Last month’s reading was an absolute blast! Since it was my birthday month I really focused on reading books that I thought would bring me joy. I know that sounds silly but some months I read books that are more of a challenge or purpose-driven. This month I just picked what was calling my name and wow, these books did not disappoint. 

Be prepared to add at least four of these books to your cart or library holds because you absolutely MUST read them. 

Everything I Read in July

Every Summer After: this may just be the book of the summer. This is Carly Fortune’s debut novel and needless to say I will be reading anything she writes. Every Summer After jumps between timelines over the course of 6 summers on a lake house and 12 years into the future when Percy returns to the lake house for the weekend after tragedy strikes. I don’t want to give too much away but if you like Emily Henry, you will LOVE this book. 

This Time Tomorrow: after hearing a podcast interview with Emma Straub promoting her book I immediately bought it and started reading immediately. This book has everything you could want. A coming of age story, lessons about what truly matters in life, an adorable father-daughter relationship, and time travel. I finished this book in 48 hours and wish I could re-read it. 

Lessons in Chemistry: this book was not high on my list to read until I received 20 DMs telling me this was the best book they’ve read in a long time. So what did I do? Immediately start reading it. This historical fiction book has a brilliant feminist lead character, a dog that you can’t help but love, and a story that just hasn’t been told before. This is definitely one of the best books I have read in 2022. 

Something Wilder: someone on Instagram messaged me saying that she just finished this book and that I needed to read it.  I am so glad I listened. This book is set in Moab and there is a love story, treasure hunting, and cowboy adventures. I will say this isn’t a book I thought I would like, but the writing is so good and really moves the plot forward. I kept finding myself saying “just one more chapter” each time I ended a chapter. 

Hook, Line, and Sinker: my first Tessa Bailey book and I don’t know if I am hooked yet. This book is set in a small seaside town and follows a romance between Hannah, who works on movie sets, and Fox, a king crab fisherman. Overall the book was a little predictable, but if you like spicy books then definitely check this one out. 

Acid for the Children: not normally a book I would pick out for myself, this autobiography by Flea from Red Hot Chilli Peppers blew me away. It is all about his childhood and how the RHCP came to be. I read this for a music book club that I recently started and am excited to learn more!