July Book Overview

July was officially the craziest month for me. The first week I was still with exams, the second I was cleaning up my room and office – and is not done yet. By the third week when I thought it would be time to get organized to be able to set my schedule free for the BookTube-A-Thon the time passed flying. Soon I realized it was already the 24th and the first day of the readathon. Three days in, I had a drastically change of plans and went to work for a friend of mine. The readathon was over for me since it was going to take the last four days. For the last day of the month, I was going to Porto for a chance to see an exhibition about Leonardo Da Vinci. Now is the 9th of August and I have no clue where did the time go.

I thought this month would have a huge stack of books read but when my readathon was interrupted – for a good reason, the health of my wallet – I knew my month was doomed. Hollow City, Heat Wave and Cão Como Nós – this one by a Portuguese author – are the only books I’ve read in July. If I had completed the readathon I would have so much more to count. On a positive note, August will be full of books! As I was saying, I’ve read Hollow City by Ransom Riggs, the second book of The Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children series. It was great to enter the peculiar world once again and follow Jacob on the adventure to make the world safe again. Heat Wave by Richard Castle was the next one and since May or April, I keep saying the same thing over and over again, that I’m rereading the series. I don’t mean to upset you, it’s just a way to remain myself that whatever I do I need to keep his books on my bedside table to keep reading.

Cão Como Nós by Manuel Alegre was the only book I finished while doing the BookTube-A-Thon and unfortunately it wasn’t translated into other languages – besides Portuguese – so there isn’t much of a point to talk much about it here in the blog. Basically, the story is about the misadventures the author had with a rebellious dog and despite all the difficulties he loves him so much. While reading this book I related so much with the author that it inspired me to write a post about books that describe the relationship between a pet and his owner. Although, before starting to write this post idea I first need to read more books about the subject. There are two that came to my mind, Marley and Me by John Grogan and A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron, but I do want to find other titles behind the more hyped ones.

Even though my first experience of a community reading together – aka BookTube-A-Thon – was cut short, I started reading three-ish books: Murder List by Julie Garwood, The Memories and Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle and Footprints by Margaret Fishback Powers. Also because I was reading two more at the same time before the readathon started, I have a total of FIVE books half read! FIVE! At the same time!! Just imagine next month when all of them will be read and a couple more – hope so! I’m drowning in books – don’t worry is a good feeling… if you have time to read them all. I’m planning to put reading first on my schedule. The other lucky bastards are Naked Heat by Richard Castle and Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch, which I’ve enjoyed so much. Where can I buy tickets for the next flit living to Florence??

Since I knew in the 31st I was going back to Porto I went to the Lello Bookshop very famous – and beautiful BTW – I was decided to get at least one book. Since the book store is more than a century old I decided a classic book should be the perfect pick. And because it is a Portuguese store what makes the more sense to me was to choose José Saramago the only Portuguese author receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature. I already read one of his books and, as the opposite of the majority, I did enjoy it. The Year of The Death of Ricardo Reis tells a story of one character/person created by Fernando Pessoa another well known Portuguese author. The story and reason why I bought it are so complex that I think I need an exclusive post just to talk about it.

While I was there shopping and avoiding to bump into any one else, my eyes spotted 1983 by George Orwell. Big Brother, Dystopian, Classic, Most Read! I couldn’t resist and I bring it along side with me. Therefore, I intend to read both my shoppings in the month of August… can anyone please stop the time so I can have time for everything?! Either if I read them now or not they already belong to my shelf and I’m so happy. A reader just needs to buy a new book to have a great day.