Books Read in July

This is a list of all of the books that I read in July, broken up into Middle Grade Books, Young Adult Books, and Adult Fiction. I was taking a bit of a reviewing break for much of the month (after burning out by reviewing too many titles in rapid succession), so I read a higher ratio of adult titles than usual (mostly mysteries). I don't generally review those, but I have included a few brief comments. I also (once I recovered a bit from the burnout) caught up a bit on reviews of previously read picture books, and have several reviews scheduled to post over the next couple of weeks.

Middle Grade Books

1. Rebecca Stead: First Light. Wendy Lamb Books. Completed July 3, 2009. My review.
2. Barbara Dee: Solving Zoe. Margaret K. McElderry. Completed July 27, 2009. My review.

Young Adult Books

1. Maggie Stiefvater: Shiver. Scholastic. Completed July 1, 2009. My review.
2. E. Lockhart: The Boy Book: A Study of Habits and Behaviors, Plus Techniques for Taming Them. Delacorte Books for Young Readers. Completed July 4, 2009. My review.
3. E. Lockhart: The Treasure Map of Boys: Noel, Jackson, Finn, Hutch, Gideon--and me, Ruby Oliver. Delacorte Books for Young Readers. Completed July 4, 2009. My review.
4. Charlie Higson: Double or Die (The Young James Bond, Book 3). Hyperion Books. Completed July 17, 2009. Enjoyed, but didn't review it. Third book in a fun series aimed at teen boys. And fun for adult Bond fans, too.
5. Pam Bachorz: Candor. Egmont. Completed July 19, 2009. Review forthcoming, closer to publication.
6. Max Turner: Night Runner. St. Martin's Press. Completed July 22, 2009. Review forthcoming, closer to publication.
7. Jill S. Alexander: The Sweetheart of Prosper County. Feiwel and Friends. Completed July 31, 2009. Review forthcoming.

Adult Fiction

1. Janet Evanovich: Finger Lickin' Fifteen (Stephanie Plum novels). St. Martins Press. Completed July 7, 2009, on MP3. I love listening to these books, I really do. This one is no exception. So funny!
2. Laura Lippman: Life Sentences. William Morrow. Completed July 7, 2009. I thought that Lippman had some brilliant insights, and interesting characters, but overall I found the book a little disappointing. I was frustrated by a significant plot point left dangling, and found the parts of the plot that were resolved a bit anti-climactic. Although this book centers around a child who disappeared, it's much more quiet, literary fiction than mystery, and apparently not quite my thing.
3. John Hart: The Last Child. Minotaur Books. Completed July 9, 2009. Quite compelling. I read this in two sittings, and spent time thinking about it afterwards. Excellent standalone thriller/mystery about a 13-year-old boy looking in dark places for his missing twin sister.
4. Craig Johnson: Death Without Company (Walt Longmire #2. Penguin. Completed July 13, 2009.
5. Craig Johnson: Kindness Goes Unpunished (Walt Longmire #3). Penguin. Completed July 21, 2009.
6. Charlaine Harris: Living Dead in Dallas (Sookie Stackhouse #3). Ace. Completed July 25, 2009, on MP3. I can't put my finger on why I like listening to these so much - I think it might be the voice - but they are perfect to listen to while driving around running errands, doing household chores, etc.
7. Craig Johnson: Another Man's Moccasins (Walt Longmire #4). Penguin Viking. Completed July 27, 2009. I enjoyed all three Walt Longmire books (obvious, given that I read all three in 2 weeks). An excellent series about a Wyoming sheriff, filled with characters who feel real, and an ironic humor.

© 2009 by Jennifer Robinson of Jen Robinson's Book Page. All rights reserved.