July Confessions

Ahh! How is July over? Yikes. Slow down, summer. We have been trying to get down the shore and we were able to for two extended trips. It's so much work with two little ones, but it's so worth it.  I've been reading more YA lately and haven't put them in the DNF pile, so that's a good thing, right?  In fact, a few have been downright stellar. What have you been up to this month? 


I'll be trying to savor every last drop of sunshine this August.  Does anyone have a pause button?

Books Read in July:

1.  Cocoa Beach by Beatriz Williams (Adult Historical Fiction) - 4 out of 5 stars
2.  The Lake Effect by Erin McCahon (YA Realistic Fiction) - 5 out of 5 stars
3.  I See London, I See France by Sarah Mylonowski (YA Realstic Fiction) - 3.5 out of 5 stars
4.  The Cafe by the Sea by Jenny Colgan (Adult Fiction) - 3.5 out of 5 stars
5.  Changes in Latitudes by Jen Malone (YA Realistic Fiction) - 4 out of 5 stars
6.  Coming Up for Air by Miranda Kenneally (YA Realistic Fiction) - 4 out of 5 stars (Review to come!)
7.  Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts (YA Fantasy) - 3.5 out of 5 stars (Review to come!)

Audio Books:
1. Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati (Adult Historical Fiction) - 3.5 out of 5 stars (Review to come!)

Chapter Books/Early Readers:
1.  Captain Underpants and the Talking Toilets by Dav Pilkey - 3 stars
2.  Dog Man by Dav Pilkey - 3 stars
3.  Secret of the Water Dragon (Dragon Masters #3) by Tracey West - 3.5 stars
4.  Dinosaurs Before Dark (Magic Tree House #1) by Mary Pope Osborne - 4 stars
5.  Knights Before Dawn (Magic Tree House #2) by Mary Pope Osborne - 4 stars
6.  Mummies in the Morning (Magic Tree House #3) by Mary Pope Osborne - 4 stars

1.  Favorite Book:  The Lake Effect  - Outstanding! If you like smart beach reads, you must drop what you are doing and get a copy. Absolutely loved it. 

2.  Biggest Surprise: Coming Up for Air - So, I had a strange time reading this book. At first I was completely turned off by the main character. Then I fell in love with the whole friends-to-something more story line; plus, there's competitive swimming!!  I really enjoyed it and by the second half of the novel I was hooked! It's a fun summer read for sure.  I'll be sharing my review this month.

3.  Biggest Disappointment:   Royal Bastards was just an ok read for me. It took me awhile to finish and I felt lukewarm about the whole thing. I never really connected with any of the characters. I was hoping for more of a Jon Snow vibe, but that didn't happen.  Keep your eye out for my review this month.

4.  Favorite Post from July:   If You Love Suspenseful Beach Reads 

5.  Favorite Part of July:  My son's 5th birthday! We had a boardwalk/beach themed birthday party and he had a blast. I can't believe he is five already. 

What I'm Loving:

• Tiny Fruits - My toddler is obsessed!
• This Drink - I made it for my son's birthday party as an adult alternative. It was a hit!
• Hummingbird Feeder -  It's been so cool to see them up close and observe them by our kitchen window.
• Game of Thrones 
• Harpoon's on the Bay in Cape May, NJ
• A Breath of Snow and Ashes audio book - Davina Porter is an incredible narrator.

What I'm Not Loving:

• The Back to School Displays - what the heck? Can't we just enjoy summer?

What was your favorite book you read this month?  What do you plan to read this August? What have you been loving this month? Let me know in the comments.