June Wrap-Up

June was a pretty prolific month. I read a lot of pride themed books, some intentional (Delilah Green) and some library holds that just had good timing (Randy Rainbow).

One of my favorite things was discovering a new wheelhouse: romances that deal with major issues well. I genuinely liked everything I read this month.

Final Girls by Mira Grant

An intense novella with an interesting sci-go twist. The less you know going in, the better. 4/5

I’ll Show Myself Out: Essays on Midlife and Motherhood

Klein perfectly captures the comical absurdity and melancholy desperation of being a first time mom. I loved hearing her witty take on things I’ve dealt with as a mom or will look forward to as I approach 40. I loved it. 5/5

Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake

A romance that will punch anyone with trust or abandonment issues in the feels. A very compelling read that hit on bigger and important issues in all types of relationships. 4/5

Bodies on the Line by Lauren Rankin

An excellent piece of nonfiction about the history of abortion clinic escorts. It’s a great balance of history and personal narrative, facts and feelings. A must read in our current times. 5/5

Playing with Myself by Randy Rainbow

I listened to the audiobook. Randy brings his trademark wit and humor to his story. Hearing his emotions at his losses and his sass at his successes was great. The production did just enough to add to the fun. Highly recommend. 5/5

One Last Stop be Casey McQuiston

A new adult romance that deals with some big issues. August falls for Jane who is trapped on the Q train out of her time. This book has all sorts of representation and deals with identity, found family, and emotional trauma. I really enjoyed it. 5/5

Dark Waters by Katherine Arden

The third installment of the Small Spaces quartet. Very interesting but a little disappointing. Brain isn’t quite the hero Ollie and Coco got to be. This was more of a lead up to book four than its own big adventure. 3.5/5

June TBR

Bodies on the Line: At the Front Lines of the Fight to Protect Abortion in America by Lauren Rankin

One of my favorite local indies will leave out ARCs for customers to grab and I found this one. I’ve started it and it’s definitely more work for my brain. It doesn’t have the usual narrative structure I tend to mainline. However, it’s interesting and timely so I’m excited to keep at it.

I’ll Show Myself Out by Jessi Klein

An audiobook about motherhood from someone funny. Sign me up. It’s simultaneously hilarious and emotional with a touch of melancholy. Klein’s honesty is refreshing. I’m loving it.

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant

This has always felt like a summer book to me and we’ve definitely been getting summer weather. I loved the novella so I’m excited to finally dive into this one.

I’m not sure what else I’ll be in the mood for at the start of summer and pride month but we’ll see.

May Wrap-Up

I started May off strong because things got a little slumpy towards the end.

How Toddlers Thrive: What Parents Can Do Today for Children Ages 2-5 to Plant the Seeds of Lifelong Success by Tovah P. Klein

A helpful and informative book about how to best raise a toddler. There’s real science and real world examples. I have already used a few of her tips. 5/5

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

If Crazy Rich Asians met Weekend at Bernie’s. There was a lot of stuff that didn’t work for me but I can see how it works for other folks. It’s fun but I was going 🤨 just a little too often. 3.75/5

The Wickeds by Gayle Forman

Part of the Amazon stories Faraway collection. It was a very clever twist on a lot of old tropes. 5/5

Hazel and Gray by Nic Stone

Another Faraway story. An excellent update of Hansel and Gretel. 5/5

The Princess Game by Soman Chainani

This Faraway story was interesting but felt a little unoriginal. I’ve definitely seen similar concepts on police procedurals. I didn’t love the ending but I was entertained. 3.75/5

The Prince and the Troll by Rainbow Rowell

A little cryptic but a fun blend of modern and fantastical. 4/5

The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict

I didn’t realize this was a novel about Hedy Lamarr’s early life when I picked it up for $2 at my library. An interesting and heartbreaking story. 4/5

Red Clocks by Leni Zumas

Four interconnected stories of women in a country where abortion is illegal and only married couples can adopt. More literary than I anticipated but just as emotional. 5/5

Mom Milestones: The Highs, Lows, Surprises, and Joys of Early Motherhood by Grace Farris

A fun and light nonfiction graphic book about the early days of being a mom. Less about hard facts and more about feelings. 4/5

Going Rogue by Drew Hayes

This is the third installment of Hayes’s Spells, Swords, & Stealth series. It’s a D&D style world where NPCs take up the role of adventurers and interact with other people playing the RPG. The overarching plot moves forward in a big way in this one. I love how accessible Hayes makes this fantasy world. 5/5

I had a library hold come in but I wound up being so distracted I’m having a hard time committing to my next fiction pick since I’m working on a physical nonfiction book. I forgot how much more work it is for my brain to focus on something in this style of nonfiction.

It’s a timely and interesting book so I think I might devote my attention to this. I’ll throw in an ebook novella to give myself a break but I’ll definitely be heading back to doing my nonfiction on audio after this.