This has been a weird reading month. Between lack-luster books and a busy schedule, my reading game wasn’t very strong. Hopefully August will be better. I have a great stack of books to dive into. About 75 to be exact. Yep, 75 books in my TBR pile.
So before I get into the books I read this month, I have to share this picture. I came across this bench and quote overlooking Lake Michigan this month and it spoke to my heart. There really isn’t anything better than a good book and the beach. I’m still getting used to the fact that I live close to a beach that isn’t the ocean. It’s not quite the same, but it’s still beautiful.
I did finish a book this month that might just make my Top 3 Books of 2022. I gave it five stars. If you love NYC and a great romantic comedy, you HAVE to read In a New York Minute by Kate Spencer.
I loved, loved, loved this book. The sweet romance between Franny and Hayes and all the details about The Big Apple made it a delightful read.
Here’s what else I read in July…
Breaking Free from Body Shame by Jess Connolly
I stumbled across this book on Instagram and decided to order it. I’ve struggled with body image issues most of my life. This book was a great read. It helped me to see my body in a healthier way. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who struggles with loving their body.
The Do-Over by Bethany Turner
McKenna has spent her entire life focused on her career, but when she’s accused of embezzling from the NYC law firm she works at, her dreams of making partner go up in smoke. Her career is all she had. Family, friends and love have been the least of her concerns. When she’s forced to return to her hometown, she runs into Henry, a high school friend, who quickly turns her world upside down. She’s feeling things she’s never felt before, but she has a big secret she can’t share with anyone. If Henry knew about the investigation, he wouldn’t want anything to do with her. Can McKenna save her career and follow her heart at the same time?
I just didn’t love this book. Honestly, I’m not sure why I kept reading. I was hoping it would get better. When it comes to cute rom-coms, this just isn’t the one I would recommend. There are much better ones.
The Girls Upstairs by Georgina Lees
Suzie lives in a flat below Emily. She is drowning in her grief and can’t handle the constant noise coming from her upstairs neighbor. After filing complaints about the noise, the flat upstairs becomes quiet. Suzie is relieved, until she realizes that she hasn’t seen Emily in more than a week. Suzie goes upstairs to find her neighbor’s door open and her flat a complete mess. Something doesn’t feel right. Suzie thinks something has happened to Emily and she’s determined to find out what it was.
This was my bookclub pick for July and it was disappointing. This is the author’s debut novel and it just lacked suspense and left me with a lot of unanswered questions. It took forever to get to the meat of the story. I probably should have quit it, but I felt guilty quitting my bookclub read. Is that even allowed?
The Maid by Nita Prose
Molly is a maid at the Grand Regency Hotel. She is quirky, socially awkward and has a hard time reading people. One morning while cleaning a hotel room, she discovers a body. Most people don’t notice Molly – she’s just a maid – but she’s suddenly the talk of the hotel and the police’s number one suspect.
Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
Louis is a trumpeter swan, but unlike his mother, father and siblings, he can’t trumpet. He can’t speak at all. Louis’ father is determined to find a way for his son to communicate. He steals a trumpet from a local music shop. Louis loves that he has a way to communicate, but hates that his father is in debt. He sets off on an adventure to earn money to pay back his father’s debts. Jackson and I read this book together and loved it. I didn’t read this book as a kid, so I was so surprised by the story. It reminded me so much of my own son and his journey to find his voice. Jackson even said, “maybe Louis needs speech therapy!”
The Islanders: Search for Treasure by Mary Alice Monroe
This is the second book in a series. Jackson and I finished the first book earlier this summer. We’re enjoying the continued adventures of Jake, Macon and Lovie as they spend their second summer on Dewees Island. This summer they are determined to find the buried treasure that is supposed to be hidden on the island.
