July was a fun month. My reading was back up, my sister is here, and we’ve been doing lots of nice things. The weather has been… nice but rather terrifying, especially with wildfires all over the UK and a lot of us now under drought conditions.
Reading Wrap
In June I read 9 books! I had a great month of reads with a lot of variety and some good pace. I’ve learned that mixing things up helps keep me going: even if the genre is the same, the subject matter needs to differ. I also have a contender for favourite fiction of the year: The Once and Future Witches.
Titles with a * have been gifted.
- Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood. After June I had no idea what to read, and my sister chose this for me. It’s cute, witchy, cosy and has found family. Loved it.
- Open Throat by Henry Hoke. A short, unique climate fiction. This story is told through the eyes of a mountain lion, and it’s one that definitely left me with lots of thoughts.
- Uncharmed by Lucy Jane Wood. I enjoyed Rewitched a lot, so I picked up book 2, and it was just as cosy and lovely as the first.
- The Killer Question by Janice Hallett. I am a Janice Hallett fangirl. I love epistolary novels, and this is an epistolary murder mystery. So much fun, I highly recommend her books.
- Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling. A climate fiction that was very different to what I was expecting. I liked it overall, but there was one PoV I definitely preferred. An interesting commentary on rich vs poor and climate refugees.
- Beauty of the Beasts* by Jo Wimpenny. Wonderful non-fiction looking at creatures we hate and fear. The writing was brilliant, and I really enjoyed it.
- Her Roots Reclaimed* (eARC) by Danielle Lauren. A standalone following a girl who is ostracised as a witch, turns out to actually be one, and goes in search of others like her. Great writing, keep an eye out for release!
- Break Room by Mi-ye Lee. Translated from Korean, a novella following office ‘villains’ on a game show. It was just okay for me, but an interesting take on understanding how others might perceive you.
- The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow. Goodness me the writing in this book is amazing. I LOVED it. Three sisters, coming together to rediscover witchcraft in a place where witches are locked up, yes please.
Books ACQUIRED
I gained 8 books in June, which is rather a lot for me! I am really lucky to have some great relationships with publishers, and received 7 this month. I am starting to feel a little overwhelmed with my proof stack, but hopefully I can get through them now my reading pace is back up. I also made one purchase from a rare venture into the city.
- The Jewel and the Comet by Tim Pratt (from Angry Robot)
- The Fall and Rise of the Molkky Bar Kids by Neil Squires (from Icon Books)
- Yellow Pine by Claire Vaye Watkins (from Riverrun Books)
- Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy (from Vintage)
- Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy (from Vintage)
- Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil by Oliver Darkshire
- The Walking Cure by Annabel Streets (from Bloomsbury)
- Boglands by Merritt R. Turetsky (from Profile Books)
Reading Challenges
I have three more squares checked off of r/Fantasy Book Bingo this month! Nearly back on track!
Open Throat went in to ‘Non-Human Protagonist’, as the main character is a lion.
Uncharmed was for ‘Feast Your Eyes’, since the MC is a baker and owns a bakery and food gets a lot of page time!
Finally, Her Roots Reclaimed went in ‘Indie/Self Published’, since it was an eARC from an Indie author.
For my Pagebound badge progress report, I gained the Summer 2026 Readalong badge. I had previously read Empress of Salt and Fortune, and participated in the forums to earn the badge. I also recieved the silver One and Done Fantasy badge on joining the quest when it launched.
I read 1 book towards the bronze Minibeasts badge, 1 towards platinum Cosy Fantasy, and 1 towards silver Through the Eyes of Beasts.
Blog Wrap
REVIEWS:
DISCUSSIONS:
- Ten Books About Cats!
- Let’s Talk Bookish: Participating in Discussion Posts
- Ten Books by New-to-Me Authors
- Ten Books That Live In My Head Rent Free
- Ten Books I Still Haven’t Read…
READING UPDATES:
- June Wrap-Up
- 2026 Mid-Year Check-In
- WWW Wednesday: 08/07/26
- WWW Wednesday: 14/07/26
- WWW Wednesday: 22/07/26
- WWW Wednesday: 29/07/26
Life Wrap
July was busy! My sister is still here, so we went out and about doing many things. Lots of houses & gardens visited, walks taken, coastal towns explored and more pottery made.
I also went to stay with a friend and we spent a lot of time by the sea, since it was during yet another heatwave. We actually went down to the beaches in the evenings and the sunsets were so beautiful.
Pages of Emma 
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