Goodbye, June – hello, July!
June always feels like a transitionary month to me, and this year is no exception. It’s not quite spring and not quite summer, and where I live, the weather is kinda teetering on the edge of both. July is typically the more exciting and summery month (my birthday! traveling! sunshine!), so June often feels like I’m just waiting around for that to come. Plus, I’m currently in a state of post-graduation confusion where I’m finally realizing that I’m not going back to school in the fall… so this summer isn’t like summers I’ve had before. Wild.
Luckily, this month I was able to get plenty of reading done despite all of that!
I read a total of 13 books in June, with an average rating of 3.7 stars and a total of 4,053 pages. There were some highs and lows in terms of books I read, as usual. Let’s get into what I read, starting from my least favorite and working my way up.
Books I Read
Once & Future by Amy Rose Capetta & Cori McCarthy ⭐️⭐️/5
This book was…not what I hoped it would be. The concept is fantastic, but the execution was not there for me. More in-depth thoughts in an upcoming post.
The Great Unknowable End by Kathryn Ormsbee ⭐️⭐️.5/5
Even though the atmosphere of this book was cool, nothing else about it really stood out to me, and it ended up being pretty forgettable overall. More thoughts here.
Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
This book about grief and forgiveness is a tough read, but it did evoke some real Emotions, and I appreciated the aro-ace representation. However, it felt like way too much telling me how Rumi was feeling rather than showing me, and the plot was sloooow. More thoughts here.
Witchmark by C.L. Polk ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Another book with a really cool concept and some interesting ideas explored, but I never felt like I grasped the worldbuilding, which just made it confusing to read. More thoughts here.
Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Such a fun and cute book, with rom-com elements, enemies-to-lovers, ambitious and opinionated characters, and all the drama you could possibly ask for! My full review is here.
Summer of Salt by Katrina Leno ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
An atmospheric, summery book that transported me to the tiny island of By-the-Sea. I loved the magical elements and the emphasis on the importance of relationships between women! More thoughts here.
The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O’Neill ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Basically, a short and sweet graphic novel that made me desperately want to own a tea dragon on my own. It made my heart feel soft. More thoughts here.
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
(RELEASE DATE: JULY 16th)
I’ll have a full review up soon, but here’s a sneak peak: this book BLEW. MY. MIND. I think I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. Time travel and secret romance and BEAUTIFUL writing – what more could you ask for??
To Night Owl From Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan & Meg Wolitzer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
This hilarious middle-grade book has it all – ridiculous characters, rom-com shenanigans, secret email correspondence, family drama, etc. I had so much fun reading this! More thoughts here.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (reread) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rereading this book after four or five years was no less heartbreaking!!! Even thinking about it makes my heart hurt. Wow this book is so incredible but so painful. More (gushing) thoughts here.
I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book somehow both broke and healed my heart all at once. I want to protect Ben with my life. My full review is here.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (reread)
I’m continuing my audiobook reread of the Harry Potter books! I’ve decided not to rate these, as I discussed in my post about nostalgia, but they’re obviously still wonderful. Chamber has never been my favorite of the books, but I loved revisiting it nevertheless. J.K. Rowling is SO GOOD at writing mysteries and dropping in tiny clues that you might not even catch until the 13982947th reading.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (reread)
Hi, my name is Margaret and I love Remus Lupin so much. That’s my main takeaway from this reread.
Okay, but really, Prisoner is among my top HP books, and that isn’t changing anytime soon. I love learning the Marauders backstory and seeing how all the different story threads cleverly weave together at the end with the time travel aspect. And, of course, every time Lupin appears in a scene, my heart grows 10 sizes.
June Blog Posts
🌳 Mary Drover discussed how you know when your novel is done, including her own experience with completing a novel (CONGRATS).
🌳 May @ Forever and Everly gave some tips on increasing interaction on blog posts as well as some suggestions of book bloggers who are really good at it!
🌳 Caitlin @ Caitlin Althea’s recommendation post, “If You Liked This Queer Contemporary, Try This Queer SFF,” has some amazing books in both categories!
🌳 Abi @ Scribbles & Stories gave some AWESOME recommendations for books with asexual representation!
🌳 Xandra @ Starry Sky Books talked about everything we need from a Percy Jackson TV show, and I’m pretty sure I secretly co-wrote this in my sleep because I so strongly agree with everything she said.
🌳 The Orangutan Librarian gave a passionate defense of genre fiction, which made me want to stand up and cheer in agreement!
Other Things
Good Omens
Yes, I’ve been talking and thinking about this show nonstop all month, and no, I’m not going to stop anytime soon. This adaptation of the book by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett came out at the end of May, and I technically watched it in that month since I watched it all in one day – but I didn’t get a chance to talk about it in my May wrap-up, so here we are! This was just such a FUN adaptation that completely captured the feeling of the book. I think I like it even a little more than the book! David Tennant and Michael Sheen were perfect as Crowley and Aziraphale. I had my doubts at first, but now I can’t imagine anyone else in those roles!
Bastille – Doom Days
My favorite band came out with a new album this month and I love it! It’s so dark and apocalyptic – feels perfect for the world we’re living in at the moment. Yay. I’ve been listening to it a ton this month and haven’t gotten tired of it yet! My favorite songs at the moment are “The Waves,” “4AM,” and “Doom Days“… but to be honest there isn’t a single song on the album that I don’t like. It’s been a long wait for this album, so I’m very happy that it does not disappoint.
July TBR
- Hurricane Child by Kacen Callender
- The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
- Shatter the Sky by Rebecca Kim Wells (eARC)
- The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen (eARC)
- The Gap of Time by Jeanette Winterson
- This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab
- The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
- Damsel by Elana K. Arnold
What books did you read in June? Any new favorites? What do you plan to read in July?
x Margaret
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Weird Zeal 
I LOVE BASTILLE. My favorite songs are literally the same ones you listed…and basically the whole album on repeat. Ahhhhh. Okay, now that I’m getting a hold of myself… I enjoyed reading your thoughts on the books you read in June. July looks super exciting. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on The Fifth Season and The Savage Song, specifically.
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YESSS another Bastille fan! 😀 Those songs in particular are so good, but tbh the whole album is great.
And thanks! I’m really excited to read all of those books in July 😀
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June went by way too fast for my taste, and trust me, it’s already very hot where I am! I hope you enjoy your in-between weather!
I’m glad you got to read so many books, and that you seemed to enjoy most of them! And I can’t wait to see what you think of The Merciful Crow!
Thanks for including me in your post, and I wish you a great month of July! (and happy early birthday!) 😀
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Yeah, I’m kinda dreading when it gets super hot here, because I’m pretty sure I’ll melt 😅
I’m really excited to read The Merciful Crow! You’re welcome – and thanks for the birthday wishes!
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I feel the same way about Prisoner of Azkaban! It’s just so damn good, and I love the Marauders so much.
Aw, thank you for the link! Both for mine and for that ace one because holy hot damn I can never find ace rep, and I am so excited to dive into that post!
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Yesss Prisoner of Azkaban is so good 😍 And you’re welcome! I’m glad I was able to help you find that list of ace recommendations!!
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Aww, thanks for the mention! Looks like you had a really good reading month, I hope July is even better! The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle was one of my favourite books of last year, so I’m excited for you to read it. I really need to watch Good Omens, but I’m waiting until I’ve read the book first.
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You’re welcome! 😀 Ooh that’s great to hear that you loved Evelyn Hardcastle. And I hope you love Good Omens, both the book and the show!
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Harry Potter rereads are the best 🙂 Hope you have a lovely July! It’s my birthday month too ❤
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Agreed! Thanks! And happy birthday month to you too! 😀
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Prisoner of Azkaban is definitely among my favourites of the HP series to! I’m also hearing so many good things about Tell Me How You Really Feel so I’m excited to read that soon.
I started reading The Night Circus this month but didn’t finish it but I’m so close and it is definitely a new favourite and I also plan to read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Girls of Paper and Fire this month (I was about to type “next month”, I can’t believe we’re in July ALREADY)
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Ooh I hope you love Tell Me How You Really Feel! I’m so glad to hear that you’re enjoying The Night Circus 😀 Evelyn Hugo and GoPaF are both amazing as well, so it looks like you’re in for an amazing July!
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Wow you’ve read a lot of books– it’s a shame not all of them were good for you!! I really want to read The Song of Achilles so I’m glad you love it so much!! And I need to read I Wish You All The Best after reading your review so I am very excited!! I think Prisoner of Azkaban is my favourite HP book– I have only read them all once though!!
I haven’t watched Good Omens but I’ve seen a lot about it and I do want to watch it now– haha!!
I really hope you enjoy The Merciful Crow– it is one of my anticipated releases so I excited to see what you think!! And I am currently reading The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle– I can’t believe it is the author’s debut, the writing is very good!!
I hope you have a great (and sunny) July and have a great birthday!! 🙂
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Thanks! 😀 Oooh I highly recommend The Song of Achilles and I Wish You All the Best. And Good Omens haha! And I’m really eager to read The Merciful Crow and see how it is! Glad to hear you’re enjoying Evelyn Hardcastle so much 🙂 Thank you, and I hope you have a wonderful July as well! ❤
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Awesome, that’s so much reading!! I’ve been so distracted lately I haven’t had a chance to finish Descendant of the Crane yet but its SO GOOD! Tell Me How You Really Feel, Summer of Salt, and To Night Owl From Dog Fish are books on my TBR pile and I’m excited to get to them. 🙂 AND OMG DOOM DAYS IS AMAZING!!!! I agree the whole album is great, my faves especially are Quarter Past Midnight, The Waves, 4AM and Joy! It’s the perfect album for the vibe of the world in 2019
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I’m glad you’re enjoying Descendant of the Crane! That one is definitely on my radar 😀 I hope you like all those books that are on your TBR!
And yessss Doom Days is perfect for the 2019 vibe 😂
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Margaret this was such an amazing post and I loved reading it so much!! And thanks for taking the time to feature me and I’m so glad you loved my post 🖤🖤🖤🖤
This Savage Song is one of my fave books of all time ahhh I just love what Victoria schwab did with the monsters in that book! Also it sounds like you had an amazing reading month—I have never read more than ten books a month in my life :0 also, a copy of IWYATB *just* arrived today, and its beautiful! I’m so glad that you loved it so much and I can’t wait to read it 💓
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You’re so welcome! ❤
Ooh that just made me even more excited to read This Savage Song 😀 Victoria Schwab has never disappointed me yet! And ahhh I can't wait for you to read IWYATB 😀 Hope you love it as much as I did!
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Sounds like you have a busy month coming up! I hope you have a great July ❤
Also I totally want my own Tea Dragon too!! And This Savage Song was really good, I hope you like it!
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Thanks so much! 😊 Yeah, I’m a little sad that Tea Dragons don’t exist. But I’m really looking forward to This Savage Song!!
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Song of achilles is so good!! And good omens was wonderful! hehe I love lupin too. Great wrap up! Thank you so much for sharing my post! ❤ Hope you have a lovely July! 😀
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Thank you – and you’re welcome! 😀 Lupin is just the BEST. Hope your July is lovely as well! ❤
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Ooh, a Harry Potter re-readathon! Chamber of Secrets wasn’t my favorite as a child either, but I find the jokes in it funnier than I remember. Like, I love Lockhart; he’s so obnoxiously funny. 😆 But yassss, Remus Lupin has got to be my favorite male character in HP, and it’s a huge reason why I love Prisoner of Azkaban the most too.
Song of Achilles… *sound of heart shattering* Hahh, I literally can’t even with that book. Just thinking about that ending makes me tear up. I think Madeline Miller always does a fantastic job with her endings; they make me so satisified!
Great wrap-up! (and happy 4th of July…that is, if you’re in the US of course lol)
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Lockhart is definitely one of my favorite things about Chamber of Secrets. And Lupin is SO GOOD. I wish he was in all of the books as much as he’s in Prisoner of Azkaban!
Madeline Miller truly does write heartbreaking yet satisfying endings! I still haven’t gotten over Song of Achilles OR Circe.
Happy 4th of July to you as well! 😀
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