Books I Have Read in July 2025

 

I can hardly believe that we are at the end of July already.

This month I have had my son visiting from overseas which was wonderful. I also spent some time with my two eldest grandchildren drinking bubble tea. Well, they had the bubble sort and I had a lovely jasmine green tea. They are both doing the summer reading challenge that the libraries are running so we had a good chat about books. In fact, my ten year old granddaughter, who is a very keen reader had finished the challenge by the end of the first week. That's my girl...

I hope July has been a good month for you. Have you read anything exciting?

Wartime Comes to the West India Dock Road by Renita D'Silva

This book is the second in the West India Dock Road series. Having enjoyed the first in the series I was keen to read this and enjoyed it very much. If you would like to read my review you can find my full review by clicking here.

Enchanted Beach by Esther Freud and Emma Chinnery

This is such a lovely picture book which portrays the beauty of the beach in all seasons and weathers. If you would like to read my review you can find my full review by clicking  here.

This is Me Trying by Jenna Adams

This was a five-star read for me, and I enjoyed every page.  If you would like to read my review you can find my full review by clicking here.

Victory for the Foyle's Bookshop Girls by Elaine Roberts

I so enjoyed being able to revisit the staff of Foyle's Bookshop in this book. It worked well as a standalone novel so not reading the previous book was not necessary to enjoy this book.  If you would like to read my review you can find my full review by clicking here.

The Standing Stone on the Moor by Allie Cresswell

This was an excellent historical fiction read, and I enjoyed every minute that I invested in reading it.  If you would like to read my review you can find my full review by clicking here.

Alliance with Her Renegade Knight by Lissa Morgan

I was delighted when the author of this book, Lissa Morgan asked me if I would consider reading her latest novel.  I enjoyed it very much.  If you would like to read my review you can find my full review by clicking here.

Butter by Asako Yuzuki

This is a unique book, and I cannot recall anything similar in my reading experience. It is a genre-defying novel based on fact.  If you would like to read my review you can find my full review by clicking here.

The Lady of the Tower by Elizabeth St. John

The Lady of the Tower is the first book in the Lydiard Chronicles series. Based on the true story of the author's ancestors, The Lady of the Tower tells us of Lucy St. John and covers the period 1603 - 1630.  If you would like to read my review you can find my full review by clicking here.

A Murder for Miss Hortense by Mel Pennant

The titular Miss Hortense may not be popular in the town where she lives, but people come knocking on her door seeking advice nonetheless. An enjoyable book.  If you would like to read my review you can find my full review by clicking here.

The Girl from Normandy by Rachel Sweasey

This was a lovely dual-timeline novel, which I enjoyed very much.   If you would like to read my review you can find my full review by clicking here.

The Last Laugh Club by Kate Galley

There are few books which could be so instantly appealing to me: a trio of older characters and knitting.  If you would like to read my review you can find my full review by clicking here.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

This was my book club read this month. It made for interesting reading although some liked it more and less than I did. 

There's Something About Mira by Sonali Dev

Although I haven't written a review of this one I enjoyed it very much. Set in an Indian community in Birmingham, it's the story of Mira who is engaged to be married very soon.

A Little Trickerie by Roseanna Pike

I literally only finished this last night. It's a fabulous book and unlike anything I have read before. My review will be up next week so watch this space.