July was a hectic month for me both physically and mentally. While I finished reading my first read in the first 5 days of the month, I couldn’t find a lot of time after to read more. I’m very disappointed by how much reading I’ve gotten done in the last two months. My goal for 2022 is to read 30 books in the entire year. I’ve completed reading 17 books and am currently reading my 18th book. If my trend of reading just two books every month continues, I will not be able to reach my target for the year. Here’s hoping I find more time to read this month.
So what did I read in July?
THE RUNAWAY WIFE by Dee MacDonald
Plot: Connie McColl is the perfect homemaker to her retired husband, her grown-up children, and her many grandchildren. Over the years her life has slowly come to revolve around them and taking care of their every need. One fine morning, while cooking Connie decides she’s had enough and leaves on an impromptu road trip from England to Scotland. As her journey progresses, Connie meets interesting people and visits interesting places, and slowly rediscovers herself.
Review: I picked up this book because I wanted to read something light, feel-good, and a no-brainer. I love the general plotline where a woman tries to find herself outside of her familial ties. But I didn’t love reading this book. I, personally, didn’t find Connie’s journey to be very remarkable. Her experiences, the people she met, the places she saw – nothing was very different or interesting. {SPOILER ALERT} I also don’t like when a book or any content encourages cheating. I also found some hypocrisy in the fact that the book made it sound like it was okay for a woman to cheat but not for the man to cheat. Overall, it was an average book that was neither a fun read nor a profound one.
Verdict: Eh. 3/10
QUIET IN HER BONES by Nalini Singh
Plot: When socialite Nina Rai disappears with half a million dollars in cash, everyone assumes she got fed up with her husband and left. But now, 10 years later the police recover the remains of Nina not far from the home she shared with her husband and son, Aarav. As the police start to investigate the crime so does Aarav who is now a successful crime book writer. Will he uncover the truth or will he lose his mind and himself in this case?
Review: I had to keep my thriller reading streak going and so picked up this book. The plotline of the book is very intriguing and will keep you on your toes. But I also felt like the book was too long and sort of complicated with too many characters, subplots, and years to keep track of. I was honestly so confused in many parts. Something that was echoed in the questions section of the Goodreads page of this book. I really wanted to love this book but in the second half, I often skipped pages because the book was just too long. There were bits of information in the book which if the author had skipped would have had no impact on the overall plotline. I really enjoyed the ending which is rare for me when it comes to thrillers. But overall, a little bit of pruning would have helped this book a lot.
Verdict: Not bad but could have been way better. 6.5/10
What are you reading currently? Drop your recommendations in the comments below. I’m reading my 18th book for the year – Watching You by Lisa Jewell.
Reading progress 2022: 17/30
If you haven’t already, check out my other recent posts –
Happy Panda 
Sorry to hear you didn’t really enjoy either book too much but if you are looking for a book similar to the first one but with a better storyline I would recommend How To Be A Good Wife by Emma Chapman. It’s a thriller but a lot of it explores marriage, abuse, grooming and more.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh so refreshing to hear that an avid reader such as yourself skips through pages. I often do it. Yet to find a book that is enthralling. Good luck on your quest. 🙂
LikeLike
So I have found it really hard to read as many books as I’d like during grad school until I started also listening to audiobooks. While I will always prefer reading a physical book and still do, I also really enjoy getting to listen to books on my commute, or while I work out and clean. I get all mine through an app (Libby but I don’t think this app works outside of North America) using my library card so it’s free. And if you’re hung up on the idea that audiobooks are “cheating” which I was initially then I have some challenges for you to consider. Why do you think it’s cheating? When you think about how we read little kids books or how visually impaired people might only be able to use audiobooks. Would you say they are cheating? Or not reading? The science shows that reading vs listening to books mostly activate the same pathways in the brain. If the main reason you’re reading is to appreciate the story then we can compare it to traveling to a destination. Does it matter if you fly or drive? Not really, it just matters that you get there. Anyway, I wish you luck on accomplishing your reading goals this year! And it’s also not cheating if you only pick shorter books to make them quicker to read xD
LikeLike
I haven’t heard of these before but it does seem they ain’t worth reading from your review 😂.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Same😂
LikeLiked by 2 people
🤣
LikeLike
They aren’t. Definitely skip! 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh I FINALLLLLY picked up reading again after SUCH a longggg LULL!!! So happy about it!
Currently reading “These Silent Woods” by Kimi Cunningham Grant… it’s great so far and I am more than half way done!
LikeLike
Wow, two books a month is still great! In the end it still has to be something enjoyable so don’t feel too bad if you don’t reach your target ☺ I think I would have had the same thoughts as you for the first book, and the seconde one you mentioned really reminded me of The Truth in the Harry Quebert case (or something along those lines) by Joel Dicker, except that it is an amazing page-turner! I highly recommend it!!
LikeLike