Books I read in July 2025
With holidays and life slowing down a bit in July, I had the perfect opportunity to indulge in some extra reading time. From classic tales of horror to thrilling detective stories and fascinating autobiographies, my July was filled with a wonderful mix of genres. Here’s a look at my month’s reading... You can read longer reviews for each book in my July Book Reads Blogs - part 1 & part 2 (Amazon Affiliate Links)
I absolutely loved Mo Farah’s autobiography. As a fan of his career, it was incredible to re-live some of the most pivotal moments, especially his stunning wins in the 10,000m and 5,000m at the London 2012 Olympics which I re-watched when I finished the book! Farah takes us through his journey, from his early years in Somalia to his rise to stardom in the athletics world. It offers a fascinating insight into his mindset and what made him such an amazing runner.
Having adored The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, I was eager to dive into Schwab’s newly released book. While the writing was as beautiful as expected, the story didn’t quite live up to the hype. The book starts strong, with an intriguing premise, a strong lead character and immersive atmosphere, but by two thirds of the way through, I found myself struggling. A key character was introduced quite late on, which I wasn't sure totally worked, and the ending felt improbable.
This one had been on my radar for a while, I knew it was likely to leave me feeling frustrated so had been debating whether or not to read it. In July I finally picked it up, Invisible Women lays bare the shocking gender data gap that shapes everything from healthcare to urban planning. It made me angry and annoyed, but in a way that was ultimately necessary. It’s eye-opening and deeply unsettling, while I learned a lot, I couldn’t help but feel the urgency for change.
This month I sped through two more of J.D. Kirk’s DCI Logan novels. These gritty Scottish crime thrillers are always an entertaining ride, filled with twists, dark humour, and memorable characters. As always, Kirk delivered a gripping, fast-paced narrative, and I couldn’t put these down until the last page. If you love crime fiction, especially with a strong sense of place, these are not to be missed.
The second of J.D. Kirk’s DCI Logan novels that I sped through this month. These gritty Scottish crime thrillers are always an entertaining ride, filled with twists, dark humour, and memorable characters. As always, Kirk delivered a gripping, fast-paced narrative, and I couldn’t put these down until the last page. If you love crime fiction, especially with a strong sense of place, these are not to be missed.
This was another re-read for me, I first read it in school for my A-levels, and I had forgotten just how much detail was packed into the story. It’s a thought-provoking novel that tackles big questions about faith, knowledge, and human nature, making it an excellent choice for deep analysis. On this re-read, I was able to appreciate its complexity probably more so than I did when I was younger, I can definitely see why it was chosen as an exam text.
A short but powerful psychological tale. This is a dark, unsettling story about a woman’s descent into madness. I first read it during my English Literature studies at university, and this month I revisited it after it came up in conversation. The themes of confinement, gender, and mental health remain just as relevant today, and the tension in the narrative builds beautifully. It’s an impactful read that stays with you long after you’ve finished.
I’ve always loved Joanne Harris’s earlier books, Chocolat and Blackberry Wine are 2 of my favourites. As Harris moved more into fantasy writing I struggled to get on with her writing and haven't read any of her books since Runemarks so I was curious to see how I’d feel about her latest work. The Moonlight Market had a magical quality to it, with its themes of transformation and self-discovery, but I found the story a bit meandering.
This book was another comfort read from Evie Woods. Set in France, it’s filled with delicious French pastries and a sense of quiet magic. The story revolves around a mysterious bakery and the secrets it holds, with a dash of fairy-tale charm. It’s light, heartwarming, and a perfect escape for a rainy afternoon. If you love food, France, and a bit of whimsy, this book is sure to satisfy.
This month’s book club read and I found it was an acquired taste. I had watched the first episode of the TV series and wasn’t immediately impressed, but I gave the book a go. Herron’s writing is sharp, witty, and cleverly descriptive (someone at my book club even compared the writing to Dickens!). However, for me, the characters were hard to connect with. They were all quite unlikeable, and I struggled to care what happened to them. The plot itself felt weak at times.
The second autobiography of an Olympic champion that I read this month, Faster Than Lightning offers an insightful look into Bolt’s early life and rise to fame. His natural talent and drive shine through, and it was fascinating to learn more about his background growing up in Jamaica. While the book doesn’t cover his 2016 Olympics or retirement, it offers a fresh perspective on his early years and the mindset that made him the fastest man in the world.
A few months ago I revisited Frankenstein, this month I decided to to dig out Dracula, another classic horror tale that I originally read as a teenager. What struck me on this re-read was how much I had forgotten about the structure of the story, it’s told through diary entries, telegrams, and letters, creating an intriguing mix of perspectives. The nuances in the narrative that I didn’t appreciate back then now stood out, the book was just as thrilling as I remembered.
Not quite as strong as Reid’s other works, this is still a captivating read. Set in the glamorous world of Malibu, it focuses on the lives of the Riva siblings and the secrets that come to light during an unforgettable party. I loved how characters from the other books pop up in the narrative, particularly Carrie Soto's cameo appearance. Reid’s writing is always engaging, although it didn’t hit me as hard as The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo or Daisy Jones and The Six
My second Taylor Jenkins Reid book of the month and she continues to shine as a master storyteller. I read this one around the time of Wimbledon, which made it all the more fitting. The story follows Carrie Soto, a retired tennis champion, as she comes back to reclaim her title. Reid provides an expert portrayal of fame, reputation, and ruthless ambition. Carrie is a fascinating character, strong-willed, driven, and unapologetic. This was a five star read for me.
You already know how much I love Kirk's DCI Logan novels...well, this takes one of the characters from that series - Bob Hoon and develops out his own series. These start to intertwine with the later DCI Logan novels so I needed to do a bit of catching up to get up to speed on these so that I could make sense of all the references that were starting to appear in the DCI Logan storylines.
Imagine Die Hard meets James Bond and that gives you a sense of what these action-packed novels are like! With fast-paced action, complex characters, and plenty of twists, these books are perfect for anyone who loves a high-octane adventure. There are currently two more in this series so I can't wait to see how things evolve and continue to intertwine with the DCI Logan series.
Once again, imagine Die Hard meets James Bond and that gives you a sense of what these action-packed novels are like! With fast-paced action, complex characters, and plenty of twists, these books are perfect for anyone who loves a high-octane adventure. There are currently two more in this series so I can't wait to see how things evolve and continue to intertwine with the DCI Logan series.
From the author of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series, this is another brilliant thriller that kept me guessing right until the very end. The story follows a group of friends who are stranded in an RV in the middle of nowhere, and as the tension mounts, secrets start to unfold and lies begin to be exposed. Jackson excels at creating suspense and developing characters that you care about, and this book is no exception. The twists and turns kept me hooked.
August is shaping up to be a great month of reading already. I’ve just started A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, which I’ve been hearing incredible things about.
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