Hi Page Turners,
Welcome to another RECAP and the wrap up of the months of July and August.
The picture above is all the books that I read over July and August and below I will do a breakdown of what I read in each month and picking only my favourites which are predominantly four and five star reads. Comment below what books you read over the last two months and if you found any favourites or if you are dying to recommend a book go ahead I am always on the look out to expand my reading list. If you have read any of the books mentioned click on the link to take you to my full review and leave a comment if you agree/disagree with my review and let me know your thoughts as well. It is also a RECAP of my favourite things over the two months and any highlights and recommendations I have to share with you all. Enjoy reading.
July 2024
Tom Lake- Ann Patchett
My first summer read was Tom Lake. Such a beautiful book intergenerational and a book which forces a family to re-visit old memories as a way to pass the time during the pandemic. I loved the ‘Our Town’ play and how it was a character throughout the book being the center of it. Reminded me of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Find my full review here- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6615692585
Serial- Sarah Koenig
I finally listened to the original audio, or should I say the OG of podcasts because I was gripped by this podcast even though I know what happens. I have been obsessed with the Adnan and Hae case ever since I listened to the audio book of Adnan’s Story by Rabia Chaudry which you can find my review of that book here- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4984713741
Since then I have been meaning to listen to where it all began and I can say I was not disappointed. After listening to Adnan’s Story it was very refreshing to listen to an unbiased account. I definitely want to write a longer piece on this but would definitely recommend this listen to it and you can deep dive on all the notes Sarah took on the website as well. Link here- https://serialpodcast.org/season-one
Piglet- Lottie Hazell
Piglet was such funny and made me want to devour reading it because I wanted to know whether she would go through with the wedding. Quite deep and dark themes but written in a light but thoughtful way. I loved the chapters counting down towards the wedding. The only thing I didn’t like but what I thought was very clever and kind of frustrating- to not know- was the concealment of what the husband-get name- did. Although it was implied you are just left with thinking is it ‘this’ he really did. Find my review here- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6655349369
Ultra-Processed People- Chris Van Tulleken
The non-fiction book that was such an eye-opener about the effects of ultra processed foods. Such a must read book he details science experiments, he also experiments himself and talks about case studies and the solution or ways on how to manage and eradicate UPF from our diets. Find my review here- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6669226817
Just Another Missing Person- Gillian McAllister
Another Gillian McAllister book, another hit. I didn’t enjoy this one as much as Wrong Place Wrong Time however she does it again with the slow burn starts and the fast pace endings. I think this was really cleverly written and the crime was almost ‘in your face’ you should get it straight way but when it is revealed your like how did I not get that because of how obvious it is. Bent cops, forced situations and a tense book. Hugely recommend read my review here- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6675119392
Rise and Shine- Kate/Oliver Toby
Loved this simple and short book which aims to transform your morning routine to level up and give you the best, most productive start to your day and eventually your life. I loved how they used the acronym of Rise and Shine and how they incorporate manageable tasks to really get you started. I am yet to incorporate into my routine however when I do I know it will be a big hit. Review here- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6648736937
The Reunion- Beth Reekles
A light read enemies to lovers seeing your ex and childhood friends in a school reunion. I mean what could go wrong- except everything. This is not going to be my favourite book of the year but I appreciated that it was a really nice quick read because of the different p.o.v’s and wanting to see how it ends. I would love a sequel to this book.
This Woven Kingdom- Tahereh Mafi
Re-visited one of my favourite fantasy books by one of my favourite authors. This Woven Kingdom captured my heart the first time I had read it and it did it again on my reread. It was also really exciting reading it as well because I had the second two books which I could pick up straight after which made it even more fun to read. Check out my original review and my reread review here- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4041813278
August 2024
All This Twisted Glory- Tahereh Mafi
All This Twisted Glory has my heart. I was kind of disappointed with book two so I didn’t know how to feel going into book three but Cyrus and Alizeh have my heart. The plot really develops in this book and I love finding out a bit more about Cyrus’s character and his past but also loved the little crew and romance developing between Kamran and Huda. I do love reading series and cannot wait for book 4 and another reread. Review here- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6720521687
A Tempest of Tea - Hafsah Faizal
Just think Peaky Blinders meet vampires- review here- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3933695914
Public Library- Ali Smith
A short story book compiled by Ali Smith about public libraries. With the subject being so close to my heart this book called for me. And I loved this book and reading the stories and how vital and important libraries are to society and the effect it has on us. Truly something to be treasured. Read my review here- and read my long read on a love letter to libraries here- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6746467164
Defy the Night- Brigid Kemmerer
Another of my favourite authors, I was so excited to get into the Defy The Night series and whilst I did really enjoy the series overall I think it went into a direction that I wasn’t necessarily overjoyed with. Overall I gave the three books individually four stars and that’s because the were some things I loved in the books and some things I was meh on. The first book in the series ‘Defy the Night’ was my favourite of the three you can read my review on it here- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4047968909
Mongrel- Hanako Footman
Mongrel is a debut by Hanako Footman and something that has a place on my heart. Her writing is exceptional and it really touches you. Three p.o.v’s about women who have different experiences, she really captures the themes of motherhood, teenage angst and survival really vividly. I loved Mai’s p.o.v the best however the ending I could have never have predicted, but that made sense. I can’t wait for what else she writes because I would love to read it.
Enjoying
July and August were the months where Wimbledon and the US Open took place. I got into tennis a couple of years back and very year I really enjoy watching it getting into it that much more. I didn’t get tickets this year to Wimbledon (one year it will happen) but I did watch it religiously. Shocked to see how open the women’s draw was due to the top players falling out of the draw but so happy for Barbora Krejcikova to win it especially with her story and Jana being her mentor. Also loved seeing Carlos win it for the second time even though I did want the GOAT to win it. In the US it wasn’t meant to be an all American slam with Sinner and Sabalenka winning it. It was also a massive month in general for sport with the Olympics taking place in Paris. I don’t really watch sports in general but for events like this I do get sucked in and watching the medal table. I also was really enjoying the summer months. My favourite season I really did savour it and made the most of it. Comment below what you really enjoyed over the last two months and did you enjoy the summer and make the most of it?
This summer I also completed by goal of reading 100 books. Check them out here- https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/47262643
This year I have read some great books with amazing writing. I do not take it for granted how privileged I am that I am able to read such great books and have access to them and also what they bring to me. Each and every book has a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to read more. (I am just editing a piece I have written on how I read 100 books a year so if you are interested in that let me know below and make sure to keep an eye out as will be publishing soon!)
Content
Bill Gates malaria- I watched this and thought genius but then also thought is it counter-productive as your eradicating the fly’s but then is it not essential for the ecosystem watch it here- https://youtu.be/f8Ip1J3DMhk
I love going down a Serial rabbit hole so these articles were obviously read in quick succession- https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/article/2024/aug/24/serial-sarah-koenig-interview-adnan-syed-podcasts
The World’s five highest-paid tennis players always love how the other half live- https://youtu.be/G7ljnOF_xCM
Audio- Interesting long read in form of audio about a low ranking tennis player- https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jun/27/the-loneliness-of-the-low-ranking-tennis-player and a casting director- https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2024/jul/31/from-the-archive-from-game-of-thrones-to-the-crown-the-woman-who-turns-actors-into-stars-podcast
Adapted
I know I have talked about health a lot this year. At the start of the year I was on it then after June I think I got into a slump so know I am writing it into existence and where I am going to keep myself accountable because when I write my RECAP for September/October I want to be writing that I achieved the goals that I kept. I want to adapt my routines from my morning routine (using the Rise and Shine) to include more healthy and realistic habits. It is important to be transparent and it feels kind of freeing to say that I may not have achieved my goals that I set out for myself but knowing it is okay to fail but I am going to adapt my goals to help myself to achieve them just in a different way. So my latest goals are -adopt a consistent exercise/morning routine, get back into reading Qur’an/Qur’an journaling and general prayers, spend my days more productively with routine and purpose. I will check back with these goals in the next RECAP and if you have any goals that you may have relaxed on now is the time to re-visit them and reset them almost and have the biggest of comebacks you know you can have. Comment below and let me know about them.
Parting ways with
I am sadly parting ways with my favourite season. Summer has come and gone and just like that we are saying hello to autumn and all the vibes it brings with it. It is bittersweet seeing the leaves from the trees changing colour from a healthy and vibrant green to a orange and yellow crisp leaf. We are coming into stick season (cue Noah Kahn) and it is hard not to begrudge the season and be in a mellow state. However it is also beautiful knowing we were blessed to witness another summer, another month filled with memories, laughs and heartaches and we have to move on just like the seasons. Until next year. It is time to reflect but it also time to look forward and move on to the season of vibes, hot chocolate and reading under blankets and thicker clothing. So here is to parting ways with summer and welcoming and embracing autumn.
That is my July and August RECAP wrap up complete. I hope you enjoyed reading. Links to my socials including my Goodreads and newsletter is linked below do be sure to subscribe to my blog if you enjoy reading and tell a friend and share. In the meantime subscribe to my newsletter for weekly updates and to my blog so you can be notified every time I post so you can make sure never to miss a post. Thank you for reading. 😊
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With Love and Dua’s,
Fiz @Every Page She Turns
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