July was not a good month for reading – which is why I have chosen to lump it in with June for this wrap up!

In June/July I read 6 books. 1 audio book, 4 ebooks and 1 physical book. 1 book was a re-read

Wrap Up

I listened to the audiobook of Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell after a recommendation from What Victoria Read on Youtube. This was a fascinating read and I loved the discussion on the language of cults and cultish behaviour. I also enjoyed (is that the right word?!?) the peek behind the scenes into life inside a cult. It sent me on a Netflix binge for cult documentaries!

Cuckoo In the Nest was the Book Club pic for Jules at The Reading Paramedic and this was a strong 4 star read for me. I had a brilliant time with Jackie and really enjoyed the story in her voice. The topics were tough in places, but Jackie’s humour shone through. It was a real highlight of the month to join the book club discussion with Jules and the author, Fran Hill, and learn more about the book and it’s origins.

My youngest is getting into the Harry Potter films and this made we decide to re-read book 1, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone which I read via ebook.

The Chalk Pit by Elly Griffiths was the next Ruth Galloway novel for me to dive into. This is book 9 so the final book 15 (just out in paperback I believe), is getting ever closer. I enjoyed the setting of this one, and as ever the personal lives of the main characters are just as interesting as the mystery itself!

I was completely drawn in by the title of Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater and had to read it. This was a 5 star read and I was completely taken with the story of Roach and Laura. No spoilers, but I loved the book shop setting and although neither character was particularly likeable, I was desperate to know where the story would go. And the ending….

Finally, I read my first Val McDermid book in July. The set up for 1979 really intrigued me as it is the start of a series where we will go back and revisit our main character Allie Burns every decade (the sequel is 1989). I love this idea and can’t wait to see how Allie, a journalist at the bottom of the pile in a local newsroom, will fare through the decades. Allie was a really likeable character to me, and I can’t wait to see what she is up to in 1989.

What have you been reading this month?