July TBR – 2021

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Hello hello! How are you?

July is going to be a little bit of a catch-up month reading-wise for me, but I’ll also be starting to read some of my thesis books, which I’m all really looking forward to!

June went by way too fast for my liking, and I can’t believe we are already halfway through the year, 2021 is just rushing by. I haven’t read all the books from my June TBR since I struggled with fatigue in the first two weeks of my internship, but I feel like I have gotten into a routine now, and I’m optimistic I’ll get through loads of my July books, so keep on reading to find out what they are!

On to the July TBR!

City of Heavenly Fire (#6 The Mortal Instruments) by Cassandra Clare

Fiona, Erika and I are going to be finishing up The Mortal Instruments series in July, after putting it off for the past two months. This is a bit of a chunky one, so I’m glad we waited until we all had a bit more time. I think that City of Heavenly Fire is going to be insanely fast-paced and just action-packed and let’s hope it’s a good one and answers questions I’ve had about this series since we started reading it.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

The next book we have picked for the TWR Gang Book Club was done a little differently since the vote was for Books made into films, and this one won. I loved the TV adaptation of The Princess Bride and I have always wanted to read the book, so I am so happy that this was picked. I can’t *really* remember the movie, but I do know that I liked the overall story, so I’m excited to discover it through the book properly.

What Abigail Did That Summer (#5.3 Rivers of London) by Ben Aaronovitch

The Folly readalong is continuing and we are including graphic novels and novellas, so What Abigail Did Last Summer is the next on the list. I adore this series so much and I’m so glad to be reading it with Fiona and other TWR Gang buddies. I am halfway through Foxglove Summer as I’m writing this and loving every minute. I can’t wait to learn more about Abigail though!

Black Coffee (#7 Hercule Poirot) by Agatha Christie)

The next Hercule Poirot mystery seems to be a play..? Maybe I’m wrong ahaha. I have also been loving this series, I just love Poirot and despite some criticisms, I have of the books, I do find this series really comforting and very cosy. Which is weird for what it is, but I love the books. I have been listening to the last two on audio as I drive to and from work, which has helped me get more reading in every day, and I’m looking forward to this next book!

The Shining by Stephen King

I have failed with the Stephen King readalong a little bit because of how busy I was in May and June, but I am going to start this next one on the first day of July to make sure I follow along properly. Before starting this readalong, The Shining was the only book I had read from this author, and it utterly terrified me, to the point I couldn’t sleep for 3 days. I know what to expect this time, and I think I might enjoy it more now I know was frights are in store.

Night Shift by Stephen King

We are continuing with four short stories like we have been doing for the past 2 months, and in July we will read 4 more, in the following order: Battleground, Trucks, Sometimes they Come Back and Strawberry Spring. I have gone into each story and novel blind, and that’s what I intend to do for these as well. I have no idea what they are about but have been enjoying the short stories so far, so I’m optimistic these four will be good!

The Beauty and the Beast by Gabrielle-Suzanne de Villeneuve

As you know, the TWR Gang book club (also famously known as the “book club that’s not a book club”) has a few different buddy read groups. There is the main one, the Classic Lit one and the Series one (so far, it could grow knowing us, ahaha). So for the Classic Lit branch, in July, we will be reading this book that I’ve yet to read, but have definitely watched (the Disney version). I was able to get a stunning edition which is illustrated, and I know it will be a wonderful experience, and the opportunity to get some more films in as well!

Ready Player One (#1 Ready Player One) by Ernest Cline

Hannah from Han Loves to Read, Livy from Shelves of Starlight and I will be buddy reading this book in July. I have wanted to pick it up for ages and this was the perfect occasion. I don’t really remember what it’s about, but I do know it is science fiction and about gaming (I think?) so definitely out of my comfort zone. I am however very much looking forward to this experience though!

Hydra (#2 Six Stories) by Matt Wesolowski

The Series branch of the TWR Book Club is continuing on with the Six Stories series and the second one is Hydra. I have not yet finished Six Stories (book 1) as I write this, but I am really enjoying it. The podcast format is so unique and I like it a lot. I’m also finding everyone suspicious and I just can’t wait to see how it wraps up. As with all my ongoing series, I will go into Hydra blind, and I’m so excited to see what new mystery Scott King has up his sleeve for us!

The Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien

As you all know I am crazy, in July, I will be starting a Middle Earth buddy read with some buddies from the original Stephen King readalong. I have wanted to read Tolkien’s books for years and I jumped on the chance. I know this book is considered fairly difficult to get into and understand, but I do really like the premise of little stories, histories and myths. We are reading the whole Middle Earth bibliography, I can’t wait to start! I think that we are only reading a little part of this book each month, which will be much more approachable than reading all in one go.

The Children of Húrin by J. R. R. Tolkien

For the Middle Earth readalong, we will also be reading only a part of this one in July, I think. Either way, I’m excited. I have only read The Hobbit so far (which I fairly enjoyed) but otherwise, I’m completely ignorant about the whole Middle Earth universe, as I’ve never seen the films yet (don’t hate me please!!). I don’t know what this one is about, at all, but I am sure I am going to have a great time reading it!

Bloody Spade by Brittany M. Willows

This is one of my first author requests in ages and I’m slowly moving back to being open to review requests, but I think I will open up fully next summer! I got an email about this from the author, and the email sounded incredible, and the blurb just won me over. Brittany is very kind and understanding about my time constraints, but I couldn’t say no to this book, so I’m really looking forward to starting it!

Kings and Daemons (#1 The Gifted and the Cursed) by Marcus Lee

And the only (I think) blog tour with @The_WriteReads in July is for an indie author and a book I’ve seen about a bit lately. I was intrigued by this book a few months ago, but have forgotten the blurb since then. In any case, I always say yes to Dave’s tours, and I’m glad I do because the books are almost always amazing! I know this is fantasy, and that’s about all I remember, so it will be a fun experience going in blind and just letting myself be swept away in this story.

The Midnight Guardians by Ross Montgomery

When Col’s childhood imaginary friends come to life, he discovers a world where myths and legends are real. Accompanied by his guardians – a six-foot tiger, a badger in a waistcoat and a miniature knight – Col must race to Blitz-bombed London to save his sister.

But there are darker forces at work, even than the Nazi bombings. Soon Col is pursued by the terrifying Midwinter King, who is determined to bring an eternal darkness down over everything.

The Girl Who Speaks Bear by Sophie Anderson

In July, the Middle Grade Marvels will be reading what looks and sounds like a lovely book. I’ve seen it about a lot in recent years, and I don’t know why, but never felt the urge to pick it up, but since I now love middle-grade books, I think I’ll really like this one and I am just really looking forward to starting it. If you want to know more about this book and our middle-grade marvels book club, you can do so here.

Le Jardin secret (#1) by Maud Begon, La Dernière flamme (#1) by Tim Probert & Les Louves by Flore Balthazar – These are all graphic novels, so really quick reads hopefully!

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I can’t remember if I said it before, but my internship is an 8-week long spot at my local library. I kind of went in blind and a bit sceptical because my masters has taught me nothing about the professional world so far, but I am absolutely loving my time in this job. I also get the opportunity to discover French books, and now I have my library card (YAY!!) I will try to read one French book a month. I will try to avoid English books translated into French since I want to read French authors, but books translated from other languages should be okay!

Insubmersible (#1 Titanic) by Gordon Korman

So my first ever library book from a French library is actually, quite ironically, originally English, ahaha! This book came over my desk last week and the blurb completely drew me in, so I didn’t check the author’s nationality, but for once, I’ll let that slide (especially since my library has the whole series) ehehe. This is an MG/YA historical fiction based around the Titanic, and it has mysteries! I have already started it and enjoying it so far, so should be done with it in a few days.

L’Alliance des trois (#1 Autre Monde) by Maxime Chattam

And the first proper French book is one from an author I’ve already read before. This is Maxime Chattam’s fantasy series (he writes mostly mysteries and thrillers) and I’ve wanted to read this series for ages. Books are expensive in France, and my reasoning is that if my library has the book, and it’s in a good state (I can’t abide sticky, yucky, dirty books, I just can’t), then I will borrow it, if not, I’ll have to buy it. I’m looking forward to starting this series, my library also has all 7 books, so I know that I can continue straight away if I enjoy it.

I will also be starting books on my thesis reading list in July and I’m going to read the same amount of “old” and “new” books each month, to try to contrast between disability representations and imagery in a starker way, if that makes sense.

To Kill a Mockingbird (#1 To Kill a Mockingbird) by Harper Lee

The first book I picked is a very popular one, and also one I started about two years ago, but only managed a few chapters. I am going to pace myself with these books, and because they are thesis books, I’ll have to concentrate more, so maybe not binge them in one go, unless I can help it. My thesis focuses on physical disability, and while I know this is mainly mental/cognitive disability rep, I know a character does also have a physical disability, and I figured it was a good place to start for the “old” book section.

Get a Life, Chloe Brown (#1 The Brown Sisters) by Talia Hibbert

And the “new” book I will read in July is a YA contemporary romance that depicts the main character with fibromyalgia. I suffer from fibromyalgia myself, so it might hit a bit close to home, but I’ve wanted to read it ever since it was released. I have a vague idea of what this is about, and I think it is going to be fun and quick!

May and June books I STILL need to catch up on…

Because yes, of course, I still have more books on my TBR… I hope I can use July (and August maybe) to catch up and get back on the reading wagon, and I’m actually really looking forward to lots and lots of reading!!

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

I am still about 240 pages into this one, and I need to continue, reading a few pages every day so I stay on track. I have to catch up to page 400 this week to discuss with my reading buddies in this buddy read chat, and then I’ll see how I go, but I think about 30 pages a day is doable, and I am really looking forward to getting back to this story since I was thoroughly enjoying it, I just wish it didn’t weigh 2kgs…

City of Ghosts (#1 Cassidy Blake) by Victoria Schwab

This was the Middle Grade Marvels pick for May and I still haven’t finished it, but I must. I have been enjoying it a lot more the second time around (it’s a reread) and I just need to grab it one evening and finish it, and then remember to continue on with the series…).

The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold

I am still stuck at the midway point in this book because I just haven’t had time to read it. I have Mondays off work because I work on Saturdays, so I will use those days to catch up with my reading backlog, run some errands and do some blogging. This is a very interesting book, and I really must continue and finish it. I know how it will end, but I am enjoying learning about these women. It’s a really unique but very important book that I think all true crime fans should read.

Mirrorland by Carole Johnstone

I was on the blog tour organised by Dave from @The_WriteReads for this book in June, but I opted for a spotlight and I regret it because everyone has loved it. The tour runs until the 3^rd of July, so I will be trying to cram it all in and get my review up before the tour ends. I started it on Friday, and I only managed a few pages before I had to dash into work, but I already found it intriguing, so I am looking forward to reading more of it.

Salem’s Lot by Stephen King

I was supposed to read this chunky book in June, but I just didn’t have enough time. I am 100 pages in, I’m still not scared yet, and I am enjoying it. I think it’s the kind of book I can easily binge in a few days, so I will focus on that in the next couple of days and hopefully catch up with the chat!

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

I need to go back and start this book again, it is also a chunky one, but I am determined to get at least halfway through it in July. I think I started it at the end of May, but life just got way too chaotic. Since I have Sundays and Mondays off, I know I will be able to give myself a chunk of allotted reading time, and I’ll start with this one I think. I’m really looking forward to it, and I think I will get swept into the story straight away!

The Ultimate Evil: The Search for the Sons of Sam by Maury Terry

 The final book on this WAY TOO AMBITIOUS TBR is another buddy read I was supposed to start in June, but never got to. It’s true crime, which you know I love, and it is also quite long, but I think it will be fascinating. I don’t know much at all about the subject of this book, but I think it will be eye-opening and enjoyable.

That’s all for now, I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know what you’ll be reading in July, and please send lots of motivation and good luck vibes, it looks like I will need them, ahaha!

See you soon, stay safe,

Ellie xx