Four Year Blogiversary: Four Things to Share
Hum If You Don’t Know the Words Review
Radar Girls Review
TTT: Books I’d Love With Me While Stranded On a Deserted Island
A Place Like Home Review
The Good Sister Review
Miracle Creek Review
Under the Magnolias Review
Firekeeper’s Daughter Review
Resistance Woman Review
TTT: Did You Like the Ending?
Summer’s One #MustReadBook 2021 [ReBlog]
The River Review
TTT: 10 Reasons Why I Love Reading
The Forest of Vanishing Stars Review
Sparks Like Stars Review
6 Favorite Historical Fiction in 6 Months
Wondering Wednesday: 6 Tips For Writing Book Reviews
Happy Reading Book Buddies!
“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke
“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes
“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text
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Unless explicitly stated that they are free, all books that I review have been purchased by me or borrowed from the library.
Book covers are credited to Amazon.
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The end of July already Carol where does the time go?
July went fast! 🙌
These are good choices. My best book in July was probably The Humans by Matt Haig.
I’ll look that up…I don’t have it on my TBR. Thanks for commenting!
I have read The Good Sister, Carol, and really enjoyed it. I am off to the library this morning to see if they have the Rosamunde Pilcher. The only other of your books that was on my radar was Under the Magnolias, but I was declined for it, so I am waiting to see if it appears at the library. ❤📚
It’s so annoying to be declined! I’ve been known to boycott the book as a result! So passive aggressive I know!
Whatever makes you feel better!😂🤣❤📚
😂😂😂
So many great reads for you this month Carol. I can’t believe it is already the end of July. Summer is half over.
July went fast!
Favorite book in July – The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel. Loved the characters and the fast pace, a different view of WWII. And great July List Carol! Gilead and the follow up books Home and Lila are favorite books of mine. Especially the prayerful Father and the prodigal son in Home, a tender true look at a life of faith. (Didn’t appreciate so much her book Jack). And– I’m SO excited about the Rosamunde PIlcher book! She is the author I turn to when I need a quiet comfort book. I’ve read all her stories more than once and have them all. So this is going to be my reward to buy this book to relax into when I finish the next 2 weeks of family here in the house fo my Mom’s 90th birthday and for Grammy Camp! Thanks for your recommendations!
It’s always nice to hear from you Rhonda! I loved Book of Lost Names! Happy to hear you loved it, too! My husband is reading Gilead now and we’re going to read Home next! Have you read about the author? She’s impressive! Hope you enjoy Pilcher’s sweet short story collection!
A good month for you!!
Thanks!
I loved Gilead, too. I haven’t read Home or Lila yet, but I should. Rosamunde Pilcher is a favorite author as well. I’m intrigued by The Good Sister and would like to read Under the Magnolias. You had lots of good reads this month!
It was a good month! I’m eager to read both Home and Lila. Have you researched the author? She’s amazing!
I enjoyed FIREKEEPER’S DAUGHTER as well. It wasn’t quite what I thought it was going to be, but that’s actually a good thing because I liked it more than I thought I would!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
It was certainly memorable!
My fav was Forestborn, I’ll post it this week!
Looking forward to your review!
You have read a nice balance of genres during July. The Firekeeper’s Daughter is on my list to read this month.
July has been a weird month for reading. Having never won anything in my life, I won 28 books from the GoodReads giveaways so for in 2021! It does get me reading a variety of genres and books from debut authors that would never have been on my radar. I have had on-line conversations with three who self-published their first novel, which I really enjoy.
I won four books in the past week, so who knows when I’ll get to Firekeeper’s Daughter. It’s a bit like the free Kindle book deals: I don’t need more books but I can’t stop getting them!
Wow! That’s an amazing amount of Goodreads wins! I’ve never won one! I hope you enjoy Firekeeper’s Daughter!