This is the first of what I plan to add as monthly feature to this site. So without further delay, here’s a rundown of what I read last month!

The World’s Strongest Librarian: A Memoir of Tourette’s, Faith, Strength, and the Power of Family  by Josh Hanagarne

This is an all-around fantastic memoir. It’s honest, funny, and gives insight into a life I could never imagine experiencing. Josh ties all the aspects of his life together seamlessly. I laughed out loud many times, and enjoyed all the literary references. It’s a unique, touching story.

 

 

 

Woman No. 17 by Edan Lepuki

I picked this up at the library based solely on its cover, and the blurb sounded good so I went with it! It was less of a mystery than I expected. Instead, it’s a slowly unraveling tale of secrets and relationships. It’s a perfect summer read.

 

 

 

Zeitoun by Dave Eggers

This one immediately went on my list of Best Non-Fiction. An obviously a well-researched account of the days after Hurricane Katrina, it reads like a novel, with a seamless flow from backstory to current narrative. The writing is gorgeous and vivid. The atrocities committed are described in such a way that doesn’t pass on judgement and allows the reader to get angry on her own. This is an important book, everyone should read it.

 

 

A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley

This is the third installment in the Flavia DeLuce mystery series, which is SO GREAT so far. I like to squeeze them in between more serious reads. These books are clever and well written, all unique, with this particular story being as wonderfully creepy as the last two. I adore Flavia and can’t wait to read her next adventure!

 

Unleash the Winner Within You by Coach Sherry Winn

I know Coach Winn personally and value her message,  so of course I think her book is wonderful! There is quite a bit of information here that was new to me, which I think will be a game changer in my life, particularly about navigating our subconscious beliefs. I was also motivated by the information on being an active listener, as I know that’s something I struggle with.Learning all  Sherry has overcome to get where she is today is powerful and inspiring.

 

A Million Junes by Emily Henry

This was my Book of the Month selection for June, and one of my favorite books of the year so far. It’s in the Young Adult genre, with a teen aged protagonist. It’s a lovely story of families, traditions, loyalty, love, and secrets, with a magical twist. I enjoyed it from start to end. There’s just enough “other worldliness” that I could suspend belief and fall into June’s world, but not too much!

 

Escape by Carolyn Jessop

An absolutely stunning story of one woman’s life in, and escaping from, the Fundamental Church of Latter Day Saints. It’s a gripping story, but the writing is simple, repetitive, and generally dull. Considering she had a ghost writer, I expected better writing. Still, it’s worth reading and goes quickly.

 

 

There Is No Good Card For This  by Emily McDowell and Kelsey Crowe, PhD

I wrote an entire post about this book last week, so all I’ll say here is it’s an extremely valuable book on a topic many of us don’t consider until it’s too late.

 

Dead Moon by Matthew James

This was a selection for the Audio Book Club I participate in on Facebook. Post-apocalyptic thrillers are definitely outside of my typical reading comfort zone, but I’m glad I went with it. It’s solid for the genre and was certainly entertaining. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I’d read the physical copy, instead of listened to it.

 

DNF List:   (These are books I started but Did Not Finish)

American War by Omar El Akkad

I suspect I’ll go back and try this one again. I was listening to the audio book, and the content, about the second Civil War in the United States,  is so heavy it got overwhelming. I own a physical copy so I’m going to try that when I’mready to give it a go again.

 

 

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Oh how I tried with this book. I really truly wanted to get through it. It dragged on and on, heavy with unnecessary detail, and lots of dry scientific jargon. Once I made it half way through, (which was over 300 pages!) and still wasn’t feeling it, I finally bailed.

 

 

 

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What do you think of my June reading list? What did you read last month that you want to talk about?