July Reads

Seventeen, y’all. Seventeen books read in July!

But I have an explanation. 

At the end of June, I turned in my manuscript to the editor I hired, and I had a lull in my editing job schedule. Add that to two trips and you get seventeen books finished!

I guess we’d better get this party started!

And let’s start with audiobooks. 

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

I want to re-read the Lord of the Rings series, then I realized I’ve never read The Hobbit! It was already in our Audible library, thanks to my husband, and so I jumped in. I’m glad I know now Bilbo’s backstory, but I confess I didn’t like it as much as the LOTR series. But I am looking forward to now understanding some parts of those books that I didn’t before!

Bel Lamington by D.E. Stevenson

I was introduced to D.E. Stevenson, a Scottish writer whose books range in publication date from the 1930s to the 1960s, when a friend recommended Miss Buncle’s Book. I enjoyed it very much and have been on the lookout for others of hers to read. When I found this audiobook for sale for under $3, I grabbed it. And was not disappointed! Such charming stories. Her books remind me a little of Grace Livingstone Hill, but without the overtly Christian content. And they are set in England and Scotland, so there’s that!

The Highland Heist by Pepper Basham

Book 4 of the Freddie and Grace Mysteries series did not disappoint! Except for one part of the audio version. I have listened to this entire series and loved the narrator. However, when she came across a couple of Scottish characters, I cringed. They sounded more Irish than Scottish! I thought perhaps I was being overly critical, but while listening, I happened to get to visit with a friend from Scotland, and yes, I was correct. But the Scottish characters were limited in speech, and I managed to push that aside because the story was, as usual, so enjoyable! 

How about some non-fiction? Maybe a memoir? Some theology? 

How to Stay Married by Harrison Scott Key

Y’all. I can’t say enough about this book. My husband has been recommending it to everyone, and I finally got around to reading it! This is not a “how-to” marriage book. It is a memoir of a marriage in deep brokenness that comes to deep healing. It’s raw and real and pulls no punches on what marriage or what the Christian life requires of us. Yes, he uses some cuss words throughout, but it is well worth the read, even if your marriage isn’t on the brink of disaster at the moment. It’s hard and humbling and humorous, which is quite a feat to pull off! 

hand in Hand by Randy Alcorn

Do you ever hear the words Armenian and Calvinist bandied about as in opposition to one another and wonder how and why? I certainly did! This was a fabulous breakdown of each camp in the free will/God’s sovereignty debate, as well as just a general discussion of those topics. Randy does a great job setting out the arguments of each side while giving scripture both in support and against each argument. It was very helpful to me in understanding the debate as well as in clarifying where I stand with scripture as my guide.

Now for our usual rundown of fiction. 

The English Masterpiece by Katherine Reay

What a story! Mystery and intrigue in the world of art in Britain in the 1970s. This one kept me turning the pages! So, so good. 

The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff

I’ve known Sarah’s mother-in-law for years. And our church ladies’ book club picked this as our summer read. I’m so glad they did! A beautiful story of brokenness and redemption. The bonus for me is that it was set in Ft Worth, where I grew up, and she really made it come to life. Highly recommended. 

The King’s Messenger by Susanna Kearsley

Oh my goodness! 17th-century England/Scotland. Fabulous story of court intrigue and betrayal in the time of King James I of England (King James VI of Scotland). Loved these characters. I will long remember them. I’ll be reading more of her books!

The Filling Station by Vanessa Miller

Several years ago, I heard about the Tulsa Massacre on a history podcast and thought, someone should write a novel about that. And Vanessa did! It’s a hard book, honestly, but one necessary to read. The history is horrific. And yet the resilience and redemption are achingly beautiful. 

A Convenient Heart by Lacy Williams

I love a good mail-order bride story—and Lacy kicks off a series of them published by Sunrise Publishing! Lacy’s stories never disappoint. I’m looking forward to this series written by several different authors!

Where the Blue Sky Begins by Katie Powner

Oh my. A book that will tug your heart out—in all the best ways! You might see the twist coming at the end, but I didn’t. Katie Powner’s books always make me cry. 

The Reluctant Guardian by Susanne Dieze

Why, oh, why did it take me so long to get to this book? Great historical romance. Enjoyed it so much. 

Lowcountry Lost by T.I. Lowe

A beautiful contemporary story of brokenness and healing, loss and redemption in South Carolina’s Low Country. As per T.I.’s usual, the book is full of characters I won’t soon forget. 

Burning Secrets by Susan May Warren

I’ve read this whole series while I’m waiting for the final book in Susie’s Minnesota Kingstons series! These are quick, heart-pounding reads that propel you into the next book. This one is book 4 of the series, and it’s a wild ride! 

Burning Truth by Kelly Underwood

Book 5 of Chasing Fire: Alaska involves a journalist who is not a wilderness girl and a wilderness hotshot firefighter who prefers to be alone. Sparks fly in every sense! What jumps us into the final book of the series . . .

Burning Justice by Lisa Phillips

… where we pick up on the couple who have been mysterious through not only this series but the previous one (Chasing Fire: Montana)! And boy, their pasts are doozies! I love it when all the characters in the series come together to bring about the final resolution to the questions. Great series. 

Where Memories Await by Heidi Chiavaroli

Contemporary/historical—and book four in the Orchard House Bed and Breakfast series, which I love so much! This one tells the story of Aunt Pris, the sometimes grumpy great-aunt whose house becomes the bed and breakfast. 

If you persevered to the end of this post, you are a trooper! Or a reader. Which is kinda the same thing. 

What book is your favorite on this list? Which ones have you read? 

Until August, happy reading!