July Book Haul!

I thought that I had been bad for buying books last month but this month was so much worse!!  I'm going to keep the descriptions brief as I will include more detail in the reviews once I read each book!

1. "When Dimple Met Rishi"

This is all about an 18 year old Indian girl whose parents are determined she will have an arranged marriage to a boy named Rishi.  In a cunning effort to draw the two together Dimple's family agree to send her off to a programming camp she wants to go to - she is oblivious to the whole idea.  When she gets there Rishi introduces himself and the whole plan unfolds.  The whole story is about the journey they each go on discovering what they really want from life as well as the sacrifices they are willing to make to be happy.

2. "Caraval"
Caraval is about the Dragna sisters who have lived their life practically imprisoned by their father's cruelty and the control he has over them.  It has always been their dream to see Caraval - a travelling show - but they have never been allowed to go.  As the arranged marriage of the eldest sister draws closer it seems less likely that they will achieve their dream until they receive a letter from the organiser inviting both of them to go and see the show.  They are faced with the decision: to risk the wrath of their father if they are caught leaving or to wave their dream goodbye and stay where they are. 

3. "The Essex Serpent"
In Essex there has long been a legend of an evil, terrifying snake-like creature which emerges from the waters killing animals and humans alike.  For years the creature has been no more than a folk tale, a legend to scare children into behaving. Now the latest from Essex is that the creature is back.  No one knows why but the local Pastor is doing his best to keep the panic from setting in.  Teamed up with the recently widowed Cora he goes in search of the truth. Will the answers be forthcoming and should they turn to science or religion for help?

4. "Gilead"
This is the story of 3 generations of America starting with the Civil War and ending in the 20th century.  It is about spiritual battles undertaken by humanity and how they have developed over the years.  This looks at the appeal of leading an ordinary life and at the human condition as a whole. This is a novel I know very little about but have heard fantastic reviews over BookTube and a variety of blogs.


5. "The Selfish Gene"
So this one I have only really heard about and don't particularly know a lot about.  It's a non-fiction science book which looks into our genetic backgrounds.  It asks the reader to think about how our own genes build and make us into who we are. That's all I know really about this one!

6. "His Bloody Project"

Roderick Macrae is 17 years old when he is arrested for the brutal murder of 3 people in Ross-shire, Scotland.  It is written in as a presentation of docments such as police statements, witness testimonies etc. which offer contradictory views on the lead suspect.  Some argue he is a shy, quiet and gentle soul but others say he is menacing and evil.  The novel looks at whether Macrae was actually sane and what his motives for the murders actually were.  It is full of suspense right until the end.

7. "The Girls"
This is about 1960s North Caroline where a bout of violence is soon to turn the state into disarray.  Evie is drawn to a group of girls who she meets in the park. They seem carefree, have the freedom to dress how they like and a sense of danger that appeals a lot to Evie.  She is desperate to achieve acceptance by the leader - Suzanne.  Unbeknownst to her, Evie is falling into an infamous cult where she is drawn into a world of murder and violence.  Can she realise before it is too late?

8. "Wilde Like Me"
A story of a single mum who lives her life hiding her true feelings of loneliness.  She loves her child and her job but feels desperately lonely underneath it all.  She wants nothing more than to fit in with the mum crew at school but stuggles with this.  She has tried everything to find someone who she can share her life with but to no luck.  She decides it is time to change her life and seize the new opportunities thrown at her.


9. "Stay With Me"

This is a widely accredited novel which I can't wait to read! Yejide and Akin fell in love as teenagers and married young.  While polygamy is an accepted part of their culture, they agree it is not for them.  Yejide and Akin have been trying to get pregnant for 4 years with the help of fertility specialists, healers, medicine and holistic approaches.  They have not been successful.  Their family arrive with a new young wife for Akin which infuriates Yejide who realises it is now or never - get pregnant or lose her marriage.  She goes to great lengths to fall pregnant and save her fragile marriage.

10. "Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine"
Eleanor lives her life by a rigid timetable.  She does not like to deviate from her schedule at all. She avoids social situations at all costs preferring to spend her time with pizza and phone calls to her mum.  That is until she meets Raymond who changes her life - or tries to.  Together they rescue an older gentleman named Sammy.  The three become unlikely friends and all suffer isolation of some description. They work together to save each other from their isolation and break through the fear and constrictions they previously faced.

11. "As Old As Time"

This is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast.  It looks at Belle's mother and her family history.  Belle looks into the past when she touches the enchanted rose and sees unexpected connections between her and the Beast who has her held captive.  If what Belle sees in the past is true then it was her mother who was the Enchantress who cast the curse on the Beast and the castle inhabitants. Together the Beast must work with Belle to solve the mysteries of the past and work out the connections that have drawn them together.

12. "A Whole New World"
From the same series as "As Old As Time" this retells the story of "Aladdin" and looks at what would have happened if Jafar had summoned the genie from the lamp instead of Aladdin.  Jafar uses his first wishes to make him the ultimate sorcerer and sultan of Agrabah.  Agrabah lives in terror and fear of Jafar and it is up to Aladdin and the former Princess, Jasmine, to lead the citizens in a rebellion against Jafar to try to regain control over their kingdom.