Summer Reading List: Books I read in July 2024

Summaries of books that have been read

• Come As You Are (Book 1 of 2 in the Bluebird Basin Series) by Jess K. Hardy

  • Ashley Cooke, 46, is battling with everything she has to salvage the struggling ski hill her father founded and worked tirelessly to transform into a thriving and inviting ski and snow relaxing environment for all. Ashley hires men from Little Timber, a local sober living home for recovering addicts, to help out and contribute to the season's cost savings. She did not expect to become distracted and fall for Matthew Madigan, the owner and leader of Little Timber, who, as a 53-year-old recovering addict, has dedicated his life to helping other addicts get their lives back on track. Ashley faces mounting financial difficulties, an ex-husband who is doing everything he can to acquire her ski hill and win her back, and Matthew is attempting to keep his men clean and on track while dealing with his own history and problems. Will these two be able to overcome their pasts, current struggles, worries, insecurities, and fears, and perhaps rediscover love, hope, and strength? Content Notes: Addiction, divorce, grieving the loss of a parent, a gaslighting ex, a tough connection with a parent, and overcoming the fear of not being good enough to receive and give love again.

• The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

  • In "The Song of Achilles" by Madeline Miller, the story unfolds through the lens of Patroclus, offering a fresh perspective on the legendary hero Achilles. The novel delves into their deep bond, exploring themes of love, friendship, and the complexities of fate. Through vivid prose and emotional depth, Miller reimagines the familiar tale of the Trojan War, highlighting the human aspects of these mythic figures. The narrative skillfully weaves together mythology and personal relationships, creating a compelling and poignant retelling of a timeless epic.

• Drive by Cynthia L. Copeland

  • This high-octane graphic novel delves into the untold story of Janet Guthrie, the first female racecar driver in the Indy 500, and a spirited twelve-year-old mechanic named Alex. Janet faces challenges and prejudice in the 1960s racing world, while Alex in 2019 restores a vintage Jaguar against all odds. Both protagonists defy stereotypes and push boundaries, showcasing the power of determination and passion. Their parallel journeys, depicted in different color palettes, highlight the progress made and the obstacles still to overcome in the realm of motorsports.

Let's delve into these captivating reads and explore the worlds within.

The Bookish Stats

• Number of books: 3 total

• Formats

  • Print: 1

  • E-Book: 2

• Genres and subgenres:

  • Fiction: 3

  • Romance: 2

  • Contemporary: 2

  • Fantasy: 1

  • Mythology: 1

  • Historical Fiction: 2
    

• Age Categories
  

  • Middle Grade: 1
    

  • Adult: 2

• Average rating: 4.5 ⭐

• Page total: 982
  

Best/Favorite Read of the Month

Bookish Reviews and Thoughts

Come As You Are by Jess K. Hardy

Publisher: Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op

Series: Book 1 of 2 in the Bluebird Basin Series

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Fiction

Adult Novel

Netgalley Shelfs E-book

Recommended ages: 18+

Netgalley shelf e-book novel page count: 301

Published: 2022, Available for purchase now.

Thank You to Netgalley, author, and publisher for sending me a digital e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Date Started: June 26th, 2024 Finished: July 2nd, 2024 

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review:

  The cover is vivid, well-drawn, and accurately depicts the characters, scene, and tale. The map in the book is lovely and looks like a marketing map for a park or ski resort. The narrative contains elements of humor, realism, romance, sadness, and reflection, which made me laugh, smile, cry, and feel and reflect with the characters. The characters are all so relatable, charming, and well-developed that you feel as if you are right beside them, developing with them on their adventures. The plot was brilliantly written, well-developed, and had a few minor plot twists that added mystery and intrigue to the story, making it even more engaging. The writing was beautiful, realistic, and inventive, which made it easy to identify with the characters and immerse oneself in the plot and environment. The characters, events, and plot drew me in from the first page, and I wish I could have read it all in one night, but I couldn't.

The humor is well-done, and it serves to alleviate the stress and difficult periods in the book while helping readers laugh alongside the characters. There are so many relatable moments for various people, such as worrying about how one will pay their bills, feeling like life has taken you on a rollercoaster you did not agree to ride, grieving a parent, having a difficult time in life but doing your best to get back on track for yourself and loved ones. I appreciate how on the cover and in the book, it is mentioned that Madigan has fear and hope tattooed on his hands, which to me felt like a nod and warning to not let fear control you or overwhelm optimism for a brighter future. I adored and enjoyed Madigan's brother and parent-type banter, as well as his bond with the men from Little Timber. Their friendships were entertaining, witty, relatable, and admirable. Ashley's connection with her daughter Davis and mother, Maude Alice, was relatable and reminded me of my own with my mother. Murphy the dog, despite being a minor character, plays a crucial role as a lovable sidekick who sets things in motion while also serving as a loving fur companion. I liked how Ashley and Madigan's romance progressed; it was realistic, amusing, and impressive in how they supported each other's journey to conquer their challenges, anxieties, and strive for their goals. The romance becomes a little spicy, hence the mature rating, but it contributes to the plot and character development rather than detracting from it, which I really loved.

Come As You Are by Jess K. Hardy is a beautifully written and developed book about overcoming obstacles, finding one's way again, moving on from the past, and learning to live in the present, as well as learning that things and people are not all the same and that it is okay to learn, give, and receive love again. Recommended for readers looking for a beautiful, amusing, and touching contemporary romance with two older main characters, a cute dog, sibling-like banter amongst friends, and more. This is the first novel in Jess K. Hardy's Bluebird Basin series; however, both may be read as standalones. I've already bought a digital copy of both volumes in the series, Come As You Are and Lips Like Sugar. I look forward to reading Lips Like Sugar and additional Jess K. Hardy works in the future.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Publisher: Ecco

Publication date: August 28, 2012

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Mythology

Adult Novel

Physical Paperback

Age Recommended: 18+

Page Count: 378

Date Started: June 21, 2024   Date Finished: July 11, 2024

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5

Review:

In certain parts, the characters were well developed, while others were only modestly developed. Patroclus is a wonderful relatable character who makes the readers feel emotions and want to protect him at all costs, but the way he constantly admires Achilles' physical features and appears to be more of a shadow to him than a lover or friend at times makes me wonder about Patroclus' overall development. I also believe that the author's decision to make Patroclus a non-fighter hampered his development into more than just a side character and narrator to the story, much like in the Iliad, where he had no meaningful story of his own apart from Achilles. Achilles was a modestly developed character as readers learned more about the reasoning behind his life choices and what led to his closeness with Patroclus; however, the war scene and his choices during the war, combined with his emotionally cut off side, caused him to fall flat as a character, and his overall development appears to require more time and adjustment. Achilles could have been a fantastically developed character if Miller had written him as more open with his feelings toward Patroclus and in general than he was in the second or third section of the novel. Some of the secondary characters, such as Briseis, functioned well and were explored further by Miller, but others appeared to fall flat or did not receive as much development as they could have in the novel. I liked how Miller wrote the connection and relationship between Briseis and Patroclus because it provided a new viewpoint on this aspect of the story and was heartwarming and good to both characters' development. Madeline Miller does an excellent job of writing conceivable, vivid, and enticing settings and atmospheres that transport readers into the story world alongside the protagonists. The writing was beautiful and innovative, but also unconventional and unclear at times. Patroclus' descriptions of Achilles were tedious and repetitious, and they took my attention away from the growth of both characters and the main plot. The descriptions revealed how Patroclus appreciated Achilles' physical characteristics but lacked his emotions or nonphysical aspects, which made me wonder if Patroclus was simply physically drawn to him or felt a deeper connection with him. The war scenes, along with a few others, were written in a confused and inconsistent manner, which may simply be attributed to word choice. The premise was interesting, with a few decent plot twists, but it fell flat overall, felt predictable, and left me a little dissatisfied because it felt more like an updated version of the Iliad than a modern and unique retelling of the story in general. The curiosity and pleasure of reading this narrative began strong but gradually faded owing to some of the wording, slow plot development, and lack of growth for some of the characters. Overall, I liked how we got to witness more of Patroclus' story before he met Achilles, as well as learn more about his personality, relationship with Briseis and the men in war, and some of the inner workings of Achilles and Patroclus' friendship. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is an updated version of the Achilles and Patroclus story with amazing imaginative settings, some interesting character relationship twists, and an overall good story for anyone looking for a more modern rendition of the Iliad.

Content Notes: Death, War, Gore, Brief mentions of sexual content and rape.

Drive by Cynthia L. Copeland

Coloring: Ronda Pattison

Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers

Publication date: January 7, 2025

Genres: Contemporary Fiction with bits of Historical Fiction

Middle Grade Graphic Novel

Netgalley Shelfs E-book/ARC

Age Recommended: 10+

Thank You to Netgalley, author, and publisher for sending me a digital e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Date Started: June 16, 2024   Date Finished: June 17, 2024

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review: 

The cover of the graphic novel is beautifully illustrated, captivating, and effectively conveys the essence of the story. All the characters are intricately developed and possess unique qualities. Each character harbors a dream they aspire to achieve. By skillfully employing two distinct color schemes, the author enables readers to easily discern between the female characters, time periods, and narratives being followed. Janet Guthrie is not merely a fictional character within the narrative; she is a real-life female race driver and a 2024 NASCAR Hall of Famer. The readers gain a profound understanding of Janet Guthrie's triumphs and challenges throughout her racing career. Copeland masterfully weaves Janet's story into the graphic novel, providing readers with insight into Janet as an individual, a racer, and a trailblazer who inspires and motivates female racers and car enthusiasts. Alex, the 12-year-old aspiring to become a future car mechanic, is a relatable, inspirational, and motivational character in her own right.

The writing is so well-crafted that it leaves the reader wanting more, reluctant for the story to conclude. The author adeptly transitions between the two timelines, ensuring a seamless flow that keeps readers engaged with both female characters' narratives. The illustrations are exquisite, effectively capturing the settings, actions, and moods, immersing readers further into the story alongside the narrative. The plot is captivating, well-paced, and developed, promising to captivate young readers. The connections drawn between Janet and Alex by the author in both characters' timelines are seamlessly executed, offering rich details and establishing links between the past and present. The graphic novel delicately addresses the challenges faced by female drivers like Janet, as well as those encountered by female car enthusiasts and mechanics like Alex in contemporary times. Themes such as bullying, gender stereotypes, media and societal pressures are thoughtfully handled, providing readers with insights into these issues without detracting from the narrative or characters. As a female racing enthusiast, I found great pleasure in exploring the history of female racers and mechanics through the stories of Janet Guthrie and Alex in this graphic novel. "Drive" by Cynthia L. Copeland is a middle-grade graphic novel that adeptly intertwines the past, present, and future of female racers, car enthusiasts, and mechanics in a single narrative while effectively addressing the theme of equality within racing and car communities. It is highly recommended for fans of vibrant graphic novels featuring dual timelines, racing, cars, and the historical contributions of women who have paved the way for current and future female racers and car enthusiasts.

Engaging Discussion Questions for Every Book Mentioned

Discussion Questions for Come As You Are (Book 1 in the BlueBird Basin Series) by Jess K. Hardy

1. How does the setting of BlueBird Basin contribute to the overall atmosphere of the story? In what ways does the small town setting influence the characters' decisions and relationships?

2. Explore the character development of the protagonist in the novel. How does the journey of self-discovery and personal growth impact their interactions with other characters and the unfolding of the plot?

3. Discuss the themes of acceptance and belonging in "Come As You Are." How do the characters navigate issues of identity and societal expectations within the confines of a close-knit community?

4. In what ways do the characters' past struggles influence their present actions and relationships?

5. Consider the role of family dynamics in the novel. How do familial relationships shape the characters' motivations and actions throughout the narrative? What insights do these interactions provide into the characters' backgrounds and personalities?

6. How does the theme of forgiveness manifest throughout the book, and what lessons can be drawn from it?

7. Explore the significance of the title, "Come As You Are," in relation to the themes and events depicted in the book. How does this phrase encapsulate the core message or philosophy of the story?

8. Consider the impact of social issues and cultural norms portrayed in the narrative. How does the author address topics such as diversity, inclusivity, and personal freedom within the context of the characters' experiences and challenges?

9. Reflect on the overall message or takeaway of the novel. What lessons can readers glean from the characters' journeys, relationships, and personal transformations as they navigate the complexities of life in BlueBird Basin?

10. How does "Come As You Are" set the stage for future installments in the BlueBird Basin Series? What unresolved plot points or character arcs leave room for further exploration and development in upcoming books by Jess K. Hardy?

11. Which character resonated with you the most, and why?

12. Did the plot twists and revelations surprise you, or did you anticipate them as the story unfolded?

Discussion Questions for Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

1. Explore the theme of friendship in Song of Achilles. How does the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus evolve throughout the story? What impact does their friendship have on the events that unfold?

2. Analyze the portrayal of Greek mythology in the novel. How does Madeline Miller incorporate myths and legends into the narrative? What significance do these mythological elements add to the overall story?

3. Discuss the character development of Achilles in the book. How does his personality, strengths, and weaknesses shape the course of the plot? What are some key moments that reveal Achilles' character growth?

4. Consider the role of fate and prophecy in Song of Achilles. How do these elements influence the characters' decisions and actions? Are the characters bound by fate, or do they have the power to change their destinies?

5. Examine the themes of love and sacrifice in the novel. How do different characters express love and devotion? What sacrifices are made in the name of love, and what do these sacrifices signify in the context of the story?

6. Compare and contrast the portrayal of gods and mortals in Song of Achilles. How do the interactions between these divine and human characters shape the events of the Trojan War? What insights do these interactions provide into the nature of power and mortality?

7. Consider the significance of the title, Song of Achilles. What does the title suggest about the central themes and messages of the novel?

Discussion Questions for Drive by Cynthia L. Copeland

1.      What do you think of the book’s title? How does it relate to the book’s contents? What other title might you choose?

2.      What do you think about the book’s cover? How well does it convey what the book is about? If the book has been published with different covers, which one do you like best?

3.      Was there a specific scene that you liked?

a.      Which part(s) of the book caught your attention the most?

4.      What did you enjoy about this book?

5.       What did you dislike about the book?

6.      Which characters in the book did you like best?

7. Which characters did you like least?

8.      The book portrays female race car drivers and enthusiasts. What are some of the challenges women have faced and continue to strive for in terms of equality within the racing and car communities?

9.      After reading the book, what are some of the things you learned while reading?

10.  After reading the book, what are some things you would change or expand upon in the book?