Dodson Productions

July found me working hard and staying in town more than last month. it also gave me a lot of time to read which happened at the perfect time because the books i read this month were some of my favorites of the year so far. Starting on this post, I will be labeling which book on my list is the month’s pick from my book club so credit is given where it’s due. Happy Reading!!

• The Lake by Natasha Preston – Did Not Finish (6/21/26-7/6/26)

DNF at 23%. After reading The Dare last year, I really thought I would love this book. But this storyline just moves way too freaking slow. There are mentions of something that happened in the past, but not enough tension to keep you interested in finding out what it is. I hope I finish this book at some point, but that is not gonna be right now.

• The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes – 4 Stars (7/9/26-7/12/26)

I ATE THIS UP!!!! I can’t believe I put it off for so long! I will be honest, I put off reading this because most book to tv show comparisons don’t align when I end up reading the book. But this is a YA Criminal Minds in every sense. It is very clearly a young adult book, but it is written in a way that doesn’t dumb anything down for a younger audience. I wish I would’ve known this series existed when it came out cause I would’ve loved it. I can’t wait to pick up the next one!!!

• The Soul of A Woman by Isabel Allende – 4 Stars (7/12/26-7/20/26)

Isabel Allende is one of my all time favorite authors. I loved hearing about her life of feminine empowerment, even though it might not be shown the same way as others. She proves that every woman’s experience with feminism is different, but no story is any less important to the cause. Feminism is a freedom to live, a freedom to choose, a freedom to be. Allende does a great job of showing so many different feminine perspectives and experiences and their importance to every woman’s story.

• Lovely War by Julie Berry – 4 Stars (6/30/26-7/21/26)

I am very picky when it comes to historical fiction. It takes a lot for me to like this genre, especially because it usually focuses on World War I or World War II. But the way this story is told keeps you captivated throughout the entire novel. Told through the eyes of the Greek gods, the love of Hazel and James is perfectly romanticized and believably realistic all at once. I wish more people would write books this way.

• BOOK CLUB PICK: Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman – 3 Stars (7/19/26-7/24/26)

I wish more of this book would’ve dove deeper into the themes at the end of this book. Dealing with family trauma, and the stressful parts that come with receiving mental health help was very well told. But to be completely honest, this character is not likable throughout the entire book. It took a while for me to understand her thought processes enough to enjoy not just her inner monologue, but her outer dialogue. I do think that books about regular people without any fluffy stuff tend to be a bit boring and this one definitely had those moments. But overall a very quick read.

• Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler – 4 Stars (7/21/26-7/26/26)

Have you ever found a book that makes you feel like it’s talking directly to you? Telling you that the way your mind works and life works isn’t odd or different? That is this book for me. I feel so unexplainably attached to Adelaide and the way she lives her life. The things she’s been through, the mental health struggles she’s survived. They all reminded me of my own in a way that wasn’t damaging, but healing to read. I’m so lucky I found this book. Exactly when I needed to.

This was the final month of my summer TBR and I managed to get to 10 of the 12 books on my list! Here’s to my upcoming fall TBR!!! I am so excited about the books on this list… They better not let me down!