Hello everyone, welcome to round-up of all the books in June I read!
Somehow things got even busier for me than last month, and so I only managed to read 8 books in June. Perhaps this will be my new normal going forward?! That said, I enjoyed everything I read and even found a couple of new favourites! Genre-wise I was mostly drawn to contemporary literary fiction, finding inspiration from the Women’s Prize Shortlist. So, here’s the list of each of the books in June I read…
The Farm
I have mixed feelings about The Farm. I went in not knowing anything, which may have been a mistake. It took a while to into it, and I was confused as to what kind of story it would be.
When Jane finally reaches the ‘Farm’ in question, the action starts to ramp up. We meet the other key characters and begin to see where the story is heading. It is clear from the start that all is not ‘as it seems’. There is an air of mystery and tension all the way through.
The book would have been more enjoyable if I could have connected with the characters. I think I couldn’t do so because the story keeps jumping around to different character’s points of view. I also found the plot quite basic with no real surprises. However, I did enjoy the writing style and overall vibe, as well as the exploration of class and social inequality.
3.5/5
Daisy Jones & The Six
I love Daisy Jones. It’s written in the style of a documentary about a 1970s rock band, with all the drugs, sex and rock and roll you’d expect. It is so immersive and so well done, I had to stop and remind myself that it is all fiction several times!
It’s such a cool idea for a book, and one I wouldn’t sure would work if I hadn’t literally just read it. It’s an excellent way of getting the points of view from everyone involved, without having to wait for a different section or chapter. The narratives can layer and build, just as it would on screen. Therefore, the final twist at the end only adds to the magic!
4.5/5
My Sister The Serial Killer
My Sister is a fast paced read. It’s a short book, which only makes it an even more intense reading experience. It was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize and while it didn’t win, it absolutely deserved the recognition.
You are immediately thrust into Korede’s world as she gets the call from her sister, Ayoola. She’s killed again. As Korede deals with the clear up, she tries to continue her life as normal. She works as a nurse and has a crush on Tade, a doctor. But that all changes when Ayoola visits her sister on her lunch break. Tade is drawn to Ayoola. She has that effect on men, her beauty dominating every part of Korede’s life. But as Tade and Ayoola get more and more serious, Korede starts to wonder whether her sister has been entirely truthful with her. Was it really self-defence, an accident? Or is there something more going on? And is Tade now at risk?
My Sister is a really well crafted book and an interesting dive into Lagos, Nigeria and its culture. I loved the tension and layers to the narrative. Overall it is a very strong debut novel.
4/5
If Only
If Only is another debut novel, that is a romance with a magical realism twist.
Erin is entering her thirties and feeling stuck. She’s an Irish gal in London, with a brilliant best friend, but a fiance she’s unsure about. Her career has stalled and she desperately misses her Gran back in Ireland. When she goes to visit for her birthday, her granny passes on a family heirloom which changes everything. The necklace she is given is special. It has the power to allow Erin to live a full day in an alternate life. All she has to do if say the words ‘if only’ and she can live out past decisions made differently.
What I really found special about this book is just how relatable it was. I immediately felt a connection to Erin. I liked the realistic way she reacted to being handed a magical necklace which allows her to essentially time travel! It really makes you think about what you would do in her shoes. She blows a few ‘goes’ on silly things, but it’s the sort of things we all wonder about, and so it was fun to see these different scenarios play out..
It’s also a romance. But unlike so many romances, this one really is a slow burn, and builds so gradually and naturally, I genuinely didn’t know how things would end. The book features so many different modern issues. Friendship, sexuality, mental health, health problems, grief, money… all the diversities of life are explored. It all comes together in such a beautifully magical way… I didn’t want it to end!
4/5
Aurora Rising
By Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
I love a good sci-fi and this one ticks all the boxes. Space travel… strange planets… alien species… future tech… and of course a girl who has been cryo frozen in space for 200 years! Aurora is found by Tyler the ‘alpha’ of the squad and is promptly thrown into a world unrecognisable to her and the feeling that all is not quite right.
So much happens in this book! It is fast paced, emotional and visually stunning. I could ‘see’ so many scenes play out in my head, it felt so cinematic and realistic. I’ve just found out that it’s being adapted into a TV show and I CANNOT WAIT to see it on the screen.
There were a good few main characters, but each one felt individual and fully fleshed out. I loved the dynamics of the squad! Everything that happens to them may not be ‘relatable’ to use Terrans (humans!) in 2019, but the way the characters respond still felt authentic. It is funny, fun, and heartbreaking, but I didn’t realise it was the first of a series going in.
So FYI to anyone thinking of reading it: you need to be prepared to wait for the sequel! It did feel in the last part that it was slowing down a little. Ultimately, I would have preferred it to be a stand alone, I think. But that may change if I read the next one – who knows where the story will take us next?
3.5/5
Vox
Silencing women’s voices is a touch close to reality, but in this dystopian novel, it is literally happening.
Every female – adult or child – has a counter on their wrist limiting them to 100 words a day. If they go over the limit they are subjected to excruciating pain, and the possibility of being ‘taken away’. This book is clearly heavily influenced by The Handmaid’s Tale. Women find themselves in much the same position – governed by a dangerously extreme religious and misogynistic government who believe women are the inferior sex. The inspiration is clear, and so you can’t help but compare the two. It is obviously not as powerful as Margaret Atwood’s work, but it is still important.
The book got intense at times, and there is little reprieve. It felt a little too close to home, as it explored just how easily and quickly America became so twisted. We follow Dr Jean, a former doctor with four children – 3 boys and 1 girl – who is finding it increasingly hard to deal with her altered position. There are glimpses of hatred towards her boys at times, as they become further indoctrinated by the system, turning against their mother and sister.
Jean’s emotion are on edge. So when she is offered the chance to free herself and her daughter from the counter, she takes it. What follows is a little out there, and not as well structured as the first half, but a thrilling ride nonetheless. It didn’t hook me completely, and I found myself despairing at many of the situations Jean found herself in. But it feels important. This is a feminist book. A timely exploration of how just so easily our realities can slip into something completely horrifying.
3/5
An American Marriage
By Tayari Jones
Winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction, An American Marriage is certainly worthy of the prize. It is raw and heartbreaking and so contemporary it makes you want to scream in frustration.
AAM follows Celestial and Roy, a newly wedded African-American couple whose lives turn to pieces in a matter of moments. Roy is accused of rape and despite Celestial and the reader being sure he is innocent he is sent to prison for 12 years. What follows is a delicate and intense time for them both.
Each chapter alternates between points of view, mainly between Celestial and Roy, but later other key characters too. This is a gorgeous piece of literature, the kind of story that can only work on the page, as it utilises many forms of prose, including letter writing. It feels intimate, and real and I shed a few tears in places. One of my favourite reads of the month – it is worth a read.
4.5/5
Everything is F*cked
By Mark Manson
Everything comes in two parts. The first half is about hope. He starts with a story about Witold Polecki, a man who snuck into Auschwitz, save lives, and escaped again. If you’ve read Manson’s first book ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck‘ (and you should!), you’ll be familiar with his writing style. Funny, inspirational and thoughtful, this is what all non-fiction should aspire to be.
He goes on to explore how we all have two brains: the Thinking brain and the Feeling brain. The Feeling brain is in charge, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing as he goes on to discuss using other stories and examples.
The second part of the book is the titular topic. It’s an honest look at the modern world. He doesn’t approach it as something to change, but instead to accept and love.
3/5
Oh gosh I love your blog! It’s so cool and beautiful. Great theme. And thanks for the follow on Bloglovin 🙂
I’m really excited about Daisy Jones. Will try to buy it sometime soon.
8 books is a lot though! It’s not little at all 🙂 and it’s the quality that matters, isn’t it?
Thank you so much that means so a lot to me Evelina! 😀
I’m still getting the hang of things as only been blogging since February, but loving it so far!
You totally should pick up Daisy Jones when you can – it’s such an original reading experience!
Really liked your blog too, I hope to grow up to be like you 😉