2020 is shaping up to be one of the fastest and yet also longest years ever. I don’t know about you but I can’t really say I’ve done anything meaningful the past seven months. Not that I’m at all complaining about the lack of socialising, you understand. But it’s August now and I don’t even understand how that happened.
Around this time of year, I start to count down the days to our annual holiday to Tuscany. As it stands right now, it doesn’t look good. Our confirmed cases have been on the rise quite dramatically. Truth be told, I don’t even want to go. But it was booked long before this insanity started and unless the borders are closed, we have to go or lose all of our money. On the other hand, if we DO go and they close the borders while we’re there, we can’t get home either and that’s a silver lining, right? 🤔😂. Also around this time of year, I’m having near panic attacks trying to decide which books to take with me to read on holiday. So far, none. Because that little voice in my head keeps saying we might not be going so what’s the point. It’s all up in the air, isn’t it? Such a mess.
Anypoodle.
Reading-wise … I’m all over the place. But at least I AM actually reading. Reviewing? Not so much. I don’t feel like it. Whenever I sit down to write down some thoughts, it feels like I ran out of words a long time ago. Anyway, I’m sure you’re all dying to know how I did in July, so let’s get to it.
| BOOKS I READ IN JULY |
Not too bad and yet, less than I thought. I’m reading ever so slowly lately. You know when you keep your head down and you really get stuck into a book and then look up and you’ve read a measly 30 pages in an hour. It me. 🤷🏼♀️
Also, fickle. Read 5 pages. Put the book back. Grab another one. Read 10 pages. Put that one back too. End up reading 50 pages but all in different books. It also me. 🙄
Some real corkers in July, though. Some not so much. I’d also like to point out that I am all caught up on the Maeve Kerrigan series by Jane Casey, which I started back in May. At the very beginning. Like a good little girl. 😉
| WHAT I LISTENED TO IN JUNE |
Just the one. The last Maeve Kerrigan audiobook I had. After this one, it was all hardback joy.
| BOOKS I BOUGHT IN JUNE |
Hm. 8 in, 17 out. You’d think I’d have more space on my shelves. I don’t. 🤔
| BOOKPOST WHAT LANDED ON MY DOORSTEP THIS MONTH |
Both for blog tours, with huge thanks to Hodder & Stoughton!
| ON THE BLOG IN JULY |
Review | Whatever It Takes by Paul Cleave
Review | The Silent Wife by Karin Slaughter
Review | If Looks Could Kill by Olivia Kiernan
Review | Finders, Keepers by Sabine Durrant
Review | Hinton Hollow Death Trip by Will Carver
Review | All The Lonely People by Mike Gayle
Extract | Rags of Time by Michael Ward
Sheesh. This is pathetic. As you’ve noticed, it’s not that I’m not reading. It’s that I’m not writing reviews so I have nothing to post. 🤷🏼♀️🤣
| COMING UP IN AUGUST |
Right. Well. Definitely this :
August 6 : Blog tour | Review | The Night Swim by Megan Goldin
August 10 : Blog tour | Review | Ash Mountain by Helen Fitzgerald
August 24 : Blog tour | Review | Cover Your Tracks by Claire Askew
August 27 : Blog tour | Review | The Octopus by Tess Little
August 28 : Blog tour | Review | Cracked by Louise McCreesh
Apart from that, no idea. August will mostly be dedicated to trying to nail the 20 Books of Summer challenge. Technically (shut up, Kelly!), I’ve read more than 20 since the beginning of June. I just haven’t reviewed all of them so there’s that. You may place your bets as to whether I will fail this challenge for the first time since participating. No, there will be no prizes. 😜
And that’s a wrap! Anyone else excited to see what August has in store for us? 😂.
Stay safe and healthy! Until next time! xx
Novel Deelights 
Big huge hugs, hope it all works out X
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What?! 😇😂
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Your halo is rusty, woman 🙄
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😂
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I sympathise, struggling here too 🙄 Hopefully it can only get better!
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Fingers crossed! 😘
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It is simply an unsettling time. And with cases on the up at the moment (we heard yesterday that a girl in my daughter’s class has confirmed COVID and may have been contagious the last week of school and that is making it too close to home) it is a weird time again. With people going on holiday and becoming fed up with the isolation measures it is bound to get worse before it gets better. I hope your mind willl settle a bit soon. And mine too!
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It really is and we are all only trying to do the best we can to get through it. Thank you and right back at you! xx
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17 books is amazing I only managed 6! I know the feeling about reviewing sometimes tge words just aren’t there and it all feels like I’m just regurgitating the same thing but for a different book. Thank goodness it’s a hobby and not paid work! Sending hugs 😘😘
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Remember you’re allowed to count 1 audiobook as 2 books read 😉😘
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I like it!!! 😂
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WOW you’ve read a fair few books this month, I’m struggling to read more than four🤣so nothing changed. We’re also meant to be going away at the end of August, can’t afford to cancel it half of me wants to go and the other half is stressing me, on the upside both my husband and I have have been tested and have anti bodies, which gives me a glimmer of peace. I definitely get where you are coming from re: blogging I think this year has been such a difficult one, everyone seems to be struggling, I know personally I’ve made the right choice to give up….but I may return one day or not x
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Hope your trip to Tuscany works out – I’m missed two holidays this year, but luckily was able to get a refund. Happy reading, wherever that may be!
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Better take enough books with you in case you do get stuck but I hope not. I think you’ll be back right in time. I hope I can still leave in September. Sooo many titles you read that I still want to read too.. nothing changed in our mutual booktaste 😊. I think I have two or three paperbacks by Jane Casey in my library but I haven’t read them yet. I hope to find time to read a whole series one day 😋😘
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I can imagine the whole thought of vacation being a struggle with all the COVID madness… Down here it’s literally impossible as we’re still in lockdown and unable to travel anywhere, but I don’t think I would travel even with the option available… Losing the money would probably make me go in the end though, and being struck in Tuscany could be worse I guess… Better pack an extra suitcase filled with books just in case. 😉 Also, at least you are reading right? I’ve been struggling with my reviews lately too, especially since I read so many ARCs in July I couldn’t just write shorties reviews for and be done with it. xD
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Well??? What did you think of the latest Casey? And Seth????
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Thought it was the best one in the series and I can’t wait for the next one. As for Seth, I knew there was something off about him from the start. Even if she didn’t. (#TeamJosh)
Yet another excellent recommendation from you, though. So, which series do I need to catch up on next? 😂
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Hahaha, fortunately I haven’t stuck with too many series over the years, but I can’t remember – have you read Sharon Bolton’s Lacey Flint books? And of course there’s my top favourite – Reginald Hill’s Dalziel and Pascoe… 😀
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I’ve read the Flint books, yes. As for Hill, I know the tv series and I definitely read one or two of the books but that was decades ago and I don’t remember a thing about them. 24 books should keep me busy for a while 😄
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You read some great books this month. I have a few of those on my TBR. I haven’t read a Jane Casey book in awhile, but I think it is time I do. I hope your trip to Tuscany works out for you. Stay Safe!
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