The Side Table

July has been a long hot scorcher in my area. So I tried to get as much sun as I could when it wasn’t trying to boil everyone alive and then move inside to a cooler area with a good book. Of course, then there’s work, so balancing out reading time can be a bit challenging. But I’m proud of myself for getting through a small portion of my reading list.

1. Delilah Green Doesn’t Care

I managed to finish this in one day. I started it bright and early, sitting on my porch with a cup of homemake iced coffee, and laughed my way through their absurd shenanigans of trying to break up Delilah’s stepsister’s engagement while also rooting for Delilah and Claire, Astrid’s maid of honor. I love romances and romantic comedies are my favorite (in book form, not movies), so to find a queer romantic comedy that had bisexual representation and a promising premise, I was all in. This is the first in a series, I found out, so I’ll defiantly be looking at the next book, but this can also be a stand alone for all those hopeless romantic queers out there.

TW: grief, handling of grief, mentions of past cheating, toxic relationship with family members

2. She Gets the Girl

I went in thinking this was going to be a fake dating trope. It was not, surprisingly, but it was a lovely “I’m helping you to show someone that I can change and you obviously need my help because you are in way over your head” twist. I laughed at this 5 step plan Alex ‘created’ to help Molly get her long time crush so she can prove she’s a changed person to her girlfriend. It’s as bizarre as it sounds but was so entertaining! The growing friendship between Alex and Molly was so organic and meaningful, I found myself imagining these two already in a relationship not too long after they got to ‘step one’ of their plan. Great book of strangers-to-friends-to-best friends-to-lovers.

TW: mentions of alcoholism and emotional abuse

3. A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

When I tell you that I haven’t read this level of magical world building since Harry Potter (and it was presented twice as efficiently and quickly), I mean I could imagine almost everything about this magical world living quietly around us without us knowing by the first chapter. I am blown away by the description of everything and the mystery was so smoothly integrated so it wasn’t overbearing nor was it pushed to the side. But the growing relationship between Robin and Edwin was so sweet and charged at the same time, I did find myself demanding they stop being so stubborn and just talk about their feelings. Then I remembered they were higher society Englishmen during the Edwardian times and had to remind myself of the political and societal issues of the time. And how could I not love the secondary female characters who are just as vibrant as their male counterparts and aren’t concerned with niceties when there’s work to be done? It’s the first in The Last Binding Series and I’m putting the next book’s release on my calendar.

TW: Torture, death, attempted murder, and racism/classism but it’s not too prevalent in the writing.

4. Alice Isn’t Dead by Joseph Fink

I’m a bit embarrassed it took me so long to get to this book when I found out how good it was. The pacing was great, the twists were amazing, and I loved the characters so much, with their faults and quirks. When I knew it was a podcast turned into a book, the styling of the chapters made more sense, reflecting episodic increments. But that didn’t take away from the story but just made it easier to read. The saga is a whirlwind ride and full of twists and turns to delight.

TW: Death, violence, gore, anxiety, mental illness

5. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

This one was a staple in most Booktok recommendation videos. I have never found such a wholesome found family and gentle queer romance story. I was curled up with a cup of tea reading this and enjoying every moment of it. Linus’ change was in line with his character and he didn’t even change that much; he just acknowledged and accepted a lot of his natural changes. Each character was unique and the children were a pleasure with their quirks and personalities. This will probably be a book I recommend to people who want a nice queer found family read.

TW: Mentions of past child abuse

6. Of Hexes and Heists by S.L. Prater

I was excited for this book; I’d pre-ordered and everything. But I DNF’d after 6 pages. I usually can make it to the 100 page mark, but I just couldn’t connect to the story at all. There was a lot thrown at me in exposition with very little connected to the character and then when I saw there was a mix of technology and magic that felt like it was just there and not integrated like it could have been, I just closed the book. It’s now been donated to my works’ open library for someone else to enjoy.

TW: mature rating, sexual situations

So out of the 11 I chose, I managed to get to 6 with only one DNF. I say that’s pretty good. I think that deserves a reward. To the coffee shop! I think I can splurge on a fun caffeine drink.

How did everyone do with your reading goals for July? Did the heat (if you had it in your area) help you or hinder you? What did you read? Hope August goes better.