July 2020 Wrap Up

Guys, July has been absolutely insane. I have been working almost every day nearly all month. And working strange shifts, as early as 5 or 6 am and as late as midnight. And working some 10, 11 hour days. I am glad that I have this position and that my work is so needed. But I am also tired. I will get a little break next weekend, thankfully. Well-earned if I do say so myself.

I have had next to no time to work on my next disease post, though I did start it in June. One day I will finish a post about Diphtheria!

I have also been comforting myself with book-related (mostly) retail therapy. I have bought lots of books and pins and washi tape and candles. Oops. Good thing I have been working so many extra hours. But I've bought several books and haven't had as much time to read them. And I haven't had it in me to read much. I re-read some books which helped. I did not finish my book club book for this month (in fact, I barely even started it).

Speaking of books, here is what I did read this month!

Title: The Near Witch

Author: V.E. Schwab

Narrator: Heather Wilds

Synopsis: The town of Near is small. No one visits or leaves. And the tales of the Near Witch are told to scare children. But one day a stranger shows up and then children start to disappear from their beds.

Thoughts: This was Victoria Schwab's debut novel. It felt a little like a first book and was occasionally repetitive. Overall, I liked the story alright, though it didn't stick out to me like most of her other books have.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Title: 10 Things I Hate About Pinky

Author: Sandhya Menon

Synopsis: Pinky is a rebel always fighting for a cause. During the summer, feeling her mother's very critical eye on her, she told her parents that she had a boyfriend that even her mom would approve of. And then she needed a fake boyfriend. Samir's summer internship fell through and left his summer open. That works out perfectly for Pinky: Samir is proper and polite and can be her fake boyfriend. In return, she will line up another internship for him with her mother's law firm.

Thoughts: I'm so glad I got this book when I did. I picked it up immediately and ended up loving it. I read her book From Twinkle, With Love a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. So I read When Dimple Met Rishi, which I enjoyed less. The companion novel to that came out about a year ago: There's Something About Sweetie,  I liked much more. But this one tops them all. It was the perfect summer read.

Rating: 4 or 4 1/2 stars out of 5

Title: The Woman Who Rides Like a Man and Lioness Rampant

Author: Tamora Pierce

Synopsis: Alanna has won her shield and revealed her true gender to the people of Tortall. Now a knight, she searches for adventure. Her travels take her to the Great Southern Desert and then to the Roof of the World.

Thoughts: Re-reads and comfort reads. I always love these books. The Song of the Lioness quartet will always hold a special place in my heart, I think.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Title: Aru Shah and the End of Time, Aru Shah and the Song of Death, and Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes

Author: Roshani Chokshi

Narrator: Soneela Nankani

Synopsis: These books follow the tale of twelve-year-old Aru Shah, reincarnated Pandava and tale spinner extraordinaire. After freeing the Sleeper from his prison, she must gather the other Pandavas and defeat him.

Thoughts: Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes came out recently so I listened to it. But it's been a while since I read the last two, so then I re-read Aru Shah and the End of Time and Aru Shah and the Song of Death. These are fun and informative. Rick Riordan-esque but with Hindu mythology. They are great!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Favorite book read this month: 10 Things I Hate About Pinky

Least favorite book read this month: The Near Witch

And that's about it for this month. I have now read 60 books toward my goal of 80. And for the alphabet challenge, I completed N.

Thanks for reading! I hope my life will be a little less insane in August.