Another July is in the books (pun intended) and I have yet to manifest the serene reading set-up in this graphic. Wouldn’t it be lovely? Thankfully, my July reading delivered more highs than lows.
The Original by Priya Parmar
Published by Ballantine Books
Publication date: April 28, 2026
Bookshop
The Original is a take on Katherine Hepburn’s life, but Priya Parmar surrounds her with a cast who were all original in their own way, including actor Cary Grant, a studio executive’s wife, and Howard Hughes. While the crux of the novel is told from Hepburn’s POV, it’s often the thoughts and impressions of those around her that give the story its perspective and shine.
This was engrossing reading about Hepburn’s early life and her steadfast belief in her gift as an actor, especially as so much of who she was was antithetical to the Hollywood Studio system at the time. Her voice was considered completely odd, almost fake, and her attitude towards life, was that of a daredevil a persona she refused to abandon on-screen. More importantly, she refused to abandon it in her personal life. In a parallel timeline we see a similar trajectory as Cary Grant grows into the public icon he was known as while trying to remain true to himself and his fluid sexuality. Parmar captures them flaws and all with the kind of storyteller’s prose that meant I was able to visualize both Hepburn and Grant moving through their everyday lives and their onscreen parts in a way that felt fresh and intimate.
A Sociopath Guide to a Successful Marriage by M.K. Oliver: My review
The Top of the World by Ethan Joella: Review to follow
Published by William Morrow & Company
Publication date: February 17, 2026
The bones are here for a great book, but somehow Quinn misses the mark. It’s as if she’s trying too hard, which is not implausible because The Astral Library is a passion project—a love letter to libraries and heavy-handed in its opinion of anyone or anything that tries to stop people from reading. I agree with everything she’s saying, but for some readers it will be too much. That and a writing style that comes off as oddly juvenile made this a disappointing read despite it’s interesting premise.
Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash: My review
A Year of Marvelous Ways by Sarah Winman: Review to follow
Published by Algonquin Books
Publication date: November 12, 2024
Anyone who likes lots of family drama, coming of age as an adult, and the cultural difference between the west and the east will love The Magnificent Ruins. Lila is happy in her New York life as an editor for a small publishing company when she learns her grandfather has died and left her their family home in India where the majority of her family still lives. She’s not been back since she was a teenager, but now finds herself immersed and overwhelmed by all of the drama, especially that around the fact that she inherited the house and not her mother or even her uncle. Add in a family wedding, an ill-timed love affair and a dysfunctional mother-daughter relationship, and this is solid reading from start to finish.
This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page: A 5-star romance! Review to follow
A Hymn to Life: Shame Has to Change Sides by Gisele Pelicot: Powerful, important memoir about one woman’s extraordinary journey of courage and determination. My review
Leave and Come Back by Lavanya Lakshmi
Published by Pamela Dorman Books
Publication date: June 16, 2026
Bookshop
Simran has a lot of unfinished business in her heart. It’s been easy to shunt aside as she builds her life in Toronto, but a family wedding in New Jersey means she’s now faced with seeing family she hasn’t had contact with in seven years. And not just any wedding, but an Indian wedding, meaning two weeks of festivities and family interactions of the kind that will inevitability press on wounds that have never quite healed.
Simi is also in love with a white man, not a notion her overbearing aunt will entertain so her cousins come up with a fake identity and background as an old school friend to try and slowly win the aunt over. Yes, it’s madcap, but I’ve always loved Bollywood movies and summer is the perfect time for frothy fiction. The author upends the expected with surprises involving sexuality and chastity—all fun—but leans a bit too heavily into the lessons that need to be learned by the older generation. Actually, lessons overall. It felt less romance and more sermonizing. Not what I was hoping for.
How was your July? Any great reading to share?
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*I received a free copy of these books from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.*
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