July Reading Round-Up

Happy summer reading, friends! Before August slips away into a moment in time, here's what I read in July!

Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live, Susan Morrison | Biography, 4/5

As a fan of SNL, I was so excited about this book! I really enjoyed learning more about Lorne and the behind the scenes look at a week at SNL. If you’re a fan, and you really like a peek behind the curtain, I recommend this book!

The Names, Florence Knapp | Fiction, 5/5

This book is stunning. I loved the way Knapp masterfully weaved together the three storylines. I never felt lost trying to remember which events happened where. If you love family sagas and books with unique character development, I highly recommend this book.

Memorial Days: A Memoir, Geraldine Brooks | Memoir, 4.5/5

This book is stunning. While I would put it in the grief memoir category, it’s also a look at what comes after someone dies. I was deeply moved.

To Shake the Sleeping Self: A Journey from Oregon to Patagonia, and a Quest for a Life with No Regret, Jedidiah Jenkins | Memoir, 4/5

This is a memoir for millennials. I really love Jenkins’ writing style and the way he wove in his story with the bike ride. One of my life-long goals is to bike across a country, and this book had me itching to find my bike shoes.

What Kind of Paradise, Janelle Brown | Fiction, 3.5/5

While I wouldn’t describe this book as a thriller, I was really drawn into the premise and understanding Jane. The first half was a little drawn out, but I flew through the last third. If you like books with themes similar to WHAT LIES IN THE WOODS, I think you would like this one.

Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted, Suleika Jaouad | Memoir, 5/5

This is a stunning memoir. While the content is heartbreaking, Jaouad guides her readers beautifully through her story. TW: Cancer

Finding Grace, Loretta Rothschild | Fiction, 3/5

While the first chapter had my jaw on the floor, I had a hard time with the majority of this book. A lot of questionable choices made by most characters and it was really hard to root for anyone. Also the ending felt a little too clean.

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder, David Grann | Non-Fiction, 4/5

I knew nothing about this ship wreck before listening to this book, and I found it fascinating. This is a great mix of British Naval code, adventure, and drama. I appreciated how Grann wove the various accounts together. If you like Candice Millard’s writing style, I think this book is for you. Really well done on audio.