July seems forever ago. And so do these books.

1. The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager

Somehow, I skipped over this old Riley Sager book but now I have finally read every single of his novels, for better or worse. This one was not one of the best but not one of the worst. I have never read from a more inconsistent author, ISTFG.

2. Rainbow Black by Maggie Thrash

I saw “Satanic Panic” and “gay international-fugitive love story” and was all in. But this 100% did not deliver. It was extremely long and drawn out but SHOULD have been a higher rated book for me because while a dark and traumatic subject, it was written with humor and sharp sarcasm. But the story itself did not hold up to its end of the bargain. Good dialogue writing will only get you so far.

3. Saltwater by Katy Hays

I LOVED THIS BOOK. EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. I only rated it a 4 on Goodreads but looking back on it, the fact that it’s stuck with me, made me crave revisiting Italy, and was full of characters that seemed real and fleshed-out to me – maybe this should have been a five. Especially because I would recommend it to anyone. Props to Megan who actually left me her library copy of this while I was cat-sitting for her, because she still had time left on it and knows I’m a fast reader, because this wasn’t on my radar and honestly – the cover isn’t something that would ever convince me to pick it up.

4. Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito

Another 4-star! This was twisted and I loved every fucking page. A book that can me laugh out loud *and* want to vomit? Yep. This author is right up my alley. My Goodreads review: “Jesus. Lol.”

5. Piglet by Lottie Hazell

And another 4-star! July treated me well. This was another book with a protagonist full of neuroses and it sucked me right in. Trigger warning for people with disordered eating and that people is me. Very tough for me at times but worth it. Great writing. Justice for Piglet.

6. The Guilt Pill: A Psychological Thriller of Motherhood and Ambition by Saumya Dave

2 stars. Total snooze and a waste of an eye-catching cover.

7. The Better Liar by Tanen Jones

3 stars – a middle of the road domestic thriller. It kept me interested but I’m not screaming about it from the rooftop.

8. If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English by Noor Naga

OH! This was INTRIGUING. I loved the style of this writing. Totally invested. I just wish it had provided a bit more descriptions of Cairo. 4.5 – it resonated with me big time. The ending truly caught me off guard too.

9. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

OK hear me out. I love Ann Patchett. Especially Dutch House which was beyond 5 stars in my heart. But this….oof. I ultimately gave it a 3 but there were many, many, many times I considered DNFing. It took so long for anything to happen. So mundane. The opera singer was one of the most cardboard cutout characters I’ve ever been forced to read about in a novel. I did not give a single shit about her. It did pick up eventually only to have one of the worst and most disappointing endings of any book I’ve read. I can’t recommend this one.

10. Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki

Oh, go fuck yourself, Laura Dean. HONESTLY!

 

 

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