Was July, like, extra long? I got so much reading done! I feel so excited about it. But also I was 1/2 way into two different books at the beginning of the month. So that explains some of it, I guess. I just noticed that almost all the books I read this month had covers in shades of red/ yellows/ oranges. I love noticing the similarities in what I’ve been reading.

Shall we? Oh. Don’t forget, shopping from any links in this post helps to support my store Twice Told Tales in McPherson KS.

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
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I’m as shocked as anyone that this was the first time that I’d ever read this book. As someone who’s as well-versed in True Crime as I am, and someone who loves Kansas as much as I do… it doesn’t make sense that this was my first time. But I kept telling myself that as soon as someone donates it to the store, I’d take it home and read it.

Now, it may sound sick to some that I’ll say I was utterly enchanted by a book that centers around the decimation of a family. But the way Truman Capote writes is just so damn good (and yes, yes, I’ve heard all about how Harper Lee may have done some of the writing–she’s great too!). I feel like he captured the essence of western Kansas so succinctly and accurately. I’m sure some of the real people who were portrayed here may take issue with his descriptions–even I know he was telling the truth.

I feel like Capote looked on the Clutter family with kind and generous eyes. I usually never cry when I read books but as I read about what happened to this family, he approached the topic with whatever the opposite of brutal honesty is. It was a brutal thing that happened but it was presented with such delicacy that caused me to tear up. I found myself gasping or saying “oh no, oh dear” out loud to myself.
I also feel like he presented the perpetrators in an honest light. There was a lot to dislike about these men and also there was a lot of history in their own lives that brought them to this place. Some might say that sharing their backstories is an effort to draw sympathy for them but I don’t think so, personally.

As much as I liked this book, I was grateful when it was over.

Lucky Red by Claudia Cravens
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Download the audiobook here.

Now we’ll move along about 60 miles to the east and 80 years in the past to Lucky Red! Another Kansas book–this one taking place at the height of Dodge City! I have never read a western and this was my first one. I was obsessed.

On a summer day, sixteen-year-old Bridget buries her father and then heads out west to see what she can find. Penniless and hungry she just happens to waltz right into Dodge City. After a while her red hair catches the attention of the manager of the only woman-owned brothel in town and they offer her a position. The idea of a place to lay her head at night sure does sound pretty good so she decides to give it a shot. And Bridget takes to it! She loves life at The Buffalo Queen and I loved reading about it. In fact I was loving reading about how much fun she was having that I forgot that often times in literature it’s customary to throw some conflict into the mix–which blindsided me, I gotta admit! An excellent author AND an excellent audiobook narrator.

A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher
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Yeah I didn’t realize till just now that I snagged the cover of the book en español. But it’s the same and I like it.

I read this for a book club so I don’t want to say much about my thoughts on it here. But I will say 3 things:
As someone who is big time intimidated by fantasy, I was utterly delighted by this one!
I never read middle grade but I should because it’s so charming!
I think that if they ever turn this into a film (which they should, this author deserves so much money), it would have a big Coraline sort of vibe to it. The claymation look would be excellent for this.

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
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This is the book that everyone in my orbit is reading right now and I get it. This book is charming as fuck.

Selling this book is so easy because all you have to say is, “there’s this quirk in her apartment where sometimes she falls 7 years in the past and she falls in love with the guy who lived there at that time.” And people are like, “I AM SOLD!”

Would I have edited this book differently? Yes I absolutely would have (it just happend to grate on one or two of my readerly pet peeves. But on the whole this book got 5 stars from me.

Firebird by Sunmi
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After reading Gender Queer a few months ago, I vowed to read more graphic novels. The cover of this one, 100% drew me in. There’s something about YA graphic novels that help me relate to/ remember the experience of growing up as a fat, shy, smart teenager that I never am really able to tap into with text-based YA books. I deeply felt Caroline’s experience in this book.

It’s a simple story, plot-wise but focuses so much on the inner life of the two girls (maybe girls? maybe not?) who meet during a tutoring program and build a friendship. The illustrations are really excellent–primarily black and white with memories flowing in and out in red ink. I was surprised to discover that I couldn’t find Sunmi anywhere online except for a now-defunct Twitter page. I don’t know how they got a book deal in 2023 without much online presence but I’m glad they did and I hope they write more stories like this.

Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
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 I can’t wait to get this book into the hands of readers for no other reason than I’ll finally have someone to talk about it with!

When I quickly noticed the similarities between what was happening in this book and the true story of a certain notorious serial killer–I was nervous that this was going to be yet another one of those avenues to glamorize his story. But it’s the absolute opposite.

I found myself cheering on Pamela as she poured her heart and soul into finding justice for her sisters and she never once bought into The Defendant’s charm that captivated the rest of The United States. No one even mentioned his name in this book. He was only referred to as “The Defendant”.

This novel is what true crime wants to execute at its very best: operate as an avenue to redeem the memory and hold on to the lives lost while obliterating any charm or sensationalism surrounding the perpetrator.

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I didn’t DNF anything this month!