Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: July 2025

Hello, everyone! July was an amazing reading month for me, and I'm so excited about sharing my reading wrap-up with you all. I started the month with Summerween (and 5 great books I ended up reading for the readathon), and since then, I was in such a reading mood that I ended up finishing 14 books in total. 

So, let's get right into it!

Books I've Completed in July

• Magnolia Parks - Jessa Hastings: I can't lie that the reason I picked this book was because I was seeing it everywhere, and I wanted to find out what the hype was all about. To be honest, I found that it was a bit boring and repetitive, and I was contemplating DNFing it. I didn't though, but I won't be continuing with the series.
• Atmosphere - Taylor Jenkins Reid: I've already explained how I wasn't initially interested in reading this book. But now that I have, I'm glad I did. Even though it's not my favourite Taylor Jenkins Reid book, it was still an enjoyable reading experience. You can read my thoughts in my review. 
• We Live Here Now - Sarah Pinborough: This was the book I started Summerween with. It was an interesting take on the haunted house trope with a creepy atmosphere that I appreciated. You can read my thoughts for this, and the rest of the Summerween books, in my Summerween wrap-up. 
• To Be Taught If Fortunate - Becky Chambers: As you will see on the graphic below, I ended up changing my review from 4.75 to 5 starts. The more I think about this book, the more I find it fascinating. It's definitely one I'm going to reread many times. 
• Carrie - Stephen King: It was about time I read Carrie, and Summerween gave me the reason to pick it up. I can see why this is one of the most iconic horror books, and why it has such a great influence in the genre.
• This Is Where We Talk Things Out - Caitlin Marceau: This horror novella was a very pleasant surprise. Up until the 2/3 mark, I thought that it was going to be another 5-star read. The ending didn't do it for me though, but I added a new author to my watchlist. 
• Strange Pictures - Uketsu: I'm so glad that I finally got to this book! It definitely had a very intriguing premise. However, the idea was better than the execution. Of course, I would be willing to also try Strange Houses. 
• Of Love and Other Demons - Gabriel García Márquez: This was a book club pick. Having only read One Hundred Years of Solitude, I wanted to try more from this author. The writing was still fantastic, and I read it with great interest. But what is going on in this book? Let me just say that some of the story elements, didn't sit exactly right with me. 
• A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping - Sangu Mandanna: This was one of my most anticipated books of the year, and I picked it up almost as soon as it was published. It was cute and heart-warming, just as I was expecting it to be. You can read my detailed thoughts in my review. 
• Τεχνητή Νοημοσύνη: Άνθρωπος, φύση, μηχανές - Antonis Mavropoulos: This was my nonfiction of the book, a Greek book on Artificial Intelligence. It was fascinating, and it asked important questions about the nature of AI, how it affects society, and whether it can be used for the benefit of humans and the environment.
• Can The Monster Speak? - Paul B. Preciado: Another nonfiction, this essay talks about trans identity, and psychoanalysis' warped view of trans people.
• Death in her Hands - Ottessa Moshfegh: What a weird little book! Going into this novel, I didn't know what to expect, apart from the very intriguing premise. I ended up loving it, and I'm surprised at its low rating. I can understand that you will be disappointed if you start reading with the expectations of reading a murder/mystery. Instead, it's a character study, dealing with loneliness, isolation, life regrets for not living the life you thought you deserved.   
• Damn Good Advice - George Lois: In case you didn't know, I am a copywriter. So, a while back, a graphic designer I worked with recommended this book. Among its pages, you will find some good advice, but you will also find more instances where the author just tooted his own horn. 
• Από Χώμα και Κόκαλα - Giannis Nikoloudis: I ended the month with this Greek novel, dealing with a crime. It had an interesting narration style, and the story was given through interviews of people that witnessed the story (sort of Carrie-style).

Books I DNFed 

• Star Trek - Alan Dean Foster: This is a novelization of the 2009 movie. However, the characters weren't developed at all, and I was bored for the majority of the time I spent reading it. For example, in EVERY page and EVERY scene where Spock was present, we talked about how he didn't show any signs of emotion.

 

What did you read in July?

What other books are you planning on reading during the summer?