And that's a wrap on yet another month. How is it almost August? Time is just... I don't even know anymore, it's just crazy. I had a much better reading month in July than I have in a while, though I'm still struggling to get into things here and there. However, I did get to read some really awesome books, like The Stone Knife, The Book Eaters, Ymir, and The Lavender House (among others!). I've also been really enjoying audiobooks lately, which will never not be hilarious to me because I used to swear up and down that I just couldn't get into them and had a hard time focusing on them... and yet here I am, excited to listen to them everyday! I find they are the perfect complement to any tasks like cleaning, painting, etc.
In personal news, I'm afraid there's not much to share from July. I've been getting full-time work from the company I work for (it's somewhat seasonal, so summers are busy!) so I've put my job hunt for something new on a small pause for now while I just rack up all the money I can right now, haha. We've decided we won't be moving when our lease ends in September, which is a bummer, but also for the best because I really, really don't feel like moving, the dog is finally settled, and our landlord offered to not raise our rent because he wants us to stay (!). We're still paying more than we'd like, but hey, we've got a good thing going with the landlord and we can make do in this house. :)
The dog is also doing great and we are finally (finally) starting to get some reward for all our desensitization efforts for his fears (he's not utterly terrified of the hose anymore, just hesitant!). We take all the wins we can. He is still a menace on a leash, though, so that may take some time. He is obsessed with dogs and wants to play with every single one he sees, so that makes things difficult. In less positive news, we recently found out that my husband's grandma has stage four cancer. She is 101 (!) and will be turning 102 in September, so she's had an incredible life and has been blessed to remain independent her entire life and live on her own. We will be having a party for her in September!
How has your reading month been?? I hope you're all staying healthy and safe and doing well and had a great reading month. Please do share any books you read and loved in June (or hated, sometimes venting is helpful!), or let me know if you've read any of the books I read! :)
Surveillance State: China's Quest to Launch a New Era of Social Control by Josh Chin
★★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: This was a fascinating and rather terrifying look at the rise of surveillance and it's impacts both in China and around the world. Highly recommend this one!
The Stone Knife (Songs of the Drowned #1) by Anna Stephens ★★★★★
Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: I loved this new fantasy inspired by ancient South American civilizations. I can't recommend this one enough and can't wait for the sequel!
The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean
★★★★★
Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: The Book Eaters was a dark and somewhat unexpected read. I really enjoyed the audiobook version of this and I am really excited to see everyone's thoughts on it once it's out. My review is already up!
Ymir by Rich Larson
★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: This was such an interesting sci-fi that I really liked. Since reading it, I've already picked up and read another one of Larson's collections of short stories, so I'd say it was a hit!
Eversion by Alastair Reynolds ★★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: This sci-fi was so unexpected and may be a new favorite for me! I loved the way Reynolds structured this story and kept twisting in ways I didn't ever really expect.
Lavender House by Lev A.C. Rosen ★★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: I fell in love with this book from page one (seriously, I read the first page and was instantly hooked and knew I'd love this book, it really helped me reading slump!). This was an amazing mystery with an almost entirely queer cast of characters and a bit of a closed room murder mystery! It's out this fall (which is when my review will go up) and you guys are going to want to check it out.
The Thousand Deaths of Ardor Benn by Tyler Whitesides ★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: I'm so glad I finally finished this! I started the physical ARC years ago when Orbit sent it to me and never finished (sorry!), but I saw it on sale as an audiobook a while back and decided I had to give it a shot. And I had so much fun! I looked forward to continuing the trilogy.
The Last White Man by Mohsin Hamid ★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: This short novel didn't end up being quite what I expected, but it was still a compelling and thought-provoking read about what could happen if people started waking with dark skin instead of their usual lighter skin.
The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia ★★★
Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: This was an Island of Dr. Moreau retelling that didn't quite work for me, but still had Moreno-Garcia's wonderful writing.
Momenticon by Andrew Caldecott ★★★★
Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: This was probably about as whacky as I expected it to be and I had fun with it, even if it wasn't a new favorite.
The Leviathan by Rosie Andrews ★★★★
Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: This really didn't end up being quite what I expected and I really liked it! It felt like it had some familiar elements, but did everything in a way that felt unique and like I hadn't read a story quite like this one.
One of the Girls by Lucy Clarke ★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: This was a captivating thriller that took place on a beautiful island in Greece and follows a group of friends with a variety of secrets they are holding on to.
Birds of California by Katie Cotugno ★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: This was a fun contemporary romance. Not something I'd typically read, but I had a good time with it and enjoyed the journey.
Finna (LitenVerse #1) by Nino Cipri ★★★
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was a fun little novella that really surprised me! I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did an amazing job of pulling me in to the story.
The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo ★★★
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: I really liked the overall atmosphere and writing of this novella, but I didn't end up enjoying the story itself as much as I'd hoped.
DNF/To-Be-Finished:
None! (I think)
(other than reviews)
Top Five/Ten Tuesday:
Can't-Wait Wednesday:
