At the end of the day, the Bookstr team is just a group of bookworms who come together to share our love of reading with the book community. In that spirit, we’re sharing our top reads of the past month. From picture books to romances and fantasy titles, here are the books that topped our charts.
For Whom the Belle Tolls by Jaysea Lynn – Romantasy
This book truly has it all: a captivating romance, exquisite world-building that blends fantasy with reality, and delicious supernatural elements. The premise of reincarnation and the afterlife hooked me from the start, making it impossible to put down. I absolutely adored the protagonist, and Lucifer quickly became one of my all-time favorite characters. The relationships that blossomed, from deep friendships to compelling love interests and complex found family ties, were nothing short of wonderful.
Lily expected the Afterlife to be… well, dead. Instead, she finds a vibrant world where deities grab lattes, fae flit between realms, and death becomes a new beginning. Defying expectations, Lily lands a job in Hell, using her customer service skills and sharp wit to sort souls alongside formidable demons. But when an undeniable attraction sparks with Bel, a demon general with a voice that could melt steel, their burgeoning connection faces an even greater threat: an unexpected evil poised to shatter their extraordinary world. For Whom the Belle Tolls is a captivating debut, where love, magic, and destiny collide in an Afterlife unlike anything you’ve ever imagined.
- Kristi Eskew, Executive Editor
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong – YA Historical Fantasy
A Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1900s Shanghai. The story details the two heirs of feuding families who must set aside their hatred to work together to defeat a monster that is killing the population.
I had heard such good things about this book, and I love a good retelling. While the gore could be quite intense, I was able to skim over those parts and focus on the actual story. It’s a great retelling that has many original and creative elements. The ending was definitely a cliffhanger, though, and I have to read the sequel! This is also a great rendition of the enemies-to-lovers trope.
- Solenn Vincent, Social
Room of Swords by Toonimated – Dystopian Sci-fi Webtoon
Gyrus is an astronaut who wakes up in the middle of a wasteland, separated from his crew with no memory of how he got there. In his search for Captain Don and his ship, Gyrus finds people from a different time than his own and monsters right out of a video game. While looking for answers, things only get more mysterious, especially after he meets Kodya, a man who seems to know more about what’s going on than anyone else, and knows Gyrus better than he knows himself. Little does Gyrus know he’s done this all before, and the only way for this nightmare to end is to restore the Room of Swords.
This series has consumed my thoughts since I started reading it. There are so many twists and turns that the more answers you get, the more questions you have. The characters are a delight, and I just want them all to be safe and happy, but the co-authors have other plans. I’ve been delighted by this story on a technical level as well; since the story is published on Webtoon, the authors have animated panels and music, which I love.
- Kira Dancik, Outreach
Sandwich by Catherine Newman – Women’s Fiction
Sandwich follows a middle-aged woman, Rocky, over the course of a weeklong vacation with her family in Cape Cod. Alternating between past family vacations and the current week, the novel depicts aging, parenting, change, and loss.
I devoured this book as if it were a sandwich itself. While I am not in the age range of Rocky and am not a parent, I found her view of the world extremely relatable and refreshing. I loved the acknowledgment of menopause and pregnancy in this novel, as I felt as though it shed a light on womanhood as a whole. The depictions of Rocky and her children gave me an insight into how my parents may feel about me now being an adult, while also making me want to be a better daughter
- Lindsey Barnett, Social Media Intern
The Wedding People by Alison Espach – Women’s Fiction
Phoebe Stone arrives at her dream hotel, the grand Cornwall Inn, in her favorite outfit and nothing else, for she thinks she won’t need anything for her final day. Her last day turns into an entire week after she is mistaken for one of the guests at the wedding the hotel is hosting, and Phoebe becomes closer to Lila and Gary, the bride and groom, than either expected. Throughout the week, the bridal party soon learns that the best-laid plans can go awry for the right reasons.
I wish I had read this book sooner. Phoebe is recently divorced and in a dead-end job that sucked the life out of her during the pandemic, and wants to make a meaningful decision that she is in full control of. I love her friendship with Lila because while Phoebe is trying to let go, Lila wants to remain in control by planning every part of her wedding to the smallest detail, because it would be illogical for Lila not to go through with it (she’s a redeemable bridezilla, if that exists). Like the rest of the characters, Phoebe makes the most of her week at the wedding and reflects on what she really wants for herself now that she’s away from everything that was bothering her.
- Jenn Chastka, Social Media Intern
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch – High Fantasy
Locke Lamora is an orphan who dodges the inevitable death and slavery to become a thief under a con artist. Locke grows up to become an infamous thief in Camorr, fooling even the most feared rulers. Faced with a bloody coup that wants to destroy everything and everyone that Locke holds dear, he must beat the enemy at its own game.
I’m usually not a huge reader of high fantasy, but this book had my attention from the very beginning. The characters feel real, and each one has their own captivating backstory that meshes well with the setting and plot. The world-building in this book outshines everything else, as it’s so well written I can practically imagine myself stepping into the pages. It’s also easily readable and digestible despite the world being fairly large.
- Melissa Mittendorff, Outreach & Editorial
Sword of the Seven Sins by Emily Colin – Romantasy
In the society of the Commonwealth, committing one of the seven deadly sins is a crime, especially love. Eva Marteinn, a girl with a hidden gift for killing, becomes the first female executioner and a prodigy for one of the most elite executioners: Ari Westergaard. Eva grapples with her new powers and Ari struggles to suppress his forbidden feelings, as the two uncover a conspiracy that could bring down their society. Raised under the Commonwealth’s laws, the two must decide where their loyalties lie: with the Commonwealth or with each other.
The book was advertised for fans of Divergent and Fourth Wing, and as a fan of both series, it was an accurate comparison. It had all my favorite tropes: forbidden love, enemies-to-lovers, and friends-to-lovers, and the worldbuilding was great. It also reminded me of The Giver, in the way that the government tried to control their people’s forbidden feelings. I especially liked how headstrong the character of Eva was in this book. Even though she was forced into the life of an executioner, she was determined to pave her own way.
- Hannah Childers, Editorial
TMWWWBSASATWI by Beany Tuesday – Comedy
Our protagonist, known only as “The Man”, is wholly unremarkable by choice, a man who seeks nothing else than to “be like the floor”. TMWWWBSASATWI tells the bleakly funny story of an unfulfilled man wading through life and some of the eccentric personalities he meets along the way.
This book is ridiculously funny with a great sense of comedic timing. Beany Tuesday’s prose is fast-paced and densely packed. The overflow of observational humor hits you with a hundred gags per minute, and the creative use of absurd, often lengthy footnotes further contributes to the novella’s nonstop hilarity. The Man’s colleagues, comedic takes on internet-age masculinity, are delightfully funny and help to balance the novella’s black comedy. There are so many standout lines in this book that bounce around my head every now and then and give me a chuckle. There’s really nothing like TMWWWBSASATWI. It’s the perfect comedy for the modern age.
- Ethan Cunanan, Social
Enchantra by Kaylie Smith – Dark Romantasy
Listen. This book was so good. I simply could not put it down. It is the second book in the Wicked Games series, following Phantasma. I liked Phantasma, but MANNNNN Enchantra was chef’s kiss.
The story follows Genevieve Grimm and her untimely encounter with a family of paranormal/immortal beings. Genevieve just so happens to enter the Enchantra manor and meet the Silver family on the day of the annual life or death (death to immortals is a year spent as a servant in hell) game of hide and seek at the hand of a Devil, the family’s father is indebted to. The story is so full of twists and turns and has the spiciest and fun enemies-to-lovers romance. It is safe to say I am gnawing at the bars of my enclosure for the next book in this series. I cannot recommend it enough. I ate it up.
- Krysten Winkler, Art Director
Notes on Heartbreak by Annie Lord – Nonfiction/Memoir
How does one move on from a breakup, especially when you thought you’d be with the person forever? Through a collection of personal essays, Annie Lord traces her five-year relationship after she’s blindsided by a sudden breakup. She blends together memories in the present and the past as she works to find a way to move beyond the heartache.
I read this book over the past five months to help me overcome my own devastating breakup. Now, don’t get me wrong — the writing is excellent. The only reason it took me so long to finish was because her honesty and raw emotion were difficult to contend with at the start of my healing journey. Yet, I guarantee I am a stronger person at the end of this than I was at the beginning, and I owe it all to Annie Lord. Notably, when I searched for recommended breakup books, Lord was the only author who didn’t make me feel small for still holding onto feelings for my ex. She acknowledges that healing isn’t linear and reminds us that love is complicated, and often, it never really leaves.
- Kaija Strong, Editorial
The Odyssey by Homer, Translated by Emily Wilson and Narrated by Claire Danes – Epic Homeric poem
As the first female translator of the Homeric works, Wilson presents readers with a direct and enchanting version of the beloved history of Odysseus and his journey back home.
I read this book for the first time in 2018, during my second semester in college – it was truly a privilege to be able to access such an important work of art with the help of a passionate professor. Now, I find myself going back to Odysseus’ adventures with the success of EPIC: The Musical, created by Jorge Rivera-Herrans (it’s all available on Spotify, and you can find beautiful animations on YouTube made by talented fans!). After listening to it nonstop for 3 months, I had no other choice but to come back to the original work. Wilson’s edition has an incredible introduction that situates the reader in the Ancient Greek context, the mythology behind it, and academic discussions surrounding Homer. Claire Danes’ narration in this audiobook is so perfectly paced I get hypnotized. For me, there’s something magical about accessing such an old book and still feeling absolutely connected to its characters.
- Clara de Moraes, Outreach Intern
Circe by Madeline Miller – Historical fiction
This book is a reimagining of the mythological witch-goddess’s story from Homer’s Odyssey. Born from the sun god Helios and the ocean nymph Perse, Circe had grown up as an outsider among the gods and her family. When it comes to light that she has a unique power of witchcraft, she is then exiled to the island of Aiaia. From there, she begins to shape her destiny, crossing paths with many iconic mythological figures and becoming a symbol of independence, resilience, and strength.
I stumbled upon this book last year after reading Madeline Miller’s Song of Achilles, and because I love a good myth retelling, I gave it a shot and have not regretted that choice since. This book had captured my heart and kick-started my interest in the representation of women in ancient myth and their stories. I particularly enjoyed the character development that Circe goes through, from when she is exiled to when she begins to forge her own path. Rereading this story left me feeling equally empowered and connected as the first time!
- Laila Nguyen, Editorial Intern
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
Xingyin, daughter of the moon goddess, has spent her life in solitude on the moon, hidden away from the vengeful Celestial Emperor. But when her existence is uncovered, she’s forced to flee the only home she’s ever known and learn to survive in the Celestial Kingdom. Under a secret identity, she embarks on a perilous mission to earn her mother’s freedom, encountering legendary creatures, formidable foes, and forbidden love along the way.
This book has been on my TBR for several years now, and I’m so glad I finally got around to reading it! It has everything I want in an epic fantasy: sweeping worldbuilding, a fascinating magic system, political intrigue, and even a sweet friends-to-lovers romance. It’s been a while since a fantasy world has enraptured me so deeply, but Tan’s use of Chinese mythology to craft a rich and enveloping mystical landscape had me utterly hooked. Now, on to the sequel!
- Lauren Nee, Managing Editor
Snow Kid by Jessie Sima – Picture Book
A young snow person named Twig comes to life and begins to discover the world around them, changing emotionally and physically along the way. Yet the more they change, the more they begin to wonder if they are the same Twig that began the adventure.
In addition to being a sweet and playful winter tale, the book also serves as a pretty powerful metaphor for identity and growing up. Sima has always been incredible at blending themes of identity and community into easily accessible stories with incredibly lovable characters, but this may be one of my favorites. There are elements of questioning one’s identity that every reader of every age can relate to, but there’s also a very moving visual allusion to those who may be exploring different gender identities. It’s the kind of picture book that has mass appeal, yet will likely be extremely special to the little readers who need it most. Overall, I just thought it was so beautiful.
- Cara Broel, Editorial & Outreach
That’s our July 2025 reading wrap-up. Be sure to let us know on our socials what your favorite book was! Threads, Instagram, Twitter / X, Facebook, and BlueSky.
Want more Bookstr team recommendations? Click here.
Grab these books and more from our Bookstr Team Recs shelf on Bookshop.
