July Top Books

August Reading Challenge & July Recap: Celebrate a month of unforgettable reads, including a perfect 5-star standout, God’s Country by William Kent Krueger. From coming-of-age stories and redemption tales to gripping mysteries, July delivered plenty of new favorites. Looking ahead, August’s mystery-themed reading challenge pays tribute to classic influences like Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, featuring prompts centered on detective work, true crime, memorable sidekicks, and books by women authors. Join us as we uncover more page-turning mysteries in the month ahead!

This Week: July 25th

Discover this week's Southern Gothic theme, where small-town settings, family secrets, moral ambiguity, and the weight of the past create unforgettable stories. Featured picks include Sean Dietrich's The Incredible Winston Browne, a moving Florida-set novel filled with hidden histories and memorable characters, and Marc Cameron's new release Backtrack, the latest Arliss Cutter thriller that blends family legacy, danger, and suspense across Alaska and Texas. Plus, an important announcement about the future of this newsletter and what's coming next.

Abscond

In this review of Abraham Verghese’s Abscond, I explore how this brief but powerful short story captures grief, family expectations, cultural tradition, and the quiet turning point between childhood and growing up.

This Week: July 19th

This week’s reading challenge explores the timeless coming-of-age story and the journey of self-discovery that continues throughout life. Featuring a recommendation of Abraham Verghese’s Abscond and a spotlight on a captivating new release from Kelly Rimmer, this post celebrates unforgettable characters, family secrets, emotional growth, and the books that shape us. Discover your next great read, plus updates on upcoming changes to our reading community, reviews, and newsletter schedule.