July 2018 Reading Round Up
Posted 8th August 2018
Category: Round-Ups Genres: N/A
4 Comments
For the first time in many years, I didn’t read lots of books in July. It was a busy month, not least in terms of events.
All books are works of fiction.
The Books
Ben Okri: The Famished Road – A ‘spirit’ child in Nigeria visits the inn, spends time with his father, runs away from home, and has visions, for over 500 pages. Nope, not for me. (I reviewed it at Shiny New Books for their Man Booker celebration.)
Claire Fuller: Bitter Orange – Facing death, Frances looks back to her 40s; she was asked to work at a historic estate and fell into trouble when she met a charismatic couple, there for a similar reason. A good book with a tremendously written ending.
Kirsty Ferry: Watch For Me By Candlelight – A woman who moved to a Suffolk village to run the local museum begins to have dreams and visions about a woman from the 1800s who looks very much like herself; the man with whom there was a spark when he visited the museum seems to be a part of it. A well constructed time slip romance that isn’t perfect but isn’t all that far off – you’ll have to excuse the cover as it doesn’t do the text justice.
I enjoyed two out of the three books in July; at a pinch I might pick the Ferry as my favourite because of the construction – it was very unique, with the author moving back and forth between the modern and historical versions of her character very well. But the Fuller was a great read and brought up discussions that we need to have more of in the world.
Now into August, I can say I’m reading Rosie Travers’ book from the launch I attended last week, a Nick Spalding, and I’m dipping into Americanah every couple of weeks, reading chunks of it at a time. All good books.
What are you reading at the moment and did you take part in the reverse Readathon?
August 9, 2018, 3:57 pm
I never take part in any marathons. I just don’t have the luxury of time.
Happy August!
August 10, 2018, 10:04 pm
Charlie, I am currently reading time travelling romance Hannah’s Moon by John A. Heldt, Christian non-fiction But Is It Real? by Amy Orr-Ewing and history Seven Sovereign Queens by Geoffrey Trease. I wish you happy reading in August :-)
August 15, 2018, 11:20 am
Jacqueline: A recommendation of a book you wouldn’t usually go for, from someone who knows you, can be a great thing :D
Freda: Oh, not marathons, reading :)
Jessica: I’m going to have to look up Hannah’s Moon!
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August 9, 2018, 10:52 am
Useful reviews, Charlie. I’ve just finished Before the Fall by Noah Hawley. Not my usual genre but a gift from son, and he was right – I was gripped by it, even though US terminology can trip me up. Tore through it.