I’ve realised I forgot to write the last few monthly recaps, but I want to get back to it. I read quite a bit in July, even though I did not post much. I think part of it was that I did not want to write reviews on old books and nth books in a series, mainly. Another thing is that I read a few very short books.
Jolly Foul Play, A Spoonful of Murder, and Death in the Spotlight, by Robin Steven
I’ve been reading more of this series as they get to me on the library app. I don’t normally read ebooks but these are very easy to get through so it’s no problem at all! Just some fun, quick MG murder mysteries!
A Thousand Beginnings and Endings, edited by Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman
Each short story in this book was a retelling or riff on an Asian myth or fairy tale. I usually have trouble with short stories but I found that they were all high quality, very entertaining. I also loved learning about more diverse folk tales from all over Asia. The book itself is a lovely object, with illustrated pages at the beginning of each story.
Seven of Infinities, by Aliette de Bodard
I buddy-read this one with Tessa, and it was a lot of fun. It’s a novella, so very quick to get through, but still with the complex world- and character-building that’s typical of Aliette’s work. You can read my full review here.
The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water, by Zen Cho
Another quick novella that I really enjoyed, in audiobook this time. A nun works together with bandits, not a story you’d think likely, but it was a lot of fun. My full review is here.
A Hat Full of Sky, and Thud!, by Terry Pratchett
I’m still on a quest to read all of Pratchett’s Discworld books (though I think I’ll end up skipping the other Rincewind ones, I’m never happy with them). I tend to find them a bit unequal, but these two I really enjoyed. On the one hand, witches! on the other hand, politics! But they both had the caring wit I associate with Pratchett.
Elves on the Fifth Floor, by Francesca Cavallo
A cute MG book about Christmas, and a queer family helping Santa pack all the gifts! I’ll post my review a bit later in the month.
Maurice, by E.M. Forster
This is what I mean about reviewing old books. I’ve meant to read this for years and years. It’s basically a queer classic! I finally got it from the library and, as people who follow me on twitter may have noticed, I was not impressed. Maurice, the titular character, is quite boring and, just, meh. Forster calls him stupid quite a few times. It’s readable, and a window through time (for a specific white middle class Cambridge in the 1910s time) but not the greatest.
The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig
Yeah so… I was not impressed by this one either. I wanted to love it, I made myself finish it to see if it gets better… It does, to some extent, but it still did not spark joy. I was expecting something more like the Invisible Library and less about suicide and recovery. Which is the main theme of the book, really, so major trigger warnings for that, which I did not expect!
A Song Below Water, by Bethany C. Morrow
Who doesn’t love a book about mermaids? Well, sirens, in this case. This is a YA novel about how Black Lives Matter, but with added magic. I liked it, even though it was not really what I expected. You can see my full review here.
Persephone Station, by Stina Leicht
A queer space opera about fighting off capitalism and helping the native species retain control of their territory. I did like it, even though I was not really a fan of the audiobook. Full review here.
Princess Princess Ever After, by Kay O’Neill
I’ve read both Tea Dragon Society books by the same author and loved them, and this one’s been on my TBR for ages. It’s a cute, short comicbook about kickass, gay princesses who help each other and save themselves. And a dragon! What more can you want?
Yeah, that was a lot for just one month, I can’t quite believe it either. Let’s hope I can read just as much in August, and that the quality remains the same or even better! What was your favourite read in July?