As you all know, i’m a huge reader. Recently, I’ve spent my lunch breaks sitting in Gantry State Park with a book and a kombucha. This has been helpful for both my summer tan and my sanity. Anyways, since my last review one month ago, I’ve finished five books + started a new one. As always, I ask that if you do decide to purchase on of these books, that you please do so through the links I provide. I’ll receive a tiny commission. Otherwise, library it up!
worth buying:
I read two books in July that I was absolutely in love with. Both were gifted to me by the lovely people at Random House.
Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford
In 1909 a half-Chinese boy was raffled off at the World’s Fair in Seattle. He ends up working as a house boy at a high-end brothel. This story was absolutely beautiful. It tugged at my heart. If you’re into historical fiction, and even if you aren’t– this book is readable, unpredictable and completely original. It’s a love story intertwined with a dark historical context.
cottage by the sea by debbie macomber
When Annie Marlow’s entire family dies, she finds happiness in a seaside town where she spent her childhood summers. I couldn’t put this book down. I loved it so much that I emailed my girl Sophie from Random House (who gifted me the book) to beg for more of Macomber’s books. This is the kind of book that would be most enjoyable in a beach chair– though I read & loved it on NYC’s nasty subway.
worth renting from the library:
I enjoyed every book I read in July #winning– but these ones are better left to the library
Playing with matches by hannah orenstein
Sasha Goldberg has only ever been in one serious relationship, but she finds herself in a unique position to accept a job as a matchmaker in Manhattan. As someone who was obsessed with Alicia Silverstone in “Miss Match” as a kid (I was a weird kid)– this book brought back my dreams of becoming a matchmaker. I enjoyed this book, but didn’t find it groundbreaking in any way. My friend Angela, who I recently lent it to, told me she loved it. So, if you’re looking for something suuuper light + fluffy– here you go!
our house by louise candlish
When Fiona Lawson comes home to see strangers moving into her house, she’s sure there must be a mistake. She and her husband Bram have a forward-thinking custody agreement called a “birds nest”; which basically means they take turns living in the house with their two sons. On their off days, they share a flat. This arrangement turns out to be a horrible mistake. The first half of this book was very slow, there was a lot of background that needed to be covered. The second half, I flew through. By the end of it I was in love with the story, but it took a little too long for my lack of patience. I imagine this would be a good book to listen to on audible or something! Full disclosure, I was given an advanced copy of this book by Berkley (Penguin Random House.)
providence by caroline kepnes
Chloe and Jon are unlikely best friends in middle school. Chloe was the pretty popular girl with an affinity for art. Jon was the nerdy boy with very few friends– always taking an alternative route to school to avoid bullies.When Jon disappears, Chloe is one of the only people who searches for him. When he mysteriously re-appears after being gone for 4 years; he returns as a buff “hunk”– with ~super powers~. I wasn’t completely sold on this book, as i’m not really into sci-fi (which this book is), but it was extremely original. If you’re into mystical stories, you’ll probably like this one too. But if that’s not your scene, i’d skip it. This was my least favorite book in July, but it wasn’t actually bad at all! (Thank you Random House for the gifted book!)
