July Reads! Rating + Review
July was a pretty good book month! Even my lower rated books still peaked my interest and had me engaged. No DNF’s this month as you can see 🤪
Here’s a breakdown:
✨Game of Thrones x George R.R. Martin
📝Review: I’ve seen the show already and I’ve been putting off the books for a good two years now so I figured why not give it a go because I’ve been craving a really good fantasy. Of course, George R. R. Martin did not disappoint! This book exceeds the show by FAR. The world building is amazing, it’s filled with suspense, action, drama, twist and turns (if you’ve seen the show you get it). It can be dark for some so if you want to read but haven’t seen the show, proceed with caution!⚠️
⭐️ Rating: 5/5
✨Tender is the Flesh x Agustina Bazterrica
📝Review: This was an insane dystopian where humans have to eat human meat because a supposed virus made all the animal meat deadly to humans…. It’s as disgusting as you can imagine it to be. I personally was very intrigued to read and know what was going on in this book as I’ve seen some reviews say it might be deemed a classic one day? It certainly is a unique take on a dystopian. I enjoyed it enough to finish but found myself getting seriously grossed out by it. I listened to it on Libby, and my favorite time to listen to audiobooks is while cooking and cleaning, I strongly advise against that tho. This book had me losing my appetite and actually wanting to gag while preparing a chicken and rice bowl 🤢
⭐️ Rating: 3/5
✨ The Briar Club x Kate Quinn
📝 Review: The Briar Club is a historical fiction that takes place during the McCarthy Era in the 1950’s. Each chapter is from a different characters POV, all of which live in the Briarwood House, a boarding house for women run by a strict woman and her two young children. At the very beginning of this book we learn that a murder has happened, and you’re left wondering how and why this happened and what will the consequences be? I love a book that has multiple POV’s. Kate Quinn did such a great job at making sure each woman had their own unique story, representing struggles from that time frame. It was thrilling, heart breaking and warming at the same time. It exceeded my expectations!
⭐️ Rating: 4/5
✨ The Housemaid’s Secret x Freida McFadden
📝 Review: This is the second book in The Housemaid Series and in my opinion it didn’t live up to the first book. Millie is still struggling at making ends meet in the Bronx and finds herself working for one of the richest men around. However, she starts to have concerns about his relationship with his wife and then of course everything is downhill from there. Freida is the best with her plot twist and cliff hangers to make each book a page turner. While I did enjoy this I found it to be a similar pattern of her other novels so slightly predictable.
⭐️ Rating: 3/5
✨ The Housemaid is Watching x Freida McFadden
📝 Review: I figured why not jump into the second book right away and see how/where Millie’s life style takes her. I love that she has finally made it out of the Bronx with Enzo! They are a dynamic duo who end up having two children and move the Long Island in hopes to give them a better environment to grow up in. Of course, the suburban cul-de-sac they move into has some questioning issues going on that end up effecting not just her but her husband AND her children! This one was better than book 2 but still not as good as book 1 in my opinion. It was a great plot twist and pretty unpredictable for me.
⭐️ Rating: 3/5
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July’s reading list showcases a diverse range of compelling books that cater to fans of fantasy, dystopian fiction, historical storytelling, and psychological thrillers. Starting with George R.R. Martin’s "Game of Thrones," this book offers an immersive fantasy experience that surpasses its popular TV adaptation. Known for its rich world-building and complex characters, it presents a darker tone that challenges readers, making it a standout choice for fans of epic fantasy who seek intense drama and unpredictable twists. "Tender is the Flesh" by Agustina Bazterrica presents a unique and unsettling dystopian narrative where a virus makes animal meat dangerous, forcing humanity into horrifying cannibalism. This provocative story is not for the faint of heart but is celebrated for its originality and chilling social commentary. Listening to it as an audiobook during routine activities like cooking may be challenging due to its graphic content. Kate Quinn’s "The Briar Club" transports readers to the McCarthy Era of the 1950s. With multiple points of view, the story explores the lives of women in a boarding house against a backdrop of political paranoia and personal secrets, delivering a blend of suspense, emotional depth, and historical context. Freida McFadden’s Housemaid series continues with "The Housemaid’s Secret" and "The Housemaid Is Watching," which delve into suspense and family drama in suburban settings. While the sequels have been critiqued for predictability, they maintain tension through clever plot twists and glimpses into the struggles of their protagonist, Millie. These July reads highlight the power of storytelling across genres, each offering captivating, thought-provoking narratives. Whether you enjoy complex fantasy worlds, dark dystopian tales, evocative historical fiction, or thrilling psychological novels, these books provide valuable recommendations for your next literary adventure. Engaging with such varied stories can enrich your reading list and expose you to different styles and themes worth exploring.
I haven’t eaten meat since reading Tender Is The Flesh in 2022! 🤢 I thought it was a very goods book and also very disturbing.