What I Read in June

Jun 30, 2015

—

What I Read - June | Inkwells & Images

June. One of the loveliest months of the year here in Wisconsin. It’s harder to sit still and read when the great outdoors, blissful temperatures, and all sorts of distractions are calling.

Aside from June Dairy Month taking over my life, June was a good month. And even the events for Dairy Month were good, just exhausting. Here is what I read in June:

Fiction

Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen – This was my second Dessen this summer and I’m not entirely sure I’ll read more of hers. There doesn’t seem to be much that happens in these books, and the plot lines thus far have been pretty predictable. Maybe her later stuff is more complex? Please tell me it is – I want to like Dessen’s stuff.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows & Mary Ann Shaffer – This is one of my favorite books. This is the third or fourth read for me, this time for book club. If you like stories with great ensemble casts, this one is for you. I’ll write a full review on Thursday for you all.

The Land of Milk and Uncle Honey: Memories from the Farm of My Youth by Alan Guebert and Mary Grace Foxwell – Mary Grace, i.e. Gracie, is a friend. When we first met this winter, she was putting the finishing touches on a book where she and her journalist father pulled all of the columns he has written about the family farm he grew up on and compiled them into one place. This was a delightful read that reminded me so much of my own farming family. I’ll plan to write a full review next week.

Nonfiction

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand – I am about two chapters away from finishing this one, and considering the size of the book, I’m going to shelve it here in the “done” pile. :) It’s been a great but slow read for me – I recommend it if you like military history and stories of survival against unbelievable odds, and if you can stomach some gore on the page – it’s about time spent in a war and POW camps, after all.

In Progress

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis.

Up Next

We Were Liars by E. L. Lockhart – This is another YA recommendation from the lovely Callie – and I am excited to dive in!

What have you read lately that blew your socks off? What’s next on your TBR pile?

Comments

5 responses to “What I Read in June”

Callie Feyen

June 30, 2015

Dessen books used to be my go-to summer reads, but lately I haven’t enjoyed them as much. I can’t put my finger on way exactly. Could be that I don’t see the parents in the books as I do in say, E. Lockhart’s books (or Rainbow Rowell and John Green for example). I like that parents are involved in teenagers’ lives. I know that’s not always the case, but sometimes not having a parent involved seems like a convenient plot trick.

I love, love, love E. Lockhart’s stories. Every single one of them. But this one left me feeling a little, “meh.” Have you read Wuthering Heights? I’ll be interested in what you think of the comparison as well as the book in general. It’s good, don’t get me wrong. I couldn’t put it down. But there is something I didn’t LOVE about it. Maybe you’ll name it in your review (I’m still not quite sure). :)

Reply
Anna

June 30, 2015

I’m with you on Dessen’s books. I’ve read maybe one or two of them, but they’re rather forgettable – I couldn’t tell you anything about the story or characters now. There’s so much more beautiful and complex YA lit out there :)

Reply
1. Abbigail Kriebs
  
  July 2, 2015
  
  That’s how I keep feeling as I read them… they’re a bit one dimensional.
  
  Reply
Rachel Dawson

July 2, 2015

Oh, Mere Christianity is my ALL TIME favorite. CS Lewis is the man and that book is just incredible. I somehow tackled nine books this June myself–craziness. Can’t wait to check out some of these!

Reply
1. Abbigail Kriebs
  
  July 3, 2015
  
  I am really enjoying Mere Christianity so far, Rachel – I just find that I need to digest it in smaller chunks than I do fiction. :)
  
  Way to go on NINE books in a month?!? That is impressive!
  
  Reply