July was something of a whirlwind month; I honestly don’t remember half of what I did. I got accepted into university which sort of took over my brain! I never got my degree when I was younger, and so I have decided to do so now in my 30’s! I’ll be studying Plant Science and I am buzzing about it!

Reading Wrap

In July I read 10 books! I am exclaiming because I honestly thought I’d only read about 5. Though it does explain the rather large list of reviews I now have to write…
Anyway, I had a great month and read a real variety of books. A lot of the usual fantasy, some more literary fiction, and I also started to read through the Wainwright Prize longlisted books.

• A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett. Book 2 of Shadow of the Leviathan and RJB is firmly in the favourite author camp. Murder mystery fantasy is just so fun.
• Stay for a Spell by Amy Coombe. This is a very advanced copy, not out till next year! Such a cute and cosy romantasy set in a bookstore. Trust me, you’ll want to bookmark this one.
• Nature Needs You by Hannah Bourne-Taylor. A non-fiction following the author as she campaigns for the rights of swifts in the UK. These incredible birds are at risk and her passion was incredible. Longlisted for the Wainwright Prize for Conservation Writing.
• 1984 by George Orwell. Hated this book. Read it anyway. I ignored my own DNF rule because I felt this one was important enough in subject matter to read. It was, but I still didn’t like it haha.
• The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar. A beautiful little fantasy novella. Fully illustrated, which brought the story to life, and the writing was so poetic.
• Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton. A lovely book about what happened when the author found a tiny leveret (baby hare) and took it in. I can see why this book is so loved! It didn’t blow me away, but I enjoyed it. Longlisted for the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing.
• The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. A creepy, but not scary, take on witches. Super atmospheric and definitely had me nervously looking out of my windows at night! The publisher sent me this book to read.
• Helm by Sarah Hall. A fictional take on the real Helm wind in Cumbria. Wonderfully written, and blends magic, folklore, history and climate science. Review to come at the weekend. Sent to me by the publisher.
• Dot Slash Magic by Liz Shipton. Really fun urban fantasy where magic meets AI. The MC is great and the whole thing is a bit bonkers in the best way. Sent to me by the publisher.
• The Dream Gatherer by Kristen Britian. Green Rider 6.5, a nice collection of stories that isn’t integral to the series. You know what I’m going to say. Read Green Rider!!

Reading Challenges

As with June, I didn’t make any progress with r/Fantasy Book Bingo, or Friends Recommend. I did read books that will fit bingo, but I am saving them for a second card, since I already have my main card planned out.

The Diverse Baseline is going well, with each month filled in, and a good number of bonus prompts. I read my monthly book and one bonus book this month.

I am also still on track for reading 50% of the choices for Rewild Your Shelf. I didn’t pick up this month’s book, so I am on 3/6 books.

Life Wrap

You Tell Me: How was your June? What your best read?