Books are small universes—affordable and easily carried, filled with endless mind-expanding possibilities. Through their pages, I explore new experiences and worlds, meet unforgettable characters, and deepen my understanding of humanity.
These are the books I read in July 2025, listed chronologically, and graded by recommendation (highly recommend, recommend, and do not recommend).
Highland Fling
Nancy Mitford’s first novel to set the Regina Crocker cast: the ultimate Mean Girl who ends her tale with vows of fidelity and pudding.
She ended up writing reviews, biographies, historical fiction, and more, but it’s these sparkling between-the-war marriage plot novels that she is known for.
And rightfully so. Highland Fling is effervescent, making me laugh out loud at aristocratic activities that are only made interesting by her deft eye and scathing wit; highly recommend.
Kind and Usual Punishment
Everyone thinks prison reform is the concern of other people, mostly criminals, but Jessica Mitford gets it.
She understood (and explains in the first chapters) that the definition of criminal is subjective, at least where most non-violent crimes are concerned, up to society and later, the state, to decide.
Sooner or later, we could all be criminals. Like schools, or nursing homes, or hospitals, prisons are systems that the average person is more likely to be exposed to than not. Therefore, prison reform is for everybody.
Read her thoughtful expose, and ponder how new irritants at publication became current bugbears; highly recommend.
Wait For Me!
In my Stories, I wickedly referred to the Duchess of Devonshire, as the most boring Mitford sister. Untrue.
She was just too young to do anything (horrifyingly) interesting during WWII.
But Debo more than made up for that throughout her long life, meeting everyone who was anyone of the late 20th century, pioneering the public maintenance of English manors, and being a Tradwife (complete with the family fortune!) before it was cool; highly recommend.
A Talent To Annoy
A delightful collection of Nancy Mitford’s essays, criticisms, and “journalism” (thinly veiled and slightly mean portrayals of her friends); recommend.
Christmas Pudding and Pigeon Pie
Two more sparkling comedies from Nancy Mitford, conveniently published together.
Christmas Pudding features all the Bright Young Things gathering at a castle for a hunt, trying to land a spouse, sad about literary reviews, or Very Serious about bagging pheasants.
Pigeon Pie is a war novel. But a funny, glamorous one (think of Meg Abbott covering the gulf conflict).
Lady Sophia would like to help with early war efforts, but she’s just so Charmingly Befuddled, you see. When her maid is murdered and her beloved bulldog kidnapped, she may have to wise up to the situation.
Both novels are quick, enjoyable reads; highly recommend.
Cimarron/Saratoga Trunk/Giant
Edna Ferber loved America. Not the actual nation state, but our history, and more of an idealized version. Or at least one that didn’t ignore class and racial hierarchies.
She was a glorious writer, a rare one that could both tell a good story and write a story well.
All three of these novels are historical fiction, focused on frontier spaces (Oklahoma, Texas, and, well, the characters in Saratoga are trying to leave it for the wilderness).
I don’t understand the ending of Saratoga Trunk, but uh…different times (would love to discuss!!); still recommend these books as an experience.
Everything Is Tuberculosis
Did you know that the beauty standards we call “heroin chic” or “2000s skinny” can be traced back to tuberculosis symptoms? Me neither!
One of the Green brothers hilariously illuminates that everything REALLY IS tuberculosis (and, less hilariously, how and why it’s still a Global Killer); highly recommend.
The Unbiased Self
I was so excited to read this book, I didn’t get a picture of the cover (hence the diagram). With depth and readability, Devers connects social psychology with Christian teachings.
No matter where you reside on the religious spectrum, you may be rolling your eyes. I need you to stop.
She reminds readers that bias is always present, and always to be fought against (in individuals, groups, and systems). Like original sin.
That’s a simplified version, don’t take my word for it; read it yourself, highly recommend.
Diana Mosley
Man, I can’t decide if I am intensely interested in or terrified by Diana Mosley. A mix of both, I suppose.
What a singular, strong-minded (don’t ask too many questions about the views held in that mind!) woman. When she died, she was the only person to have known both Churchill and Hitler. Like, really knew them.
Her life is worth learning about, and this biography is well written; highly recommend.
There’s Always This Year
This collection of essays knocked me down. They center around basketball, but, you know. The game is a metaphor for life.
If I understood more about the structure of the game, I would have appreciated the way he set up the “quarters” of the book, and the use of clock in the essays.
But I knew enough to realize I was reading something special; highly recommend.
The American Way of Birth
Jessica is more famous for her “Way of Death,” but I wanted to go in order.
As someone who gave birth (four times in six and a half years) nearly 20 years after this book was published, I can attest how directly Mitford’s investigative journalism positively affected public health; recommend.
Conclusion
In the quiet company of these July reads, I found stories and echoes of the human experience: resilience in the face of despair, the enduring power of connection, and the timeless wisdom woven into words.
I hope my July 2025 bite size book reviews open up new literary adventures for you. What literary landscapes are you currently exploring? I’d love to hear!
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Happy reading!
Love,
