Books of the Month July 2021

As the end of 2021 begins to loom large on the horizon, many readers have started to put renewed efforts into completing their reading lists. This is not an easy task with the number of great books that are currently available. So, whether you are looking for something new or simply want to know what everyone else has been reading, here are the books of the month for July 2021 as chosen by our readers.

Best Romance

Vicious Lies

by Ella Miles

Vicious Lies is the first novel in the Lies dark romance series by Ella Miles. As the title suggests, lies are at the heart of this novel, and the two characters, Langston and Liesel, have plenty to hide from each other. Both of them came from troubled childhoods and formed an early bond that was later broken. In this novel, Liesel tries to put the past behind her and move on with her life but crosses paths once again with Langston. Vicious Lies is a spin-off from the popular Truth or Lies and The Sinful Truth series by the same author.

Best Action & Adventure

Race Amazon: False Dawn

by Andy Lucas

Race Amazon: False Dawn is a fast-paced action thriller by Andy Lucas. It is the first book in the James Pace series, which sees the protagonist getting shot while intervening to stop a street robbery. However, his selfless act makes him a media sensation, leading to an offer to participate in the world's toughest endurance race. Pace sees it as an opportunity for fame, fortune, and a new life, so he agrees. But, unfortunately, he ends up stranded alone and being hunted in the jungle when the race turns out to be a lot more sinister than what he had ever bargained on.

Best Mystery & Thriller

A Life for a Life

by Lynda McDaniel

A Life for a Life is the first novel in the Appalachian Mountain Mysteries series by Lynda McDaniel. The story takes place in Laurel Falls, N.C. during the mid-eighties after a crime reporter from Washington named Della tires from the big city violence and trades it for ancient mountains brimming with trees. Unfortunately, she discovers the body of a young girl, which the local sheriff promptly dismisses as a suicide. However, Della's instincts tell her there's more to the case, and together with her neighbor's teenage son, Abit, she sets out to discover the truth.

Best Children's Book

The Big ACHOO!

by Dafna Warm (Sandler)

The Big ACHOO! by Dafna Warm (Sandler) is a great resource for parents who have children with sensory modulation disorder. It is framed as the story of a young boy named Ori and how he has to cope with his father's deafening sneezes. The book uses humor as well as illustrations to demonstrate SMD and teaches children about responsibility, acceptance, inclusion, and understanding when it comes to this subject.

Best Young Adult

The Last of the Firedrakes

by Farah Oomerbhoy

The Last of the Firedrakes is the first novel in The Avalonia Chronicles by Farah Oomerbhoy. The story is set in a dangerous land called Avalonia, which is ruled by a powerful mage and a cruel, selfish queen. A sixteen-year-old orphan girl named Aurora Darlington ends up kidnapped and dragged through a portal to this magical world. After being mistreated by her adopted family and bullied at school, Aurora often dreamed of running away but never expected anything like Avalonia. Aurora has to travel across Avalonia on a quest that will change her life forever as she learns the truth about her past and unleashes the power within herself.

Best Fantasy

Inker and Crown

by Megan O'Russell

Inker and Crown is book one in the Guilds of Ilbrea series by Megan O'Russel. It is set in the same world as the Ena series by the same author and is told from multiple points of view. These characters are all connected in some way as they grew up together in the same household, but they all have very different tales to tell. Whereas the Ena series was told from the viewpoint of people fighting against the Guilds, Inker and Crown give an insider view of the Guilds instead. This makes it a great read for both newcomers as well as readers who are already familiar with the Ena series.

Best Historical Fiction

The Wisdom of the Flock

by Steve Gnatz

The Wisdom of the Flock by Steve Gnatz is a fictional account of Ben Franklin's life. It is set during the birth of America and covers political, scientific, and medical topics of the time period. A few other historical figures of the time also make an appearance in this story, which mixes historical facts with plenty of imagination. As the American Revolution beings to unfold, Benjamin Franklin heads to Paris to gain the support of France but encounters plenty of distractions in The City of Lights.

Best Horror

Symbiotic

by Alex Gates

Symbiotic is the first novel in the Reborn horror series by Alex Gates. It is set more than five hundred years after most of humanity was wiped out by the infected. Protective plasma barriers protect the small percentage of survivors living in the last four remaining cities across the globe. One of these cities is Giza, where the Pharaoh rules through fear and violence. However, members of a resistance forced called the Thieves fight back against the oppression and inequality the population faces. Zaria and Kieran are two members of the Thieves who differ on how to accomplish their goals. Unfortunately, when Zaria is arrested during one of their missions, Kieran has to comply with the Pharaoh for any hope of saving her.

Best Literary Fiction

The Beautiful-Ugly

by James Snyder

The Beautiful-Ugly by James Snyder is the story of a sixteen-year-old girl named Connelly Pierce. After waking up in an unknown psychiatric hospital with both her wrists slashes, Connelly has to pierce together the events that brought her down this path. It is a harrowing journey that begins with the death of her parents when Connelly is only six years old. Then, as she and her nine-year-old brother has no close relatives, they find themselves throwing into the traumatizing world of government child protection agencies.

Best Science Fiction

Infection

by M.P. McDonald

Infection is the first novel in the Sympatico Syndrome series by M.P. McDonald. It is a post-apocalyptic survival novel where a deadly illness begins spreading like wildfire, leaving victims dead after a brief surge of energy. It only takes days for the virus to start tearing through the population of the United States and the world. Cole Evans has one chance to save his family and survive, but it involves reaching the safe haven of an isolated, hard-to-reach island. The question is, can he convince his brother that the threat is real, and will they be able to reach the island with their families before it is too late.

Best Paranormal

Bitten and Smitten

by Michelle Rowen

Bitten and Smitten is book one in the Immortality Bites series by Michelle Rowen. The heroine, Sarah Dearly, turns into a vampire after she is bitten by her blind date. This is followed by vampire hunters chasing her all over the city in an attempt to cut short her undead existence. While fleeing them, Sarah encounters a 600-year-old master vampire with a death wish. Sarah decides to convince the vampire to guide her in return for showing him that life's still worth living, but matters are complicated by one of the vampire hunters who also appear to have a thing for her.

Best Non-Fiction

Apotheosis Now

by Yanhao Huang

Apotheosis Now by Yanhao Huang is a book for everyone who would like to understand why we have internal conflicts, how our beliefs limit us, and why happiness is so rare. It also covers meaningful topics such as the nature of existence, the process of spiritual enlightenment, and much more. It is a great resource for anyone searching for enlightenment or trying to resolve the confusion in their life.