I Read 15 Books in July—Here’s What Was Worth It

Here's my full July reading list:

July was a month full of heartfelt reads, thrillers that didn’t quite hit the mark, and a few surprising gems along the way. I dove deep into emotion-heavy stories and came out the other side with a full heart—and maybe a slightly confused brain. From powerful YA novels to twisty mysteries and cozy romances, I covered a lot of ground this month. I want to preface this by saying these books are listed in the order I read them, not by rank. Here’s a breakdown of everything I read, how I rated each book, and a few honest thoughts on what worked—and what didn’t. ​

1. Out of My Heart by Sharon Draper
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

I first read Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper in middle school, and it was one of those books that stuck with me long after I closed the cover—one I’ve recommended countless times since. When I heard it was being adapted into a movie, I immediately added it to my TBR for a reread, only to be shocked (yes, insert dramatic emoji here) when a friend told me it was now a trilogy. Despite the decade-plus gap between the first and second books, Draper didn’t miss a beat. Out of My Heart felt like slipping right back into Melody’s world—only this time, we see her mature, stretch her wings, and find new ways to connect. Draper’s storytelling is still gentle but powerful, giving voice to a character who continues to represent so many unheard experiences. The camp setting, the friendships, the spark of independence—it all made me emotional in the best way. I fell head over heels for Melody all over again. This book absolutely stole my heart, and I finished it feeling seen, moved, and honestly, just so grateful it exists. Heartwarming, empowering, 10/10. 

2. Out of My Dreams by Sharon Draper  
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Of course, after finishing Out of My Heart, I had to pick up the final book in the trilogy—and I’m so thankful that I did. Out of My Dreams picks up seamlessly where the last book left off, and once again, Sharon Draper delivers a story full of heart, honesty, and emotional depth. Melody’s growth in this installment felt so natural and powerful—it was like watching her step into herself even more, and I was genuinely moved. Draper never misses when it comes to crafting resilience and friendship in a way that feels real and affirming. I tore through this one in a day, fully immersed in Melody’s world and her journey. The disability representation continues to be written with clarity and care, and I found myself reflecting deeply on so many of the moments Draper chose to highlight. This book is a perfect example of why I love reading. If you want more thoughts on the trilogy as a whole, you can check out my full review here. Chef’s kiss, five stars. 

3. The Wedding Setup by Sonali Dev 
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Romance 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

This was such a fun, romantic read that had me kicking my feet one minute and yelling at Ayesha the next for not making the obvious choice the first time around (girl, come on!). The Wedding Setup is a short story, but it packs a lot of emotional nuance into its pages. I loved the cultural backdrop and how it shaped the second-chance romance without feeling forced or overly dramatized. Sonali Dev has a gift for writing characters who feel grounded and real—you care about them almost instantly. While the story didn’t completely blow me away, it definitely left me smiling and wishing it had been a full-length novel. Sweet, layered, and surprisingly heartfelt. I’ll definitely be picking up more from her. 

4. The Oceanography of the Moon by Glenda Vanderah 
Genre: Magical Realism, General Fiction 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

This book was pure magic. The Oceanography of the Moon completely swept me up with its lyrical writing, layered characters, and quiet, haunting beauty. It felt like equal parts mystery, healing, and soft romance—with a moody, ethereal tone that made the story feel like fate itself was working behind the scenes. I already hold a special place in my heart for Glendy Vanderah after stumbling across Where the Forest Meets the Stars at McKay’s Books (if you’re ever near one in Tennessee or North Carolina—go), and she’s only cemented her place as my favorite author with this one. My sister actually gifted it to me for National Aunt Day (how sweet is that), remembering how much I adored Vanderah’s writing—and as someone who has always been a moon girl (true selenophile energy), it felt like the perfect book found its way to me. If Invisible String by Taylor Swift were a novel, this would be it. I’m honestly devastated it’s over—I want Glendy to write the story of my life. Easily my favorite standalone read of the year. Her final book The Light Through the Leaves is up next on my TBR and you will then be able to read my thoughts on Glendy Vanderah and her full catalog here. 

5. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn  
Genre: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Suspense 

⭐⭐⭐ 

I know Gone Girl is considered a modern classic in the thriller world, and I wanted to love it the way so many others do—but honestly, it just didn’t hit right for me. The writing is sharp, the plot is ridiculously clever, and the twists kept me guessing (I was wrong at every turn), but I found myself feeling more annoyed than intrigued by the characters. Everyone was just… awful. I can totally respect how masterfully Gillian Flynn constructed the story--it’s chaos in the most intentional way—but the overall tone felt so cold and cynical, and that’s just not my favorite kind of thriller. Maybe it’s a personal taste thing. If you love dark, twisty mind games and don’t mind hating everyone involved, this might be your perfect read. For me? Meh. 

6. Remain by Nicholas Sparks  
Genre: General Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Mystery, Thriller 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Yep, Sparks got me again—and I loved every second of it. Say what you want about Nicholas Sparks being predictable, but sometimes I want to cry my eyes out, feel all the heartbreak, and be just a little emotionally manipulated. Remain delivered exactly that. It had all the classic Sparks elements—love, loss, second chances—but with a twist I wasn’t expecting (and lowkey gave me Shyamalan vibes in the best way 🤭). There’s something oddly comforting about reading a Nicholas Sparks book, like you know it’s going to break your heart and somehow leave you okay with it. This one was heartfelt, sweeping, and deeply satisfying. I was fully hooked from page one. You can read my full review here. 

7. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard  
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Fantasy, Romance 

⭐⭐⭐ 

This one had so much potential, but ultimately didn’t leave a strong impression. The red vs. silver blood dynamic and royal intrigue had me intrigued at first, but the pacing just dragged, and I struggled to connect with the characters. There were definitely some cool action moments and a solid premise, but the world-building didn’t fully hook me. It gave me the classic dystopian war vibes, but not in a way that stood out from others in the genre. I found myself dragging through parts of it, and while it wasn’t a bad read, it just wasn’t as memorable as I’d hoped. I typically try to give first books in a series a fair shot, so I might continue on just to see where it goes… but I’m on the fence. Stay tuned. 

8. The Life Impossible by Matt Haig  
Genre: Science Fiction, Magical Realism 

⭐⭐⭐ 

This one had its moments. I appreciated the themes—mental health, meaning, embracing the messiness of life—but it didn’t resonate with me the way The Midnight Library did. Haig’s writing is introspective and thoughtful as always, but this one felt a bit too philosophical, almost like it was reaching for something profound and occasionally forgetting to ground the reader in the actual story. That said, there were definitely some lovely lines and moments of clarity that stuck with me. I think I just needed a bit more emotional connection to the characters to really love it. Oh, and apparently I can’t stop picking up books with time travel as a central theme? This is like my sixth one this year—might need to do a full time-travel roundup post soon. 

9. Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle  
Genre: General Fiction, Romance, Magical Realism 

⭐⭐⭐ 

Another one I had high hopes for! The concept was so intriguing—what if you knew exactly how long each of your relationships would last? That hook had me instantly. And I’ll say this: Serle knows how to write emotional tension and keep you invested. Her books are always solid, easy reads that feel intimate and reflective. That said… the execution didn’t quite hit the way I was hoping. The ending felt a little soft, like it didn’t deliver the emotional punch the concept promised. And I kept waiting for a deeper explanation or exploration of the actual expiration dates—they were such a cool narrative device but never fully fleshed out. Still, I don’t regret picking it up. If you like your romances with a little magical realism and emotional vulnerability, it’s worth a read. Just temper your expectations a bit. 

10. The Woman In Me by Britney Spears 
Genre: Memoir, Biography, Autobiography 

⭐⭐⭐ 

I really wanted to love this one. Britney’s story is heartbreaking, powerful, and absolutely worth telling—but the delivery didn’t quite do it justice for me. It read more like a factual, chronological recap than a deeply personal or introspective memoir, which left me feeling a little disconnected. That said, I’m still glad I read it. Her experiences—especially around the conservatorship—are shocking and deserve to be heard. I just wish there had been more her in the pages. At times, it felt like the ghostwriter’s voice overshadowed her own. Even so, this gave me a whole new level of empathy and understanding for Britney. If you’re a fan or even just curious about her journey, it’s definitely worth the read. Just go in knowing it’s more about what happened to her than a deep dive into how she’s made sense of it all. 

11. The Stories We Tell by Joanna Gaines  
Genre: Memoir, Nonfiction, Inspirational 

⭐⭐⭐ 

This book is exactly what you’d expect from Joanna—sweet, thoughtful, and full of cozy, comforting vibes. I appreciated her vulnerability and the way she reflects on identity, growth, and the little moments that shape us. That said, the pacing felt a bit slow, and honestly, it read more like a collection of extended Instagram captions than a deep, immersive memoir. It’s not a bad thing—if you’re looking for a gentle, easy read that feels like catching up with an old friend, this fits the bill perfectly. But if you’re after a memoir with heavy introspection or emotional punches, this might not quite deliver. I liked it, but I didn’t feel much while reading it. 

12. Things I Wish I Told My Mother by Susan Patterson 
Genre: Romance, General Fiction, Women’s Fiction 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

This one was a total hidden gem! Short but packed with heartfelt honesty, it offers beautiful and sometimes raw insights into the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. If you’re looking for a reflective, emotionally impactful read that doesn’t take forever to get through, this is definitely one to pick up. Anyone who’s ever had a complicated or layered relationship with their mom will find parts of this especially relatable—it hit me right in the feels. And I won’t spoil it, but the ending left me saying, “Are you kidding me???” 🥲 Definitely a read that stays with you long after the last page. 

13. The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan  
Genre: Romance, Contemporary Fiction 

⭐⭐⭐ 

This one was cozy and charming in all the right ways, but honestly, a bit too slow for my taste. I loved the idea of a traveling bookshop and the small-town Scottish setting—it had all the ingredients for a perfect comfort read. But the plot meandered more than I expected, and the romance didn’t fully click for me, which left it feeling a little forgettable. I wanted to love this—the quiet main character and the bookish vibe were right up my alley—but it ended up being just okay. Still, if you’re looking for something light, sweet, and low-pressure, it’s a nice pick. 

14. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt 
Genre: Mystery, Domestic Fiction 

⭐⭐⭐ 

This one came highly recommended by my sister, who’s an even bigger bookworm than I am and loves everything ocean-related. She absolutely adored this book, and while I didn’t feel quite the same deep emotional connection she did, I totally get why so many people love it. The writing is tender and clever, and Marcellus the octopus steals the show with his hilarious and surprisingly touching presence. The story felt a little slow at times, and I wasn’t as emotionally invested in the human characters as I wanted to be. Still, the unique perspective and the way all the characters come together in the end made it an endearing, original read worth checking out—especially if you’re into quirky, heartfelt stories. 

15. The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley 
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime Fiction, Suspense, Psychological Thriller 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Now this was a juicy little mystery! I loved the setting and the atmosphere—there were twists and secrets packed into that apartment building like it was a high-stakes game of Clue. While it didn’t completely blow me away, it kept me turning the pages, guessing, and intrigued the whole way through. The multiple POVs added to the creepy, atmospheric vibe, making every character feel like they were hiding something—and honestly, I loved that. It’s definitely a solid vacation or beach read if you’re craving a thriller that’s equal parts eerie and entertaining. And wow, what did I just read? Mimi deserved so much better, and I’m hoping she’s happily painting somewhere with her meds. Also, what’s the deal with Theo—is he still in jail? How has Ben managed to sleep with literally everyone? And does Mimi know the concierge is her grandmother? So many questions... but that’s part of the fun. 

🌟 Final Thoughts 
July was full of emotional reads, a few disappointments, and some true gems that I’ll be recommending for a long time. I definitely leaned hard into heartfelt fiction this month—and honestly, I’m not mad about it. There’s something comforting about books that make you feel all the feels, even if a few left me scratching my head or yelling at the page. If you’ve read any of these, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Or just tell me what your top read of July was--I’m always on the lookout for new recommendations. 

​Looking back, July brought a rollercoaster of feelings—joyful moments, some bland reads, and a handful that made me want to yell. I accidentally dove deep into emotional stories, and I learned two things for sure: I will pretty much always cry at a Sharon Draper book, and I’ll give five stars to anything Glendy Vanderah writes. 

If I had to pick one favorite? The Oceanography of the Moon—no question. 
One to skip? Red Queen (unless you’re all about dystopian fantasy with a heavy side of politics). 
And one that truly surprised me? The Paris Apartment. 

What about you? What did your July reading look like? Drop a comment and let’s talk!