July 2023 Book List

Once summer arrives, I spend lots of afternoon floating in the pool on m favourite raft….reading. The sun shining and, sometimes, a drink or a snack…just floating and reading. This month, I read (and listened) to a total of 18 books. I am not going to try to rate them. I really enjoyed them all – I like some “summer – beach” reads, some to help me think and some to help me learn.

Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver
I listened to this beautiful story about caring for the world, caring for each other and understanding and appreciating the traditions, legends and culture of the world around you.

The Perfect Son by Lauren North
This story is disturbing – a mother/son story that is full of twists and turns – a real psychological thriller.

A Sin Such as This by Ellen Hopkins
A real family drama story – mistakes and secrets and lots of terrible choices.

The Vagus Nerve: Your Body’s Superpower! Simple 3 Minute exercises to activate your body’s natural healing power to relieve inflammation, stress, anxiety, depression and chronic illness by Galen Hart
Fascinating research and practical ideas to help you tone your vagus nerve.

Another Woman by Penny Vincenzi
What happens when the bride disappears on the morning of her wedding? LOTS! This story just continues to evolve and evolve from affairs, to airplane flights to models and health scares – this family does everything, all at once.

Hello, Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
This is a beautiful love story – a family that grows and love through all the mysteries of life – this is a very tender, moving story. You just feel like sighing at the end.

Untethered: Overcome Distraction, Build Healthy Digital Habits and Use Tech to Create a Life You Love by Sini Ninkovic
Instead of blaming tech for all our troubles, we need to learn to create some routines and habits and use the tools outlined in this book to improve your relationship with your digital devices.

It’s Now or Never by Carole Matthews
Is it ever too late to change? Can you start chasing your dreams anytime? Life is heartbreaking and crazy and exciting but you can always control your choices.

The Apollo Murders by Chris Hadfield
Suspenseful, full of interesting information – it really is a work of historical fiction with a nod to the Cold War and the Space Race – a real thriller.

Stop Overthinking: 23 Techniques to Relieve Stress, Stop Negative Spirals, Declutter Your Mind, and Focus on the Present by Nick Trenton
Strategies to help you get out of the never-ending thought loop.

Here, The Bees Sting: A Novel by Will Caverly
Romance, power struggles and hives and houses. Blood and honey will be spilled before autumn begins.

After the Funeral by Elmore Hammes
The story of a father and daughter, and they aftermath of their wife and mother’s funeral.

What Happened at the Lake by Phil M. Williams
The family went on a vacation – not everyone came back. Violent, mystery, action and suspense.

Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life by Kwame Christian
The best things in life are on the other side of a difficult conversation. This book has SO many great strategies for managing all kinds of conflict.

The Surgeon by Leslie Wolfe
Did this surgeon really commit murder?

Pachinko b Min Jin Lee
Do you know about Pachinko Parlors in Japan? This story is fascinating – full of love, sacrifice, ambition and loyalty. This is well written and very moving.

Say the Right Think: How to Talk about Identity, Diversity, and Justice by Kenji Yoshino and David Glasgow
A practical, shame-free guide for navigating conversations across our differences at a time of rapid social change.

Pomegranate by Helen Elaine Lee
This young woman grips your heart. She finishes her sentence in jail and tries to get her life together while staying true to herself and her identity.