July 2024 Books

Today I am sharing the books I read in July.

Here are my reading goals:
1. Read 250 books. This includes the books I read to the kids, audiobooks, and anything I read for myself. 124 READ
2. Read twelve (new to me) classics/award-winners. 3 READ
3. Read twelve self-help/education books. 5 READ
4. Re-read twelve novels. There are so many good books I have been meaning to re-read, so this is my goal to help with that! 13 READ-DONE!

I am also participating in a few book challenges this year:
1. The 2024 Audiobook Challenge, and my goal is the “Binge Listener” level (20-30 audiobooks.) 24 COMPLETED-DONE!
2. The 2024 Netgalley and Edelweiss Reading Challenge, and my goal is the silver level which is reading and reviewing at least 25 books off my Netgalley list (I have 40 currently.) 32 READ, 33 REVIEWED-DONE!
5. The Craving for Cozies Challenge, and my goal is the “Famished” level which is 26-50 cozy mysteries. I did this challenge last year, and it was a lot of fun, so I decided to do it again. 20 READ

A few formatting notes for my book posts:
1. I have inserted pictures as well as Amazon links to the books I enjoyed most for the month so that it is easier to read more about each book if you are interested. Hopefully, your local library system will carry most of these.
2. If I completed a more detailed review of any of these books, I included a review link after my comments.
3. If a book is not available yet, you will see the publication date in parenthesis after my comments.
4. I have rated each book using a bold numbered star after each comment.

The rating system is as follows:
*5-This book was so good, I either bought it, or think it is worth buying. I am pretty picky about the books I buy, so this is as good as it gets!
*4-This book was worth reading, but not necessarily worth buying-look for these books at your local library
*3-This book was just OK. I wouldn’t need to read it again.
*2-Don’t bother
*1-There probably won’t be any of these, because if it was THIS bad, I wouldn’t finish it. 🙂

Here are the books I read this month:

1. Spy Camp (Spy School #2) by Stuart Gibbs (audiobook)-love this series so much! *5
2. The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynn Reid Banks-I have read this aloud to each of my kids, and it was The Little Guy’s turn! Love this book so much. *5

3. Mossy by Jan Brett-beautiful story, fabulous pictures, and my favorite animal! *5
4. Swimmy by Leo Lionni-nice story, was OK *4
5. A Peaceful Garden by Lucy London-not my favorite *3
6. And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner-classic, nostalgic book-I really enjoyed it! *5
7. How to Be a Pirate (How to Train Your Dragon #2) by Cressida Cowell (audiobook)-I love this series! It’s one of my all-time favorite series, and I am enjoying listening to it while I walk! *5
8. InvestiGators (InvestiGators #1) by John Patrick Green (audiobook)-just OK *3
9. Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes-OK, wouldn’t re-read *3
10. A Frog in the Bog by Karma Wilson-this was fun! *4

11. Possum and the Summer Storm by Anne Hunter-great message about working together *5
12. A Tale of Two Cookies (Cookie House Mystery #3) by Eve Calder (audiobook)-one of my favorite mystery series, and I enjoyed listening to it again *5
13. InvestiGators: Take the Plunge (InvestiGators #2) by John Patrick Green (audiobook)-just OK *3
14. Sandcastle Inn (Hope Harbor #10) by Irene Hannon-a nice, light read *4
15. How to Speak Dragonese (How to Train Your Dragon #3) by Cressida Cowell (audiobook)-another from one of my favorite series! *4
16. The Legend of the Last Library by Frank L. Cole-fun read! *4
17. The Tooth Fairy Wars by Kate Coombs-a fun one I read aloud to The Little Guy-very creative *4
18. The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh-really, really good! *5

This month I read two books to the kids, and I read/listened to nine books just for me. I read seven picture books to myself for review.

For the year, I have read twenty-four books to the kids and sixty-nine books just for me. I’ve also read thirty-two picture books to myself for review.

Well, that’s it for today. I will share my August books the first Tuesday in September.

Have a great day!