Monthly Rewind: July 2026

A R T

Wow, finally an art update! If you haven’t heard of Art Fight: it is an annual, month-long online art gifting game held every July on Art Fight where artists join themed teams to “attack” opponents by drawing their original characters for points. I’ve always been hesitant to join for years (2026 is their 10th anniversary!), but I finally decided to join two weeks before the event started, so I didn’t have much time to set up my original characters on the site. I only managed to post the character that I use for streaming. My username is (to no one’s surprise) zaheerah. Here are some of the “attacks” I’ve done this year; some are more detailed than others, not shown here, but there is one that I drew and posted within twenty minutes. The beauty of Artfight is that, as long as you rate your artwork correctly to get your points, anything goes really. I even managed to do a Mass Attack where you can draw multiple characters together. (can be from the same user or other users!) If you’re aware of the Valko situation, please mourn with me; we’ve lost a good one.

B O O K S

In July, I read 5 books (+2 short stories)!

For transparency, every book marked with * is a title I received for free as I currently work at PRH UK.

Miss Archer by Jordan Harrison*

Living in the end of times, Dre was brought up to believe that human history was over. For her, humanity was the Squares where she was born and raised. Until one day she is hired to be a governess to a five-year-old boy. Albie is all of the things: smart, brilliant and curious about the world around him. Except he thinks the year is 1884, and Dre is just one of many people working to keep up the illusion. Dre is now Miss Archer, and as she dedicates herself to the role, she can’t help but feel like something more sinister is happening.

This is one of those books where I was genuinely flabbergasted. Just when I thought I knew where the story was going, the story takes you on a journey I never would’ve expected. This is out in January next year, and I so badly want other people to read it purely to see how they’ll react to this. Wholly original and SO interesting.

The Sun King’s Noon by Briar Niran / Plus other short stories!

The veil between Ardenia and Gloamvarn is crumbling, and Richard is getting desperate as each new day passes; the prophecy grows nearer and nearer. So he opens his courts, inviting allies for a Summer Ball and hopes that within each neighbouring country, he can find at least one ally. But Gloam King waits for no one, and when a long-buried secret throws Richard into brand-new territory, can he hold his ground, or will it all come tumbling down?

10/10. That’s enough. With every second you’re reading this post, you are losing precious time to start this series. Go read it, please, and thank you.

The Unmagical Life of Briar Jones by Lex Croucher

After failing to secure a spot in one of the most mysterious boarding schools around, Briar Jones never thought they would set foot in the place that had stolen their best friend, Sebastian, away from them. That is, until a temp job clearing out the school’s attic brings the once-best friends back together. And the kind-hearted Sebastian has now become one of the school’s reigning terrors, Bastian. Determined to discover the truth behind this elusive school, Briar must decide whether it’s worth risking their lives for a friend they once knew.

Sorry to Lex Croucher. I used to watch their videos on YouTube all the time back in 2010/13. I was somehow under the biggest rock possible and never made the connection that Lex Croucher, the author whose name I had heard pop up a few times, is also the same person as TyrannosaurusLexxx. Good news is that I now have a TON of books to read from them.

Briar Jones was so much fun to read! I was actually reading this on my Kindle, but I stopped halfway through and went to my local Waterstones to buy a signed special edition that they luckily had in stock.

The Open Era by Edward Schmit*

Pro tennis player Austin Hardy finds himself in the spotlight when he becomes the first openly gay man to compete in a Grand Slam tournament. His newfound fame is difficult to balance, and it doesn’t help that he gains the attention of the very attractive Diego Cruz, who is eager to befriend the newbie on the court.

I went into this book thinking Heated Rivalry meets tennis and left with a burning need to adopt Austin Hardy and protect him from all that is bad in the world. Not very straightforward in terms of romance. In fact, I would struggle to even call this a romance when the relationship between Austin and Diego isn’t even the centre of attention here. The story leans more towards Austin’s mental health within the space of pro sport and queer identity in front of a public sphere. I’m not one for sports romance, but The Open Era has done more to convince me to read more.

My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levin*

When a cheap apartment pops up for rent in a very expensive neighbourhood, Cassie Greenberg might as well have been signing her own death certificate. Her new roommate, Frederick, is far from normal. He sleeps all day and talks like you’re turning the page of an Austen novel. When Cassie discovers his secret, she should run far, far away. Her new roommate is a vampire, and he has a plan.

If you ever need a quick silly little pick-me-up, then definitely give this book a try. I was having a lot of fun at the very beginning, but as the story continued, the plot just became so underwhelming. (I’m sorry, but I’m never a fan of books when Taylor Swift is name-dropped. I’m saying this as someone who is currently listening to Debut as I’m writing this post) This book is mainly just wishing there was more to it, but I was still entertained. That being said, Book 2 will be seeing me because it is about Reggie; that man was funny as hell.

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That’s it for this month! Tell me what went on in YOUR life this month! What sort of things was important for you this month? New obsessions? New TV shows? Or book? Any new song recs (I’m always open to new music!)? Best books you read this month?