I hope your June reading has been a satisfying beginning to your summer reading season!
Here’s my June 2023 Reading Wrap Up in which I’ve awarded 3 stars to some popular books and authors.
June 2023 Reading Wrap Up
June was an OK reading month. Out of the 10 books completed, I had one 5-star read, four 4-star reads, and five 3-star reads. As you can see, I’m heavily weighted at the mid-range of star ratings which is not a stellar month. More concerning is that I’ve given several popular recent releases the dreaded 3-star rating. Three stars is just an OK read in my opinion…..a mixed bag of reactions.
My most memorable fiction read this month is No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister, a beautiful and unique book about books. (review coming soon) This book is included in my “6 in 6” post: Best 6 Books in 6 Months found here.
***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links or my linked reviews.
ARC=Advanced Readers Copy (complimentary copy for review before pub date)
No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister
5 Stars. Lovely and thoughtful collection of vignettes about the effect of one book on several readers. (review coming soon)
The Brighton Guest House Girls by Lesley Eames
4 Stars. Historical Fiction/Women’s Fiction. Love the themes of friendship and women supporting women. (not yet reviewed)
Women of the Post by Joshunda Sanders (ARC)
4 Stars. (ARC) Historical Fiction. Women in the military. Biographical. (Review coming soon)
Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan
4 Stars. Contemporary Women’s Fiction/Romance. Engaging. Author of Nora Goes Off Script. My review of Same Time Next Summer here.
Please Grow: Lesson on Thriving For Plants (and people) by Alex Testere
4 Stars. Nonfiction. Graphic illustrations of plants, growing advice, and inspirational thoughts for humans. Cute coffee table book or thoughtful small gift. (Not reviewed)
Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley
3 Stars. YA Historical Fiction. Indigenous People. Others have loved it more. At first, it was a DNF (see May Wrap Up) and then I picked it back up (because I paid money for it) and skimmed the remaining 60%. I loved Firekeeper’s Daughter more. (not reviewed)
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
3 Stars. Contemporary Fiction. Women’s Fiction. Complicated family drama. I’m a definite outlier for this one. It was ok and well-written…I just didn’t care about any of the characters. (not reviewed)
Homecoming by Kate Morton
3 Stars. Historical/Women’s Fiction. Mystery. Words. Words. Words. All. The. Words. Although the prose is lovely, this slow-burn story is much too long and could have used a 100 page edit. Others have loved it. (Not yet reviewed)
Late Bloomers by Deepa Varadarajan
3 Stars. Diverse read. Complicated Family Drama. Although I appreciate a diverse read in which I can experience a different culture, I also need some likable characters. I connected some with the mom, but overall it was a meh read for me. (Not yet reviewed)
The Winter Garden by Heidi Swain
3 Stars. Women’s Fiction. I’ve never read anything until now by this popular author. I chose a back-list title because I could get it immediately from the library. It was ok and I might consider another title when I’m in the mood for light chick lit.
June Wrap Up QOTD:
Did we read any of the same books?
Did you have a favorite June read?
June Blog Posts:
The Invisible Husband of Frick Island Review
The First Ladies Review
Same Time Next Summer Review
The Windsor Knot Review
Summer 2023 TBR
Best 6 Books in 6 Months
The Paris Agent Review
The Last Bookshop in London Review
The Last Lifeboat Review
The Sweetheart List Review
America, a Redemption Story Review
The Woman With the Blue Star Review
A Little Ray of Sunshine Review
Stories Set Near Water
The Radcliffe Ladies’ Reading Club
Wedding Bells at Goodwill House Review
Block Editor Update #3
The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba Review
Happy Reading Book Buddies!
“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke
“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes
“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text
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Books I review are purchased by me or borrowed from the library unless explicitly stated that they are free (arcs).
Amazon or publisher websites receive all credit for author and book cover images.
I can never get over how fast you read. I am determined to finish some books this month. Loving your passion for books.
My secret is R E T I R E M E N T ! 📚😂 but I am a fast reader!
Quite a mixed bag there Carol! It can be frustrating when there is a run of books that don’t quite do it for you.
Especially when they are recently released and hyped!
Absolutely. Very frustrating when the hype is a little misdirected
To be fair I’ve read some wonderful reviews of my 3 star reads! I’m definitely an outlier!
Interesting about Homecoming, as I was declined the audiobook on NetGalley, and now I think I’m glad! 😂
The premise/mystery kept me somewhat engaged but it went on and on and on! Some of the prose is lovely but so Overwritten!
I can’t stand overwritten books! 😱
I think it’s called purple prose??.
Yes that sounds familiar!
I’m happy it wasn’t an arc because I might have felt pressure to be more generous!
3 stars would also be an OKish book for me too. You’ve highlighted two authors I’ve tried in the past but decided they are just not my kind of writer – Ann Napolitano and Kate Morton.
It’s difficult to be an outlier! FOMO is a huge factor for me!
No Two Persons sounds brilliant!
It’s a lovely read!
Hi, Carol – I completey agree that ‘retirement’ is the secret ingredient in being able to read more books. I also had a month of many so-so books (which is incredible because I was so fussy in selecting them). Better luck to both of us next month!
Reading is a personal experience and no one reads the same book as another reader, so reviews and vetting carefully can’t always predict a good read. The connection I feel with the story is what makes it a good read for me! Happy July reading!
What a great list!
Thanks! 🙌
I’m absolutely delighted that you liked “No Two Persons” – as you know, it was a favourite of mine.
Yes! It as at the top of my summer tbr!
Sorry to see that you had so many 3-star reads. I’m an outlier, too; I have no desire to read Hello Beautiful. It doesn’t sound very interesting. Last night I borrowed the audiobook version of
“Same Time Next Summer”. I put a library hold on it when I read your review. I hope you are enjoying your summer.
Happy summer reading Adrienne!