my (ambitious) july tbr!

I read only four books in June so upping the count to 6 might be a really bad idea. I'm hoping I'll be able to read at least four to match June's pace.

I put these in order that I plan to read them (mostly? ish?) so I have a bit of a guide. Two of them I'll be reading to prep for my fall semester class on immigration in America. I'm super excited to take that class but I feel like I'm a wee bit underprepared (lots of laws and movements to learn).

MY JULY 2025 TBR:

📖 B!tch: On The Female Species — nonfiction (library book) by a zoologist

📖 How Migration Really Works — nonfiction (library book) correcting popular myths about immigration

📖 Slewfoot — fiction (own) chronically conflicts between the Puritans and Satan after he's called upon by a recent widow

📖 Woodworm — fiction (own) about generational rage among women

📖 Outlawed — fiction (own) describing a world where reproductive freedom is completely obsolete

📖 Short History of the US — fiction (own) covering the entire US history to prep for one of my classes

#lemon8bookclub #bookrecommendations #tbrlist #readingrecommendations #reading

2025/7/3 Edited to

... Read morePlanning a reading list that balances educational goals and personal interest can be both motivating and challenging. This July's ambitious TBR (to-be-read) list reflects a thoughtful approach to diversifying literary topics and formats. Tackling six books, ranging from nonfiction works like "Bitch: On The Female Species" by zoologist Lucy Cooke and Hein de Haas's "How Migration Really Works," to sharply relevant for immigration issues, establishes a strong foundation for understanding complex socio-political matters. Lucy Cooke’s "Bitch: On The Female Species" offers a compelling exploration of female animals across species, combining humor, science, and strong editorial voice to debunk myths about female behavior. It enriches readers' knowledge through witty yet informative narratives from a scientific perspective, perfect for those looking to deepen their understanding of biology and gender dynamics. "How Migration Really Works" by Hein de Haas corrects common misconceptions surrounding immigration—a highly divisive topic in contemporary politics. This book provides factual clarity about migration flows, policies, and myths, equipping readers with a nuanced perspective that is crucial for academic courses and general awareness. The chosen fiction titles, including "Slewfoot," "Woodworm," "Outlawed," and "A Short History of the United States," creatively address themes like generational rage among women, dystopian views on reproductive freedom, and historical perspectives on American society. These narratives promise not only entertainment but also provoke critical thought regarding cultural and historical contexts. This diverse reading list is also tailored to support coursework for a fall semester class on immigration in America. By combining factual learning with engaging storytelling, readers can approach their studies well-prepared and inspired. Moreover, these selections are relevant to today's political and societal climate, making the reading experience both timely and intellectually rewarding. For readers aiming to build a rich, multidisciplinary reading experience that spans science, social issues, fiction, and history, this July TBR offers an excellent blueprint. Integrating library books and personal collection picks showcases practical reading strategies and variety. In summary, an ambitious yet balanced TBR, focused on learning and personal growth, can foster continuous intellectual engagement. This July, dive into a spectrum of stories and facts that prepare you academically and expand your worldview.

3 comments

Jen Zamboni's images
Jen Zamboni

Slewfoot was so freaking good!

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