Book Review: July 2023

Reading at the beach, on the deck and lots of places outside. My review for the month includes 6 fiction books, one memoir and one personal development. I often read more fiction at the beach and this was certainly the case this summer. What books did you love this month? And which missed the mark? I’d love for you to share in the comments below.

"The Rules of Civility" by Amor Towles

5 stars

Set in NYC in 1938, this was an awesome historical fiction book. I love the characters and the overlapping storylines. The dialogue is clever in that snappy 1930's way and the characters are well developed with complexities and oddities. I was actually pleased that a male author could write female characters so well. My husband recommended this book to me (I know, I was surprised as well!) and I really enjoyed it. A favorite fiction book for me in 2023

"The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida" by Shehan Karunatilaka

4 stars

A unique and creative book about a war photographer in Sri Lanka. Well, it's about his ghost actually and the quest he must go on. The story moved quickly and I liked getting to know the various characters. I think this would be considered in the "fantasy" genre. Themes of how humans show up for each other and what we do when our truth is buried kept me engaged. Full of imagination and details, this is an enjoyable read.

"The Revisionists" by Thomas Mullen

4 stars

Dystopian time travel within the deep state. This was a thriller that was interesting and quick-paced. Some of the plot was a bit weird but it's dystopian so I guess that tracks. Is history really what we think it is? Who writes history and how is it remembered at a micro level and the macro level? Does changing one element of the past make for a better, more peaceful future or are humans resolved to repeat the same mistakes over and over again? Lots of thoughts to ponder. 

"Have You Seen Me?" by Kate White

2 stars

A beach read that was pretty cheesy and superficial. I want to fact check some of the psychological conditions around "dissociation" and memory loss. I found it annoying how the main character, who just went through a trauma, was still drinking so much. The husband was dumb and the characters shallow. Pass. 

"Uncultured" by Daniella Mestyanek Young

5 stars

My favorite book of the month! I love cults, and have always been fascinated by them. The language, symbols, rituals, secrets and promises. How we go from autonomous beings to fully dependent on the whims and rules of the leaders. The author was born into the "Children of God" cult (aka "The Family") and her story is both tragic and hopeful. I don't want to give away any details but this is one of the best memoirs I have ever read. I cried, I was angry, I rolled my eyes and threw up my hands. More information about Daniella and her incredible story here. TW: abuse, sexual assault, suicide. 

"Are you there God, It's me Margaret" by Judy Bloom

5 stars

Reading this book as a kid was something many girls did, including me. I loved it in the 90s so to revisit it 25+ years later was really cool. A classic that is a beautiful reminder to be kind because we don't know what someone else is going through. Also, what a joy to have a childhood before cell phones! 

"Pineapple Street" by Jenny Jackson

4 stars

A sweet and empathetic read about a wealthy family in NYC. All families are weird right? But when the family is super rich, they get away with things the rest of us don't. Class, much like race and gender can take different shapes over time and understanding the intersectionality of these parts of our personality is interesting. A nice palate cleanser after reading "Uncultured." 

"Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning" by Margareta Magnusson

4 stars

This book reached me at the right time, as my mom was just moving back East. After 9 years in Montana she moved to New Hampshire to be closer to my sister and grandkids. She did a lot (a LOT) of cleaning to remove things that aren't necessary for a smaller home and simpler life. What I love about the philosophy in the book, which is what my mother did as well, is that cleaning out your home is a gift to your children and grandchildren. You are removing clutter, furniture etc and finding it a new home...either through an estate sale, the dump or other means. I also listened to this book while cleaning which made me feel happy. 

Monthly book total: 8

Annual book total: 52