My July Reading List
Someone Else’s Fairytale by E. M. Tippetts
Hometown celebrity Jason’s a movie star, but Chloe has never seen any of his shows. She’s more interested in finishing her education. Chloe’s best friend has a crush on her. Who will she end up marrying?
Tears of the Silenced by Misty Griffin
Raised in isolation, Misty and her sister suffer abuse at her controlling step-father’s hands before being sent to live with a sect of Amish. This powerful book is billed as an “Amish True Crime Memoir,” but is more about how a man uses the mantle of the Amish faith by converting to cover up his own crimes. Despite the horrible abuse that Misty endures, she survives to tell her story, becoming an activist for abuse survivors everywhere. I borrowed this book from Amazon Prime Reading–if you haven’t tried Amazon Prime Reading, check it out.
I’ll Never Tell by Catherine McKenzie
This was another of my Amazon Prime Free books. As an Amazon Prime member, you can borrow ten books each month at no charge. Note: this is not the same as the paid Kindle Unlimited service.
After the death of their parents, the four grown MacAllister children return to the family-run summer camp for the reading of the will. Years ago, a shadow fell over the camp when Amanda Holmes was found dead. Now, the four MacAllister siblings need to decide whether to sell or keep the camp, but in order to do so, they need to find out what really happened to Amanda. The motivation of the various characters is what keeps the action rolling in this thriller as the reader tries to keep a timeline of who was where when.
They Called Us Enemy by George Takei
They Called Us Enemy is a graphic novel that I pre-ordered from Amazon, and believe me, it was well worth the wait. The book follows young George Takei and his family as they are sent to a Japanese internment camp during World War II. I can’t wait to share it with my students this fall.
Many of my students who turn their noses up at traditional books will read graphic novels. This memoir is important because it covers a part of American history that is rarely mentioned. I know that I did not hear about American Japanese Internment camps until I was in graduate school. Imprisoning people on the sole basis of their race or genealogy was wrong and should never happen again. Children do need to learn about this part of our history, so that they do not repeat the mistakes of our forefathers.
They Called Us Enemy is my favorite book on this July reading list. I think everyone should read it.
Fake It for Me by Weston Parker
Bella leaves home to intern at Adrian’s social media company in Greece, but gets lost on her first day of work. Adrian rescues her, but doesn’t let her know he owns the company. They have fun spending time together as friends, but things become a little more complicated when his mother insists he bring his new “girlfriend” home to meet the family.
The Triplet Scandal by Layla Valentine
Grace’s boss, Sebastian, offers her half a million dollars for a two-year marriage of convenience, money she desperately needs to pay off her student loans. The problem? Sebastian isn’t a very attentive fiance. His rival Leon McKnight meets Grace at a party, and there is an instant attraction. After Sebastian and Grace fight, one thing leads to another, and Grace ends up pregnant…with Leon’s triplets!
Ten Little Girls by Willow Rose
It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. Ten little girls go off to school one day, but when the bus comes home, they are nowhere to be found. One by one, cryptic notes based on the old “Ten Little Indians” song begin to appear. If Rebekka Franck and detective Jack Ryder can’t figure out the meaning of each one in time, the girls will die one by one.
Dead End Girl by LT Vargus and Tim McBain
Dead End Girl is an FBI thriller that I borrowed for free with Amazon Prime Reading. A serial killer is on the loose, and the only witness is unreliable. Despite push-back from the local police, rookie agent Violet Darger must find the killer before more women die.
Come with Me by Katy Kaylee
Because of a misunderstanding (and a conniving “friend”), Alex and Michaela break up through text messaging. Unbeknownst to Alex, Michaela is pregnant. Five years later, he’s her new boss, but still doesn’t know about little A.J. Will she tell him? Or will he figure out her secret on his own?
Come with Me is the first book in the Second Chances Forever Boxed Set. To be honest, it’s really just hot and heavy fluff. However, you do get four Kindle books for only 99 cents.
Love You Forever by Katy Kaylee
Right after college graduation, Dallas leaves before his long-time girlfriend Mayci can tell him she’s pregnant. Six years later, he’s back in town. Luckily for Mayci , Raya is small for her age, and Dallas has no idea that she’s his. Eventually, Mayci will have to decide if she trusts that Dallas will stay around this time and not disappear from their lives.
This is the second book in the Second Chances Forever boxed set.
Forgotten Bones by Vivian Barz
A car accident leads to the grisly discovery of the body of a young boy on the farm of a known pedophile. Soon, more bodies crop up. College professor Eric Evans is new to town and keeps having hallucinations of a boy dressed in overalls and his macabre horse. Eric tells police officer Susan Marlan about the visions, and together they try to solve the mystery of who these children were and what happened to them.
Forgotten Bones is the first book in the Dead Remaining series. It’s a great book with well-developed characters and a lot of twists. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely read other works by Vivian Barz.
Littler Women: A Modern Retelling by Laura Schaefer
Back in June, I read a graphic novel version of Little Women called Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy and was really impressed. The same week, I picked up Littler Women. In this book geared for grades 4-8, the girls are a little younger, but face many of the same problems that their counterparts do in the original Little Women. This is a great book to get your child interested in the classic!
If you’re interested in the graphic novel adaption, check out my June reading list here. I think the graphic novel would be great for grades 6-12.
What You Did by Claire McGowan
Six college friends meet for a weekend reunion. Everything seems to be going well until Karen accuses Mike of rape. Did he do it? Or, has he been falsely accused?
What You Did is a great thriller full of twists and turns. Just when you think you know what really happened, you’ll find out how wrong you actually are.
The Marriage Effect by Karla Sorensen
I was excited to find this new book by Karla Sorensen. Earlier this year, I read books 1 and 2 in her Washington Wolves series, and I was hoping that she would write Paige’s story next. Check out my March reading list to read about the first two books. I did read the books in order, but you wouldn’t need to do so.
Paige has inherited a large sum of money, but must be married to claim it. Logan has custody of his four young sisters, and his married brother is challenging his guardianship. A marriage of convenience has benefits for both Logan and Paige. Add four 12-16 year old girls to the mix, lots of drama and hi-jinks, and you’ll have a great story. This was one of my favorite books this month!
Conclusions about my July reading list
What a great variety of books you read! Thanks for all these recommendations.
I love that you’re a reader! I always want to read, but after soo much time on the computer, I’m more drawn to audio books. So checking out a few of these titles.
Amazing list. Each one caught my attention. I really need to save this.
What a great list! I want to check most of these out! I love to read, but struggle with time to do it, so I mostly do audiobooks
My commute isn’t long enough for audiobooks. However, I did listen to two in June. I really enjoyed Sadie!
I have a book club meeting tonight where it was byob (bring your own book) and I can’t wait to see what everyone else read this month. I can see myself reading a few of these titles before summer ends and there’s no more reading by the beach.
Oh my, I love your list. I didn’t realize George Takaei wrote a book!! Also, I am so behind this week because of a puppy too. Ahh so much time and energy but so much love!!
This summer went by way too fast! I haven’t had a chance to catch up on my reading either. I have no clue how you managed to read 14 books in July. I’ll be adding What You Did and Tears of the Silenced to my reading list. My bookcase in my office of “to read and review” is getting really full! I need to catch up on that.
Excellent reading suggestions. I love to read but don’t have much time lately. I just listen to some audiobooks in the car.
Not only is this an intriguing list of books, but I learned something new! I didn’t know as an Amazon prime member, I could borrow 10 books a month for free. Thanks for sharing that little tidbit of knowledge 🙂
That’s a pretty thorough reading list! To be honest, the Amish stories are probably the only ones I would read except that I think the one that you wrote about is based on a true story. I think I remember hearing about it. I really love listening to Amish audiobooks but they are pretty innocent ones that kind of just leave me happy and a little bit firmer in my faith. I used to like mysteries but not so much anymore. I think my listening to audiobooks is like taking a mini-vacay from a stressful life. Have fun when school starts!
Wow 14 books in a month is impressive! I definitely need to up my reading game! Thanks for sharing your list of books along with the descriptions because now I have some more to pick through!
I love the range of genres you have in your reading list! I always admire people who can appreciate a wide genre of reads. I usually tend to stick with horror/sci-fi (I need that edge of my seat excitement it seems these days) but there are a few of these books that look really good! Thanks for sharing your list! I am always interested in what others are reading!
oh wow-I couldn’t make it through the “Ten Little Girls” book! Too scary for me lol! You have so many good picks here! You’re making me want to read more!
I had no idea there was a modern telling of Little Women. Now I curious about it.
It’s definitely for the elementary aged crowd, but it was cute. I’m hoping to steer some of my kids into reading the original version by allowing them to read the easier version and then comparing.
This looks an interesting list of books. I wonder how do you get time to read so much. I am not at all good in managing to read books. This is something I need to work on.
I am heading on vacation and wanted to get some books on kindle to read and here you have come up with an amazing list and reviews. Love your work and keep it up. Jerry Godinho
Great list! Thanks for sharing, will be bookmarking this for later when I’m done with my current book I’m on! – Hope, nonstopmomlife.com
I’ll never tell and Dead end girl look like they would be a great suspense read! Thanks for putting this list together.
I wanna get my hands on the Dead End Girl so bad! I am one of those people who are obsessed with crime stories involving serial killers!
You have a great list going. I envy those who read a lot. I need to pull off my socks too. Getting inspired.
Eclectic and fascinating list. I didn’t know about Amazon Prime Reading – I’ll have to check that out. Thanks for the heads up!
These look like great reads.
I’m always interested in what you are reading. Since I don’t like graphic novels, I’m checking to see if it comes as a novel.
I have really gotten out of reading and I want to get back into it. You have shared some good picks! I love a good read on a rainy day!