July Wrap Up

Where did my summer go!!?? Wah!!!

I really thought – “oh hey summer – lots of time to chill and read and get things done…”

and nope. Not so much.

I did read quite a few books, but a lot of smaller, shorter quick reads, and ended up breaking my record…20 books this month!

Maybe that’s my summer mood telling me to read lighter, shorter stuff?!

Here is how my July ended up. How did your July reading go??

---

July 2019 Reads:

Audiobooks 3  |  EBooks 2  |  Print 15

---

Whisper Network by  Chandler Baker

ughhhhh…. no. I wanted to love this. It had SO much potential to be so many different things, but unfortunately to me it was SO FORCED to try to be ALL those things at the same time. STOP marketing EVERY book as a thriller. This book was NOT a thriller. It was about a bunch of whiny sue-happy bratty bitches trying to take down a man in power who has been abusing that power with the women who work for him. But they just did it in a childish, high-school way and made me embarrassed for them. So bad.

---

The Woman in the Park by Theresa Sorkin and Tullan Holmqvist

This was a tiny book that packed a HUGE punch. A fun thriller.

Check out my review here!

 

---

 

Girls Like Us by Cristina Alger

My first of hers! Really looking forward to finally reading The Banker’s Wife after reading this one. A FBI agent goes home to bury her father, also a cop, and finds herself wrapped up in a murder investigation … and her father may have been involved in the murder. I loved the character Nell in this and I hope to see here again in more Alger stories!

---

 

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman

My fave July book!! Nina Hill is adorable and I want her to be real!

Check out my review here!

 

---

 

The Two Lila Bennetts by Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke

My first Liz and Lisa book and will not be my last! And I got to meet these two and party with them on a rooftop in NYC so we’re basically besties now right? This thriller follows Lila, an attorney, who has made so many bad choices in life that they are catching up to her. BUT in 2 completely different stories. In one – she’s captured & held hostage. In another – she’s being followed & blackmailed. A really fun and unique read!

---

 

 

The Last Book Party by Karen Dukess

A book about the literary world of the 80s, and they have a part where everyone needs to dress up as a literary character? Sign me up! This one was a great read. Check out my full review here.

---

 

The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri

I received this book as part of a book club chat I attended at the Penguin Random House offices at their open house. It was so fun to chat about this heartbreaking story with some of the publishing employees there and other book fans! The story follows a husband and wife who undertake the Syrian refugee trail to Europe. So many feels. Stunning. Shocking. Loved it.

---

 

Unreasonable Doubts by Reyna Marder Gentin

An interesting legal suspense book that I really enjoyed reading!

Full review is here!

 

---

 

Mom’s Perfect Boyfriend by Crystal Hemmingway

A super cute concept for writing a book told thru diary entries, texts, a novel, emails – to form a romantic comedy about mothers and daughters and their relationships with each other and with men… One of which is with a robot! A quick read, a little juvenile – but light and fun.

 

---

 

Still Lives by Maria Hummel

I wanted to love this one. I love stories set in the art world, and I love thrillers – so I was really looking forward to it. I found it a fun concept – we’re not looking for a missing painting here – we’re actually looking for a missing painter who goes missing the day of her largest art exhibition ever! Very cool storyline! But it was really dry for me, very slow, and soooo many characters!

---

 

Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center

I’m just going to say it. Katherine Center can do no wrong in my book! Her books are light yet they cover so many themes, relatable yet SO well researched, and just SO MUCH FUN. In this one Cassie is a female firefighter in a man’s world navigating love and family and a whole bunch of issues! I love books about firefighters because I come from a FF family and I love books where women kick ass! Also a theme in KC’s books! Highly recommend!

---

 

A Dream to Die For by Susan Ritz

What a crazy concept for a book! I love books about cults and I love books about dreams! This one was a fun ride – full review here!

---

 

The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory

I wanted to love this one. And I loved reading it as I zipped through it really fast cause the writing was light and fun… but it was just too much of the same thing over and over. Fake wedding date, but we like each other, but this isn’t real, but we like each other, but this isn’t real….. ugghhhhh. And half of it was descriptions of food. If anything I took away from it – was a lot of hunger.

---

 

The Nine by Jeanne McWilliams Blasberg 

A really interesting look into the shady underbelly of an elite private school and a group who’s goal is to take espose the corruption – even if it means a son totally betraying and disappointing his helicopter mother. Full review here!

---

The Blue Witch by Alane Adams

An adorable story full of adventures – and perfect for readers of all ages! For fans of mythology, astrology and Harry Potter lovers especially it’s a really fun and magical read of a young witchling attending Witch Academy. She’s determined to be the greatest witch of all but is struggling to make friends, stay out of trouble, and most-importantly call up her magic! So cute!

---

Her Secret Son by Hannah Mary McKinnon

Wow. This one blew me away. After losing his love to tragedy, a man decides to adopt her son, but finds it not as easy as he’d hoped and wondering if her ever really knew the woman he loved. SO GOOD. Full review here!

---

Cultivating a Creative Culture by Justin Dauer

This was an interesting, and quick read of non-fiction that probably appealed to me more than most because I’m a designer and also a business owner. But I think it applies to anyone who has ever had a job, or even been a boss. it’s important to let your employees be creative – even if they aren’t in a creative field. But also give them the flexibility and ample breaks to recharge, to be the best at their jobs. I really learned some things from it, I just wish it could have been more a bit more evergreen for others to relate to!

---

Love at First Like by Hannah Orenstein

I loved Hannah’s last book – Playing with Matches, and I knew I’d love this one too! Eliza accidentally posts a photo to Insta wearing a diamond ring on that finger and 100,000 followers FREAK OUT! So the most reasonable thing to do? Run with it! Fake fiance, fake wedding… but her intentions are good, she needs to save her and her sister’s jewelry store that love so much – and the likes will earn them the money to do it. Really fun!

---

How to Hack a Heartbreak by Kristin Rockaway

Adorable. I loved this one. Felt so fresh and I enjoyed it from start to finish.

Read my full review here.

---

The Gone Dead by Chanelle Benz

Billy returns to her childhood home in the American South and uncovers secrets about her father’s life and death. This is definitely a slow burn – with a pretty intriguing mysterious death and some dangerous situations she puts herself in to uncover the truth. Its gritty and real, tackling race, justice, and family – and a country that is still trying to heal.

---

 

That’s a wrap book friends!! Have you read any on my July list?

Can’t wait to see what August brings!

 

 

 

Advertisement