Top July Reads!

Here we are again, with some of our favorite reads of the month. July has been a wild one here in Minnesota, it is very hot, occasionally smokey and overall humid and horrible (in my personal opinion). I'm sure people are shocked I didn't put the storm chasing romances on this list, but in my defense, they have their own blogs and if I keep talking about them you are going to get sick of me. But if you want a storm chasing romance that is really great, make sure to check out In Stormy Weather and Chase Me If You Can, both of which are out now! I hope all of your summers are going well, with a lot of less-humid activities or time doing the things you love!

Heartstopper Volume 6 By Alice Oseman- Maggie

5 / 5 stars

As the last story arc of the Heartstopper series, this was a must read for me. (Yes, I know the movie is out too, but I haven't watched it yet). I was so excited to see how the stories of Charlie, Nick and their friends were wrapped up in this story.

I don't want to spoil anything that happens, because really everyone should read this graphic novel series, its full of love, serious moments but overall a great tale of friendship and young love.

In this story, we get to see how Nick and Charlie figure out university, and the fears that are left behind from Charlie's eating disorder. We also get to see how their friends work through their own wants and needs, and how being a teenager can simply just be difficult. Overall, I really just love this series and this book was a joy to get through, even if it made me tear up in public.

The Summer War by Naomi Novik - Allison

4/5 Stars

As a young girl, Celia is devastated by her brother Argent's decision to leave the kingdom. In her childish anger, she yells after him and dooms him to a life without love, discovering she has magical abilities in the process. Years later, when she finds herself as a pawn in their father's ongoing war with their immortal neighbors, she is reunited with her long lost brother and forced to watch him fight to the death for her honor. Can she and her other brother save Argent, save themselves, and save their kingdom?

The Summer War by Naomi Novik was such a fun little read. This novella was a masterclass in writing a fairy tale for adults. It gave fae vibes, steeped a set of siblings into crazy family drama, and wove in LGBTQIA+ themes throughout. What's not to love?

Fossil Feud by Maggie North - Maggie

3.5 / 5 stars

Ripley Adams has worked hard to find her way in the world of paleontology after being betrayed by her former boyfriend while in school. She has just discovered what might be the first fossil of its kind when James Smithson, an Oxford professor of paleontology drops in. Ripley doesn't trust him, even when he asks for her help in exposing her ex as a fraud. She only agrees to help if he helps on the site, which he does. As they work on excavating this new species of dinosaur, they also have to work through the feelings they definitely shouldn't have for each other too.

I read a lot of women in STEM romance novels this month and I feel like this one needed a moment since it didn't get it's own blog yet. As a girl who still loves a dinosaur, this book was really fun and I again love seeing a strong female character in science. The overall plot was good, with a lot of romantic moments. Also, who doesn't love a hot British professor?

James by Percival Everett - Allison

5/5 Stars

This book got so much hype- deservedly so! Everett reimagines Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the point of view of Huck's companion, Jim. This book gives depth and dimension to the journey of a runaway slave, navigating the same twists and turns of the classic story but with a whole new set of characters to poke and prod at the same themes like racism, friendship, war, religion, and freedom. The story feels more grounded and real from James' point of view instead of fantastical and adventurous when told from Huck's childish point of view. At the end of it, you sit there with so many tangled emotions about this abused child who just needs a hug and a man desperate to save his family.

If you ever had to read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in school, then this book is a must-read. I think it has to be forever paired with the original, in fact. They should come as a package deal from now on. If you describe yourself as a book person, then this needs to be next on your TBR.

What did all of you read this past month? Are there any books you are looking forward to for July?