Last month I hit my #GoodreadsChallenge2020 reading goal of 20 books! I doubled it to 40 and am already halfway there (will probably have to up it again soon). I have a personal goal of reading two books a week and actually surpassed it in June so in this review roundup, I’m just going to post my reviews for 8 books as I did for my May reads to not overwhelm ya’ll. I may spill over the extra books into next month’s post.
Also, before we jump to the reviews, since I mentioned Goodreads – it has quickly become one of my most used apps/visited websites. I have LOVED adding way too many books to my “Want to Read” lists and snooping around to see what all my friends have read/are reading. Feel free to add/follow me if you are also on Goodreads! I love meeting fellow book lovers, just mention you found me through my blog! 😉
June Reads + Reviews
#1. Little Fires Everywhere: After reading two books with characters I did not care for, this was just what I needed! The adults, kids, even secondary characters are refreshingly layered & complex. It’s a slow burn read that gradually unfolds these unique & flawed characters and their various intermingled relationships. There’s a focus on mothers and daughters and brings up interesting questions and perspectives. While I wasn’t completely “wow-ed,” it’s beautifully written, enjoyable and gave me some food for thought. I also watched the Hulu series. It’s very well done and well acted and while I appreciated how they tried to tell a slightly different story than that of the book, I still prefer the book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#2. The Wives: This was a wild ride. Very fast paced, quick read with an intriguing, twisted premise but it just kept getting more and more ridiculous (not exactly in a good way). I did want to know how this crazy mess would end, but I wouldn’t call it an enjoyable read nor the ending satisfying. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
#3. The Lightning Thief: This book was SO fun to read! Interesting characters, wonderful world building, excellent action, unique monsters, humor, heart… and it doesn’t hurt that I LOVE Greek mythology! It does have similarities to Harry Potter, and I did figure out all the twists pretty early but neither detracted from my sheer enjoyment of the book!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#4. Bad Blood: I can’t believe I‘d never heard of Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos & its massive corporate fraud (think Frye Festival but with biotech). There were so many times I kept shaking my head in disbelief – how could so many people get duped by this woman? How did so many not see/ignore all the red flags? It’s a page-turning, meticulously reported, fascinating story that often reads like a suspense/thriller & the craziest & best/worst part is that it’s all true! It’s also going to be a movie with Jennifer Lawrence as the lead and I CANNOT wait. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#5. The Silent Patient: This book is a FAST read, very unputdownable (is that a word?). The chapters are short, making it easy to think “oh just one more.” I predicted the twist so its reveal didn’t hit quite as hard s it should’ve & the ending still left me with a bunch of unanswered questions, feeling a bit disappointed. I just feel like it could’ve been so much MORE. ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
#6. We Were Liars: Okay, this twist I did NOT see coming. The idea of the book is clever, but I wasn’t a fan of the writing style. It’s written in an overly elaborate, unique prose (think e.e. cummings) and at times the many metaphors of what the MC was feeling vs what was actually happening was very confusing & felt overly dramatic, taking me out of the story. Overall, I can tell it’s trying to say something important about a bunch of things but I didn’t quite connect with it. I can certainly see why others might though. ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
#7. Sadie: This book about a girl searching for the man who killed her younger sister is intense & HEAVY, dealing with several ugly topics without much levity. I LOVED the juxtaposition between Sadie’s personal narrative & a podcast following her disappearance. Her story is raw, emotional and heartbreaking. I really had no idea where it was going, but I felt her devastation and desperation all along the way & wanted to rescue her from all of it. I can’t say it’s an enjoyable read but it leaves a haunting impact. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
#8. Know My Name: WOW, just wow. Such an IMPORTANT read. This was one of the most inspiring, moving & powerful books I’ve ever read. The author is a truly gifted writer, and I am so glad she had the courage to tell her story & give a voice to so many (including myself). My highest praise & recommendation – I believe everyone should read this book. I eagerly look forward to reading everything Chanel will write in the future. Can I give this a 10 star rating?? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Favorite book of the month!)
If you’ve read any of these books, I would love to know your thoughts in the comments!
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