July 2023 reads

This month's reads consisted of a mixture of fiction and autobiographies. Each of these books taught me something different and I enjoyed dipping in and out of each one. They all had something different to offer and it was fun to get back into reading some autobiographies as I hadn't found one to interest me in a while! So let's dive right in!

Everything I read in July 2023...

Everything I know about love, by Dolly Alderton

I know I'm extremely late to the party for this one, and I'm ashamed to say it's taken me this long to get round to reading this book, but boy was it worth the wait! What can I say about this book that hasn't already been said? A book full of life, laughs and love. Full of life lessons and wisdom, insight and optimism. A book I will thrust into everyone's hands. It feels like Dolly is your best friend and older sister all wrapped up in one. I truly loved this book and couldn't put it down.

Everything I know about love is a memoir by Dolly Alderton that is all about her experiences in life, love and friendship whilst being in her 20s. The book covers the light and dark sides of love, friendship, work, partying, and life in a moving, relatable way with a side of wit and laughter.

I wondered whether this book would live up to the hype, and it definitely delivered! A must read for any 20 something female who's trying to navigate life.

Soft Lad, by Nick Grimshaw

Less of an autobiography detailing every aspect of his life from birth to present day and more of a collection of funny and anecdotal stories from different points of life. Covering everything from love, death, growing up, partying and work, this book includes all the formative moments of Nick's life in an honest and unfiltered way. If like me, you grew up listening to Nick Grimshaw on Radio 1, then this book is everything you'd expect it to be.

An easy read full of charm, laughter and at times emotional tales of his time growing up. It's Nick being unapologetically himself. Nostalgic and heartfelt, the popular dj and presenter documents all the moments that have made him the person he is today, from the highs and lows and everything in between.

This book may not be of interest to everyone, but if you're at all curious about the man behind the public persona, then maybe give it a try.

Girl Friends, by Holly Bourne

I have been a fan of Holly Bourne's books for as long as I can remember and I can still recall the first book of hers I ever read. Girl friends is her third adult novel and it didn't disappoint! It's worth noting that before you dive into this book, it does come with trigger warning, as with most of her writing, as she touches on sensitive subjects and mental health issues.

Girl friends is a funny and heart breaking of female friendship and growing up. Fern and Jessica were inseparable as teenagers, until Jessica crosses a line that Fern cannot forgive. A decade later Jessica reappears in Fern's life out of the blue. A lot has changed since they last saw each other, but is it possible for them to rewrite the role they've been cast in or is history doomed to repeat itself?

This book was a compelling read that was equally heart-breaking and funny. Though provoking and confronting, Holly Bourne always manages to explore the complexities of mental health in a sensitive and relatable way. The book explores the complexities of female friendships in a compelling and honest way that many people will be able to relate too.

Like all of her books, this one is beautifully written and explores how the insecurities you develop in your late teens and early 20s follow you later in life. A must read for those who want to feel seen and understood by someone who can perfectly put into words what it feels like growing up.