What I Read: My July 2023 Reading List
The summer heat officially is dominating in Texas … and with multiple days in a row breaking 105 (46C), staying inside with a book is the only option unless you have unlimited access to a body of water. Because of this, July being a slower work month in general when it comes to campaigns, and a nice little stomach bug, my July 2023 reads, ratings, and book reviews for y’all is full of some great finds (and a couple meh ones … see below).
Another bit of good news is I managed to find my Kindle!!! It was in a basket in my closet and, boy, was I happy to dig it out!
Click here to see all of my books from the full year thus far.
July Books by the Numbers
If you read my reviews from last month, you saw that I implemented a new “rule” to my reading. I need to read at least one nonfiction book a month. This is to help with my personal development and really to just get my brain working in new ways. I love reading about new perspectives. This also gives me the opportunity to read multiple books at once which I enjoy.
While I *didn’t* finish a nonfiction book this month, I did start Signs: the Secret Language of the Universe, manage to lose it, and then buy the book Joyful because of Grace Atwood’s fabulous review on it. So … be on the lookout for reviews for these two coming next month!
In July, I read a total of 4 books:
- Paperback: 1
- Hardback: 1
- Kindle: 2
Types of books:
- Nonfiction: 0 (oops)
- Historical Fiction: 1
- Romcom: 1
- Romance: 1
- Thriller: 1
Goal Tracking:
I am still on track to reach my goal of 52 books for 2023. As of the end of the month, I am at 31 books. To see other book roundups and reading reports from this year, click here!
My July 2023 Reads and Reviews
1 - Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
When Carrie Soto decided to retire from tennis, she was the number one female tennis player the world had ever seen. Now that another younger player is coming to take her title, she’s coming back with more determination than ever.
I LOVED this book! Typically, I am not one that can sit down and read about sports games / matches with intensity, but this book absolutely drew me in. It focused on themes of love, commitment, and realization that you don’t have to be what you’ve always been. This is one you absolutely must add to your shelf!
Order it on Amazon.
2 - Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
Sadie is an artist with a huge portrait contest coming up, but when she is hit by a car and is forced to undergo brain surgery, she wakes up with a spell of (hopefully) temporary face blindness. How is she going to compete in the competition now?!
From laughs to struggles and a lot of confusing love, this book follows Sadie’s life as she navigates work and romance through her newfound struggle to see people beyond their faces.
Katherine Center is a romcom queen. She is most famous for writing The Bodyguard (which I read and reviewed last year). So, of course, I had to get her new book the day it came out! It was a cute, quick read that I highly recommend for something light by the pool or as a pallet cleanser between thrillers!
Order it on Amazon.
3 - Finding Cinderella by Colleen Hoover
This book was … not it. I’m sorry, CHoov fans! I’m always a little conflicted on my Colleen Hoover feelings, but this one was utterly the worst of what I’ve read. I’m not even going to link it. Please pass on this.
4 - Never Lie by Freida McFadden
This book was a fabulous way to finish the month … I read it all in under 24 hours!
Tricia and Ethan are newlyweds looking to find the perfect home to start a family in. When they decide to go off the grid to visit the home of the late Dr. Adrienne Hale, a violent storm forces them to have to take cover in the house overnight. Ethan seems okay with this … a little too okay with it. Along with uncovering secrets about the late doctor, Tricia begins to uncover truths about her husband as well, and things get very twisty and weird!
Yall know I LOVE a book where I don’t guess the twist, and this is one of them. I absolutely recommend! It is also currently free on KindleUnlimited for my other Kindle lovers!
Order it on Amazon.
