It’s been a mixed-bag month while the kids have been off school. July was a big month, and I fell into a bit of a reading slump, but here’s what I got done.
My sister and I have always had very different tastes. I have always been the darker of the two. I did the goth phase, the heavy metal, while she was an American teen drama consumer and pop music fan. So when she started binging The Summer I Turned Pretty, I found it for free on my Audible subscription. It’s safe to say it isn’t for me. I love a love triangle with the best of them, but there’s something miserable about hearing people claim difficulty while spending their summer in a beach house.
With my trip to Edinburgh this month, I read One Day by David Nicholls. I love male/female friendships, and this was brilliant for it. Emma Morley was a brilliant female lead. I loved her, but Dexter not so much. And the twist at the end! I was blindsided by it, genuinely heartbroken. Not quite a five-star read, mainly because Dexter was plain annoying, but I’d definitely recommend it. Might even watch the Netflix series when I’ve emotionally recovered.
After many recommendations, I began Pierce Brown’s Red Rising. Epic. That’s the word it deserves. The world-building was extensive, and I’m glad I did it on audiobook because it may have been too heavy for me to digest on the page. The cast was extensive, but I loved the story. Dystopian revolutions will always be one of my favourite genre’s and this is up there with the best. I’m looking forward to diving further into this series .
Howls Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones has been a long-standing contender on by TBR, and it did not disappoint. This wholesome, whimsical adventure was adorable from the get-go. I loved the characters, and the weird relationship that grew between Sophie and Howl. How anyone can imagine such a magical world is incomprehensible. It was beautiful from front to back. A story I would happily recommend to adults and read to my kids.
It’s no secret that Ashley Poston is my favourite author. Sounds Like Love is her latest release, and I finally got to it. This is an enemy to lovers dynamic which was realistic. The fantasy element of them being stuck in each others heads could get a little confusing, but it was done well. There’s something about her writing that is beautifully delicate with the most horrific themes. She’s written about sudden family deaths, keeping the entire plot lighthearted without shying away from the heartbreaking trauma of it all. This book was no different as she tackled dealing with the horror of dementia. Although the book was a brilliant rom-com and I loved the couple and their journey, my hat goes off to the handling of this topic. I have never related to a journey so much. My heart broke as Poston described the genuine feelings that I too have experienced with the slow loss of a loved one while they battle the disease. Bravo, Poston. Bravo.
