Books I Read in July

July was pretty busy between celebrating birthdays and spending a week in Delaware with my in-laws, but I still managed to read a few books! And two out of the three I really enjoyed! The third wasn't NOT enjoyable, it just wasn't as interested as I had hoped it would be . . . but look at me getting ahead of myself. Lol. Since this is "peak" beach reading season, let me know if you had any great books you read by the ocean!

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Shelves: Black Lit, Modern Lit, Young Adult, Favorites

Review: I have nothing negative to say about this book. I think it should be on the list of every white person period, but especially every white person who has struggled to understand the BLM movement.

I found myself in tears or near them for most of this. It's, as another reviewer said, a book you won't forget with its heavy, important, necessary message, but also a book that was enjoyable to read. The loving, tender moments between family were touching and memorable. But the rest of the book was too.

Quickly read through this, and it has become one of those books I will remember and think about for the rest of my life.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Shelves: Modern Lit, Beach Read, Favorites

Review: I think, if you're not one for detailed narrative on someone's inner thoughts, you might not enjoy this book. It's very much centered on what's going on inside Eleanor's mind, which a lot of people can find dull. I, however, really enjoyed reading this as what started as a beach read and quickly became a novel I looked forward to reading before bed.

I thought Eleanor was a relatable character dealing with PTSD from an event she never got the chance to properly heal from, and her trauma was obviously the basis for most of her actions. The relationships she develops are heartwarming and genuine, and I found my heart seeming to grow as I read her story. It's also nice to read a book that involves real friendship without romantic feelings skirting around it. Her relationship with Raymond is one of the healthiest relationships I've read in a novel, and it was refreshing and touching.

Overall, I liked this book more than I thought I would. I was hesitant after reading a previous Reese Witherspoon book club pick and finding it over-hyped, but I really loved this one. A book that will stick with me for a long time.

Downriver: Into the Future of Water in the West by Heather Hansman

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Shelves: Travel, Environmental, Nature

Review: This book is exactly what it says it is - I'm just sad I didn't find it as interesting as I had hoped. I think it's an important book for insight into the complicated politics surrounding water and its resourcing anywhere, but particularly out west. The last third of the book dealing with recreation and Native American water rights was my favorite. I enjoyed reading her sections about her actual experience on the water, I just unfortunately didn't find most of her interviews to be attention-grabbing.

If this is a subject you have a stake in or are interested in learning more about, though, it's an excellent resource to consult.