What I Read In July.
July has been a slow old reading month – all my intentions were quashed as I sat in the editing phase known as self-despair and self-loathing. Nothing like re-reading something you thought you were done with to bring you down, oh, except reading other people’s amazing work. The inferiority complex that comes with reading other peoples work sometimes amazes me, so at times I’ve put off starting the new books I had lined up, simply as a survival technique (sorry Nick!)
But, I have to say, what I have read has been worth it.
I started the month with Someone Else’s Skin by Sarah Hilary.
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I’ve followed Sarah for a while on twitter, and her book has been on my list, but there are loads of books there, so I tend to sort of bumble along picking whatever jumps in front of me at the time. Sunday morning, after I’d finished Lisa Jewell’s book (mentioned here), Sarah posted a picture of her new book and it’s cover. It was a SIGN. I had a fresh cup of tea, and was in the market for a bit of readin’. I downloaded the book and in the words of Janice…
OH. MY. GOD.
Since reading Someone Else’s Skin, it has gone on to win Theakston’s 2015 Crime Novel of the Year. I don’t really need to say any more – I love, love, loved it, and I would be surprised if anyone else didn’t.
After that I have to admit, I needed something light, and my gorgeous friend Kerry Barrett gave me a little sneak into her upcoming novella A Spoonful of Sugar.
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Having been a massive fan of all of the other books in the Could It Be Magic series, I read this book fast, and did a lot of hand clapping. The book is out TODAY, and if you haven’t read the rest, why not download them here.
At one point I was tidying boxes out in the study (aka procrastinating) and totally deliberately went to get my Judy Blume books out. She’s been about a lot recently, what with her new book and whenever I see her name she brings back a longing to read her old stories. So I put my hand in, and pulled out It’s Not The End Of The World.
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You’d think, at 33, having read the book a gazillion times during my teenage years and twenties I’d be bored of it, but I’m not. In fact, I’ve got the others stacked next to my bed to read again soon.
Just as I was about to pick up Nick Quantrill’s book when Kerry mentioned her new book she was working on. She’s mentioned it a few times, and I love the fact that she lets me read them, she drip feeds me chapters like my husband drip feeds me pizza and gin after a day on my own with the kids. I’M LIKE AN ADDICT.
My friend is very talented.
I can’t tell you much – I’d love to – but it’s Kerry’s thing to shout about, because this new book, this new character, oh my actual goodness. I swear on Bombay Sapphire’s life – it’s the best thing she’s written.
I’ve been using it as my editing treat. Edit X amount of pages, and I get to read a chapter. Never have I been so motivated.
All I can say is, the glitz, glamour, that come with Amy Lavender and Cora. They’re worth waiting for.
Right now, I’m reading Jenny Colgan’s – Where Have All The Boys Gone? It’s ok, but I’m looking forward to finishing it so I can start something more meaty. I’ll tell you all about it next month.
What are your book recommendations for me? I have my holiday coming up, and need stuff that I can read in the day by the pool with the monsters, and in the evening with gin and Mr Aimee.