In July I read 3 books, making my 2017 total 24. At this rate, I’m going to have to double my reading rate to beat my 2016 total. I’ve actually been reading and rereading a number of professional books for work, but all that reading (and working!) doesn’t count for this list yet.

• Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America by Michael Eric Dyson – I borrowed this book from the same friend who loaned me Hilllbilly Elegy, which I finished last month. It was quite an experience to read these two books in quick succession. What I appreciated about Dyson’s message was the balance between historical facts, modern day realities, and practical advice for white Americans. He speaks clearly from his own perspective and lived experiences, with concrete suggestions for ways in which we, white Americans, can begin to repair the damages done to black Americans since the beginning of our country. For anyone who struggles with the call of Black Lives Matter or the horrors of lives taken by police during random traffic stops, this is a must-read book. Really, it’s a must-read book for all of America, especially in these times.
• Unnatural Acts (Stone Barrington #23) by Stuart Woods – This book felt like a story-within-a-story. There were elements from #22 (Shelly from the FBI) and Herbie’s story line as he moved up in the law firm, and Stone and Dino in and out of the stories.
• Good as Gone by Amy Gentry – This was a random impulse buy! I went into a book store (!) to buy a travel book. When I walked past the table with summer paperback mysteries, this one jumped out at me. Julie was a 13 year old kidnapped out of her home, and she suddenly appears on her parents’ doorstep 8 years later. I liked how the author told us the backstory backwards while the current story moved forward. This was a quick, easy, fun read, though it was a sad and dark story.