Though most of my posting is happening over on Instagram as of late, I thought I’d get back to sharing some of my posts here.

What better way to start than with my most anticipated books of July?  I have  a great month of reading ahead!

What July releases are you looking forward to most?

What a week!  I wish I could say I spent it reading, but horribly high pollen levels leaves me with itchy, watery eyes.   Not at all conducive to reading for any extended period of time.  That said, I did manage to get some reading in, including a five-star read!

Tell Me An Ending by Joe Harkin (Read it! Great Book Club Pick!) Nepenthe is a clinic in London that has come up with a way to chemically remove a memory.  Unfortunately, the early days of this revolutionary practice had some issues, resulting in memory traces returning.  Many of these individuals don’t know they had a memory erased.   If they choose to have the memory removal reversed, how will their lives be altered?

There were so many ethical issues raised in this book, it would be the perfect book club read.  I loved the different points of view, most of which are current or former patients of Nepenthe. My only concern (and the reason for the three star rating) was the length; I think it could have been easily trimmed down a bit, aiding and the flow and pacing.

Homecoming by Kate Morton: (Read it now!)

Jess has lived in London for two decades, but her heart is still in Australia with her grandmother, Nora.  She is struggling financially and desperately needs inspiration for a story. When she receives news that Nora has fallen and is in the hospital, she returns to Sydney.  Nora is barely conscious, so Jess retires to her home. She finds a true-crime novel with a case that has never been solved.  As she reads, she learns that her family has connections to this now long-buried case.  Desperate to know more, makes this the basis of her story and begins to investigate the case that shocked the local community.

This was such a fantastic read! I’m a sucker for dark family secrets, and this book was filled to the brim with them.  The pacing was perfect, the characters were well crafted and dynamic!  There wasn’t a thing I didn’t like about this book, so it truly earned the five star rating!  Bump this up to the top of our TBR stack!

What books did you read this week? What were your favorites?

It was a slow reading week, but the books I read were quite memorable:

The House is on Fire by Rachel Beanland: My verdict: READ IT!

It’s the winter season of 1811 in Richmond, VA.   The city’s only theater is packed.  It’s the height of the social season, the Assembly is in session, and many of the wealthy planters & their families have come to Richmond for the winter.  When the theater goes up in flames during the performance, the reader follows four characters whose decisions will determine the fate of not only their lives, but the lives of many others.

Based on a true disaster, the author excelled at crafting characters who, despite having vastly different backgrounds,  were in one singular location at the time of a horrific tragedy.  The fire was a perfect vehicle to bring to light the various social travesties prevalent at the time, including abuse of slaves,  racism, and  more.  What transpired as the theater-goers fled the scene of the fire and the days that followed allowed many of those in power to be seen what they really are, horrific, selfish individuals who were only out for their own safety and protection.  A stunning piece of historical fiction!

The Perishing by Natashia Deón My verdict: READ IT (then discuss it)

I’m intentionally NOT giving a summary of this book.  This was my second time reading it; I needed a refresher before my book club discussion.  This is not a book you read in one sitting, or you try to rush through.  Rather, it’s one that must be savored, reflected upon, and then discussed.  I genuinely feel that each reader will have their own personal response to this title. There are a lot of unanswered questions.  There was a lot that could have been expanded upon; I don’t know if it was cut out in editing or never there to begin with.  That said, if you have patience with this book, and have the opportunity to read it and discuss it with a group, do so!

Coming up on my shelf next week:

The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead
Sisters of the Lost Nation by Nick Medina
The Cherished by Patricia Ward

What books did you read this week? Any you have coming up to read you are excited about?

It was a slow reading week for me.  The pollen in our area is on overdrive, so my eyes have been an itchy, watery mess all week!

Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton (DNF): I don’t know if it was the timing, or mood, but I just couldn’t get invested in this one.  I got about halfway through the book before calling it quits.

Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade (READ IT, LOVED IT):  Marcus Caster-Rupp, the star of the biggest show on television has a secret; he gets out his frustration with the show and script by writing anonymous fanfiction involving the show’s most popular couple.  If the word got out, it could end his career.  April Whittier is a hardcore fan of the show.  She, too, keeps her fanfiction hidden from her “real life.”  When she decides to post a picture of her wearing her latest costume on social media, she’s attacked due to her plus-size figure. Marcus comes to her defense. Despite the feeding frenzy it causes with internet critics, Marcus invites April to dinner. He quickly learns he wants more than just a publicity stunt, but when April reveals she’s actually her best fandom friend, Marcus must decide if he’s ready to drop the façade and allow this love made in fanfiction come to life.

So, so good!  I don’t think there was a thing I didn’t like about this book.  Realistic characters, a truly engaging plot line and oh…the sexy times.  I can’t believe I hadn’t read this author yet!  I’ve already requested the next two books from my library; I can’t wait!

Paradise 1 by David Wellington (READ IT, LOVED IT) Paradise-1 was Earth’s first deep space colony.  After receiving no communication from the colony in months, the Artemis, led by Inspector Alexandra Petrova, is sent to investigate.  Before they are awakened from the sleep chambers that kept them in stasis for the long journey, they are attacked.  What they discover when they awaken is beyond horrifying.  Still, they must finish their investigation, no matter the costs.

Yep, I’m being intentionally vague with the synopsis.  There is SO much packed into this book that I don’t want to spoil.  A must-read for fans of sci-fi & horror.  I can already see this being turned into a movie; I’d be the first in line to watch it!

Coming up on my shelves next week:

• A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell (recommended by one of my book club members!)
• The House is on Fire by Rachel Beanland
• The Perishing by Natashia Deón (my book club pick for April)

It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these, but I want to get back in the habit of doing them!  This is the first month I’ve consciously made it a priority to read at least 30 minutes each night; most nights it’s at least an hour!   17 books read in one month! Wow!

My top three (in no order):

• The Spite House
• Malice House
• Seek You

Least Favorite: Reminders of Him

DNF: The Night Travelers

What was your reading month like? What were your favorites?