To be honest, this summer hasn’t been the best reading-wise. Not in terms of content, but in terms of my energy and motivation. This summer I’ve been busier than I expected, and my energy has been lower. It’s been good overall, and a lot of fun was had, but not as many books were read! Here’s what I did get to.
June
The Witch Boy (Witch Boy #1) by Molly Ostertag
Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister
Why Women Grow by Alice Vincent
I didn’t read much in June, but I enjoyed what I did read. The graphic novels were both enjoyable and worth reading, Famous Last Words was better than I expected and easy to get through, and Why Women Grow was a lovely series of discussions between the author and women who garden – for all kinds of reasons.
July
The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey
An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten
We’ve Got This by Eliza Hull (ed.)
The Hidden Witch (Witch Boy #2) by Molly Knox Ostertag
The Midwinter Witch (Witch Boy #3) by Molly Knox Ostertag
The Dark Secret (Wings of Fire Graphic Novel #4) by Tui T. Sutherland (illustrated by Mike Holmes)
The Brightest Night (Wings of Fire Graphic Novel #5) by Tui T. Sutherland (illustrated by Mike Holmes)
A decent amount of reading, though a lot were graphic novels which are quick (but enjoyable). The stand-outs were the Wings of Fire series as now I understand a bit of what my kid is talking about, What You Are Looking For Is in the Library (a delightfully hopeful story about friendship, change, community and – of course – books), We’ve Got This (a series of essays by parents with disabilities that helped me feel like less of a failure and also just made me feel good because it exists in the world) and The List of Suspicious Things (a coming of age story mixed with a mystery that’s poignant, devastating, funny and heart-warming all at once).
August
There Are Rivers In the Sky by Elif Shafak
James by Percival Everett
My Friends by Hisham Matar
I’m not able to talk about My Friends, James or There Are Rivers In the Sky yet as they’re part of BookTube Prize finals judging, so I’ll be discussing them next month. Of the other two, Days at the Morisaki Bookshop was the stand-out, though not as good as What You Are Looking For Is in the Library. Roach’s memoir was good in bits, but meandered aimlessly a lot, had too many quotes and was much longer than needed. Worth reading if you’re interested in experiences of lifestyle change and slowing down, but not one I’d recommend generally or plan to come back to.
So that was my summer of reading! I’m still at a bit of a low ebb so I’m going to get through my BookTube Prize reading this month and then see where I’m at. Might take a little break in October, or might do some easy reads, we will see. School starts next week and along with it my three hours a day of driving, so I might listen to something while I’m driving, or I might just listen to lots of music! We shall see!
How was your summer reading? Did you find any new favourites? Have you read any of these books, and if so what did you think of them?