Welcome to my top 12 reads in July!
I want to note that I am at 66 of 120 reads! If there is one thing I can keep consistent in my routine it is reading and I am here for it. Onto the reviews!
The Daevabad Triolgy by S.A. Chakraborty
In The City of Brass, we are introduced to Nahri, an Egyptian woman with the power of healing. She uses this power in her life as a thief and accidentally summons a powerful djinn. Her world is turned upside down as she must face the world of magic that she thought to be childhood fairytales.
The Kingdom of Copper brings us into the world of the royal courts. Nahri is thrust into a new world where she must overcome her past. We meet a new character, Ali, who has been exiled from his homeland
In The Empire of Gold, Nahri, Dara, and Ali must face the past once more and take a stand. Another adventure awaits them as their fate depends on the outcome.
Absolutely in love with this trilogy! There is so much information to absorb and understand but it is worth the read. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy worlds with a deep history. The characters are well developed and the backstories are the best. 5/5 stars for each read.
Summer of '69 by Elin Hilderbrand
In the summer of 1969, the Levin family faces several ups and downs as they experience a summer of growth. As is tradition, the Levin family always spends the summer on Nantucket in their grandmother's historical home. When the only son in the Levin family, Tiger, heads off to war, three other siblings must face their own dramas as life takes unexpected turns. For Blair, she is pregnant with twins and must spend her summer stuck in Boston. Kirby, the middle child, spends her summer at Martha's Vineyard. The youngest, Jesse, just turns 13 and has the summer of a lifetime.
I cannot commend Hilderbrand enough for her writing talent because this is another wonderful read! If you're looking for a summer read with romance, drama, and suspense then this is the book for you! Definitely one of my favorites from her novels. 4/5 stars.
The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand
Four prominent couples on Nantucket have been the best of friends for years and when tragedy strikes, secrets begin to unwind. The MacAvoys, Kapenashes, Drakes, and Wheelers are known as the castaways and do everything together on Nantucket. After the tragic death of Tess and Greg MacAvoy in a sailing accident, the rest of the group must come to terms with their own dark secrets.
Another wonderful read that was full of suspense and beautiful writing! I love how each novel is standalone but several characters interlope into other books written by Hilderbrand. This is another summer read to add to your TBR! 5/5 stars.
Summerland by Elin Hilderbrand
When June comes around, the tradition for high school students to light a bonfire to celebrate the start of summer on Nantucket beach happens every year. Tragedy strikes when a car crash leaves one twin in a coma and the other dead, their friends must learn to pick up the pieces of a new life. The emotional damages take their toll on their surviving friends as they spend the summer grieving.
The final Hilderbrand novel I read this month did not disappoint! I cannot believe I waited this long to read it but it was the perfect time for a summer read. Highly recommend! 3/5 stars.
Emergency Contact by Mary H. K. Choi
Penny and Sam are each other's emergency contacts as they each go through a new period in their life. For Penny, she has just left home to start her first semester of college. Sam's life takes on new meaning when he learns that his ex-girlfriend is pregnant.
This novel was such a sweet read. I fell in love with the characters right away and could not put this book down. Please put this in your TBR, you will NOT regret it! 3/5 stars.
Her Dark Lies by J.T. Ellison
An unforgettable wedding with a killer on the loose. For Claire and Jack, the golden couple of the year was meant to have the perfect wedding until it is disrupted by several killings. Claire is more than ready to let go of her past and marry her fiance, Jack, along with marrying into a wealthy family.
Her Dark Lies is my favorite novel of July. I am all for thrillers and romance combined, especially with a murderer on the loose! This is my first novel from Ellison but I was hooked from the very beginning and cannot wait to dive into more of their works! 5/5 stars.
the chaos of longing by K.Y. Robinson
Split into four sections; Inception, Longing, Chaos, and Epiphany, Robinson creates a wonderful collection of poetry that explores want in the midst of trauma and shame. Some poems may contain triggers or mature content, it shows the world's true and raw emotions of those who have experienced a hard life.
Given to me by another fellow poetry enthusiast, I was happy to receive Robinson's debut poetry collection. Robinson's ability to produce such raw poetry is powerful and needed in today's world. 4/5 stars.
stargazing at noon by Amanda Torroni
Expanded by 70 new poems, Torroni takes nature and heartbreak to create a wonderful collection of poetry. Grief is the main theme of this poetry collection and is explored through a variety of beautifully written poems. The stars and moon are mentioned often to give the poetry a recurring theme.
Another poetry book gifted to me that I enjoyed immensely! As we all experience grief in our own way, Torroni shares her experience of it through pure honesty. This is refreshing poetry to read that you NEED to put in your TBR! 4/5 stars.
To America with Love: Letters From The Underground by Anita & Abbie Hoffman
One of the Chicago Seven, Abbie Hoffman faced drug charges in March of 1974 was forced to leave behind Anita (his wife) and son. During this time, they communicated only through letters in the first year. In this novel, readers are given the chance to understand the frustrations of a man who loved his country but not the functions of it and a young woman who must build a life for her son without Abbie.
After watching "The Trial of the Chicago 7", Abbie Hoffman was one of the most inspiring people in it. His journey through his 'radical' lifestyle and belief in civil rights during the 60s paved the way for future groups.
This was a novel I most anticipated for this year and was not disappointed. I am happy to have more knowledge of a man who only wanted equality and a voice in the world. 5/5 stars.
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Here are my top 12 reads of July, I hope at least one of these novels is added to your TBR! I am excited for the start of August, not only will I continue reading but I also head into my senior year of college. It has been an interesting journey to complete my bachelor's degree but I cannot wait to begin. Be on the lookout for another post soon!
Thank you for reading!
Until next time,
Riss Reviews
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