What’s on your bookshelf: July

Thistles and Kiwis

The past month’s reading has been a real mix of highs and lows. It started well, and ended well, and in between there was a possible book of the year, a disappointing read and one I still can’t make up my mind about.

First on the list for this month was Lost Lambs by Madelaine Cash. I wasn’t sure what to make of this when I picked it up (another hideous cover, no doubt AI generated), but it turned out to be a book I really enjoyed. As the blurb says

The Flynn family is coming undone. Catherine and Bud’s open marriage has reached its breaking point as their daughters spiral in their own chaotic: Abigail, the eldest, is dating a man in his twenties nicknamed War Crime Wes; Louise, the middle child, maintains a secret correspondence with an online terrorist; the brilliant youngest, Harper, is being sent to wilderness reform camp due to her insistence that someone—or something—is monitoring the town’s citizens.

Moreover, there are rumours of curruption about local Paul Alabaster, a billionaire shipping magnate. Only Harper, whose obsession with a mysterious shipping container sends the family hurtling into a criminal conspiracy. The book was funny, full of weird and wonderful events, but the best bit was the end. I can’t tell you how positive and uplifting it was, and so nice for a book like this to have a happy ending.

Next up, a book I had started before I left for Europe and finished off on our return. This was easy enough to do as it is a series of vignettes rather than a novel. I think I have had enough of this sort of book for a while that is all I will say. I can’t say anything bad about it, but I have read too many similar.

So to what will definitely be on my list of favourite books of the year, the latest from Elizabeth Strout The Things We Never Say. A book that had me smiling, crying and pondering all at once and in a good way. Strout draws her characters so well, you feel you actually know the people, and this book surely proves what a good writer she is. The story itself is poignant and yet so real – recommended.

Now to two books I did not enjoy but for different reasons. First up, Annihilation by Michel Houellebeq. I picked this up expecting a political thriller, and while that was part of the book, it was mostly about a family dealing with illness, breakup and secrets. I think ‘disappointment’ would be a good word as it was not what I expected rather than it being bad.

For one of the book clubs this month, the choice was Caro Claire Burke’s Yesteryear. First up, this was not the book I expected, anticipating a sort of ‘time travelling’ tale based on the blurb. However, it is a much darker book than I thought it would be, with some horrific elements, and I fully understand why it is so controversial. The book club all felt much the same. However, I did read it over two days, and it was very well written, but recommend it? Unsure. Oh yes and of course it is going to be made into a film.

Last but my no means least I read two of Joanne Tracey (of Storycrumbs) books – Philly Barker and the French Connection and Murder in the Mangroves (both ebooks). I really enjoy the Philly Barker series and this one is one of the best. Stolen antiques, travels to France and, of course, a murder or two. Great fun. After the two ‘difficult’ books above, I needed something nice, and Murder in the Mangroves proved just the perfect antidote, a cosy crime with a hint of romance and lots of intrigue.

I listened to one audio book Simon Brett’s A Decent Interval, one of the series of amusing crime novels featuring actor Charles Paris. I usually listen to the BBC radio adaptions with Bill Nighy, so this was just a bit different, but still fun.

  • Madelaine Cash Lost Lambs 4 families
  • Takuya Asakura The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop 3.5 cherry trees
  • Joanne Tracey Philly Barker and the French Connection 5 antique shops
  • Elizabeth Strout The Things We Never Say 5 teachers
  • Michel Houllebecq Annihalation 3 French politicians
  • Caro Claire Burke Yesteryear 3.5 tradwives
  • Joanne Tracey Murder in the Mangroves 4 tarot cards and a bonus gold star for restoring my reading mojo after two disappointing books.

Thistles and Kiwis is a Wellington, New Zealand based blog written by Barbara, who likes cats, summer and good food. Thistles and Kiwis can be found on Facebook and Instagram @thistlesandkiwis

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Published by Thistles and Kiwis

Loves summer, sunshine and cats. Beginner gardener, likes eating, cooking and reading about food

28 Comments

  1. I didn’t realize Jo had already released The French Connection…I can’t wait. I will definitely skip those two dark books but will see if I can find Lost Lambs – and yes the cover makes me not want to read it. Thanks for linking up. Bernie

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    1. The French Connection is a lot of fun. Lost Lambs is worth giving a go – I wasn’t sure at first as it is a bit different, but the way things work out for everyone it has a positive feel.

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  4. What a wonderful and varied month of reading! I’m glad you found books that truly moved you, especially The Things We Never Say and Lost Lambs. Thank you for sharing your thoughtful reviews they’ve added several titles to my reading list. Happy reading!

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. A varied and interesting selection. I’m currently reading The Cloak and Dagger Club by Jackie McMahon, a cozy historical mystery, and so far enjoying it very much.

    Amalia

    xo

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  9. I will look for the new Elizabeth Strout, I really love her work. I just finished The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett, the author of The Help. It was a wonderful summer read. At present, I’m finishing up The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, which tells the story of the last year’s of a quirky woman’s life through her letters, to and from. I didn’t care for The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop, only got about halfway.

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  10. Firstly, thank you for the shoutout!!!!! I’ve never read any Elizabeth Strout (I know, I know, don’t throw things at me) but bought this one in Armidale a few weeks back, It’s next on my list.

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  12. Thank you for describing all these books! I have not read one single one of them. I have however read several books during my vacation, all in Swedish (this time). I’d say that all the books I’ve read been good, and fit their purpose of leisurely vacations reads. The two best authors I’ve read during my vacation so far is Ruth Kvarnström-Jones and Jan-Philippe Sendker, I’ve read two books of each one of them.

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