June was a whirlwind month. The fact that I was able to ready anything at all was an accomplishment.
But mostly, they were mediocre reads with a couple of exceptions. That’s part of the process though.
Read my mini reviews below to see if you agree, disagree and would be interested in reading one or all!
Below is the straightforward rating system I use:
| ✰✰✰✰✰ | Loved it & had a profound impact on me! |
| ✰✰✰✰ | Loved it! |
| ✰✰✰ | Liked it! |
| ✰✰ | Disliked it! |
| ✰ | Hated it! |
The Getaway Girls
by Dee MacDonald
This book had all the elements of what I enjoy, especially as a summer read: adventure, travel, girlfriends, comedy, roadtrip, summer travel — you name it! But, there was something about the specifics of the books, one character in particular, who’s story was both funny and unbelievable. It ultimately made me feel disconnected from the story because this storyline felt disconnected from the rest of the stories in the book.
I did enjoy that the protagonists were in their 60s/70s and not 30s/40s — that brought such an unique perspective and one that I really enjoyed being a part of.
I absolutely LOVED the locations in this book and could visualize being in a caravan and traveling across Europe with my own friends when I’m that age!
But still, that nagging feeling of disconnect and/or something missing kept gnawing at me. As a result, what had the recipe to be a 4 star book, ultimately settled as a 3-star for me.
It’s not bad, it’s just not amazing either.
This was the June @thewanderingbookworms book club pick & it was an excellent choice!
West With the Night
by Beryl Markham
I don’t know what it is but this was a great adventurous, nonfiction for heavens sake and yet I had such a hard time getting into it.
It was a brilliant story of bravery, courage, adventure, funny, and just about everything that would normally make a book GREAT for me. But try as I may, I kept finding myself between completely connecting and almost instantly disconnecting.
I think it’s more me than the book, but I’m not sure. I’ve just been having a hard time with books lately and I’m going to chalk it up to that for now.
Memoirs are not always easy for me and that may have had something to do with it too.
Cold Silence
by Danielle Girard
It’s what I would call a typical thriller. Fast paced, lots going on, twists and turns, lots of action packed scene — but also random B & C story lines that never tie together or is ultimately irrelevant to the main plot.
It’s very easy to get through, but if you’re a thriller fan, you can pass on this. This is more for newbies to the genre.
The River
by Peter Heller
I have a soft spot for books that take place on the river and have a great sense of adventure – I think it has something to do with my love for Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, and Mark Twain.
This book is definitely darker in many ways and not a book I would recommend to everybody. I think you could only enjoy this book if you have a particular type of appreciation for books of the sort. The writing is very detailed in describing scenarios, especially to do with landscape and outdoorsy activities. And I feel like if you like a book that is more plot-driven, then you won’t enjoy this as much, if at all.
For a long time, nothing happens per se, but everything you learn and all the information that builds up becomes crucial to the crux of the story as the book progresses.
I absolutely loved it! It reminded me of my time on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Though nothing as dramatic as what takes place in the book happened — the idea that at all times, the prospect of any situation becoming dangerous was relatable.
The follow-up to this book, The Guide, is releasing in August and I can’t wait!
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society
by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Ever since I read “84 Charing Cross Rd” earlier this year, I found that I really like epistolary novels. I heard about this title a few times on @whatshouldireadnext podcast, and it felt like something I would really enjoy. I have a soft spot for books that take place in any part of the United Kingdom. Don’t ask me why I just do.
But, I did not end up enjoying this book as much as I wanted to, and I feel like as much as I should have, and part of that is I don’t think I was in the right frame of mind to read this book at the time that I did. I feel like if I read this book more in the quietness of my home or the beach or someplace where I could just be in the moment a little bit more – I would’ve enjoyed this. But I read this in a week where everything was pretty busy, pretty chaotic, and I felt like I could not divulge into the book. Having said all that, I still feel like I don’t care for that romantic angle of this book. It’s a little bit too Jane Austen for me, and I know it’s an unpopular opinion, but I can’t get in to Jane Austen.
This book is for someone, and maybe it would’ve been for me if I had read it under different circumstances, but it was not for me right now.
The Guilt Trip
by Sandie Jones
When in doubt, I go back to my tried and tested genre, mystery/thriller. I was lucky enough to access the advanced reader’s copy of “The Guilt Trip” by Sandie Jones on @netgalley and basically read it in one shot.
I could not put it down; I had to know what was next.
I previously read The Other Woman by Sandie Jones and enjoyed that very much as well, but I thought this was even better!
There are so many twists and turns throughout the book that kept me very interested. I was very pleased with all the revelations and how the book ultimately turned out.
It’s well written, it’s quick-paced, and it’s got some characters you will love to hate and love to love but mostly love to hate 😂.
If you like reading mysteries/thrillers, this is one you should not miss. Is it revolutionary? No, but it is so gratifying, and for books of this genre, that’s basically a 4-star review in my book.
I DO have a question about the epilogue, but I feel like I can’t say much more than that until YOU read it too!
The book is set to release on August 3, 2021.
If you have Instagram and would like to follow my account(s), I would be delighted!
- Bookstagram: @ReadYourHeartsOut
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- Travel Bookclub: @SpiritedNavigators
- Everyday Life: @WhatIThinkISay
Total Book Count: 44
Looking forward to what turn next month may or may not take in my reading life!
Please share your favorite summer reads in the comments below!
Happy Reading!
What I Think I Say 