Awwww well … July went by so fast! Cannot believe we have one more month of summer left! As we welcome August in our home, I am so so grateful for an incredible month with my girls.

I read 6 books in July … including MY OWN! I really sampled just about every genre this past month: poetry, essays, romance, historical fiction, thriller via audiobook, print, Kindle … !

Here’s what I read:

poemspartum: pregnancy, postpartum, motherhood, seasons (growth) by Kassondra Mangione

EEP! It’s my book. I am SO excited!

Publishing my own book has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl, and I am so happy it’s finally here. If you don’t own a copy yet, click here to BUY yourself one!

Yours Truly (Part of Your World #2) by Abby Jimenez

I LOVEDDD this series and I am so grateful I picked up the third one not realizing it was the third one! If you are looking for a fun, smart, and inclusive romance series, pick up Jimenezes books!

Middle of the Night by Riley Sager

I’ve been on the “I’m never reading one of Sagers’ books again” train for about two years now, but I am still reading his books! I had to stop and then pick this one up again because I wasn’t enjoying the first person perspective (don’t worry he changes it up) and then I got into the groove. This one is creepy at times, and I didn’t really see the ending coming (though it was kind of like … “eh, whatever OK” once I got to the reveal.

I just don’t know why I keep reading his books!!

These Precious Days by Ann Patchett (Essays)

My next writing project will be a book of essays, so I am reading a number of memoirs and books of essays to learn more about the craft and learn more about people I admire. I was surprised by Ann … I love her books, and her essays proved her to be an … interesting and inspiring person!

The Briar Club by Kate Quinn

I love me some Kate Quinn and she did not disappoint! What an INTERESTING and DIFFERENT approach to writing a historical fiction novel (at least for Quinn!) I loved this one and how each woman (!!) in the boarding house represented a different movement during that moment in history. And a whodunnit? With a twist? Loved it.

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

I listened to this one (my first Moore) and goodness … I loved every second. Excellent narrator/storyteller and a captivating, creepy, eerie, chilling book. Highly recommend this one! One I cannot stop thinking about!

What did you read this month?