What I’m Reading – July 2019
Happy July everyone! I’m linking up with Jana Says and Modern Mrs Darcy as usual to share what to read this month!
Work Book (for lunchtime reading):
Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer – A coworker recommended this sci-fi novel and I immediately dived right in. The government is conducting explorations of Area X, a cordoned off section of the country with sinister history. Prior teams have been mysteriously killed or altered, so the current four woman team has no idea what to expect. This first book in the trilogy tells the story of their expedition. Great for sci-fi fans!
House Books:
Midnight at the Blackbird Café – I requested this ARC when I heard the comparison to Sarah Addison Allen. Magical realism is such a fun genre, so this story is right up my alley. It also features a café and baking as part of the main storyline, which I always love reading about! Although it’s a bit light on the magic, I’m still enjoying the family relationships in the small southern town. I’m sensing there might be one or two new romances brewing as well 😊
A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny – On to Book #4! I’ve heard the series gets very good from here on out, which is awesome considering I’ve loved the others up until this point. Well, ok I didn’t LOVE the second book, but that was just because of one particular character. The rest is terrific.
eBooks:
Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli – It took me ages to finally read this book, but it was worth the wait. This a well-written YA love story. I liked trying to guess who was “Blue” along with Simon and was pleased when he was finally revealed!
Audio Books:
Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers – I was scrolling through my library’s audiobook selection when I came across Mary Poppins! In all my years of reading, I’ve never picked up this treasure by P.L. Travers. The audiobook narrator is perfect and tells the stories with charming voices.
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid – I’m listening to this on Scribd (so much cheaper than Audible)! Audiobooks with a full cast provide an incredible listening experience and I’m always ecstatic when I come across one. Daisy Jones is clearly one of the most popular books of the year for good reason – the characters are compelling, the story is unique and there’s a hint of mystery as you wait to find out what happens with the band. My only complaint is the overuse of clichés. Every time I hear a classic cliché I cringe a bit and it takes me out of the story. “Chickens running around with their heads cut off”, etc. It feels a bit like lazy writing. I’d still recommend the book, but probably wouldn’t make it a 5 star read at this point.
Around the Web:
Baking Through an Entire Cookbook – Lessons learned from actually trying every recipe in a cookbook. I’d love to do this someday…
Upcoming Movies Based on Classic Books – There are a few new movies coming out soon that are based on classics. I’m particularly excited for Little Women!
Fantasy Novels to Add to Your TBR – Beyond the Bookends has a massive list of fantasy novels you should read! So many good books on here.
For more mini reviews, check out Reading Roundup #55!
*Disclosure – I earn a small commission for any items purchased through the links above. Thank you for supporting my book blog!!
Thanks for sharing your current reading. I too enjoyed Garden Spells so I’m adding ….Blackbird Cafe to my list!
Glad to hear it! It’s a great read.
I liked Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda–our YA librarians all read it when the title first published. I recommend watching the movie too–it was good!
I feel like I might be the only person who doesn’t love Mary Poppins. Don’t tell anyone, though.
I actually did watch the movie right afterward and loved it!! I know they changed some little things, but it captured the overall emotions of the book very well. Ha, I’ll keep your Mary Poppins secret safe 🙂
I really liked Annihilation — I’ll be interested to see what you think when you’re done. I didn’t continue the series, but if you like it, I might be persuaded.
I used to adore audiobooks. Something after having a baby though…I listen to podcasts still, but I don’t have the attention span for books being read to me now?
That’s funny because I’m the opposite! I very rarely listened to audiobooks before baby. Now it’s easier to pop in wireless headphones or listen while I’m driving.
I’d like to listen to the audio of Daisy Jones someday. I loved the book, and I would love to hear a full cast.
It is quite an experience – I feel like I’m listening to a documentary.
I think I was 8 or 9 when I read Mary Poppins – I got it in the Puffin 50th Anniversary box set with other children’s books. I remember loving it.
Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe sounds cute. I’m adding it to my list. Simon… is already on my bookcase waiting for me to find time for it.
Hopefully you can get to Simon soon! I highly recommend!
Midnight sounds cute and I like the title.
Cliches didn’t jump out at me enough in Daisy to detract from my enjoyment of the book. Was it limited to one character?
I think it was a few of the band members, but to be fair I haven’t noticed it for a while as I get toward the end of the book. It may have jumped out more to me since I was listening (and I tend to read much faster than I listen).
Yay you have so much to look forward to with the Louise Penny books!!!! Book 4 on are awesome but like you, I really liked the first three anyway.
Think I need to add Midnight to my TBR. Loved Daisy! One of the few who thought Simon was only okay, though, lol.
I love how you break these up. It was because of finding you on this link up a few months ago that I started reading more than one book at a time. I keep a book at work, I listen to audiobooks on my drive and then a book for any other time. I thought I would struggle to keep up with them but I am loving it!
Awesome – keep it up!! My husband was the same way. He was convinced I was crazy for reading multiple books at a time. Now he’s got at least 3 going 🙂
I gave Daisy Jones a love rating but honestly , it’s more of a strong like for me. I enjoyed Evelyn more but that’s just me. I don’t remember the cliches so much but just didn’t feel the connection to the characters the way I did with Evelyn Hugo. It also got a bit repetitive, but TJR is still an amazing writer and I love how creative she was with the format. I have never read Mary Poppins, although it is one of my favorite Disney movies. I can sing all the songs. Not well, mind you. But I can sing them!
Oh, I love Simon Vs. so I’m glad you finally got a chance to read it and enjoyed it! It’s such a cute movie too. I really want to check out Daisy Jones and the Six. Hopefully soon.
-Lauren
I’m hoping to get Daisy Jones on audio soon!
I don’t like audiobooks but I’ve heard great things about the audio version of Daisy. I loved it as a traditional book!
you know, i have never read mary poppins either! i’ll see if my library has the audio. i keep hearing about scribd, need to check that out! audible is ridiculously expensive.
Audible is totally out of my price range. Scribd has a nice affiliate program too since you get a free month for every person who signs up. It’s helped a lot over the past year and it’s a service I actually want to promote!
I love the Gamache books so much
I’m so so glad I gave them a try!
Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe sounds like my kind of read! I wasn’t a huge fan of Daisy Jones, but I think it would be interesting to listen to it on audio. I haven’t read Simon yet….but I think it’s supposed to or already is being turned into a movie. It’s on my to read list so I should read it sooner than later.
Simon is a movie! I watched it right after finishing the book and loved it just as much. I’m having similar feelings about Daisy Jones now. I think after all the hype I was just expecting…more?
I wasnt a fan of daisy and was told to try it audio however I havent heard much good about that version either.
How fun that you listened to Mary Poppins!
I keep hearing how great Simon is but passing it over for other things. I’ve been enjoying YA on audio this year, so maybe I’ll have to bump it up and try it that way!
I rarely use audiobooks but when I do I use scribd. So much cheaper!!
I have heard that Daisy Jones on audio is great! I think I will try it in the future because reading the book was an meh experience for me.
I think I would enjoy the Blackbird Cafe book! Thanks for the recommendations. Tanya – The Other Side of the Road
I’m interested to hear your thoughts on Annihilation. It sounds like it could be really good … or really meh.
I loved Daisy Jones! But I was reading so fast, I didn’t notice all the cliches – maybe it’s more noticeable with the audio format?
Thanks for sharing all your reviews! xo
Annihilation was wild!! I can’t say that I liked it but boy was it unique.
Rachel, hi! And thank you for giving us a peek into your reading life …
I love the way you break this down into your different types of reading 🙂 I have different books for different times too – morning book, at work book, audio book for in the car, before bed book. I’m definitely not a read one book at a time girl!
Great mini reviews! The only one in your list I’ve read is Simon Vs. and I agree that playing the guessing game on who “Blue” was is a lot of fun.