7.05.2016

Books I Read in June


You by Caroline Kepnes
Such a creepy and disturbing read! I'd recommend it with some major caveats. If you don't want to read about unlikable characters, really sexually explicit or gritty violence, this is not the book for you. I found it absorbing and TERRIFYING. An interesting look at how impotent we all are in keeping our inner lives private, thanks to the internet and social media. I wonder what it would be like to read this book in ten years time, given that the landscape of social media changes so quickly. I'm not sure it'll stand the test of time, but it was a good read for right now.

Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater
I am really sad that I only have one book left in the Raven Cycle, and am torn between putting off the end and wanting to read The Raven King RIGHT NOW. This series is just beautiful in so many ways: it's humor, the magical realism (on a level with Neil Gaiman in my opinion), the realness of the characters, and their love for each other - not just romantic love, although there is that. My favorite part of the book is when one boy, unbeknownst to his friend, shows up to support him in court. Just lovely stuff.
"Is this okay? Was it okay? Adam had turned down so many offers of help from Gansey. Money for school, money for food, money for rent. Pity and charity, Adam had thought. For so long, he'd wanted Gansey to see him as an equal, but it was possible that all this time, the only person who needed to see that was Adam. Now he could see that it wasn't charity Gansey was offering. It was just truth. And something else: friendship of the unshakable kind. Friendship you could swear on. That could be busted nearly to breaking and come back stronger than before. Adam held out his right hand, and Gansey clasped it in a handshake, like they were men, because they were men."

First Comes Love by Emily Giffin (You can read my NetGalley review here!)

Still Life by Louise Penny
I was skeptical going in, because serial mystery novels are not usually my bag. This felt a bit different, told with more depth of feeling and character development. I loved the little whimsical town, the inspector with a heart of gold and all of the unique inhabitants of Three Pines. The lack of gruesomeness was also a refreshing change for a mystery series, and there was certainly suspense - I did some frantic page turning into late hours to finish. I happened to be reading it on a rainy June day, and it was a perfect snuggy book. I will definitely pick up more in the series, probably in the fall!  

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Why did I take so long to read this book!? It's one of those 'laughter through tears' kind of stories, a semi autobiographical novel of a teen boy growing up on an Indian reservation and his struggles to succeed. I was bowled over within the first few pages, and marvel at Alexie's ability to elicit such a wide range of emotions. It is also one of those 'everyone should read it' kind of stories, to gain even the slightest understanding of what life for American Indians (or any minority) might be like in our country.



5 comments:

  1. After reading your post, I checked the local library and discovered they have "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" (eBook). I requested it, and am 7th in line. I look forward to reading it. Thanks!

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  2. Very nice photos and book recommendations! I may have to take a look at those and add them to my already long list!

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  3. I can't deal with TOO creepy, but I definitely just added The Raven Cycle to my must read list! Great picks!

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  4. I never heard about "The Absolutely True Diary.."! It sounds like a great read! I love reading both fiction and biographies/memoirs about minorities to better understand their struggles. This sounds like a really good one!

    Here are my June reads: http://elle-alice.blogspot.ca/2016/06/june-book-reviews.html

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    1. He's local to the PNW, so extra interesting!

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