{"id":148092,"date":"2021-08-02T12:16:47","date_gmt":"2021-08-02T01:16:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/?p=148092"},"modified":"2021-08-25T10:31:53","modified_gmt":"2021-08-24T23:31:53","slug":"the-best-books-we-read-in-july-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/2021\/08\/02\/the-best-books-we-read-in-july-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"The best books we read in July 2021!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Best<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

From a lyrical meditation on a jazz legend’s chewing gum to a campus story of friendship and morality, here are the best books we read in July 2021!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mark Harding – Head of Branding & Communication<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Others<\/a><\/em> by Mark Brandi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"9780733641145<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why I loved it:<\/strong> This tense thriller absolutely grabs you from the first page and doesn\u2019t let go. Told through the pages of eleven year-old Jacob\u2019s diary, the story is haunting and affecting. So much of what makes the atmosphere great happens off the page, and it\u2019s a testament to Brandi\u2019s skill as a writer that it packs such a punch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy it here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Olivia Fricot – Senior Content Producer & Editor of The Booktopian<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Last Graduate<\/a><\/em> by Naomi Novik<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why I loved it:<\/strong> Everybody\u2019s favourite possibly evil sorceress El Higgins is back in The Last Graduate<\/em>. This book is the follow-up to Naomi Novik\u2019s fantasy novel A Deadly Education<\/em>, set in a world where young wizards are hunted down by evil creatures known as maleficaria and sent to the Scholomance, an international magic school that provides them with scant protection while they hone their deadly skills. The Last Graduate<\/em> mostly dispenses with the excessive (yet admittedly necessary) exposition of the first book to build on the relationships between its characters. And with graduation \u2014 i.e. a bloody fight through a mal-infested chamber to freedom \u2014 fast approaching, strong alliances mean everything<\/em>. This book is pacy and exciting, so much so that by the time the final chapter comes around, you might just be having heart palpitations. (Be warned, this book ends on the biggest cliffhanger I\u2019ve read this side of Aurora Burning<\/em>!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy it here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nick Wasiliev – Senior Content Producer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

28<\/a><\/em> by Brandon Jack<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why I loved it: <\/strong>This may be categorised as a sporting memoir, but I feel that characterisation does this book a disservice. Brandon Jack has had a fascinating journey compared to many sports stars we usually see, and this comes through in this fascinating examination of his life and his relationship with sport. While sport does feature heavily, it is primarily a story of growth, of understanding, and of confronting hard and uncomfortable truths about your life, and is a fantastic statement of intent about where Brandon wants to go after his athletic career. Highly recommended, even if you don\u2019t follow footy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy it here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ben Hunter – Fiction Category Manager<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Love & Virtue<\/a><\/em> by Diana Reid<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"9781761150111<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why I loved it:<\/strong> I have a disinclination towards campus novels but dove into Love & Virtue<\/em> after reading some of the excited early praise for the debut and its 26-year-old author, Diana Reid. In it I met Michaela and Eve, two brilliant women in adjacent rooms of Sydney University. Its troubling residential culture born of privilege and male depravity contrasts with vigorous philosophical debate inside hallowed sandstone walls. Refreshingly, moral bankruptcy is not only for the young in this book. Though wonderfully different, Michaela and Eve are capable of glorious friendship and of splintering betrayal. In this petite bundle of pages, Diana Reid, lands a resounding punch on the big question that the literary titans like to spar with over hundreds of thousands of words \u2014 what does morality really look like?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy it here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Robert O’Hearn – Academic & Professional Category Manager<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Genius Makers<\/a><\/em> by Cade Metz<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why I loved it: <\/strong>This fascinating story of the development of artificial intelligence was far more engrossing than I expected. Based on over 400 interviews the author conducted for the New York Times and Wired, the book is a nerd\u2019s delight of anecdotes from polymaths and inspired techies. These extraordinary characters themselves seem made for fiction. Genius Makers may not exactly explain how AI works, but it explains the five phases in the rise of deep learning, and it will blow you away with AI\u2019s implications for the future. This is possibly the most significant technological breakthrough of our times. A big story with big characters, made accessible for us all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy it here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Shanulisa Prasad – Lifestyle Category Manager<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nina Simone\u2019s Gum<\/a><\/em> by Warren Ellis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"9780571365623\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why I loved it:<\/strong> I was intrigued by the title of this book \u2014 surely up there for quirkiest title of the year \u2014 and also by the concept (a whole book centred around a piece of chewing gum, even if it was chewed by Nina Simone). This turned out to be a catalyst for a much deeper exploration of how significance is imbued into objects and how in turn that can translate to connections more vast and deep than you could ever imagine. A beautiful book for everyone, not just Warren Ellis\/Nick Cave fans (though if you are a fan, this will be the closest to a memoir that you\u2019ll get from Warren!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy it here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cassandra Sharp – Assistant Category Manager for Non-Fiction<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Soulless<\/a> <\/em>by Gail Carriger<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"9781841499727\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why I loved it:<\/strong> Soulless<\/em> was recommended to me by my lovely friend Jess a couple of years ago. I tore through the manga adaptation (with art by REM) in a couple of days. Step back in time to an alternate Victorian London – one where werewolves and vampires are very real. Soulless <\/em>introduces us to Alexia Tarabotti, a spinster, preternatural, and unfortunately Italian. When she is attacked by a roving vampire on a night time adventure, Alexia must clear her name and find out who is responsible. And if she manages to annoy werewolf police chief Lord Maccon, even better. The dynamic between Alexia and Maccon is a delight, and this was the perfect fictional escape in these strange times. I\u2019m looking forward to exploring the other Parasol Protectorate books soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy it here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Eden Samual – Assistant Category Manager for Kids & YA<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Six Crimson Cranes<\/a><\/em> by Elizabeth Lim<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"9781529356755\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why I loved it: <\/strong>The book equivalent to your favourite animated Studio Ghibli film, Six Crimson Crane<\/em>s is a whimsical retelling of the Grimm Brothers\u2019 The Six Swans<\/em> fairytale that will transport you to a world of magic and wonder like no other. Turning gender norms and villain story arcs on their heads, all the twists and turns will delight you and leave you reeling for the sequel. Elizabeth Lim\u2019s attention to detail brings this East-Asian inspired world to life while her inclusion of soft-spoken, reserved male character leads is refreshing, leaving our main protagonist, Shiori, to take the spotlight with her strength, wit and determination to save her loved ones and secure the fate of her kingdom. An instant favourite and the kind of book you can\u2019t stop thinking about weeks after having finished it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy it here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ashleigh Berry \u2013 B2C Campaign Planner<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet<\/a><\/em> by Becky Chambers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"9781473619814\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why I loved it:<\/strong> The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet<\/em> is a wonderful, Farscape<\/em>-esque character-driven sci-fi focusing on the relationships of the motley crew aboard The Wayfarer as they embark on their next job. This year-long journey is played out in pivotal moments of upheaval that deepens the relationships of the brilliant and original cast of characters. It’s a joyful, nuanced story of friendship that\u2019s almost impossible not to be swept up in. I cannot believe I had this treasure sitting around for so long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy it here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Karen Robinson \u2013 Territory Relationship Manager<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Megamonster<\/a> <\/em>by David Walliams and Tony Ross (Illustrator)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"9780008499723\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why I loved it:<\/strong> This was my first David Walliams book and I finally understand why he\u2019s so popular. With wonderful characters and gorgeous illustrations from Tony Ross complimenting the story, this was fun from start to finish. With the main character, Larker, having the ability to tell jokes for any occasion, an evil scientist, an active volcano and a megamonster, what\u2019s not to love! If you\u2019re an adult, make sure you borrow your kid\u2019s copy after they\u2019ve finished, or just grab a copy yourself to remind yourself of the magic of children\u2019s books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy it here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What’s the best book you read in July 2021?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tell us below in the comments!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

July 2021 July 2021 July 2021<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Books by David Walliams, Naomi Novik, Mark Brandi and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":148130,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":""},"categories":[6678],"tags":[13381,9862,13382,13392,1563,13384,13390,13388,13391,13383,7709,13393,8933,13385,4484,13389,13387,10219,13380,9861,13266,13394,13386],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/BestBooksJuly2021-Social.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148092"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=148092"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148092\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":149741,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148092\/revisions\/149741"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/148130"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=148092"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=148092"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=148092"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}