Is anyone else expecting a tumultuous July? I’ve got six books I’m ready to read, but honestly, I have no idea what the month is going to be like. In the first week I’m going to see my mother for the first time in almost two years, which is so exciting. She’s where I got my love of books so maybe we will just relax by the pool and read! Later in the month, I have my first cataract surgery and while I’m optimistic I have no idea what to expect. Being incredibly nearsighted has its advantages—reading in bed is one of my great escapes. I’ve heard mixed results about near vision with artificial lenses. We’ll see! Sorry, vision puns are just too easy. And too cheesy, but I can’t help it.
For more detailed book descriptions, click on title link to go to Goodreads.
In Razorblade Tears two ex-convicts, one white and one Black find out their sons have been murdered. What brings them together is that their sons, Isiah and Derek, were married and now both men, who have stayed far away from the law after getting out of prison, want revenge. This feels as if it could be fast-paced as well as having more depth with so many issues at play—sexual acceptance, family dynamics, and racism. (July 6, Flatiron Books)
Without meaning to I seem to have fallen into a cycle of kidnapping, trauma thrillers this summer. The Comfort of Monsters is set in Milwaukee in 1991 and is about two sisters, Dee and Peg. Dee disappears and Peggy never recovers from the loss. 30 years later as their mother is dying, she hires a psychic to at least tell them where Dee’s body is and it throws Peg right back to that summer. Except the memories are blurred by time and she starts to question what she knows or what she remembers. (July 13, Harper)
The reasons I choose a book are varied. Sometimes, it’s a synopsis I don’t quite understand, but I feel like taking a risk. Here’s what I think The StartUp Wife is about: Asha is a gifted coder in the field of artificial intelligence who reconnects with a man who was her big high school crush. They marry and he inspires her to build an app that creates personalized rituals. It explodes, but money and fame don’t work out. Who knows if I’m right, but I feel as if this is going to be a modern day take on faith, marriage, and self. (July 13, Scribner)
I have a hit or miss record with this author so I’m a little tentative about Fierce Little Thing. When Saskia was young she joined a commune. Now, she older and has created a comfortable life for herself when someone sends her threatening letters about her past. This novel could either be a fresh take on a much-used theme or could close out my reading on teenage girls and communes. (July 27, Flatiron)
I admit it, my main reason for choosing A Woman of Intelligence is the cover. I am so superficial! I love an elegantly dressed woman (even if I only wear knit shorts and tee shirts). Also, this synopsis: wealthy, bored 1950s housewife in NYC goes to work with the FBI. I’m hoping for light, dishy drama. (July 20, St. Martin’s Press)
Rounding out my six picks is another relationship novel. The Paper Palace is about a woman’s midlife decision between the husband she’s been happily married to for decades or the man who was her childhood sweetheart. Apparently, it takes place in a 24-hour-span while on Cape Cod for the summer. (July 6, Riverhead Books)
Those are my top six picks for July reading. What books are you looking to this July?
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Good luck with the cataract surgery. I had both eyes done last summer, 2 weeks apart. I am very happy with the result. I don’t need glasses for distance, only for reading, although, rather than taking my glasses on and off and leaving them behind, I have chosen to wear glasses that only have a correction for reading. I was driving the day after surgery.
Thank you! I’m optimistic- anything will be better than the way my eyes are now.
Your July sounds busy but I hope you have a great visit with your Mom. And I think the surgery will be a good success. It just takes time with the eyedrops afterwards. I haven’t looked at July releases yet .. but I did like SA Cosby’s first novel … much action! Still of these perhaps I’ll pick The Paper Palace … b/c I always like those kind of dilemmas … Enjoy.
It kind of feels like we’re going from the stalled life of COVID into fourth gear. So many unexpected things happened in the last month. I hope you’re doing well.
If you liked Cosby’s first novel I think you’ll love this one.
Still working on my 20 Books of Summer list in July! I do have two remaining free picks, though, so perhaps a library hold will work its way into one of those.
Library holds are the best…and the worst. They always seem to come in in batches and right when i have no time. My hold for Paper Palace just came in today but I can’t go pick it up because I’m heading out of town!