July TBR

 Last month, I was in a huge reading slump. Now that I'm finally starting to read more, I have a whole big list of books I want to get to this month!

The River Has Teeth by Erica Waters

The first book I'm hoping to read this month is The River Has Teeth. This book comes out later this month so reading my ARC copy is a priority.

Goodreads synopsis:

Natasha's sister is missing.

Her car was found abandoned on the edge of a local nature preserve known as the Bend, but as the case goes cold, Natasha's loss turns to burning anger.

She'll do anything to find answers.

Della's family has channeled magic from the Bend of generations, providing spells for the desperate. But when Natasha appears on her doorstep, Della knows it will take more than simple potions to help her.

But Della has her own secrets to hide.

Because Della thinks she knows the beast who's responsible for the disappearance- her own mother, who was turned into a terrible monster by magic gone wrong.

Natasha is angry. Della has little to lose.

They are each other's only hope.

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

Parable of the Sower isn't a book I want to read, but it was assigned by my school so I don't really have a choice. Usually, dystopian novels are really intriguing to me, but this one sounds so boring. My expectations for this book are pretty low.

Goodreads synopsis:

When global climate change and economic crises lead to social chaos in the early 2020s, California becomes full of dangers, from pervasive water shortage to masses of vagabonds who will do anything to live to see another day.

Fifteen-year-old Lauren Olamina lives inside a gated community with her preacher father, family, and neighbors, sheltered from the surrounding anarchy. In a society where any vulnerability is a risk, she suffers from hyperempathy, a debilitating sensitivity to other's pain.

Precocious and clear-eyed, Lauren must make her voice hear in order to protect her loved ones from imminent disasters her small community stubbornly ignores. But what begins as a fight for survival soon leads to something much more: the birth of a new faith... and a startling vision of human destiny.

Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

For the past few months, I've listened to my friends (as well as every other book nerd on Instagram) obsess about the Six of Crows doulogy. I've already read Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse trilogy, which left me a little disappointed. I have no doubt that Six of Crows will be better though.

Goodreads synopsis:

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price- and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz if offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone... 

A convict with a thirst for revenge

A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager

A runaway with a privileged past

A spy known as the Wraith

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes

Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction- if they don't kill each other first.

Excuse Me While I Ugly Die by Joya Geoffrey

I've heard some great things about this book! I always enjoy books with blackmail. 

Goodreads synopsis:

Quinn keeps lists of everything- from the day she's ugly cried, to "Things That I Would Never Admit Out Loud," to all the boys she'd like to kiss. Her lists keep her sane. By writing her fears on paper, she never has to face them in real life. That is until her journal goes missing...

An anonymous account posts one of her lists on Instagram for the whole school to see and blackmails her into facing seven of her greatest fears, or else her entire journal will go public. Quinn doesn't know who to trust. Desperate, she teams up with Carter Bennett- the last known person to have her journal- in a race against time to track down the blackmailer.

Together, they journey through everything Quinn's been too afraid to face, and along the way, Quinn finds the courage to be honest, to live in the moment, and to fall in love.

Both Can Be True by Jules Machias

The last book that I hope to read this month is Both Can Be True. Based on the cover of this book, it seems sad and I'm sure I'll cry by the end of it.

Goodreads synopsis:

Ash is no stranger to feeling like an outcast. For someone who cycles through genders, it's a daily struggle to feel in control of how people perceive you. Some days Ash is undoubtedly a girl, but other times, 100 percent guy. Daniel lacks control too- of his emotions. He's been told he's overly sensitive more times than he can count. He can't help the way he is, and he sure wishes someone would accept him for it.

So when Daniel's big heart leads him to rescue a dog that's about to be euthanized, he's relieved to find Ash willing to help. The two bond over their four-legged secret. When they start catching feelings for each other. however, things go from cute to complicated. Daniel thinks Ash is all girl... what happens when he finds out there's more to Ash's story?

With so much on the line- truth, identity, acceptance, and the life of an adorable pup named Chewbarka- will Ash and Daniel forever feel at war with themselves because they don't fit into the world's binaries? or will their friendship help them embrace the beauty of living in between.