Lately, wedding planning has taken over – it’s a lot of work! Between reading reviews and the endless stream of phone calls, there’s hardly any time left for reading. Thank goodness for audiobooks and a long drive home!

July Favorites:

Borne by Jeff VanderMeer: A top-secret mega-lab loses control of the city to a giant flying bear of their own creation while the population ekes out by scavenging the wreckage. It might sound crazy, and you would be right – but it works! Here, VanderMeer tops Area X by throwing a striking cast of characters into a dangerous new world, making Borne one of the most unique and memorable stories of the year. (5 Stars)

The Punch Escrow by Tal M. Klein: In 2147, teleportation has taken the world by storm and become THE means of transportation – except it’s not so much teleportation as it is cloning, a secret Joel Byram knows all too well. A smartass who spends his days outsmarting apps with one-liners, he’s not exactly the hero we asked for, but lucky for us, he’s just the man for the job. Inventive and wildly entertaining, The Punch Escrow is a perfect mix of Dark Matter’s collusion and The Martian’s witty science. (5 Stars)

Soldier Boy by Keely Hutton: While a work of fiction, Soldier Boy is never far from the truth, following the true story of Ricky Richard Anywar from his abduction in 1989 to his coercion into guerilla warfare. An inspiring story of survival and hope, Hutton captures the human spirit while giving voice to those to often forgotten. (5 Stars)

Devastation Road by Jason Hewitt: Imagine waking to an abandoned field, with no memory of how you got there – and then add the fact that you’re in Germany during World War II. This is where we find Owen, a young English soldier who barely remembers the start of the war. A compelling take on the classic WWII melodrama, his story will have you flying through the pages as he pieces together the story of his life. (4 Stars)

Gather the Daughters by Jennie Melamed: Melamed’s haunting debut is the perfect study on life within a cult. Following a radical society on the brink of revolution, the first half of Gather the Daughters read similar to Hunger Games – a group of children desperate for change but nowhere to go as the world around them burns in the fire… but reading on, it’s undoubtedly more akin to Summerisle of The Wicker Man. (4 Stars)

A Panicked Premonition by Victoria Laurie: Getting to the 15th book in any series is always a bit daunting, the story stales, characters get repetitive, and you might be asking yourself – did I already read this one? But, I’m happy to report, this is not the case with Laurie’s Psychic Eye series! When her friend Dave is simultaneously abducted and framed for murder, it’s up to Abby and her crew to save the day. (4 Stars)

What did you read this month?