July was filled with days spent at the beach and by the pool with a book in hand, of course! Having read 12 books, I’ll be keeping my thoughts on each read short and sweet, especially if I’ve already reviewed the book on the blog.

Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay // My Rating:4/5 Stars

Review:here

Fun Fact: There’s a film adaptation of Sarah’s Key, which I watched this month and also really enjoyed!

Dear Evan Hansen by Steven Levenson // My Rating: 5/5 Stars

Review: here

The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord// 4/5 Stars

Review: here

Just Friends by Tiffany Pitcock (ARC) // 2/5 stars

I was fortunate to receive an ARC of Just Friends, but unfortunately, I did not enjoy this friends-turned-romance story. I wasn’t a fan of the writing style and characters (two major components of a novel), and while I don’t mind books with predictable plots, I just couldn’t get into this one.

The Mothers by Brit Bennett // My Rating: 4.25/5 Stars

The Mothers isn’t a heavy plot-set book, but it was one that I really enjoyed. We grow up with these three main characters who’s past and secrets come to life as they get older. The Mothers reminded me of Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng, another diverse read that I loved in 2016.

I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo // 4/5 Stars

Review: here

A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic #3) by V.E. Schwab // 4/5 Stars

The third and final book in the Shades of Magic trilogy, I took my time reading A Conjuring of Light, since I didn’t just to rush through. These books also have slow, world-building starts that doesn’t necessarily call for fast-paced reading. However, once I hit the 300-page mark (ACOL is over 600 pages long), I felt myself immersed in this story. I really loved how this series wrapped up, ACOL now being my favorite Shades of Magic novel.

Juniper Lemon’s Happiness Index  by Julie Israel //4/5 Stars

Review: here

Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories edited by Stephanie Perkins // 4/5 Stars

I have a review for Summer Days and Summer Nights on the way, but for right now, I will say that I loved this summer-filled read, especially the stories from Leigh Bardugo and Stephanie Perkins.

Update: review here 

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath // 4/5 Stars

A classic book that I really enjoyed and didn’t read in an English class, whatttt?? I was absolutely enchanted with the writing style and story set in The Bell Jar, and a week after reading, I still find myself thinking about Esther’s story and how parallel it is to Sylvia Plath’s own life.

Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee // 4.75/5 Stars

Another review coming soon, but just know that I lovveeeeddddd Tash Hearts Tolstoy and it deserves all the hype, especially for its diversity!

Update: review here

How to Be Bad by Lauren Myracle, Sarah Mlynowski, and E.Lockhart // 3/5 Stars

I read a lot of Lauren Myracle and Sarh Mlynowki’s books growing up, and I love E.Lockharts books, so I figured I enjoy How to Be Bad. If you’re looking for a light, summertime and throwback read (HoBB was published in 2008), look no further, Waffle House and a road trip included.