This week, we’re giving away three of our July Top Picks!
The Innocents by Francesca Segal is our Top Pick in Fiction! Segal’s debut novel is an impressive re-imagining of Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence. Set in the Jewish suburb of North West London, the novel recasts Wharton’s upper class characters as good Jewish boy Adam Newman, his bubbly fiancée Rachel and her irreverent cousin Ellie. It’s a fantastic contemporary tale, just in time for the 150th anniversary of Wharton’s birth.
Coming to My Senses by Alyssa Harad is our Top Pick in Nonfiction! Harad charts her obsession with perfume in this delicious contemporary memoir. Once dressing like “an unmade bed,” Harad’s discovery of fragrances—and the language that accompanies it—transforms her into a more sensual, ladylike version of herself. No trauma in this memoir—it’s all beauty.
Gone Missing by Linda Castillo is our Top Pick in Mystery! July was all about the Women of Mystery, and the newest installment in Castillo’s Amish thriller series brilliantly mixes a fascinating culture with gripping suspense. Be sure to check out our 7 questions interview with Castillo, where she talked about why Amish country inspired this great mystery series.
Here’s how you can win:
TO ENTER: Leave a comment with your own personal July Top Pick. What’s your favorite book you’ve read this month?
CONTEST DETAILS: One winner will be chosen by random.org from among entries received by 5 pm CST on Friday, July 27. The winner will receive copies of The Innocents, Coming to My Senses and Gone Missing. Prize must be shipped to a North American address, and Rhode Island residents are not eligible. (Full contest rules here.) Good luck!
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ETA: Congrats to our winner, Sally! Her personal July Top Pick was Gold by Chris Cleave.
Thanks to all who entered! Contest is now closed.
A LAND MORE KIND THAN HOME by Wiley Cash was my favorite book for July! Having met him at a book signing and listening to him speak made it all that more enjoyable for me.
Finally getting around to reading “The Sense of an Ending” by Julian Barnes this month and also “The Dud Avocado”–a perfect Paris throwback for last month’s trip abroad.
It’s the only book I’ve read this month (it’s long), but The Secret History by Donna Tartt is the perfect July book. Sprawling and intense.
The Gone Missing mystery sounds good! I would recommend a middle grade book, One For The Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt-just a terrific read with such memorable characters.
The Thread by Victoria Hislop
I haven’t finished yet, but so far I’m liking Gone, Girl best. It’s a perfect summer read- very hard to put down.
I’m currently reading Divergent by Veronica Roth and it would be my July Top Pick.
In the Sea there are Crocodiles
I am tearing through the Magdalene series by Kathleen McGowan….so interesting and hitting home for me!
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie. This was laugh out loud funny!
I just finished “Gold” by Chris Cleave and absolutely loved it!
Stay Close by Harlan Coban.
I’m just starting Anne Tyler’s The Beginner’s Goodbye. My favorite book I’ve read this month though was a bit of a guilty pleasure–Top of the Rock by Warren Littlefield who was the head of NBC entertainment during the “Must See TV” years.
Just finished The Beginner’s Goodbye by Anne Tyler. It was her best book in a long time in my opinion.
The Lay of the Land by Richard Ford.
The Great Escape by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
Just finished Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey. Great story!
Gone Girl was my fav for July, but I’m anxiously awaiting Gold by Chris Cleave, Shine Shine Shine by Lydia Netzer, Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt and Broken Harbor by Tana French!!
Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafon is my July pick. Great pick and makes me want to re-read The Angel’s Game.
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
I have just finished the latest book, “The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection”, by Alex McCall-Smith, in the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series. The stories take place in Botswana, Africa, and features Precious Ramotswe, who is the only lady detective of Botswana. Lots of humor, wit and compassion envelop this fine lady and the various mysteries she sets out to solve….
I just finished Gone, Girl on audio. It was great, especially with the two different voices, recording the parts.
I’ve read too many books this month that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. Some of these are: SHADOW OF NIGHT by Deborah Harkness, THE LINE BETWEEN HERE AND GONE by Andrea Kane, ALIF THE UNSEEN by G. Willow Wilson, and CHILD OF THE MOUNTAINS by Marilyn Sue Shank.
My favorite book so far this month has been The Playdate by Louise Millar.
Tell the Wolves I’m Home, by Carol Rifka Brunt. Wonderful.
I’m with the people who said Gold by Chris Cleave!
THE BIG KITTY by Claire Donally. A really good cozy mystery with a heroine named Sunny, and a cat named Shadow.
“Criminal” by Karin Slaughter, “Broken Harbor” by Tana French and “Summerland” by Elin Hilderbrand.
I’m reading “Veil of Pearls” by MaryLu Tyndall and I love it!
Reading Jasmine Nights right now!
I just finished Sea Change by Karen White. Loved it!
“The Dry Grass of August” by Anna Jean Mayhew
This book is set in 1954 in the south. It is seen through the eyes of a 13 year old girl narrator. Family takes a trip with their black maid from N.C. to the deep south (Florida). Segregation is stronger in the “deep” south than the northern part and affects this family in many ways ending with a terrible tragedy. This is the author’s first book. She is 71 years old and a former N.C. resident. Mrs. Mayhew is one of 5 finalists for the SIBA award for “fiction” to be given out in September at their convention in Naples Florida. She beat out 25 very well know semi-finalists, one of which, was my favorite Fern Michaels. Not only is this a great book, BUT it works very well for a “book discussion” group too. I facilitated this book in the Villages, Florida. The author had done an interview on “Bookbrowse.com”, answering all the discussion questions posed at the end of the book. This made if fun, to give each table a discussion question, have them answer it and then hear what the author had to say about it. Mrs. Mayhew also is on facebook and answers questions there too. She’s very accessible and is willing to work with book clubs either in person or via “Skype”. Mrs. Mayhew did a fantastic job with this book and the subject matter. People compare it to the “Help” but it is different because it is about 1 family, and one black person…and how segregation was so different in various parts of the south. It is also seen through the “eyes of a young impressionable teenager”. Our discussion went on for 2 hours and beyond at lunch. I strongly recommend it!
I waited to read A Discovery of Witches until the sequel, Shadow of Night, was released. Absolutely LOVED the book and am now able to seamlessly move on to the sequel…absolutely enjoying both books this month!
Church of Lies by Flora Jessop
Sandcastle Girls
I just read my first book by J. M. Coetzee – In the Heart of the Country. Crazy plot line but the writing was mesmerizing. Makes me want to read everything else he’s written!
Thanks for the giveaway!
You might really like Coetzee’s book, DISGRACE. It is intense!
I enjoyed Porch Lights by Dorthea Benton Frank.
Each is better than the next! BTW, anything from Stuart Woods is a great beach read,
Just finished Chomp by Carl Hiaasen. Love all his books; Chomp is a middle grade title. Looking forward to finishing Canada by Richard Ford for our discussion group.
Cutting for Stone by Verghese was a wonderful, meaty read.
I’m enjoying A Good American, by Alex George. Couldn’t believe it was available at the library so had to sideline others on my “get to” pile.
The Invisible Ones by Stef Penney.
I think so far,Girl Gone,is my favorite but so many great ones out.
I have read several books but Porch Lights by Dorthea Benton Frank and Gone girl were my favs.
Candace Camp “The Courtship Dance” this is favorite this week, I have new favorites each week.
Rules of Civility
Shadow of Night by Debra Harkness
Read The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty in July and loved it.
I just finished The Winter Garden.
Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
Proud to have finished PILLARS IN THE EARTH by Ken Follett , which was excellent. Also have to recommend THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green which is being made into a movie. Both books took me somewhere else this summer.
I loved Lit by Mary Karr, which I read last week.
I just finished ‘Juliet’ by Ann Fourtier; the story is a bit far-fetched but it’s very entertaining!
Love this site! Like the new picks,hope to win. I keep trying!
My favorite book this month was Yes, Chef by Marcus Samuelsson. Great autobiography!
The Book of Summers by Emylia Hall
An Irish Country Courtship by Patrick Taylor.
MURDER ON St. MARK’S PLACE by Victoria Thompson.
My favorite book so far in July was The Glass Castle.
The Age of Miracles.
My favorites in July were “Ties That Bind” by Marie Bostwick, and
“The Beach Trees” by Karen White.
Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead. It’s a great book.
It’s the 2nd half of the major league baseball season and I’m reading The Art of Fielding.
Can’t wait to read THe Innocents. Really enjoyed The Shoemakers wife!
Full Body Burden By Kristen Iversen – a memoir of growing up near the Rocky Flats plutonium plant in Colorado. It makes you think twice about nuclear power and the power of the government.
Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain…funny and surreal.
I actually read Criminal by Karin Slaughter and LOVED it. It was her best book yet.
Read quite a few books on my kindle by authors I never heard of before. Was amazed at how good they were.
Celia’s Journey by Heather Muzik
Cicada by Eric J. Lang
Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum
Haven’t read many books this month, except travel books! I’ve been dreaming of taking a trip yet this summer!
My favorite this month ~ Canada and Gold
The Good Dream.
Wild by Cheryl Strayed. I’m not much of a a non-fiction reader, but this one was exceptional!
I’ve enjoyed so many,but just read The Homecoming of Samuel Lake by
Jenny Wingfield,good reading .
Right now I’m reading-and enjoying- The Orphan Master by Jean Zimmerman. I love the details of 1660′s New Amsterdam.
It was a Book Page recommendation.
Fellow responders: How do so many of you read so many books so fast?
Recently finished The Shoemaker’s Wife, and it was my favorite of the month so far!
I absolutely loved Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One, it’s definitely one of the funnest novels I’ve read this year. I finished it last week, and this empty hole is still there. I guess it’s a sign for a RE-READ!
I also quite enjoyed Andrew Gross’s 15 Seconds and Michael Kun’s Everybody Says Hello.
Unfortunately I can’t enter the contest since I live in Hawaii =(.
I enjoyed Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters. It’s the first one in the Amanda Peabody series. I like her attitude!
Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
I just finished “Mrs Kennedy and Me” by Clint Hill, the memoir of a secret service agent promoted during the Kennedy era to protect Mrs Kennedy while her husband was in office. An excellent book.
Gold by Chris Cleave – what a good story!
The Homecoming of Samuel Lake by Jenny Wingfield. I couldn’t put it down.
This Bright River by Patrick Sommerville. Loved it.
My pick for July Tigers in Red Weather by Liza Klaussmann
Mudwoman by Joyce Carol Oates
Broken Harbor by Tana French
It’s a tie between The Healing: A Novel by Jonathan Odell and The Cove by Ron Rash.
July’s favorite read is absolutely Gilded Age by Claire McMillian, a contemporary retelling of Edith Wharton’s The House of Mirth set in the world of Cleveland’s old money families. Also enjoyed The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty, Istanbul Passage by Joseph Kanon and The Newlyweds by Nell Freundenberger. Am starting Shadow of Night today-just got it from the library!
I’m reading “In God We Trust” by Norman Vincent Peale.
Last week I finished “One Good Dog” by Susan Wilson which was a great book!
Gold by Chris Cleave is a great book to read as the summer Olympics start.
Like so many others, I’ve been reading Fifty Shades of Grey. I’m a bit ashamed, BUT, it’s been a nice mindless read and a nice reprieve from my day job. I’ll be happy to move on from fluff, though, once I am through with the trilogy…
Would be particularly interested in reading The Innocents. After I read a write-up on Francesca in Segal I knew I had to read it!
Heft by Liz Moore was a great book!
Gold by Chris Cleave of course! It put me in the mood to watch the Olympics this year!!!!!
Back to the classics for me this month. Read and absolutely loved North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell.