July Wrap Up

JulyTop

It’s been an extraordinarily random month for reading. Instead of having a TBR, I decided to freestyle my book choices (as normal humans do) and pick what I felt like, when I felt like it. Unsurprisingly, it seems to have worked; I’ve read 7 books to completion. My only downfall was that, for a second month running, I haven’t read anything from my Classics list. Oops.

I also had a few first experiences this month:

  1. I gave up on a book. Shocking, right? I decided I simply couldn’t waste time on something that didn’t inspire me to turn the page.
  2. I read 3 books in 3 days.  Don’t ask me how or why, I don’t know. I loved the experience, but wouldn’t suggest it; there is a huge lack of sleep involved and I wasn’t the friendliest person on the Monday afterwards.

All in all I would say it’s been a successful month; I’ve even managed to smash my page count from last year! For August, I will continue without a TBR but will promise to try to read at least one classic from my list.

Books Read:

Jon Ronson – The Men who Stare at Goats
Ben Aaronovitch – Moon Over Soho
Ben Aaronovitch – Whispers Underground
Phillipa Gregory – The White Queen (unfinished)
Josh Malerman – Bird Box
Edward St. Aubyn – Bad News
Philip Pullman – The Ruby in the Smoke
Christopher Isherwood – A Single Man

Total Pages Read: 2030

Total pages read this year: 17,297

Quick Overviews:

Jon Ronson – The Men who Stare at Goats

This is a ludicrous and terrifying account of The American Secret Service’s development of physic training. Ronson describes his interviews in a jaunty and incredulous style; mixing scepticism with a willingness to believe the incredible. A brilliant non-fiction and highly recommended.

Ben Aaronovitch – Moon Over Soho

A clever and unputdownable read. I managed to finish it in a day which, I feel, should be more than enough reason for everyone to try it.

Ben Aaronovitch – Whispers Underground

This is probably my favourite book from the Rivers of London series; with murder, genius loci, magic and humour throughout, there’s not much more I could ask from a book.

Phillipa Gregory – The White Queen

The White Queen is a book that had great potential but, unfortunately, it didn’t manage to pull it off. With a great plot and an era I have always been interested in, I was left wanting and couldn’t finish.

Josh Malerman – Bird Box

This high concept thriller proves that creepiness and primal fear trumps violence while still proving itself to fans of survival and psychological horror. It’s made me want to read a lot more of the genre which is a feat in itself.

Edward St. Aubyn – Bad News

Bad News is hauntingly powerful. It’s bleak and brilliant and has one of the most incredible passages I’ve read in an extremely long time.

Philip Pullman – The Ruby in the Smoke

This is an enjoyable, easy-to-read children’s book that didn’t grab me as an adult. It was a bit too prosaic and simple for my tastes and isn’t something I’ll pick up again.

Christopher Isherwood – A Single Man

A Single Man us poignant and humorous, honest and gentle; it will intrigue and fascinate you with its thoughtful, abstract prose. It has been firmly placed on my ‘to keep forever’ shelf and is something I would (and have already) recommend to absolutely everyone.

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