My July 2026 Reads
I have no idea how it is August 1st, but it is a new month and time to share what I read in July: They were all audio listens. One short story and three full length novels. My love of documentaries is still interfering with my physical/ kindle reading….. I’m sorry to Jennifer Renson who sent me Aoh earlier this year… I am getting close to finishing it! It WILL be completed in August’s reads post! I promise that!
I did watch both Running Man films and did a book review/ movie comparisons. That was a fun post and thing to do!
Here are the books I completed in July. They are listed in the order that I finished them:
Everybody’s Favorite Guy by Katherine Center- 3 stars (short story)
With a Kiss We Die by L.R. Dorn- 4 stars
The Running Man by Richard Bachman/Stephen King- 4 stars
The Date by T.H. Murdock- 3.5 stars
My ‘top rated read’ was The Running Man by Bachman/King. And I watched both the 1987 and 2025 films. I would watch the 2025 film again. The 2025 film is much closer to the book then the 1987 film. King was really ahead of his time with writing this novel when he did!
My ‘lowest rated read’ was Everybody’s Favorite Guy by Katherine Center. Apparently I need her in ‘full doses’ instead of smaller stories! Pretty much anything she writes will be added to my TBR!
What did YOU read in July? I hope you had a good month and let’s bring on August reading!
Book Review and Movie Comparisons of The Running Man
The Running Man
Author: Stephen King as Richard Bachman
Narrator: Kevin Kenerly
First Published: May 4, 1982
Audiobook: 7 hours 42 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Listened To: July 13-17, 2026
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
In the year 2025, the best men don’t run for president, they run for their lives…
Ben Richards is out of work and out of luck. His eighteen-month-old daughter is sick, and neither Ben nor his wife can afford to take her to a doctor. For a man from the poor side of town with no cash and no hope, there’s only one thing to do: become a contestant on one of the Network’s Games, shows where you can win more money than you’ve ever dreamed of—or die trying. Now Ben’s going prime-time on the Network’s highest-rated viewer participation show. And he’s about to become a prey for the masses…
Jessica’s Review:
Stephen King was ahead of his time! He first wrote The Running Man over the course of just a week in 1972 or 1973. It was first published in 1982 under his Richard Bachman pseudonym and takes place in a dystopian America in 2025, which is now our past. The Running Man shows how difficult of a world 2025 is. But to lighten the people’s spirits, we have one of the highest rated television shows: The Running Man and everyone in the USA can participate!
Ben Richards is just 28-years-old and is married with an 18-month-old daughter who is sick. Everything is extremely hard to come by and you need ‘new money’ to get anything. With seemingly no other option, he ends up on the show The Running Man. He is given a twelve-hour head start and has 30 days to survive and the longer he lasts the more money he earns. But things are not as they seem. As we all know, ‘reality television’ isn’t actually real. We see the constant manipulation of the media on everyday people who are extremely poor. But Ben fights to survive and help save his daughter. His wife and daughter are his sole reason for doing this.
The reader goes on the journey with Ben. In some parts of the novel, you can see how it has aged, at times not well. Part of this is with Ben’s personality. Richards is not likeable, but I was rooting for him to make it to the end to help his family. The entire novel is dark, but has an even darker ending. At first I was giving the novel 3.5 stars, but as I got to thinking more about it I decided on four stars. Not enjoying an ending is not a reason to give a lower star rating when in fact the author did accomplish what he intended. For that reason I gave The Running Man the rating I did. This novel won’t be for everyone, but it was in fact a good dark read about a ugly Dystopian America. Again, it was written in the 1970s but still accomplishes what it was meant to even today!
The narrator Kevin Kenerly did a good job with his narration. I never lost interest in the story.
Movie Comparisons:
My Thoughts on the 1987 Film:
I had never seen the 1987 version and at first, I was going to skip it when I read the description and saw it is nowhere near to the book. It is about convicted criminals fighting to get a second chance. But then I saw some reviews where people were talking about how much they enjoyed it. I decided to watch it fully knowing it won’t be like the book.
And this version is NOT like the book at all. The film takes place in 2019 and in 2017 the global economy collapsed. It has Arnold Schwarzenegger as Ben Richards who ends up competing in the Running Man. He was a police detective who the audience is led to believe did something that he did not do. Richards and two others are put into the ‘game’ and are ‘runners; while they are hunted down by ’stalkers’.
Unlike in the book, we get to see parts of the television show and also ‘behind the scenes’. It is more of a game show than reality tv, with the audience wanting the runners to be killed and adoring the ‘stalkers’.
This version of The Running Man is a quintessential 1980s film! So you better know what you are in for: It is campy, corny and has lots of cheesy one liners. We also get Arnold saying his most famous quote: “I’ll be Back”. Taking into consideration that this film is extremely not similar to the book, I really enjoyed watching this version. Would I watch it again, no. It’s a one time viewing for this reviewer. I know some people grew up watching this film and loving it. But not me. The overall rating I would give the 1987 version would be a strong 3 stars.
My Thoughts on the 2025 Film:
This is a film that is overall faithful to the book. It does have its differences, including a major change to the ending, but this is a good film! Taking place in present day, we do have some homages to the book and 1987 film: Arnold is on the ‘new money’ and at one point in the film you see a store called “Bachman’s’. I loved seeing those easter eggs!
Ben Richards is a little older than the Richards of the book. ‘Film Richards’ is 35 years old and is very much likable unlike ‘Book Richards’. He is also entertaining and seems like a realistic ‘every man’ who has no other choice but to try and get on a game show and seemingly finds himself on The Running Man. This Richards is made more heroic and spares some of those hunting him down. I was rooting for him and hoping the film would have a different ending, which it does. The book’s ending is very dark and I can’t see that ending being made. If you want to know that ending, then read the book!
We get more of the actual television show and ‘behind the scenes’ in this film.
Casting wise we have Glen Powell as Ben Richards, and wow, he did a fabulous job. We also have William H. Macy as Molie and he was enjoyable! I adored Molie for the short time he was in the film. The scene stealer was none other than Colman Domingo! He was perfection as Bobby T, host of The Running Man. Charismatic yet also full of himself, Domingo knows how to portray these types of characters. I have been a fan of his since he was on Fear the Walking Dead and even had a chance to meet him 10 years ago. And he is quite the entertaining man! It’s a story to share for sure.
The 2025 film version of The Running Man I give 4 stars to, and I would watch it again!
Me with Colman Domingo in 2016 at Walker Stalker!
Purchase Links:
Book:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
1987 Film:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
2025 Film:
Amazon US It is currently available for free if you have Prime!
Amazon UK
Blog Tour: Guest Post: Avalon Sky by Jill Todd
Today I am helping to start the blog tour for Avalon Sky by Jill Todd. And Jill will be interviewing one of her characters from the novel: This should be fun! Avalon Sky is available now! AND… If you are lucky enough to live in the UK, there is a giveaway going on! And it’s a good one to win!
Book Description:
Some secrets should never be told.
Some crimes should never be forgiven.
Following a private tragedy, TV historian Kit Pevensey and his wife Lissa seek respite in the quiet of rural Somerset to compile a village history for a friend.
But when their friend vanishes without a trace, the Pevenseys’ research stirs memories of dangerous secrets. Amid the deceptive peace of the Somerset Levels and Lundy Island, a killer plans the perfect murder – and Kit must face his own demons, whilst battling to prevent the crimes of the past from tearing a family apart.
Buy Your Copy Here:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
JILL TODD INTERVIEWS KESTER PEVENSEY (Recorded in March 2023)
Thank you for inviting me into your home today, Kester!
You’re very welcome. [He raises his coffee mug in a toast.]
Viewers will know you as the presenter of Enigmas, the BBC’s latest series on unsolved crimes. I believe family and friends call you Kit. Do you prefer that?
Sure. I mainly use Kester for TV. Or when I’m arrested.
Ah, I know that’s never happened. Has it? Anyway, for those who might be unfamiliar with the show, Kit is in his mid-thirties, with fairish hair, and eyes that smile easily. You don’t mind me saying that, Kit?
As long as no one thinks we play Enigmas for laughs. We aim to throw new light on cold cases, and give the victims’ families some kind of closure.
And bring offenders to justice?
It’s been known. We work closely with the police, and I hope we make a difference now and then.
You’re too modest. The first season of Enigmas certainly achieved results, as well as scoring highly with viewers and critics – although one reviewer described you as looking, and I quote, ‘startlingly dangerous in the face of villainy, like a man about to channel his inner Jack Reacher’. What’s your response to that?
Not sure whether to feel flattered or insulted. Seriously, though, if I was a loose cannon, the BBC would have fired me.
But you’re saying that with a kind of glint.
No glints intended. I don’t get into physical confrontations.
Never?
Almost never. [His eyebrows twitch upward.] Life can surprise you, right?
Are you referring to a specific incident?
You’ll see it in the first episode of Series Two, which airs at 8pm next Wednesday. I can’t give too much away, but –
Actually, I’d rather you told me about your stay in the Somerset village of Netherzoy a few years ago, in the autumn of 2019.
Really? That’s old news. [He is smiling, but looks wary.] I thought we were here to chat about Enigmas.
It’s just a few questions. Do you mind?
Depends what you ask.
Of course. So, you and your wife were staying in a holiday let, helping a friend research the history of Netherzoy?
That was the plan. David had inherited the project from his late dad, but he was struggling to find the time. He approached Lissa and me.
Lissa being your wife, and one of Enigmas’ researchers. So David thought of you two because you had the right skills?
Mostly, although my sister nudged him into it. She thought we needed a break, and Yew Tree Cottage seemed ideal. Old, quaint, full of character. [He grins ruefully.] Yeah, it had plenty of that.
Are you being ironic?
I don’t believe in ghosts, but once or twice … Whatever, we were looking forward to some time to ourselves, to relax.
But things didn’t turn out that way?
Not exactly. David went to meet some guy at a local airfield, and never came back. His brother and I drove out there. It was dark by then, with thick fog. Creepy as hell. All we could hear were the owls. And then … I guess you know what we found.
Yes. That must have been really upsetting. But afterwards – perhaps as a result? – you were caught up in the drama on Lundy Island. Can you tell me about that night, Kit?
The facts were reported at the time.
Not all the facts, surely? I’m just wondering whether –
OK, look, I can say this much. What happened that November changed us all. Some of us for the better, maybe. Others, not so much. One day I might even write the story – after taking legal advice.
How exciting! I can’t wait, and I’m sure I speak for everyone who tunes into your show. So what’s next for you, Kit?
Professionally? Enigmas has gone down well, as you say. We’ve already started work on Series Three.
That’s great news! And how about you and Lissa personally? Do you have any plans?
It’s been an eventful year for us. We’re taking things one day at a time.
Well, I wish you both all the very best. Thank you again for meeting me today, Kit. I must say, you don’t seem very dangerous to me.
That’s because you’re not a villain.
Ah, this time I know you’re joking.
Absolutely.
AUTHOR’S NOTE:
Avalon Sky, the story of Kit and Lissa’s fateful working holiday in Netherzoy, is available from Amazon in Kindle, Kindle Unlimited and paperback editions.
The sequel, Sunken Ground, is due for release later this year and will see the return of an old adversary, as well as featuring a cold case investigation for the [fictional] TV show, Enigmas with Kester Pevensey.
About the Author:
Jill Todd was born in Eastleigh, Hampshire. Her parents taught her to read and write at an early age, to occupy her during a long illness, and she has been writing stories ever since.
After completing a historical novel, published in 1988, she rediscovered a social life, married and had a family. Whilst working as an Admin Assistant at a local secondary school, she continued to write as a hobby.
Her romance thriller, Echo of Bells, was published in 2016 and became the origin story for Avalon Sky. Since retiring in 2023, she has been able to write full-time, and plans to make Avalon Sky the first in a series of crime thrillers featuring Kit and Lissa Pevensey.
In 2001, Jill’s husband and four fellow pilots won a microlight aircraft kit in a magazine competition. The build took three years, and the little plane (or a fifth share of it) became part of the family, which inspired one aspect of the plot of Avalon Sky. Holidays in Somerset and on Lundy Island supplied more material, and the island is one of Jill’s favourite places.
Contact Jill:
Instagram @jilltoddauthor
**UK GIVEAWAY!!**
Giveaway to Win an Avalon Sky prize bundle including clotted cream fudge and shortbread (Open to UK Only).
Prize includes:
Avalon Sky, paperback
Echo of Bells, paperback (my romance thriller, which became the origin story for Kit and Lissa’s relationship)
2 double-sided bookmarks – i.e. one for each book
1 box of clotted cream fudge
1 box of clotted cream shortbread selection
1 Lundy Island keyring
Win an Avalon Sky prize bundle including clotted cream fudge and shortbread (Open to UK Only).
*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the Gleam box above. The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
The Entire Blog Tour:
