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!
Mark Harding – Head of Branding & Communication
The Others by Mark Brandi
Why I loved it: This tense thriller absolutely grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go. Told through the pages of eleven year-old Jacob’s diary, the story is haunting and affecting. So much of what makes the atmosphere great happens off the page, and it’s a testament to Brandi’s skill as a writer that it packs such a punch.
Buy it here
Olivia Fricot – Senior Content Producer & Editor of The Booktopian
The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik
Why I loved it: Everybody’s favourite possibly evil sorceress El Higgins is back in The Last Graduate. This book is the follow-up to Naomi Novik’s fantasy novel A Deadly Education, 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 mostly dispenses with the excessive (yet admittedly necessary) exposition of the first book to build on the relationships between its characters. And with graduation — i.e. a bloody fight through a mal-infested chamber to freedom — fast approaching, strong alliances mean everything. 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’ve read this side of Aurora Burning!)
Buy it here
Nick Wasiliev – Senior Content Producer
28 by Brandon Jack
Why I loved it: 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’t follow footy.
Buy it here
Ben Hunter – Fiction Category Manager
Love & Virtue by Diana Reid
Why I loved it: I have a disinclination towards campus novels but dove into Love & Virtue 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 — what does morality really look like?
Buy it here
Robert O’Hearn – Academic & Professional Category Manager
Genius Makers by Cade Metz
Why I loved it: 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’s 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’s 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.
Buy it here
Shanulisa Prasad – Lifestyle Category Manager
Nina Simone’s Gum by Warren Ellis
Why I loved it: I was intrigued by the title of this book — surely up there for quirkiest title of the year — 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’ll get from Warren!).
Buy it here
Cassandra Sharp – Assistant Category Manager for Non-Fiction
Soulless by Gail Carriger
Why I loved it: Soulless 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 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’m looking forward to exploring the other Parasol Protectorate books soon.
Buy it here
Eden Samual – Assistant Category Manager for Kids & YA
Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
Why I loved it: The book equivalent to your favourite animated Studio Ghibli film, Six Crimson Cranes is a whimsical retelling of the Grimm Brothers’ The Six Swans 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’s 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’t stop thinking about weeks after having finished it!
Buy it here
Ashleigh Berry – B2C Campaign Planner
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
Why I loved it: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet is a wonderful, Farscape-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’s almost impossible not to be swept up in. I cannot believe I had this treasure sitting around for so long.
Buy it here
Karen Robinson – Territory Relationship Manager
Megamonster by David Walliams and Tony Ross (Illustrator)
Why I loved it: This was my first David Walliams book and I finally understand why he’s 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’s not to love! If you’re an adult, make sure you borrow your kid’s copy after they’ve finished, or just grab a copy yourself to remind yourself of the magic of children’s books.
Buy it here
What’s the best book you read in July 2021?
Tell us below in the comments!
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