On first look at this list you know immediately what is to be true – the July 2024 TBR was chosen on the first day of my period (the most emotional day). This month’s stack is filled with books about love, sex, relationships and hopefully, some spicy scenes. Including classic queer literature and retold mythical tales, this is the most excited I’ve been to read in a little while.
📖 Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood
I never thought I’d be a juicy romance girlie but Ali Hazelwood changed all that for me. Her books have me in a chokehold and I’m stoked to get stuck into some more STEM romance with Not in Love. Hazelwood’s blend of nerdy charm and steamy tension is exactly what I need to kickstart my summer reading. Plus, I am obsessed with her smut. As soon as these characters start having sex (which ofc they will) I’m gonna be screeeeeaming.
📖 The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall
Switching gears dramatically, I’m finally tackling The Well of Loneliness. This classic has been gathering dust on my shelf for ages, literally since second year uni, silently judging me every time I reach for a lighter read. In hindsight, this groundbreaking lesbian novel from the 1920s would have been a good one for PRIDE month, but we move. I’m expecting this to be something of an emotional rollercoaster, but life’s all about balance so maybe literary-weight post fluffy-summer-read will tip the scales just right.
📖 The List by Yomi Adegoke
Next up is The List by Yomi Adegoke, kindly lent to me by my sister. I feel like this has been everywhere since it hit the shelves last summer (on-trend? Don’t know her!). It tells the story of Ola and Michael, a power couple who get de-throned when Michael’s name is published on a list of sexual abusers. Apparently it’s a pretty sharp social commentary on modern dating and internet culture so if I hit a mid-month slump I’m positive this will pull me out of it.
📖 Love In Colour by Bolu Babalola
Rounding out the month with Love in Colour by Bolu Babalola. I’m not a short story gal. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I read a short story, so this will be a fun foray for me! Love In Colour features retellings from around the world: Folktales from West Africa, Greek myth re-imaginings and stories from places long-erased. I devoured Babalola’s novel Honey & Spice last summer and I’ve no doubt I’m gonna eat this book up just the same.
So there you have it – my July 2024 TBR in all its glory. From contemporary romance to classic literature, debut novels to short story collections, I’m covering all the bases this month. I also have some rollovers from last month (4321, looking @ you) so er, better get cracking.
