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Hello, reader!

I’ve once again waited until it was almost next month to wrap up my reading for last month. This has become a trend 😬😅 Still, let my lateness not reflect on how my reading went in July. I read a ton of incredible reads last month and I’m excited to share them with you! Last month is also the first time I think ever that I read more audiobooks than physical books. I suppose I’m officially in my audiobook era.

Alright, let’s get to the post!

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• Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes: This book was everything I wanted it to be! It was space horror at it’s most spine-tingling. I loved the atmospheric writing, the characters you don’t know if you can trust, and how everything was explained in the end. I will say there were moments that dragged a teensy bit and the ending wrapped a little too neat, but I still had a great time with this one. ★★★★
• The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde: Well, this book is definitely going on my list of ‘favorite classics’. This was such a weird, horrific time and I loved every minute of it! I enjoyed Oscar Wilde’s writing style and how he created such a compelling character that I also wanted to kick. The descriptions of things that I did not care about could get a bit out of hand, I have to admit. Still, this was an engaging and excellent read. ★★★★
• Ariadne by Jennifer Saint: I finally read Ariadne and it was just as good as everyone has been saying! As Greek mythology retellings go, I thoroughly enjoyed how Saint centered Ariadne and her sister in a myth that usually sweeps them under the rug. I was completely engaged throughout the story an, even though I knew how it would end, I was riveted. I’m certainly interested in reading whatever else Jennifer Saint writes next! I need to get my hands on Elektra. ★★★★
• Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie: I continued my Poirot reading last month and this was the first book I read. This was an interesting story with a intriguing mystery. I enjoyed all the characters, though never as much as Poirot himself. There was no Hastings, however, so that made me a little sad. But I liked the twists and turns in this story and how it all wrapped up in the end. ★★★★

• Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid: In an attempt to knock some books off of my Netgalley shelf, I picked up this gothic horror that sounded like I was going to love it. While I enjoyed it, overall, it definitely wasn’t the hit that I thought it was going to be. It was graphic and horrid and gave off immaculate gothic vibes. But I just found myself so bored! The plot was pretty meh, but the characters and the beautiful writing kept me reading. You can read my full review here. ★★★
• Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie: This is probably one of my favorite Poirot books and I can pinpoint two reasons why. First, Hastings is back! Any Poirot book that has my favorite sidekick instantly makes me love it more. Second, there’s a dog! And the narrator had to read for the dog and it was just magic 😂 Seriously, though, this was a great mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. It has great characters, great storytelling, and was over all a great time. ★★★★
• Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert: Talia Hibbert really saved the best story for last! I loved this last installment in the Brown Sisters trilogy! Eve Brown is an incredible character who I found super relatable. Perhaps that’s a youngest sister thing? Either way, I instantly connected with her, which made me very invested in her story. And then there’s Jacob. Omgggg, JACOB. I loved Jacob! And the two of them together? Absolute magic. It makes me sad that the trilogy is over, but I can’t wait to read whatever Talia Hibbert writes next! ★★★★★
• Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley: It’s always nice to have two five star reads in a row. I started this book awhile ago and kept shuffling it back for higher priority reads. Finally, I decided to pick up the audiobook and that was the best decision ever. The audiobook is spectacular! The story it tells is just as incredible, as well. There was a lot going on in this book, a lot of potentially triggering content, and it was all superbly well-written and heart-wrenching. I adored the main character, the writing, and the fact that it touched on quite a few hard-hitting topics. I can’t wait to read more from this author. ★★★★★

• Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid: I don’t know why I doubt Taylor Jenkins Reid. I wasn’t at all interested in reading this because it sounded like ‘rich people drama’ and that’s not my favorite when it comes to books. I somehow forgot that TJR has a way of writing rich people drama in a way that makes me truly feel for the characters and get invested in their lives. She’s also good at making me tear up 🥺 This was an excellent book and I will never doubt TJR again! ★★★★
• These Deadly Games by Diana Urban: This was another Netgalley read that I waited so long to read that I ended up getting the audiobook 😅 Look, I request these books with the best intentions, I swear! This was an engaging and twisty young adult thriller that definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. I wanted to shake the main character numerous times, but I still had a great time reading this. It helps that the audiobook was quite good! You can read my full review here. ★★★★
• Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett: I’ve finally picked up another book in the Discworld series! It’s been a minute since I’ve read the first two books, but it felt easy to slip back into Terry Pratchett’s world. This was a fun, fast read that focused on a young woman who wants to become a wizard in a world that tells her only men can be wizards. The humor is perfectly matched to mine, so I found myself smiling throughout this strange little book. Now I just need to make sure it’s not another year before I pick up the next Discworld book! ★★★★

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Like I said, I read quite a few fantastic reads last month. I even had two five stars back to back! That’s always a wonderful feeling. Of course, it makes narrowing down a choice for my favorite read of the month a bit difficult. In the end, though, I have to go with the book that I just can’t stop thinking about. The Book of the Month for July is…

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

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22 Books in 2022:

I managed to read one of my 22 in 2022 books in July. So, ya know… progress! Slow and steady may not win the race this year, but I’m certainly trying 😂

• Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett

12 Friends, 12 Recommendations:

I also managed to read one book off my 12 friends, 12 recommendations TBR! And it was my favorite of the bunch, so far.

• Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

Popsugar Reading Challenge:

• A book with a reflected image on the cover or “mirror” in the title (Firekeeper’s Daughter)
• A book set in the 1980s (Malibu Rising)
• A romance novel by a BIPOC author (Act Your Age, Eve Brown)

Read Your Shelf Challenge:

• A book about 2 generations (Malibu Rising)

Book Riot Read Harder Challenge:

• Read a book in any genre by a POC that’s about joy and not trauma (Act Your Age, Eve Brown)

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How was your reading in July? Did you find a new favorite? Make any progress on some challenges? Let me know in the comments!

And, as always, happy reading!