I cannot believe it’s already August!! Summer (despite my lazing about)
has passed so quickly. School starts in less less than two weeks for me…
So, the summer has been super slow reading for me, unfortunately. I reduced my Goodreads goal from 110 books to 90 books–hopefully I can reach it! I think it is a more reasonable goal, and I’m a little past halfway done.
I read 6 books in July (but one of them was only 100-ish pages lol). Here are my thoughts:
3* for How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines by Thomas C. Foster
I was not a fan of this (I had to read it for school, figures). It seemed a bit pretentious and the techniques it discussed seemed fairly obvious and lacked any depth in the analysis. Informative, but not essential.
4* for The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler
Read my review here. Loved this eloquent and magical book!
3* for Euphoria by Lily King
Read my review here. Pretty average, had some interesting insights though.
4* Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
This book was so weird! I had to read it for school, and I can see why it’s controversial for students. There was some mature content, but I find that its themes were eerily relevant to today’s society (Our Ford, anyone?). Huxley was one insightful guy, I’ll give him that. As far as characters and plot goes, it was a bit dry, but I think that was the intention. I enjoyed it for the most part.
3* for The Creeping by Alexandra Sirowy
Read my review here. This was a pretty good mystery, have some mixed opinions about other aspects of the book.
4* for The Little Queen by Meia Geddes
Read my review here. Super adorable, sweet, and nostalgic!
So, this was a fairly productive month! I’m slowly pulling myself out of my summer reading slump, just in time for school to start (yay!). Next month I plan on participating in a couple challenges/tags, so I’m excited for that! How was your guys’ July? What do you plan on reading for August?
Gossamer Pages 
13 responses to “July 2017 Wrap-up”
The cover for Brave New World is hilarious, I want to read it just because of that haha
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yeah it’s just as strange as the actual book lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve had a good month! I’m requesting Shards of Honour and Mr. Mercedes from the library so hopefully those will be ready soon. Thank you for following my book blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
No problem, and thank you! Tell me how you like Mr. Mercedes, I had to put it down after a couple chapters. Maybe I’ll give it another go if you like it
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure you’ll see it on my blog. ^_~
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brave New World has intrigued me! Will need to check this out! Great post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Definitely check it out
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brave New World is one of my favourite sci-fis, I think you’re so fortunate to be doing it in school!
I should go back and reread some of the things I did in school, I’ve found I get something different from a book every time I reread it, particularly if it’s been years apart.
Brave New World and 1984 are always being compared, but I found this excellent quote that sums them up beautifully;
According to critic Neil Postman:
“What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egotism. Orwell feared that the truth would be concealed from us. Huxley feared the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance. Orwell feared we would become a captive culture. Huxley feared we would become a trivial culture, preoccupied with some equivalent of the feelies, the orgy porgy, and the centrifugal bumble puppy.
In short, Orwell feared that what we fear will ruin us. Huxley feared that our desire will ruin us.”
https://electricliterature.com/amp/p/a73b945c5d37
I always find that certain kinds of sci-fi, like brave new world, can be shallow in terms of characters and “dry” as you said; but I think it’s because the authors are so consumed by these particular scientific ideas and constructs they have – it’s like the book and it’s narrative and characters are just a sounding board for the author’s scientific and psychological/sociological theories
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, that quote really resonates with the difference between the authors. I hadn’t thought of it that way, and I find myself agreeing. Thinking back on Brave New World now, I can see how a lot of its thematic significance could be lost if one is too focused on the story. Knowing a bit more about it now, I might go back for a reread!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sci fi books have to be approached a bit differently to other books lol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
True, the meaning is usually pretty obscured
LikeLike
I’ve seen The Creeping before and it looked quite intriguing. There was a time I had Euphoria by Lily King on my tbr shelf but since then kicked it off again. After reading your review I’m glad I did. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, Euphoria wasn’t a favorite of mine. You should definitely take a look at The Creeping though!
LikeLiked by 1 person