What I Read in July 2024
This reader is having a Mama Mia summer.
I struggled to get through this month. I DNFed more books than ever and only a few were standouts. I dabbled in reading graphic novels and cookbooks instead of traditional novels. After last month, the slower pace was welcomed. I honestly spent more time catching up on TV and getting ready for this school year than reading. You read that right. My oldest is already back in school! While some of these books didn’t work for me, I hope you’ll read the full reviews below for any cover that catches your eye! I think that’s the beauty in reading. We all bring different experiences to a book. Just because I disliked one doesn’t mean it won’t be your next favorite read.
It’s fitting that one of my favorite articles on Substack this month was from
about letting go of books that aren’t working for you. I especially resonated with the quote below. Make sure to read Issue 72 in its entirety!Reading should be a joy, not a chore. A painful pleasure sometimes, but pleasure nonetheless.
There was a clear theme to my reading this summer. Magic and Greece. Sometimes the magic of Greece. This reader is having a Mama Mia summer. July 17th. What a night…
Psst… if you find your next great read in this newsletter, consider supporting my work and keeping me caffeinated while I write.
July Book Reviews
When Among Crows by Veronica Roth
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 124
Format Read: eBook, borrowed from the library
When Among Crows accomplished in 124 pages what The Familiar failed to do in almost 400. This is probably one of the most well-paced novellas I've read. Roth expertly weaves Polish folklore into a modern-day Chicago setting in this urban fantasy. It might be best to go into this story without having much background information. I'm most surprised at how Roth explores themes of generational curses, Christian imperialism, immigration, displacement, and found family in such a short text. Parts are a bit dark and gory but even though this is a very niche story, I think the elements will appeal to a wide range of readers.
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Romance
Length: 11 hrs, 43 min
Format Read: Audiobook, borrowed from the library
Based on other reviews, I knew this wasn't going to be your typical rom-com. I still didn't expect it to feel so heavy. There were some really good moments between Justin and Emma but the majority of the plot focuses on the two resolving family trauma. Not to sound heartless, but I didn't feel any emotional connection to either character until the end of the book. Ultimately, this book didn't work for me because I wanted a lighthearted summer escape, not something that reminded me so much of reality. It's not a bad book by any means but I think the marketing was off, especially with the cover art.
Enemies to Lovers by Laura Jane Williams
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Romance
Pages: 320
Format Read: Kindle eARC from Netgalley
(expected publication August 13, 2024)
I had a blast diving into this novel. Maybe it was a case of right book at the right time but the vacation vibes were spot-on. I have major European summer FOMO now! Greece was brought to life beautifully by Williams. I could picture myself in the villa with the main characters. This was a really vulnerable romance but at times it was predictable. Still, the familiar tropes, humor, and heartfelt emotions made the story enjoyable to read. I especially loved the family dynamics. Each member brought something unique to the table and there was so much warmth in the interactions between the Greenberg family. The relationships between the core family and their “adopted son” Jamie were believable and added a considerable amount of depth. For a book with a lot of miscommunication, there was a lot of good conversation happening. The author does a great job with the mental health representation in this book. Florence’s burnout recovery tactfully addresses the taboo nature of mental “breakdowns”. Jamie is the perfect match for Flo as she comes to learn he’s surprisingly sensitive. The family has a really important conversation towards the end of the book that shows how crucial it is to have people on your side that you’re able to open up to honestly. The conflicts fit effortlessly in the plot and kept it moving forward until the end. This was probably one of the best paced books I’ve read so far this year. I couldn’t stop reading! All in all, this book was a fun summer read, perfect for a vacation.
The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood
⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Women's Lit
Listening Time: 9 hrs, 32 mins
Format Read: Audiobook, borrowed from the library
The first 2/3 of this book was a bit of a drag. It took a while to get where this plot was so obviously going but we got there I loved the last 3rd! This is classic British chick lit at its best with a bit of magical realism thrown into the mix. More than a love story, this book is about second chances and discovering a love for life through a fantastic mix of side characters eager to support Delphie. I think readers who enjoyed The Good Part or The Midnight Library will have fun with The Love of My Afterlife.
Magical Meet Cute by Jean Meltzer
⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Magical Realism/Romance
Length: 400 pages
Format Read: Kindle eARC from Netgalley
(expected publication August 27, 2024)
Faye's life takes an unexpected turn after a night of drinking leads her to create a golem, a Jewish protector against anti-Semitic attacks. When the golem transforms into Greg, Faye's dream man, after a chance encounter involving her bike, she questions her JeWitch magic. As Faye navigates her close relationships and confronts past abuse and trauma, the story gains layers of depth and complexity. I enjoyed Meltzer’s previous romances, but exploring anti-Semitism alongside a magical romance felt disjointed and detracted from my overall enjoyment of the story. I found the secondary characters Miranda and Shulamit to be a real highlight. Nelly added a lot of humor, especially while tackling some of the antisemitism in the quaint Woodstock, NY setting. I learned a decent amount about Jewish folklore in this book but some of the phrases were overused and made me cringe (ahem “hard kosher salami” was used at least 10 times). Overall, Magical Meet Cute was okay but could have benefited from more romance and magic instead of trying to push a social narrative.
Divine Might: Goddesses in Greek Myth by Natalie Haynes
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Nonfiction
Length: 288 pages
Format Read: Physical Copy (free review copy gifted from Harper)
Fun fact, Ancient Greece is my Roman Empire. Reading this book felt like I dusted off an old version of myself that’s been sitting on a shelf since college. Divine Might is a female-centered look at the Olympian pantheon and the Furies, focusing on the goddesses whose prowess, passions, jealousies, and desires rival those of their male kin. Haynes's approach to the myths and legends we’ve all heard before is refreshing. Her references to pop culture provide a modern frame of reference that is enjoyable for today’s readers. This might be a good book to pass along to any high school students struggling to relate to their studies. It’s written with so much wit and humor that it’s hard not to be captivated by the stories of Hera, Artemis, Hestia and the like.
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Romance/Magical Realism
Listening Time: 9 hrs, 42 mins
Format Read: Audiobook, borrowed from the library
Clementine stumbles upon a mysterious man in her late aunt's apartment. He's got kind eyes, a charming Southern drawl, and an undeniable obsession with lemon pies. He's exactly Clementine's type, but there’s a catch – he's from seven years in the past! As for Lemon, she's living seven years in the future. Her aunt always said the apartment was a time blender, where moments mixed together like watercolors. Clementine knows that giving in to her feelings could spell disaster, so she's determined to keep her heart in check.
“You can plan everything in your life and you'll still be surprised.”
Gah! This book was just so tender. I can’t believe I preordered it last year and just now made time for it.
Ashley Poston is incredible at writing a contemporary setting with just the right mix of magical realism. I enjoy that she leaves the specific details of the magic up to interpretation. You have to trust that she’s going to give you just enough for it all to work.
I have a soft spot for Van Gogh as an art history major and immediately connected with Clementine’s birthday tradition at The Met. Iwan was the most charming book boyfriend. He's observant and attentive to Lemon, has that southern charm, he's got tattoos, plus he can cook! I swooned over all of Iwan and Lemon’s interactions in the kitchen of her aunt’s magical apartment.
This is more than your typical romance. Clementine grapples with some tricky close personal relationships. The exploration of grief following the death of her aunt is particularly well written.
There’s a ton of heart and soul in this novel that is so palpable. It made so much more sense how close to home some of the elements of the story were for Poston after reading her author’s note.
This whole book felt comforting and it’s one of my new favorites.
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Parenting/Non-Fiction
Listening Time: 10 hrs, 33 mins
Format Read: Audiobook, borrowed from the library
It pains me to say that like most parenting and non-fiction books I read, this could’ve been a blog post. Jonathan Haidt explores several key ideas including the decline of play-based childhoods and the rise of phone-based childhood which disrupts social, emotional, and cognitive development in adolescents, leading to increased anxiety and depression. Some of the negative impacts of social media he calls out are comparison and perfectionism, sleep deprivation, attention deficit, and cyberbulling. Interestingly, he reprimands today’s helicopter parents and says a culture of risk aversion has made children more vulnerable. It’s more important now than ever to foster resilience and encourage independence to give them skills to navigate challenges in life. Haidt recommends that parents reduce screen time now for younger children and delay smartphones until age 16, encourage unstructured play, model coping and problem-solving skills, and freshen up on critical media literacy skills. Most of the tips in the book were things parents hear over and over again. It’s up to us to prioritize face-to-face interactions, set clear boundaries surrounding screen use, and lead by example. I’m a proponent of having open dialogue with my children even though they’re quite young. I’m seeing their attention being impacted by their iPad use and I’m glad that their schools are phone-free. There was a good amount of fear-mongering in this book but I think the author uses it to drive his point home. The Anxious Generation is rooted in opinions but does provide some data behind the author’s claims. I’m not sure how I feel about the inclusion of gender differences and the impact of social media on girls vs. boys. I think you could skip this chapter if you’re skeptical. As a parent, I appreciate how tricky this topic is. We’re all living through it for the first time too and it can be really hard to collectively say enough is enough. I don’t think it’s too late yet, but we need to get comfortable enough with being uncomfortable to change the direction the digital world is headed.
If you haven’t already picked up on a theme in my reading this month, the magic of Greece is blatantly obvious in my selection of cookbooks from the library.
Le Sud: Recipes from Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur by Rebekah Peppler — best for home chefs who are Francophones in need of a bit of armchair travel. More than a cookbook, Peppler provides tips for gathering and curating the perfect apero moment.
The Forest Feast Mediterranean: Simple Vegetarian Recipes Inspired by My Travels by Erin Gleeson — My go-to series of cookbooks for simple recipes, this book focuses on the cuisines of coastal France, Portugal, Spain, and Italy. I bookmarked the burrata bar and sauces.
Sea Salt and Honey: Celebrating the Food of Kardamili in 100 Sun-Drenched Recipes: A New Greek Cookbook by Chloe, Olivia and Nicholas Tsakiris — A father-daughter cookbook that highlights the importance of tradition with healthy recipes that embrace a simpler way of life.
I’m still hoping to squeeze in This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki, Illustrated by Jillian Tamaki before it’s due back to the library on Saturday. It’s a coming-of-age story about two teenage friends, Rose and Windy, during a summer in Awago, a small beach town.
Simon & Louise by Max de Radiguès — Summer vacation is about to begin, and Simon senses a change just as his supposed girlfriend leaves to spend two months in a seaside village. Determined to find out what went wrong, Simon decides to hitchhike 350 miles to find her.
Sabrina the Teenage Witch by Kelly Thompson is a story about a teen witch named Sabrina who is dealing with the challenges of balancing high school life and her growing magical abilities. After moving to Greendale with her witch aunts Hilda and Zelda, Sabrina navigates being the new girl in town, dealing with two potential love interests, forming friendships, and facing supernatural threats to her high school and possibly the world. This story strikes a good balance between the light-hearted 90s TV series and the darker Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. There are monsters but no gore!
Sabrina the Teenage Witch: Something Wicked by Kelly Thompson — Sabrina saved the day and she should be riding high. But things are never quite that simple. She's trapped in a love triangle, she's having trouble balancing the mortal and witch parts of herself, and she's being blackmailed. As if all that wasn't enough, her aunts suddenly start to look like people she can't trust. I didn’t love this quite as much as the first issue but it was still entertaining to read in one sitting!
The Rereading Project Update
In January, I challenged myself to reread 12 books from my childhood that made a significant impact on my life as a reader. You can see my full list in the post linked below!
The Rereading Project
I briefly mentioned in my last newsletter that I’m embarking on a personal rereading project. I’m finally ready to share more about it with you today. I’ve been a little nervous to put this out into the world because I know it means I’m opening myself up to a bit of accountability to commit to it and finish.
My daughter and I continued the next two books in The Baby-Sitters Club graphic novel series. She chose Mary Anne’s Bad Luck Mystery and Jessi’s Secret Language this month and I have to say they were two of my favorites so far! We’re in the middle of Kristy’s Big Day, which was always one of my favorites from the TV series.
On the topic of kids books, I thoroughly enjoyed the newsletter Give Them Books from
.
Books are a wonderful parenting tool that can be tailored to a child’s interests and abilities. When you get it right, everyone in the family can be equally engrossed in their own book, while reading vastly different things.
We have a complicated relationship with our devices (as I alluded to in my thoughts on The Anxious Generation) but Katherine’s newsletter gives me hope that we can implement meaningful changes that foster connection.
I started reading Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov but I’m taking it slow. As an adult with children, it feels much heavier and even more sinister than when I read it as a teen.
What’s up next in August:
Two more eARCs: The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain and Rachel Weiss’s Group Chat by Laura Appelbaum.
If I finish Lolita, The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger is my next rereading project selection. It’s probably one of my most read books of all time and I can’t wait to catch up with Holden.
My library hold for Done & Dusted by Lyla Sage came in on audiobook and I’m ready to saddle up for my first cowboy romance.
You can keep up with my reading journey in real time on Goodreads or The Storygraph!
Tell me, what was the best book you read in July? What book releases are you looking forward to in August?
Happy reading,
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Enemies to Lovers sounds like a good one. Your 5⭐️ rating has convinced me to take a look!
All of those cookbooks look beautiful! I'm excited to read The Seven Year Slip hopefully before the end of the year. I really enjoyed her last book.