Hello readers! How was July for you? July flew by fast for me. It was a busy month and quite overwhelming but I got a lot accomplished so that’s good. I hope you had a productive month as well. ☺ 

This month, I read 9 books in total getting me closer to the 100 books I’m aiming to read this year. 8 of them are novels in English and 1 Japanese book. So without further ado, let’s jump right into the Book Wrap Up for the month of July. 😄

1. All the Wrong Chords by Christine Hurley Deriso

Synopsis:

Scarlett Stiles is desperate for a change of scenery after her older brother, Liam, dies of a drug overdose. But spending the summer with her grandfather wasn’t exactly what she had in mind. Luckily, Scarlett finds something to keep her busy—a local rock band looking for a guitarist. Even though playing guitar has been hard since Liam died, Scarlett can’t pass on an opportunity like this, and she can’t take her eyes off the band’s hot lead singer either. Is real happiness just around the corner? Or will she always be haunted by her brother’s death?

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review and I’m so glad I did because I really enjoyed it.

I wrote a review of All the Wrong Chords here 👇https://atomic-temporary-121530065.wpcomstaging.com/2017/07/10/book-review-all-the-wrong-chords-by-christine-hurley-deriso/

2. A Short Border Handbook by Gazmend Kapllani

Synopsis:

After spending his childhood and school years in Albania, imagining that the miniskirts and game shows of Italian state TV were the reality of life in the West, and fantasizing accordingly about living on the other side of the border, the 1985 death of Albanian Communist leader Hoxha at last enables Gazmend Kapllani to make his escape. However, on arriving in the promised land, he finds neither lots of willing leggy lovelies nor a warm welcome from his long-lost Greek cousins. Instead, he gets banged up in a detention center in a small border town. As Gazi and his fellow immigrants try to find jobs, they begin to plan their future lives in Greece, imagining riches and successes which always remain just beyond their grasp.

A Short Border Handbook by Gazmend Kapllani is another book I received from Netgalley. This book moved me and even brought me to tears. It also made me question myself a lot about life. I think this is a book everyone should read.

I also wrote a short review for A Short Border Handbook. I’ve included some of my favorite quotes from the book as well so you can have a sneak peek of the book. Check it out (if you’re interested) here 👉 https://atomic-temporary-121530065.wpcomstaging.com/2017/07/24/book-review-a-short-border-handbook-by-gazmend-kapllani/

3. Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami translated by Philip Gabriel

Synopsis: 

 Kafka on the Shore is powered by two remarkable characters: a teenage boy, Kafka Tamura, who runs away from home either to escape a gruesome oedipal prophecy or to search for his long-missing mother and sister; and an aging simpleton called Nakata, who never recovered from a wartime affliction and now is drawn toward Kafka for reasons that, like the most basic activities of daily life, he cannot fathom.

As their paths converge, and the reasons for that convergence become clear, Haruki Murakami enfolds readers in a world where cats talk, fish fall from the sky, and spirits slip out of their bodies to make love or commit murder. Kafka on the Shore displays one of the world’s great storytellers at the peak of his powers.

Check out my review of Kafka on the Shore if you haven’t yet by clicking on the link below. 👇
https://atomic-temporary-121530065.wpcomstaging.com/2017/07/12/book-review-kafka-on-the-shore-by-haruki-murakami-translated-by-philip-gabriel/

4. ちびまる子ちゃん: サッカー少年ケン太の巻、 原作: さくらももこ (Chibi Maruko Chan: Kenta the Soccer Player)

概要:

清水市は「日本のブラジル」と自ら主張するほどサッカーのさかんな市。サッカー部が部員を募集していると聞いて、クラスはその話題でもちきりになる。サッカーが大好きなケン太が大張りきりでみんなを引っ張っていくが、 釣られただけのクラスメイトは数日でぐったり。けん太は友達をサッカーをあきらめないようになっとくさせられるのか、それともひとりで部に残って頑張り続ける?

Synopsis:

People living in Shizuoka City are very active when it comes to soccer that the city is often called the Brazil of Japan. When the teacher announces that the soccer club is recruiting new members, the class buzzes with excitement. Kenta, who has a passion for soccer, joins the team. Other students become inspired by him and join as well. When new members become dead-tired of practice only days after they joined the team except for Kenta who has a passion for soccer,  he finds ways to save the team. Will Kenta be able to convince his other classmates to continue playing soccer or will he continue following his dreams even if it means he will be spending less time with friends?

今月は日本語の本は一冊しか読んでないので来月はたくさん読めるように頑張ります。実は学校で日本語の本を十冊読みましたけど全部すごく短い物語なのでこのリストには含めていないです。この本の書評はまだ書いてないので来月にアップしますので楽しみです。
I feel guilty for reading only 1 Japanese book this month so I will try my best to read more Japanese books this August. I actually read about 10 Japanese books in school but they’re short stories and by short I mean really short so I didn’t include them in this list. I haven’t written a book review of this yet but I will be writing a review some time this August. I’m so excited for it. 

5. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Synopsis:

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss’s family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a a hand in carefully laid plans – except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss’s willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebel’s Mockingjay – no matter what the personal cost.

6. All Things New by Lauren Miller

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Jessa Gray has always felt broken inside, but she’s gotten very good at hiding it. No one at school knows about the panic attacks, the therapy that didn’t help, the meds that haven’t worked. But when a severe accident leaves her with a brain injury and noticeable scars, Jessa’s efforts to convince the world that she’s okay finally crumbles. She now looks as shattered as she feels. Fleeing from her old life in Los Angeles, Jessa moves to Colorado to live with her dad, but things go from bad to worse when she realizes she’s seeing bruises and scars on the people around her that no one else can see. She blames it on the accident, but as her body heals and the hallucinations continue, Jessa wonders if what she’s seeing could somehow have a deeper meaning. In her quest for answers, she falls for Marshall, a boy whose kindness and generous heart slowly draw Jessa out of her walled-off shell and into the broken, beautiful, real world place where souls get hurt just as badly as bodies, and we all need each other to heal.

Another book I received from Netgalley is All Things New by Lauren Miller. I will also be writing a review of this on August as well so look forward to that. ☺

Check out Lauren Miller’s website here:     👉  http://www.laurenmillerwrites.com/

7. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by JK Rowling

Synopsis:

Explorer and Magizoologist Newt Scamander has just completed a round-the-globe trip in search of the most rare and unusual magical creatures. Arriving in New York, he intends his stay to be just a brief stopover. However, when Newt’s case is misplaced and some of his fantastic beasts escape into the city, it spells trouble for everyone…

So I have already watched Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them when it hit the screens last year but I haven’t read the book yet so when I found it at Book Off for just ¥500 and in really good condition, I knew I had to grab it before someone else does. I really enjoyed the movie and while I was reading the book, it was like watching the movie all over again. The cover is amazing and the illustrations inside are really pretty which makes me feel like I’m in a different world while reading. 

8. Wings Unseen by Rebecca Gomez Farrell

Synopsis:

The Meduan and Lanserim ways of life are as compatible as oil and water. But when a menacing threat descends upon both countries, devouring all living things in its wake and leaving only husks of skin behind, Lansera’s young Prince Janto and his fiancée, Serra, must learn to work together with the beautiful Vesperi, an unpredictable Meduan who may possess the only weapon that can save them—magic.

This book is like And I Darken and An Ember in the Ashes combined. I received this book from Netgalley and I will be writing a review this August so look forward to that. 😉
9. Counting Wolves by Michael F. Stewart

Synopsis:

Milly’s evil stepmother commits her to a pediatric psych ward. That’s just what the wolf wants. With bunk mates like Red, who’s spiraling out of control; Pig, a fire-bug who claims Milly as her own—but just wants extra dessert—Vanet, a manic teen masquerading as a fairy godmother with wish-granting powers as likely to kill as to help; and the mysterious Wolfgang, rumored to roam for blood at night; it doesn’t take long for Milly to realize that only her dead mother’s book of tales can save her.

But Milly’s spells of protection weaken as her wolf stalks the hospital corridors. The ward’s a Dark Wood, and she’s not alone. As her power crumbles, she must let go of her magic and discover new weapons if she is to transform from hunted to hunter.

Another ebook I received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review is Counting Wolves by Michael F. Stewart. I will be writing a review of this book as well so look forward to that also. ☺
That’s it for my book wrap up for the month of July! 😄 I hope you enjoyed it and if you did, please give it a thumbs up to let me know and follow me (if you like, I’m not forcing anyone) if you enjoy posts like this. ☺ Thank you for reading! 📖

Love,

Flexi ❤