Every month I try to read at least one book from the following categories: nonfiction, devotional, and fiction. And this year I’m doing things just a little bit differently than in the past. Since I decided to participate in the 2016 PopSugar Reading Challenge, 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 for the PopSugar Challenge here! This is What I Read in June 2016, my brief book reviews and recommendations.

Books Finished:

Flowers in the Snow by Danielle Stewart

This is quick and enjoyable chick lit. I read it in a day, and it made me cry…which I think of as a recommendation for the book. Wonderful and honest coverage of tough subject matter (race relations in the 1960s in America).

Whatever Happened to the Power of God?/It’s Time to Rock the Boat by Michael L. Brown

These two books come in a single ebook download. Although the premise of the books (that we need a revival in our broken world) is a good one, I was not a fan. At many points the author’s statements were downright offensive. I don’t recommend these two books.

The Side Hustle Path Volume 2 by Nick Loper

The Side Hustle Path: Volume 1 had such great ideas for generating income and increasing income, that I wanted to read Volume 2. Just as good as the first book. And the thing that I like about these books is that they are practical, rather than scammy quick money schemes.

Star Sand by Roger Pulvers

Set at the tail end of World War II on a remote Japanese island, a teenage Japanese American girl stumbles across a cave with deserters inside. She endeavors to help care for the soldiers and to make sense of the war and her dual nationality in light of the war. This book started out strong, and had an interesting middle section, but the ending felt forced and false. The ending felt like someone trying too hard to write about a young woman in college, and trying to tie up loose ends in the story. But the ending also ignored key realities about human flesh and decay that made it implausible. I was disappointed by the final section, and it ultimately ruined the rest of the novel for me.

The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison

2016 PopSugar Challenge: a murder mystery

The story is chilling and engaging. I couldn’t wait to keep reading, because I wanted to find out what was going on. It follows a serial rapist/killer who first tattoos his victims like butterflies. I so recommend it, as it’s fast paced and interesting, and the character development is such that you can relate to the people involved, and think of them as real people.

A History of the Popes: Volume I: Origins to the Middle Ages by Wyatt North

I’m not Catholic, but I am Christian, and the history of the Popes is in part a history of the Christian faith. Reading the short tidbits about the early leaders, as well as the politics and intrigue, of the early Church was fascinating. I’m looking forward to reading Volume II.

The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis

Mike purchased this book on Audible and we listened to it for part of a couple of road trips to Sioux Falls and Rapid City, South Dakota. We had seen the movie before, and loved it. The book goes into greater detail about the subprime mortgages that led to the housing crisis than does the movie, but both are interesting and easy to understand. Both the movie and the book are highly recommended.

On Which Side of the Road Do the Flowers Grow? by Wendell E. Mettey

A series of short stories written by a pastor about some of the various individuals that the author came into contact with in his years in an inner city church. The stories were at times sad, and at times incredibly happy. And they all tied together with the Bible story of the water carrier. A sweet read.

Photography for Beginners by Mary Richardson

A quick and easy read for those (like me) who want to better learn how to use their cameras and to become better photographers. There really isn’t anything to say about this quick read.

In Cold Storage: Sex and Murder on the Plains Storage by James W. Hewitt

2016 PopSugar challenge: a book set in your home state

One of the judges that I regularly practice in front of recommended this book. It is set in the McCook area of Nebraska, an area that I am familiar with through my work. And several of the names of the attorneys and judges in the book are familiar to me as well. This book is a true story of the homicide and dismemberment of a married couple by another married couple. The story is sensational, and includes details of the flawed investigation. So fascinating that I’d recommend it to those even not from Nebraska, or even non-lawyers.

Books Abandoned:

None.