Best of the Bunch (July 2021)

Today I'm sharing the best book I read in July.

Of the 7 books I read this month, I had one 5-star read, so that's my Best of the Bunch!

One Last Stop was EVERYTHING. It's a romance and a mystery and a love letter to New York and a celebration of queer history and found family, and there's a heist and multiple drag shows and it's just the best. The cast of characters were all fantastic, the dialogue was pitch-perfect, and I cried more than once. Everything about the plot was unexpected in the best way, and McQuiston doesn't let a single ball drop no matter where it twists. It has been too long since I read a book that made me feel as much as this one did. I can't recommend it enough.

What is the best book you read this month? Let me know in comments, or write your own post and link up below!

Looking back:
One year ago I was reading: Everyday Antiracism and Lovely War
Five years ago I was reading: Girl at the End of the World and A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare
Ten years ago I was reading: Drive

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Ten Books I’d Want With Me While Stranded On a Deserted Island

I'm linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl for another Top Ten Tuesday.

Today we're talking about books we'd want with us on a deserted island. I decided not to go the uber-practical route of books for surviving or escaping from a deserted island, and in this scenario I'm going to imagine that I'm all by myself with a solar-powered Kindle so I just have unlimited reading time. These are some books I'd want to have on that Kindle!

1. 168 Hours by Laura Vanderkam
As long as I'm going to be stuck on this island, I might as well put some thought into how I want to spend my days. Vanderkam's book assumes that your life is so busy that you don't think you have time for the things you want to do, but it's just as important to be mindful of how you spend your time when you have no outside obligations!

2. The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama XIV and Howard C. Cutler
As much as Cutler's writing annoys me in this book, I found the underlying messages from the Dalai Lama to be valuable. If I'm alone with my thoughts and an uncertain future, then reflecting on the power of my own attitude seems like a good way to spend some time.

3. The Bible
If I have a limited number of books with me for an indefinite amount of time, then what better to have than a book that is actually a collection of many books, each of which has many layers to explore and ponder?

4. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
This is a favorite book but it's on the very long side, so having lots of time on my hands would be a great time to revisit it. Plus it contains an epic escape!

5. Far from the Tree by Andrew Solomon
This is one I haven't yet read but have seen recommended frequently. It's a thick book that seems to have a lot of content to dive into and reflect on, so it would be good to read when I have a lot of uninterrupted time.

6. The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
This continues to be my favorite book of all time, which I've liked as much on reread as the first time, so I'd definitely want this one with me.

7. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
This is also up there as one of my favorites, and I'd imagine in such a dire situation I'd want a dose of the whimsy this book provides, coupled with the inspiration of the characters' problem-solving prowess!

8. The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
When dealing with uncertainty and isolation, having some wisdom of the ages definitely wouldn't hurt.

9. The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher
This is a favorite book that, like the long books above, would be an investment of time to reread, and also it left me with a peaceful feeling and an appreciation of nature that I feel like could be valuable in this situation.

10. Ulysses by James Joyce
This is another one that I haven't read because it's both long and dense, but if I had nothing but time it would be a good chance to dig into the many layers that this book has to offer!

Which books would you want with you on a deserted island?

Looking back:
One year ago I was reading: Piecing Me Together and Lovely War
Five years ago I was reading: Prototype and A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare
Ten years ago I was reading: For Better

What I've Been Reading Lately (Quick Lit)

Today I'm linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy's Quick Lit to bring you some short and sweet reviews of what I've read in the past month. For longer reviews, you can always find me on Goodreads.

Here's what I read this past month, including what I've been reading to my son!

The Case of the Missing Mom by Steve Brezenoff: This one was something different from the rest of the series, as it's more about the missing people than the museum artifacts that have also gone missing. I didn't guess the solution, part of which was clever and part of which was far-fetched. This definitely wasn't my favorite of the series, but it was one of the better ones.

Boy Erased by Garrard Conley: I've heard many stories from survivors of ex-gay therapy, so nothing in this memoir was particularly surprising to me, but I'm grateful to those who are willing to tell their stories. I think there are probably other memoirs that share the experience of ex-gay therapy in a way that's more straightforward, but I would imagine that Conley's writing style lends weight to the experience for some.

The Case of the Counterfeit Painting by Steve Brezenoff: I appreciated that this was something different from the previous books — rather than being a simple art theft, the book centers on the question of whether a painting is authentic or a counterfeit. I thought the way they went about catching the culprits was ridiculous, though, and hinged on absurdly lucky circumstances even though they acted like it was the result of logical and brilliant plans. So it was nice to have a change of pace but put together a bit sloppily.

The Road Trip by Beth O'Leary: This was a good mix of sweet romance and serious issues, with some funny moments throughout. Even more than seeing a relationship develop, I think it can be interesting to see how it unravels, especially when no one is clearly at fault. This isn't my favorite of O'Leary's books, but I did enjoy it.

The Case of the Soldier's Ghost by Steve Brezenoff: This was a fairly weak ending to the series. The solution didn't make a lot of sense, and I thought the author glossed over the issues with the Vietnam War in favor of a heavy-handed pro-veterans message. I'm fine with the series being over now.

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston: This book is EVERYTHING. It's a romance and a mystery and a love letter to New York and a celebration of queer history and found family, and there's a heist and multiple drag shows and it's just the best. I can't recommend it enough.

Maurice by E.M. Forster: This is the kind of book that I appreciate and admire within its specific context and feel meh about outside of it. I'm glad to have read this for the historical glimpse into what it would have been like to be gay in pre-WWI England, but I can take or leave the actual story line.

Looking back:
One year ago I was reading: Killers of the Flower Moon and The New Jim Crow
Five years ago I was reading: Philippine Duchesne and Never Let Me Go
Ten years ago I was reading: Rats

Ten Book Titles That Are Questions

I'm linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl for another Top Ten Tuesday.

Today's topic is kind of like an extension of the one I suggested a while back of book titles that are complete sentences. What I learned then was how many people don't actually know what a complete sentence is! Hopefully this week's topic, book titles that are questions, is a little more straightforward.

1. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick

2. Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? by John R. Powers

3. Does Jesus Really Love Me? by Jeff Chu

4. I Had Brain Surgery, What's Your Excuse? by Suzy Becker

5. What If? by Randall Munroe

6. Where Am I Now? by Mara Wilson

7. Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? by Alyssa Mastromonaco

8. Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Daniel Tatum

9. Will I Ever Be Good Enough? by Karyl McBride

10. You're Wearing That? by Deborah Tannen

What question titles have you read?

Looking back:
One year ago I was reading: Killers of the Flower Moon and The New Jim Crow
Five years ago I was reading: With Burning Hearts and Searching for Sunday
Ten years ago I was reading: Rats