The most random reading compilation of July 2025

Jessi Tayylor
Jul 29
5 min read

The most random reading compilation of July 2025

My reading mood is like an irregular period cycle. Sometimes I pick up a book from my TBR pile and binge read them in two days, then I pick another one afterwards. And another time, I pick up one book and finish it after six months or more. So this July, I compiled the books I’ve read.

So sorry my Monday post is very delayed, please enjoy the most random July reads I’ve picked. These are in no particular order.

The most random reading compilation of July 2025

After the Funeral by Agatha Christie

Just like any inheritance scenario, there is bound to be a murder to happen. In this case, we have all the suspects in one place. But then Cora Lansquenet, sister of the deceased, said the famous phrase; "But he was murdered, wasn't he?" Things went south for her. May she rest in peace.

I absolutely enjoyed this story! It’s also my first Agatha Christie book, so now I added a couple of Hercule Poirot books in my TBR because of this. The twists were right in my face and yet I didn’t see it coming.

The Fourth Monkey by J.D. Barker

One of my recent reads. The story centers on the investigation of Sam Porter to track down who the Fourth Monkey Killer (aka 4MK) really is. He’s been onto this case for years when suddenly fate served 4MK to him in a bloodied silver platter. The infamous killer was hit by a bus, but he had a package in his person, which meant that he had a prisoner they needed to find and rescue before time runs out.

Normally, I get bored with serial killer backstories. But this book has done really well weaving the past and present together.

Foundation by Ann Aguirre

This is a short story of Ann Aguirre’s Razorland series (that I haven’t read).

I’ve always only picked up novels when I read, so when I realized this is a short story, I decided to give it a go. It might be a mistake to pick one from a series though. While I didn’t understand if there are any hints about the main series, the small interactions between the boy and his phone pal was a nice touch.

Lullaby for a Lost World by Aliette de Bodard

Another short story in my list. This is a oneshot this time.

This is too dark for my taste. It’s about a character named Charlotte, who died, and people are grieving. But something in Charlotte is stirring within that makes her want to commit vengeance. Still a good short read if you’re looking to take a break from longer books.

I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

This short story, I picked up because a lot of my friends recommended that Isaac Asimov is like the father of robot stories. Since I’ve been dabbling with an post-apocalyptic novel set in the future, I thought it’d be a good idea to give it a read.

I enjoyed the first one. The bond between the child and the robot was really touching.

Randomize by Andy Weir

The last short story I read this month.

It’s the book cover’s fault! I got caught up with it. It looked like a hacking, techno-related story. Which it kinda is, so it’s not clickbait. It’s about a couple who wants to commit a heist to steal from a casino. Come on, it’s a short read, I won’t spoil for you.

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

Whenever I’m not reading books, I’m watching movies. And it just so happened that I watched the movie before I read the book. There are differences of course, but I won’t compare.

The book is about R, the only zombie who can speak actual words. He saves Julie from being killed or infected by the horde he came with, but he eats the brains of Julie’s boyfriend. In order to protect Julie, he tells her to blend in with the horde until they return to their hideout at the terminal. Feelings start to develop and R’s humanity developing with it.

His & Hers by Alice Feeney

My most recent read! While the main characters are not personally lovable or someone I’d want to root for, I absolutely loved the plot twist in this book.

Ex-couple, Jack and Anna reunites in the town they’re trying to escape from, all thanks to the body that was found, a woman that they both knew in high school.

I have two suspects and I’ve been switching between them throughout the book. Let’s see if you’d get the right answer on the identity of the real killer.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Because of the movie adaptation, this came across my TBR.

The book is better than the movie. The world is portrayed with the idea of “sameness”, the perfect system to run everyone’s lives. Until Jonas gets chosen to be the next Giver where he unravels the past lives of the ones before them and the truth behind the last chosen Giver.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Any idea where the unreliable narrator trope is inspired from? Ta-da! This is it.

An alternate POV between husband and wife. Who really killed Amy Dunne? What is Nick’s dark secret? Where does the treasure hunting clues lead to?

Some TWs for those who are uncomfortable with swearing, domestic violence, sex, misogyny and animal death.

Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone

Not my usual genre. But I really liked the book cover, it’s neat and clean, very aesthetic. Although in reality, I got hooked by the premise that the story is about something dark (*sigh* me and my blind reads). Later I discover, it’s not what I think it is.

Sam has a secret that she can’t share with anyone but Caroline Madsen. Sam is an athlete, a swimmer, but she has a potential to be part of a secret poetry club. Thanks to Caroline, she manages to join the club and her life turns upside down.

Falling by TJ Newman

My last read this July 2025. This is recommended to me by a friend.

I needed a break from all the serial killer stories that I’ve been diving into, and I figured a nice action thriller would be a good break for me.

Bill went to his duty to pilot Flight 416. It was a normal day, until it wasn’t. Once the plain took off, Bill received an email from his wife. A terrorist was blackmailing him to crash the plain to save his wife and children. Who would he prioritize to save? The souls of the passengers in the plain or the souls of his family?

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Maybe today is the day you join us, maybe tomorrow, or maybe sometime in the future when our paths cross again. Life is strange that way. I look forward to meeting you. After all, strangers are friends we haven’t met yet.