So I normally have my monthly wrap-ups later in the month, but I’ve decided to change it up this month. August will include a lot of traveling, camping and other fun, so I probably won’t be able to schedule a lot of Sunday posts, or at least, in a lot of detail. I already have a lot of posts scheduled for when I’m busy (up to September! *feeling accomplished*), but weekly updates just aren’t the kind of post you can really schedule. So we’ll see about them still.
As for July… Well, July was a good month. I had my sister and her kids visiting and we spent some fun time together. Then let’s not forget the song festival! And some of my really stressful problems came to a close and got out of the way. I feel like I’m finally enjoying summer. So let’s see what have I accomplished in July?
- Participated in the national folk music festival and was on TV (videos here)
- Did the #24in48 readathon and completed the full 24 hours! Didn’t expect to, so I’m really happy about that.
- Treated myself to something I’ve wanted for almost a year – now waiting for the upcoming shipping! (I’ll tell you more about it when it arrives.)
- Read 10 books, but hauled 11 🤦🏻♀️
- Finally developed a Bookstagram theme! Take a look, but of course, there will be more photos!
~ Miracle Books Read ~
The Spaceship Next Door was… just absolutely amazing. The AMAZINGEST. I can’t wait to read the sequel. I recommend this book to everyone, and my review will come out on August 27th. It was just so well written, with just the right amount of suspense and adventure, and incredibly beautifully fleshed out characters I absolutely fell in love with. I can’t recommend it enough!
~ Steady Good Books Read ~
Of course I loved these ones so much too! It’s more like they’re 4.5 stars though, but I just couldn’t put them on the same category as The Spaceship Next Door. I just have so much love for that one. I absolutely loved Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom – but they were also quite stressful to read. You can read a review of Six of Crows here. I will be posting a review for Rogue Protocol on August 7th and The Fated Sky on August 14th. They are both very well worth the attention!
~ Okay Books Read ~
There were a lot of okay books in July – in varying degrees of ‘okayness’. Dispatches from the Heart was a mostly epistolary non-fiction book about a heart transplant – it was touching an inspiring. The American Princess was a biography of a simple American girl who ended up meddling with some royalty in Europe. It bored me at times, but it was also interesting to read about a life so far removed from mine. The Caseroom was a historical book about 19-20th century Scotland and how the women were trying to break into the publishing industry as simple workers. I will be reviewing it for a blog tour on August 29th. The Story Traveler was a book with an interesting plot – about living in worlds that nest down and down into other stories, but it wasn’t told in a very good way and ended up disappointing as well. And Killing It was a spy slash women’s novel about how parenting makes it harder for a woman to be accepted at the job she did well before she had the baby and was never questioned about it. It’s a mixture of laughs and deeper thoughts, and I’ll be reviewing it on August 24th.
~ Totally Meh Books Read ~
You know what? There were no meh books this month!! Which is absolutely awesome and doesn’t happen a lot, so let’s applaud that. Lucky!
~ The Stats! ~
I am wildly above my Goodreads goal and it’s still only the middle of the year! Read less books this month than usual, but I guess it doesn’t matter since I’ve already topped the goal. I am 34 books over my goal! I also beat my #BeattheBacklist goal (now just need to log the books!) I read six of those this month. Going good!
~ On The Blog In July ~
This month there was one #NewBloggers guest post by Nicole @ FYFA about Tweetdeck, and then a lot of review posts, not mentioning, of course, the monthly #NewBloggersWelcome. There was also one discussion about how ARC reading is kind of like required reading for school! As for the reviews, I recommend checking out The Girl Who Chased the Moon because that book was simply amazing.
And since I’m posting this early, State of the ARC isn’t out yet, but it will be out next Tuesday, August 31st, so please come join and link up!
~ Books Hauled ~
This month has been exciting for hauls! I have read some of these already, and I’m excited for the ones I haven’t. I’ve been waiting for a sale on Dark Matter for aaaaages… And then I also got Space Opera which was written by one of my favorite authors, Catherine Valente. I won Ready Player One in a giveaway, and received Red Clocks from my friend Danielle. Altered Carbon has some amazing friend reviews, so I’m also super excited, and Tell Me You’re Mine and Going Widdershins are both new review copies of women’s lit, so I’m also, guess what – excited. Now only to do all of the reading!
~ Next Week ~
Next week it’s time for another episode of State of the ARC, plus – a review of Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows. By the way, I’m really excited for that review, and it’s also coming out on my birthday! (Hell, I’m turning 30. Who thought the day would come.) So definitely check out that review, at least as a birthday gift for me, cause I absolutely loved the book and you should learn more about that story.
As usual, I’m linking up with Caffeinated Reviewer and the Sunday post, also with Stacking the Shelves at Tynga’s Reviews and Feed Your Fiction Addiction.
And that’s it for my July! What about you? Share your links with me in the comments!
I’m Evelina and I try to blog about books that matter, with a bit of fun there too! Disability and equality will be topics you see a lot, but there’s also a lot of scifi, fantasy and… GIFs. I’m also the proud founder of #ARCsAnonymous.
WOW Evelina, you’ve been busy in July! Congrats on being so far ahead on your Goodreads goal 🙂
I hope you’ll have fun vacationing in August.
Have a spectacular Sunday and happy reading.
Thank you 🙂
Your birthday is near!!! I WANT TREAT <3 Well, since we live miles apart, I think Erotic Stories for Punjabi Windows looks like treat 😀 I heard of it before over at Simant's blog and now I want to read yours, then I'll grab it off the first shelf I see. Read no meh books??? Wow, that's an accomplishment. Some months are the worse when we read a lot but majority books were not that good. This one doesn't seem like that for you! How come I didn't read your first ever mini reviews post? I have a lot of… Read more »
Yeah, you should definitely grab that book!!! And I really do hope you come back to blogging soon, because I need to visit you back too, and now there’s only Instagram xD
You read almost as many books as you hauled – I call that a win. No meh books and one miracle – also a win. Being on TV, visiting with your sister, and just about everything you told us up there show that you won July. I can’t wait to hear what you have coming in the mail. I am all excited for you. I hope you have an amazing August with all your traveling.
Yep, definitely, I feel so too 🙂 yes, it was quite a month! Thanks 🙂
I still have Six of Crows in my TBR lol but I’ll start reading it, someday. Hahaha.
I mostly re-read in July and is reading the famous Carnegie Dale book and the book is good. Like super good for people like me who lack social skills and want to improve the relationship with people.
I know, it’s the same for me with so many other books 😀 oh yes, I know that book! I actually wanted to read it at one point, but then… didn’t xD maybe I still will 😀
Now I can’t wait for your shipping LOL
xD
Wow, what a busy month! They go by so fast when you’re busy, I like those kinds of months. Enjoy all the new books you got and have a great week too.
Thanks 🙂
Yay for great books to read. I think I get better books than average because I have gotten more selective and have more choices over the years. Congrats on the stats, you are doing well. I am excited for Rogue Protocol. I’ve been listening on audio. I just finished Artificial Condition on Saturday. I love the hilarious Murderbot. Anne – Books of My Heart
Rogue Protocol was a little weaker than the first two Murderbot books, in my opinion, but you still definitely want to read it 🙂
Wow, reading ten books in a month is a total fantasy for me, ha ha. I mean I would love to get to that point. Why do people have to have jobs???
I know right! Although instead of skipping out on my job, I skip out on sleep in order to read xD priorities… lol
You positively sold me on The Spaceship Next Door and it’s on my TBR – it sounds really good and hadn’t come across my radar *at all*. So thanks for that!
I’m so glad to hear that 🙂 it’s not a very well known book, although I wish it was! It really deserves the glory 🙂
I’m so impressed that you read for the whole 24 hours. My eyelid started twitching really bad after 10 hours, which was so annoying that I stopped reading. I love your Instagram theme! Enjoy your upcoming trips.
I know, but like… I seriously put myself off readathons for a while. I shouldn’t have pushed it! Oh, that’s too bad about your eyelid! I guess your eye just wanted some rest.
You had a great month! Your books look tempting, although they are not familiar to me. Thanks for sharing.
Have a great week, and thanks for visiting my blog.
Thank you!
I’m glad you had such a great month!
Thank you 🙂
Reading for 24 hours in 48 hours is INSANE congratulations!!! ♥ I’m so glad you loved Six of Crows!!! I just got my copy of Crooked Kingdom and can’t wait to dive in–although a friend accidentally spoiled me so I know how it ends–definitely very stressful!!! D:
Thanks 🙂 oh no, you got spoiled? Dang. Unfortunately, that sometimes happens :/ I’m sure you’ll still love it though 🙂
It is July 29th 😉 So I would say that counts as the end of the month haha. And huge yay for having family around. I saw pics somewhere <3 Insatstory? Or was it FB. You have had a fantastic month! Thank you so much for the mention. I hope you enjoy Red Clocks as I did, but if not, I am sure you can find it a good home. Looking forward to Space Opera in September. Hugs xx
Yeah, probably Instastory! I can’t wait for Space Opera either 🙂 it’s gonna be great.
Have fun Evelina! Your organization level makes me so jealous. Job well done
Thank you!
No meh books. Yay! Looks like I need to check out a few of these. And it sounds like you have been and will be making the most of your summer! Camping sounds so fun. I don’t have any vacation time for a while but I’m thinking of setting up the tent and spending a weekend in my own back yard. I’ll act like I’m somewhere else, except for using the bathroom and fridge. LOL It would be fun to blog about it too.
Yes it would! And aš dar as I remember, you do have the right weather for it 🙂
I must admit that I’ve been kind of wanting to create a Bookstagram theme, but I’m not the absolute greatest when it comes to that and I’ve been so busy lately that I just haven’t even thought about it. I’m thinking that I might take care into doing just that. I really do need to read Six of Crows, as I do enjoy Leigh Bardugo a great deal. I’ve had Wonder Woman: Warbringer sitting on myself for a while now and haven’t gotten around to that. I’m definitely going to be checking out your review. Your blog is absolutely lovely!… Read more »
Themes are so tough! And I’ve learned that they take away from the creativity. Which is why I have two bookstagrams now xD xD
Oh, and thank you! Sorry it took me ages to reply to this comment. Going to visit your blog today for sure 🙂
[…] Avalinah’s Books […]
Oooo, I’m so curious about what you bought! Can’t wait for an update 🙂 And yay for buying Dark Matter! I was able to choose it as my Book of the Month when it first came out and really enjoyed it. I think the author did a good job dealing with the concepts behind what was happening. I’m excited to hear what you think 🙂 I also love your new bookstagram theme! The hot weather has me wishing I’d chosen an indoors one…maybe when the yard gets a little more bare and brown I’ll make a change
Outdoors themes are really nice and easy though! The season is much too short here though, so I had to ditch mine. But I’m happy with my new theme 🙂
And yes, I am excited about Dark Matter – there are just so many different opinions on it! It seems a kind of hate or love book. Can’t wait to read it 🙂
Yay that’s amazing, it seems like you have read some great books this month and congratulations on being ahead on your goodreads challenge, that’s so great 😀 Really curious about this mysterious shipping of yours now haha 🙂
I hope you’ll have a fantastic end of the month and a great August! 🙂 <3
Thank you! 🙂
Yay for TV appearances 🙂 Ready Player One is one of my favorites. Enjoy.
Thanks!
Enjoy your August! Traveling and camping sounds so fun. Six of Crows sounds amazing and your bookstagram looks great.
Happy reading 🙂
Thank you 🙂 it was good, although exhausting 🙂
Sounds like a busy and successful week. Hope you enjoy your new books.
sherry @ fundinmental Sunday Memes
Thank you!
Congrats on being wildly ahead of your Goodreads goal. I’m I think 7 books ahead of mine. But if I keep up my reading pace for the next two months, I should hit my Goodreads goal by the end of September. Haha. I smashed my Beat The Backlist goal in June. Lol. I set a new goal for that though. It’s awesome reaching goals way before the end of the year! I really need to read Leigh Bardugo’s books. I actually haven’t read a single one yet. Glad Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom were good reads! 🙂 Have a… Read more »
Thanks! Right now I’m just wondering how far over the goal I can go 🙂 I think it’s good to set low reading goals like that, cause then it’s just a pleasant surprise and no stress.
And yes, you should read something of Bardugo’s! Although I’ve only ever read Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom, so one series 🙂
OH no July Wrap-Ups are happening! I am so behind. I have to go blogger loving at the end of the week when finals are over. Great job on the challenge. Mine is not nearly as good. I do want to read Six of Crows. I would like to read the whole series really. Have a wonderful week!
Yeah, everyone still seems to be behind! It’s been such a busy time ever since the middle of summer, really. And I hope you get to read Six of Crows soon, it’s a wonderful book 🙂
Glad you had a good July, and can’t wait to see what you thought of rogue Protocol! The Spaceship Next Door looks great too!
I thought Dark Matter was excellent.
Thanks Greg! The Spaceship Next Door was amazing 🙂
[…] This post is a link up to Stacking the Shelves at Tynga’s Reviews and Feed Your Fiction Addiction, and State of the ARC at Avalinahs Books. […]
Glad that you had a great reading month! This is the first time I heard about Spaceship Next Door and it’s so interesting, immediately add it to my TBR!!
Glad to hear! One of my favorites this summer for sure 🙂
Avalinah you’ve been so busy! Well done in meeting your GR challenge goal already…that’s ALOT of books read in July!
Thanks for visiting!
Yes, indeed I was 🙂 thank you!
Oh my god, you reminded me that I need to work on my monthly recap post (damn, I completely forgot about it). Gosh, I have so many things to do *internal screaming*
Well, I’m glad I could remind you 😀
Yeay for no meh books. I wish I could have a month like that haha.
Sounds like you had a fun July and that August is bringing some great things too.
Yeah 🙂
Now I’m all kinds of curious about what you treated yourself to after a whole year. Hmmm. 🙂 Hooray for no meh books in July! That’s something to be celebrated. LOL
Okay, so I had to check back to the post to be able to reply to your comment cause I absolutely don’t remember xD oh yes! It’s my reMarkable tablet 🙂 an e-paper ink tablet. I’ve had it for a couple months now, and I’m a heavy user 😀 it’s living up to its full potential!
Sounds as if July has been an awesome month for you! Well done you for overshooting your Goodreads target – and I was so impressed when I saw the video of the choral singing mega-concert you were involved with! Your book haul has been impressive and I haven’t yet had the pleasure of Six of Crows, though I think I should… Have a great week:))
Thank you, SJ 🙂 Six of Crows is definitely recommended!
Great job on all your reading in July, and I’m glad your song festival went well. Happy Early Birthday, by the way!! I hope August is a fab month for you. Good job on scheduling ahead. I definitely need to do that!
-Lauren
Thank you 🙂 yes, August was great!
Wow! You’ve been a whole lotta busy, and it’s great to see that you’re meeting your reading goal. I sure have a long way to go.(lol) Very cool to be able to spend time with your family, and the song festival pic is just too fun! Hugs…RO
Yes, I have, and it seems not just in July or August, cause look at me replying your comment only now xD but yes, all of that stuff was fun 🙂 thank you!
Yeay to treating yourself and no Meh books! 🙂
Thanks 😀
I’m so impressed with how ahead you are. I can barely manage to stay on track, much less get ahead. Love the new Bookstagram theme!
Thank you 🙂 well, you’ve got kids though, and I don’t – so you’ve got more work to do 🙂 I am surprised how you stay on track too! And thanks, I’m glad, I’m really happy that I’ve developed my bookstagram theme 🙂
No meh books?! That is a freaking miracle!!!
Looks like you had a great month, and look at you being scheduled to September!
I know right! Thank you 🙂
[…] This post is a link up to Stacking the Shelves at Tynga’s Reviews and Feed Your Fiction Addiction, and State of the ARC at Avalinahs Books. […]
Well done on finding so many good books – no mehs at all is a fab month!
Sounds like you’re set up for a wonderful August 🙂
Thanks 🙂 I’m hoping for the same!
Wow! Already over your Goodreads goal. Way to go girl! ♥️ The Spaceship Next Door sounds intriguing. Going to add it to my TBR.
Thank you! Well, I set a low goal 🙂
Ten bucks books finished in one month sounds so impressive to me. I feel like a snail! The Spaceship Next Door sounds good. I look forward to your review.
Well, you are reading a lot of classics and scifi, which take a lot longer, normally 🙂
You had a very productive month! Kudos to you 🙂
I’ve been meaning to read Dark Matter ever since it came out… I bought a copy on release day I believe and yet it still sits on my shelf 🙁
Ready Player One is AMAZING! I loved it so much. I was born towards the end of the 80s so I was more of a 90s kid, so some of the references went over my head, but it didn’t matter. So good!
I actually still haven’t read it, so we’re on the same boat xD
Seems like you had a busy but quite wonderful month. You read so many good books. trust me, reading SoC series is an accomplishment 😀
And wow, no meh books? That is a wonderful feeling I can tell.
Where are you going vacationing in August? I hope you enjoy your vacation.
And wow, you have scheduled posts till September? How girl? I really need this magic of yours 😀
Oh yes, very busy 😀 but good! And yes, no meh books! I could barely believe it myself 😀
I went vacationing to the summer camp first, and then to visit boyfriend’s family in England 🙂
And I scheduled those posts by basically sitting till 23 every night and writing xD xD