I thought July was one of the best months of new releases in 2016 so far. Let’s dive right in!
Underground Airlines by Ben H. Winters
4/5 stars
Winters introduces a world where slavery presently exists in four American states. It’s a fascinating alternate history and, while we thankfully don’t have to deal with this particular scenario, I don’t think I need to tell you why a book like this might still be relevant today. The main character struggles with his racial identity, working undercover to capture runaway slaves. The action never stops and I didn’t want to put it down. It is a thriller that incorporates plenty of history, real and imagined, and creatively tackles modern issues of race. I’m guessing this will be one of my favorite books this year.
Married by Contract by Noelle Adams
4/5 stars
A few months ago, I decided I wanted to try a romance read this year. The world of romance is HUGE and its followers are super passionate about the genre. I didn’t want to miss out anymore, so I borrowed a romance from the library. It was cheesy, unrealistic, had zero substance, and dragged on and on. I just couldn’t finish it. Then I picked up an ARC of Married by Contract, and this was the type of romance I didn’t know I was looking for. It was short and sweet, fast-paced, and included relatable characters and plenty of steamy moments. I enjoyed Adams’ style and I plan to check out more of her books. I am no longer a romance virgin, having been seduced by its promises of escape and happily ever after.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne
4/5 stars
I waited in line at midnight for a Harry Potter book for what may have been the last time. How sad! I held this beautiful book in my hands and started reading as soon as I could. It was a much faster read than I expected, and I now realize it’s because of the script format. The storytelling felt familiar, even though it’s still not clear to me how much Rowling was involved in the actual writing. Here’s the bottom line: Was it necessary? No. Will I read anything J.K. Rowling writes (especially concerning Harry Potter)? Yes. I don’t feel like it added much to Harry’s story, except a bit of insight into his relationship with his son, Albus, who has major daddy issues. But I don’t think it took away from the original stories either, and I was still happy to immerse myself in the tricky world of magic again. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child revisits many Harry Potter moments from the past, forcing readers to remember the good times and relive heartbreaking moments. Even though we may not read about Harry Potter again, I look forward to the Fantastic Beasts movie coming out this fall. And I would love to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child performed live if I ever get the chance.
Surprisingly, I can’t think of any books coming out in August on my must-read list. I plan to take this opportunity to read backlist books and also read ahead to September releases. Here are some of the possibilities I have in mind:
Disheveled Shelf 