Category: Monthly update

That’s A Wrap! – July 2026

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Reading update

I read eight books in July, one less than the previous month. I didn’t quite manage to read all the ARCs I have with August publication dates which was my objective. (I’m trying to stay one month ahead.) I have three left, one of which I’m currently reading.

Here are the books I read, with links to my reviews (if I’ve written them yet):

Land by Maggie O’Farrell
Where Are the Kings by Donal Ryan
Invitation from a Dictator by Rory Clements
The Millionaire Waltz by Anthony Quinn
The Eagle & the Wolf by Gordon Doherty
The Draw of the Sea by Wyl Menmuir
Fair Play by Louise Hegarty
Little Spark by Jess Kidd

My favourite book was this month was Land by Maggie O’Farrell, although The Draw of the Sea by Wyl Menmuir came a close second.

Blog update

I’m writing this ahead of time as I’m off for a weekend break to celebrate my husband’s birthday, so these are the figures as at 30th July.

I published 28 blog posts in July:

Book reviews – 7
Memes – 14
Reading updates – 7

For those who like statistics, my blog received 8.3k views in July, up 6% on the previous month. All-time views now stand at 526,794. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read my reviews and/or leave comments last month.

Reading goals update

  • Goodreads – 55/104, still 4 books behind schedule
  • 20 Books of Summer – 15/20, 6 more than last month
  • Read 20 books that have been in my TBR for over 2 years – 3/20, same as last month
  • When Are You Reading? Challenge – 8/12, same as last month
  • Historical Fiction Reading Challenge – 26/50, 4 more than last month
  • Classics Club List 2 – 4/50, same as last month
  • Read all the books on the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction 2026 longlist – 9/12, same as last month
  • NetGalley feedback ratio – 97%, up from 96% the previous month
  • Audiobooks – 6/12, 1 more than last month

Plans for August..

  • Continue to work through my 20 Books of Summer list
  • Finish writing reviews of the books I read in July
  • Read The Correspondent by Virginia Evans for my book club
  • Read the final 3 ARCs with August publishing dates
  • Start reading the 9 ARCs with September publishing dates (eek!)

That’s A Wrap! – June 2026

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Reading update

First of all, how are we already halfway through the year?

I read nine books in June, four more than the previous month. I think that’s proof the hours I spend in the garden is inversely proportional to the number of books I get through. This month it’s been way too hot to venture outside much, except for mercy missions to water ailing plants. I’m especially pleased I managed to read all the ARCs I’ve received with July publication dates.

Here are the books I read, with links to my reviews (if I’ve written them yet):

Prey by Graham Hurley
Dwell by Rue Baldry
A Pocket Full of Rye by Agatha Christie
Deception by Alan Parks
Country People by Daniel Mason
Murder at the End of the World by Araki Akane, translated by Jesse Kirkwood
A Fatal Love by Louisa Treger
Throw Away the Key by Jason M. Hough
Daughters of Naples by Diana Giovinazzo

Picking my favourite book was easy this month – Dwell by Rue Baldry.

Blog update

I published 28 blog posts in June:

Book reviews – 8
Memes – 15
Reading updates – 5

For those who like statistics, my blog received 7.8k views in June, down 6% on the previous month. All-time views now stand at 518,832. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read my reviews and/or leave comments last month.

Reading goals update

  • Goodreads – 47/104, still 4 books behind schedule
  • Books in my TBR for over two years – 3/20, one more than last month
  • When Are You Reading? Challenge – 8/12
  • Historical Fiction Reading Challenge – 22/50
  • Classics Club List 2 – 4/50, one more than last month
  • Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction 2026 longlist – 9/12, same as last month
  • NetGalley feedback ratio – 96%, down from 97% the previous month (I need to get those reviews written)
  • Audiobooks – 5/12, same as last month

Plans for July…

  • Continue to work through my 20 Books of Summer list
  • Finish writing reviews of the books I read in June
  • Read Fair Play by Louise Hegarty for my book club
  • Read all 8 ARCs with August publishing dates
  • Book tickets for events at Henley Literary Festival which takes place in October