Every month I try to read at least one book from the following categories: nonfiction, devotional, and fiction. And this year I’m participating in the 2017 Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenges, so I’m also going to be listing which category my books fulfill. If you want to join in on the fun, you can check out the list of categories here! This is my June 2017 Reading List, my brief reviews and book recommendations for May 2017. Hopefully I’ll provide you with some inspiration for your future reading as well!
Books Finished:
A Fall of Marigolds
This was our book club’s pick for June, and I really liked it! The story jumps between a modern-day story of a widow of the World Trade Center bombings, and the story of a woman in the 1910s dealing with the lost of a loved one from the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire working on Ellis Island. This type of structure makes for a dramatic story; and historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. So all in all, this is a really good book, that I’d recommend. I’ll likely read more by Susan Meissner, as after reading this one, I noticed that I have a couple of her other books in my To Be Read list.
When We Were the Kennedys: A Memoir from Mexico, Maine
A memoir, this is the story of a young girl whose father dies in the 1960s shortly before John F. Kennedy is assassinated. It is the story of a family dealing with their own personal loss, while the Kennedy family is dealing with their personal loss, and the nation is dealing with the loss of the President. It’s an absorbing read.
Yes Please
I had been looking forward to reading Poehler’s book, as I’ve always thought she was hilarious on Saturday Night Live. It was an interesting look at her background. Her stories were humorous, and the photos were entertaining.
Knowing the Truth About Jesus the Messiah
Gathering together various prophecies from the Old Testament and showing how only Jesus fulfills them, I found this book interesting and useful. It wasn’t terribly long, and had short chapters, perfect for listening to using text to speech or for reading while eating breakfast.
Wives of War
I really liked this book, but then it’s one of my favorite genres, historical fiction set in wartime. The characters (the story follows three Army nurses) were relatable and believable. And the setting during the invasion of Normandy moved the plot along. Overall I really enjoyed this book.
Daughters of the Red Light: Coming of Age in Mumbai’s Brothels
The short but moving account of an Indian woman educated in America, who returns to India to work as a journalist. After an experience working for a nonprofit helping in the brothels, she is dedicated to tell the stories of those who work there, and in particular the children who live there.
Into the Wild
After reading Into Thin Air by Krakauer, I wanted to read more by the same author, and had seen the documentary about it. Ultimately the book is well written, but the subject bugged me. I think that Chris “Alex Supertramp” McCandless was reckless and irresponsible. But he was also unlucky and young. I think every reader needs to learn all of the facts, and make up his or her own mind about him.
Gathering Blue
The second, third, and fourth books of The Giver Quartet, these books follow different characters in different places. They weren’t very long, no I was able to read all three in less than a week. I found them to be as beautifully written as The Giver, and as engaging. I’d recommend all four of them, as well as pretty much anything else by Lois Lowry.
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
I am a fan of Neil deGrasse Tyson, and this book popped up in my Audible recommendations. When I saw that it was narrated by the author, I was sold. And it did not disappoint. It wasn’t over my head, but was quite understandable, while also entertaining.
A Child Called It: One Child’s Courage to Survive
A short book, this is the story of the author’s childhood rampant with the most unimaginable abuse at the hands of his parents. The book is full of difficult subject matter; but I think it is important reading, so that people know that these kinds of things can happen behind closed doors, even now.
Lincoln in the Bardo
Wow, this book is odd. It follows the death of Willie Lincoln, and his time in ‘the Bardo’ after his death. Essentially the Bardo is like purgatory and is full of the ghosts of those who are not yet ready to move on. The ghosts that Willie meets are quite an unusual cast of characters. It’s strange, and a little slow-moving in the center, but I’m glad that I stuck with it to the end. I listened to this one on Audible, and was very impressed with the cast that narrated it, in particular the caliber of the actors recruited.
Books in Progress:
The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person
The Sun Also Rises
When God Says Wait
The Stranger
What Alice Forgot
Invisible Man
Books I’ve Abandoned:
None this month.
by Anthony Doerr
by Ramit Sethi
by Jon Krakauer
by Warren W. Wiersbe
by Natalie Grigson
by Tana French
by Nicola Yoon
by Emma Cline
, 
, and 
by March McCarron
by Kim Rormark
by Nina George
by Chip and Joana Gaines
by Joel Trachtman
by Kate Horsley
by Kristin Newman
by Ella Carey
by R.C. Sproul
by Kathryn Stockett
by Sue Klebold
, which is on my overdrive waitlist) on the What Should I Read Next podcast. And boy it did not disappoint! The subject matter, and Sue’s description of her meeting with law enforcement and learning in detail about what her son and Eric Harris did, thought, and said is horrifying. But most of the book focuses more on her reaction and the worlds response to Columbine. I also appreciated the amount of research that the book contained, as it was clear that Sue really did everything possible to understand how her son could become a mass murderer. This book is enlightening, and makes you realize that what you thought you knew with respect to The Klebolds and Columbine is probably. Or accurate.
by Antoine de Saint-Expurey
by Joseph O’Neill
by Walter Laqueur