As an avid reader, quarantine has been almost like a dream scenario for me. Now, I no longer have pesky family gatherings and Tinder dates to get in the way of my alone time with my books!
Though that is a little bit of a jest, I do think that we have all been presented with a golden opportunity to challenge ourselves to read more. Here are the books that I will be checking out in the month of June along with a brief summary of the plot (don’t worry, spoiler-free). Such a great way to de-stress and take some time to yourself!
Disclosure: Please keep in mind that many of the links provided below are affiliate links which means that I am compensated if you do decide to make a purchase. Whether or not you do so is completely up to you!
The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson
Is anyone else really getting into thrillers lately? I feel like now is the perfect time to pick a book that will really absorb you for hours at a time, and thrillers are the perfect genre of book for that.
This is a psychological suspense novel about two strangers who meet, have a few drinks, and start to reveal some very personal details about their lives. One of the two strangers, Ted, reveals that he is very unhappy with his wife. The other stranger, Lily, offers to help him kill his wife since it is (apparently) very much in her skillset. Ted agrees, and their journey begins.
They soon find out that murder is actually very complicated, and what begins as a very simple plot gets wildly out of control. I don’t want to give too much more away, but trust me-this one is both morbid and gripping in the best way.
Obviously, the story and characters of this one are pretty twisted and this book is probably not for the faint of heart. However, if you are a fan of Gillian Flynn and her books, I have a feeling that you will enjoy it! This one kept me HOOKED the entire way through.
All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace
Does anyone else feel compelled to read certain books based solely on how visually appealing the cover art is? That’s me in a nutshell. This book not only features a stunning cover but it also soooo good!
The story takes place in a fictional kingdom that consists of several islands–each of which specializes in its own magic (elemental magic, healing magic, barrier magic, etc.). The protagonist of the book, Amora, is the daughter of the king, and the entire royal family specializes in a special magic called Soul Magic. And even though Amora is the only child of the king, she must prove that she can control her Soul Magic in order to be considered his heir.
Needless to say, things go wrong, and an enthralling adventure ensues. You are taken on a journey through a very well-fleshed-out kingdom and experience their history, mythology, and cultures through the eyes of Amora as she quests from island nation to island nation along with her fiancee, a pirate, and a mermaid.
When I’m reading fantasy literature, I know that I need a well-developed world in order to really get sucked into the story, and I think that the author did an incredible job! I loved all of the characters as well–especially Ferrick! This is a YA book, so it is a fairly quick, easy read. It does a great job of scratching your itch for adventure and pulling at your heartstrings!
Check out this one if you are looking for an epic adventure with snarky pirates, spirited princess, and alluring mermaids! I will definitely be checking out the sequel in 2021!
Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson
As the biggest Jane Austen fangirl ever, I completely adore this book.
This is a Regency-era novel that is heavily inspired by my girl, Jane A., and I was personally so ready for a simple, straightforward romance to make my heart flutter. Edenbrooke did just that!
The main character of this novel is Marianne–a shy, reclusive young girl who joins her lively twin sister at a gorgeous country estate owned by a family friend. There, she meets the dashing, unabashedly flirtatious Phillip and we follow her journey as she becomes more confident in herself and learns to trust others. While some heroines in Regency novels can be hit-or-miss for me, I found myself really growing attached to both Marianne and Phillip! I also felt like all of the supporting characters were charming and likable as well–especially Phillip’s aunt and uncle.
Marianne is a brave and kind young lady but incredibly shy. Phillip, on the other hand, is confident and playful. I loved watching Marianne slowly let down her guard in front of Phillip, and it was so fun watching Phillip find enjoyment in teasing Marianne!
As far as plots go, this book’s plot is fairly simple; however, I was way more focused on the main couple. It was so cute to see not just the characters grow as people but the relationship evolve throughout the book. If you’re looking for a sweet read with a plot that isn’t overly complicated, I highly recommend this one!
All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
In light of the social and political landscape of the world–and particularly the United States–right now, I think that this will be a book that everyone will be reading and discussing this year. I actually mentioned this one in my round-up of books by black authors that I think everyone should read, but I wanted to bring it up again. Not just because I read it for the first time this month, but also because it’s such a great book!
This is a collection of personal essays written by LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson as he goes in-depth discussing his childhood and journey to adulthood living as a queer boy of color in the United States. As you can probably imagine, young Donald went through good times and bad times; triumphs and challenges; and he details the way in which those experiences have shaped the person he is today.
I love fun, fictional novels as much as the next girl, but I always try to mix some non-fiction into my reading list to really broaden my horizons and practice empathy for those who have lived completely different lives from myself.
The author was so vulnerable and honest about his upbringing, and his journey towards self-acceptance and love honestly made me cry at some points. It highlights a demographic that is severely underrepresented in media (black and queer), and though I myself do not fall into this group, no one can deny how important this kind of representation is today.
Have any of you read these books before? Are there any from this list or your own list that you are excited to read? Any recommendations for me? Let me know!
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