When I set my reading intention in January, July was intended to be "reading green." I intended to read about nature and the environment. Mid-June I started adding books to my pile and realized pretty quickly that this goal was not going to work for my reading mood. Every book on my TBR about nature was also about saving nature and, honestly, it was making me sad.
Instead of environmental I read green - if the book cover was green it went into the pile. Being a grownup is all about recognizing how to make a goal work for you.
GREEN READING
The green theme was actually a lot of fun and I am tempted to make this how I sort my books for 2025 reading.
I started with The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. This has been on the shelf in my house for at least two Christmases. A fast paced YA mystery was a perfect way to kick off July reading. Did it have unnecessary teen romance? Yes, it did. Maybe if I was a teen I wouldn't find it unnecessary but this is how I felt. I carried onward past the awkward teenage nicknames for the house full of secret passageways and the mystery.
Common Phrases and Where They Come From has actually been part of my personal library for years. I bought it at Half Priced Books for a project and only peeked at sections. Thought the month I read a chapter. If you love etymology, you will probably also enjoy learning where popular phrases originated. Loved it.
Goblin Mode was audiobook 1 of 2 for July. This one was super cute. As far as aesthetics go, I'm probably half-goblin. This book really emphasized my reluctance to "be one with nature." Likely, because I am allergic to so much of it. The book would have been better in physical form since the use of "goblin" was more obvious in audiobook form. The narrator said it 1000 times and I think my brain would have just skimmed it when reading. I won't be growing mushrooms in my house but I do like the intentionality of decorating with your collection of odd things.
How to Focus has also been on my shelf forever. Honestly? This one wasn't for me. It manages to be very short and also incredibly repetitive. If you are looking for a zen primer on how to focus that lacks any concrete steps, you can have my copy.
Eat and Flourish, How Foods Support Emotional Well Being was audiobook 2 of 2 and, apologies in advance, this one has me talking. The science behind the gut brain connection is fascinating to me. And, as someone who lost their appetite a while back, this book has me interested in eating again. The book lacks all judgment, has actual scientific evidence (no anecdotes here!) concrete steps to take and recipes. I will be looking for a physical copy to further attack my gut's lack of food diversity. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in supporting your mental health through food.
We've Been Too Patient Voices from Radical Mental Health is a book that took me all month to read as well. This one made me very sad. Mental health is the most ignored section of medicine in America - which is saying something considering the state of our healthcare. My take away from this book is that a village of people can make all the difference for people struggling with mental health crisis. Sadly, it can also take just one provider listening to change a life.
Mid July I started back with insomnia. My trusty Kindle became less trusty and I had to invest in a new e-reader. For the second half of the month I need to give credit to my new kindle and the little weird clicker that turns the pages for you. For only $20, the little clicker is both a great accessibility device and a cozy way to keep reading.
The Good and the Green was the first insomnia read. This book was perfect for keeping me company on long stretches of night and was just adorable. An inherited property in the Wild, a found family in the village, a strange but attractive man next door - tick tick tick! This was a cozy one. And it is a series! Page after page of kindness winning over evil. Loved it.
Meanwhile, there was The Friend Zone. This was a great big pooper of a book. This was emotional manipulation. I'm not sure I will be able to read this author again. I literally finished the book and went directly to the one star Goodreads reviews to see if it was just me.
The Green Witch's Grimoire was how to set up your own Grimoire. While I am quite sure that I have zero green witch talents, I do love the idea of setting up my own Grimoire. I will pass this one along to someone in my life with a true talent with plants to put into action.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was my keepsake from a trip to DC. This book is gorgeously illustrated and has pop ups. The illustrations by Minalima are everything I have come to expect from that dynamic duo. The story was a surprise as well! Am I the only one that didn't know the slippers were actually silver? Likewise, while social media presents this as a girl unable to complete her goal without stopping to help men, I was delighted to see all four of Dorothy's companions refuse to move onto their own lives until she achieved her goal of returning to Kansas. Ah, found friends supporting each other is a soft spot for me. I don't think I will continue with the series but this was a magical read this month.
MORE GREEN BOOKS
I started too many and have some hold overs that I will continue to read into August.
I am listening to What the River Knows and I am only 1/4 was into the book but I cannot wait to return. This magical realism book is set in Egypt and, with an added mystery, I look forward to listening everyday.
The Kindness Method is the best book I have ever read about being compassionate to yourself when setting and achieving goals. I am taking my time with this one.
Caramelo is a weird and hilarious book about a family from Chicago that travels to Mexico each year to stay with Awful Grandmother. Why did I leave this one on my shelf for this long?
NOT GREEN BOOKS
There are always a few books that don't fit the theme. Such is the life of a mood reader. The more I try to control my reading, the less I read. So, onward!
Can you blame me? She kept ending the books on cliffhangers! Thank you Jennifer for keeping me company at night and for writing such entertaining books. To your editor - the overuse of nicknames in the teen romance needs a pruning. Every time Jameson called Avery "Heiress" I wanted to kick him. Hard. That small complaint aside, I couldn't put these down.
Tell me, please! What did you read in July?
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