July Reads

Day of the Duchess Sarah MacLean (physical copy)

Evicted: Poverty and Profit In the American City – Matthew Desmond (ebook)

Distant View of A Minaret – Alifa Rifaat (physical copy)

A Man Called Ove – Fredrik Backman (audiobook)

Love on the Ledge – Zoraida Cordova (physical copy)

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe -Benjamin Alire Saenz (audiobook)

Modern Lovers – Emma Straub (physical copies)

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass – Meg Medina (physical copy)

Before the Fall – Noah Hawley (physical copy)

Slow Boat to China and Other Stories – Ng Kim Chew (ebook galley)

What We Lose – Zinzi Clemmons (physical copy – galley)

Exit West – Mohsin Hamid (physical copy)

Kindred – Octavia E. Bulter (ebook)

13 books/69 Total

I had a great reading month! I actually really enjoyed everything I read this month so I will just put a quick blurb about each one.

Day of the Duchess – Sarah MacLean

When your romance starts off with a couple headed for divorce, it takes skill craft a happy ending. Enjoyable romp and I love the Sisters – they are so amazing.

Evicted: Poverty and Profit In the American City – Matthew Desmond

I read this for my resistance reads group and it was eye opening. Real people had their stories told with respect, compassion and hope.

Distant View of A Minaret – Alifa Rifaat

Apparently this writer has little “western” education – so this made for a wonderful read for real insight into the Middle East/Northern African Life.

A Man Called Ove – Fredrik Backman

Normally not my thing (grouchy old white guys) but it was hilarious and well paced.

Love on the Ledge – Zoraida Cordova

Super sexy and fun! Wonderful heroine and realistic family portrayals.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe -Benjamin Alire Saenz

First – this was narrated by Lin-Manual Miranda so it was already going to be perfect. BUT THEN…

I mean we explore heritage, love, marriage, death and friendship so that’s even more perfect BUT ARI AND DANTE?!??! JUST amazing, perfect, real, REAL, REAL characters. JUST READ IT OK?? If you ever wonder about the hype around YA – THIS IS WHY! I mean, I UGLY cried in PUBLIC in NYC, that should tell you everything.

Modern Lovers – Emma Straub

It would be easy to write this off as fluff – but it’s so sweet and honest and very Ditmas Park real.

I cast the movie of this book on the train everyday.

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass – Meg Medina

When people talk about bullies, this book should be mentioned. It deftly creates the claustrophobia of bullying and the impact on everyone involved. Also, the characters are superb.

Before the Fall – Noah Hawley

Unexpectedly vivid and engrossing. A bit too real when it comes to talking about modern media. Don’t read this on a plane.

Slow Boat to China and Other Stories – Ng Kim Chew

Very dense and reflexive – I wish I was still in college so this could be unpacked with someone knowledgeable. Made me want to read more works centered around China and their relationship to Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan.

What We Lose – Zinzi Clemmons

Honestly, how are people such amazing writers ON THEIR DEBUT? Zinzi took one emotion, grief, and refracted it into amazing prisms. Gorgeous, harsh and raw. It made me want to take so many notes and share them with someone.

Exit West – Mohsin Hamid

Dreamy, and brutal this fairytale like book about immigration and love is a must read for 2017.

Kindred – Octavia E. Bulter

You know how everyone is (rightly) pissed about Confederate? Yeah this is the exact opposite and just such amazing insight into human behavior. It’s so easy to judge anyone in this novel and once you do – you question yourself and then change your mind. Just read it. I’m pretty sure I’ll read this at least once a year in the future.