WOW, I think this may be the most books I’ve read in a month ever! I’m not sure what was different this month that motivated me to make it happen – maybe the fact that I listen to audiobooks each evening when I water my garden so that is dedicated time each day or that I’ve been better about physically reading a couple nights a week too. Anyway, linking up with Jana & Steph
I was very nearly finished with this book when I wrote my last book review post in June, in fact I believe I finished reading it either that day or the day after. Anyway…I really liked the way this book was written, going back & forth between past and present. A heartbreaking love story of a man & woman that have known each other for years, some years bring them together others farther apart but they are always connected.
This young adult book was so good! I listened on audiobook and it helped me really get in to the characters. It is pretty predictable but the story is very relevant currently and in a lighter way opened my world to racism & its impact in our society right now.
I read this one to break up some of the heavier books I’ve read, to laugh a bit, and to just not have to pay attention too closely to a story. This was a really quick easy read. Nothing earth shattering, just simple motherhood. Plenty of laughs!
I’ve been trying to alternate reading books I normally would while also reading books applicable to the black lives matter movement in an attempt to diversify my reads and educate myself. I’m finding that I connect most on the topic of motherhood. I really enjoyed the stories that Nefertiti shared in this memoir! The challenges she faced as not only a Black woman, but also a single Black woman trying to adopt a black son through the foster system made my mama heart ache. Many things I had not even thought of or was ever aware about.
I enjoyed this novel, it wasn’t at all what I was expecting and had a couple good twists too! This is a story of race & privilege, two women and how their lives connect with each interpreting their own meaning. A nanny gets wrongly accused of kidnapping the child she cares for and the family does what they think is right to protect her like family.
I liked this story but will also admit it was a bit long. I loved the mystery side to the love story! I also loved the small town gossip. This is a good little beach read with good mystery, love, family drama, small town, and of course the beach!
Oh thank goodness Elin has redeemed herself with this one! I haven’t overly loved the last few Hilderbrand novels and was starting to get a little sad that maybe I’d already read her best ones. I loved 28 Summers! Definitely a little far fetched & not a solid foundation to stand on for a story but I can often read past the missing little details & go with the flow. This one is about Mallory & Jake, a same time next year couple that sees each other for labor day weekend only every year and indulges in a romance for 28 years. It was lovely, it was heartbreaking, it was funny, it was delicious (Elin always has great food described in her books), it was Nantucket.
This one. So good. I read this pretty quickly and was very zoned in on the story. It is a true story from a lawyer & social justice activist. This opened my eyes to so much that is wrong in our country, in the justice & prison system. Bryan shares several cases that he works on where people were wrongly condemmed to death row and how he tries to fight for their freedom. I found the it is far too easy to wrongly convict someone and much more difficult to have them justly released. A few quotes that have really stuck with me: “Each of us is more than the worst thing we have ever done.”, “But simply punishing the broken–walking away from them or hiding them from sight–only ensures that they remain broken and we do, too. There is no wholeness outside of our reciprocal humanity.”, “Mercy is just when it is rooted in hopefulness and freely given. Mercy is most empowering, liberating, and transformative when it is directed at the undeserving. The people who haven’t earned it, who haven’t even sought it, are the most meaningful recipients of our compassion.”
Super quick & easy read! I started this over the weekend on Saturday afternoon and finished just over 24 hours later on Sunday early evening. So well written! A young adult book about a girl with a rare illness who falls in love with the boy who moves in next door, risking it all for love. There was a twist that I did NOT see coming one bit so that was kind of fun too!
Whew, okay that’s it for the month, such a good one! You can always follow me on Goodreads here to keep up too 🙂 I’ve only got 10 more books to read to reach my goal for the year!!
Thank you for your reviews- adding a couple of my Kindle now- completely agree on 28 Summers- she redeemed herself and can’t wait to see the movie!!
YES, can’t wait for the movie!!
I enjoyed Hello Summer & 28 Summers too but I really didn’t like The Light We Lost… I can’t even remember why not but I just remember being disappointed by it.
Love some good beach reads during the summer!
Great books this month! I loved The Light We Lost, THUG, and Everything Everything. I have Just Mercy in my pile. I didn’t love Hello Summer. And I’m listening to 28 Summers now. It’s kind of a hate listen – it’s good but I don’t like the relationship, I’m not opposed to infidelity in books or shows necessarily, but to be entirely based on that, it just bothers me. I do love the current events and how the story incorporates them!
Yes, I loved the current events at the start of each chapter in 28 summers too!
Wow you read/listened to a lot of books! I haven’t read any books lately… I did prior to returning to work. (Hello more free time.). I’ve read Online news, online fan fiction, and the newspaper the most lately. One of these days…
I definitely go in cycles and apparently right now I am on a major reading kick! I know I’ll be in a slump & not read but one or two books in a month. Reading online & the newspaper counts though!
Awesome month of reading! I still need to read The Hate U Give. I liked the author’s book On the Come Up though. I also want to read Such a Fun Age, so I’m glad you liked that one!
Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Thanks! I’m going to add On the Come Up to my list right now since I enjoyed The Hate U Give, thanks for sharing that one 🙂
I love that you’re alternating your books. I wish Just Mercy was required reading for everyone.
I have 28 Summers on my kindle so glad to hear it was good!
I wish it were required reading too! I’m finding alternating is allowing me the best of both worlds & to not burn myself out on education overload.
Wow, so many books and a lot of fantastic reads! I enjoyed reading The Light We Lost also. It was a fast read for me. Just Mercy sounds like an eye opener and I have 28 Summers on my reading list. I can’t wait to dive in! I hope all is well and happy Tuesday!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
Thanks Maureen! I hope you enjoy 28 Summers, such a treat!
So glad you loved THUG. One of my faves from last year (or year before lol)
just mercy was SO good. totally adding 28 summers to my list!
THUG, Such a Fun Age, and Just Mercy are all outstanding books.
I loved Such A Fun Age!
Full review here: https://styleandsavings.wordpress.com/2020/06/09/style-and-savings-reads-such-a-fun-age-by-kiley-reid/
I have also been interested in reading books about motherhood, but sometimes would rather be sheltered from knowing how challenging it can be. I liked The Sun is Also a Star and Everything, Everything is also on my list. Unfortunately, I had friends that watched the movie and already know the spoiler, but I still want to read the rest of the book.
Great list! Just Mercy is on my TBR for this summer, and just added 28 Summers.
so many good suggestions!
The Hate U Give is also available as a movie 😉 I just saw Everything Everything mentioned as I think a school read for someone. Sounds good! Thanks for sharing.
I also listened to The Hate U Give on audio and enjoyed it that way. Such a Fun Age is on my TBR, and I’ve watched the movie Just Mercy but I’d like to read the book, too.
Wow! You are such a great reader. Also I have to tell you, your garden pics on Instagram blew my mind! I showed my fiance Michael and he was so impressed as well! 🙂 You are #momgoals!
This is such a great list! I have been reading books about race and trying to learn more too. Motherhood So White sounds like a difficult but important read! I LOVED Just Mercy. The film adaptation was also very well done!
I am linking my June reads, if interested!
I need to see the Just Mercy film! Thanks for linking you June reads, so many goodies 🙂