June Bookish Wrap Up
Hello Readers,
I just don’t know where the months seem to be going because it feels like it wasn’t that long ago when I sat down to write my May Wrap Up!
Compared to last month, I didn’t read as much but I did pick up one of the chonkier {it’s a word} books on my TBR and read that this month, so that’s like reading two of three “normal” length books as it’s just over 600 pages. I also dipped my toe into a very popular Fantasy series via audiobook and kinda enjoyed it ~ I know I’m as shocked as you are! So without further ado, let me tell you about the books I’ve managed to read during June…
Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
This was my book club’s June Buddy Read Book.
It’s set in 1960’s America and follows the life of Elizabeth, a chemist who ends up becoming a TV star when she hosts a cooking show with a difference. She uses her knowledge of chemistry to teach women how to cook and to show them that they can become whatever they want to be. This is during an era when a woman’s place was seen to be at home with the children instead of in the work place.
The book highlights the struggles and sexism Elizabeth has to contend with when she works as a chemist and on her TV Show. She’s never taken seriously in the lab, even though she’s far more knowledgeable than her male counterparts and the studio bosses think she should just look pretty and make cocktails. But despite all that she keeps pushing and helps other women to achieve their goals and enter the workplace.
The cast of characters around Elizabeth are an interested bunch to say the least. The majority of the male characters were absolute jerks and made me so angry with their attitudes, but I guess that was the point. Elizabeth’s partner, Calvin was one of the few good guys and I enjoyed learning about him and his past throughout the book. Their daughter was also an interesting character and the neighbour who helps Elizabeth out was great. But the absolutely star of this book, for me anyway, is Elizabeth’s dog, Six Thirty. He’s one of the best dog characters I’ve read in a book.
While there were moments I didn't enjoy in this book and found myself getting frustrated with certain views being expressed, even by Elizabeth at times, overall I did enjoy it. Like I said, Six Thirty is definitely the star for me and the reason why I gave this book four stars on Goodreads.
{trigger warning for rape}
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
This chonky book has been sat on my TBR cart for a little while and after reading many books half it’s size, I was ready to get stuck into a much longer story ~ I’m a lover of big books and this one certainly didn’t disappoint me.
Anthony Doerr has weaved a remarkable story of five different characters all linked in some way, spanning centuries of time with a Ancient Greek myth at its heart; Cloud Cuckoo Land by Antonius Diogenes which Doerr based on The Golden Ass by Apuleius. It’s so clever and so unique as the layers unfold with each passing chapter and it didn’t feel like it dragged or that there was any unnecessary parts that could have made the book shorter. It was all wonderful and kept me turning the page.
The characters themselves consist of Anna and Omeir, in the 1400’s on opposite sides of the siege of Constantinople. Seymour, a nature loving teen who’s ideals get him wrapped up with the wrong crowd {he also seems to have a sensory condition which I found interesting to read about} during the present day Idaho {2020} and beyond. Zeno, who’s chapters are present day and also set during the 60’s and 70’s. Then there’s Konstance, who is decades the future. I know all that time and character jumping can seem like a lot but in the physical book, everything is timestamped, if you will, so you know where you are, so it’s not too hard to follow. I also loaned the audiobook from my library and read along with it and I found that also helped keep track.
I did figure out a couple of “twists” as the book progressed and found things mentioned earlier within the story, fell into place as I did. But I don’t see this as a bad thing ~ more of a sign that I was following this multi layered story when it could be easy to get lost with the perspective changes and moving back and forth through time and place.
For me, this is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time and I’m completely okay with that. It’s also made me really want to pick up The Odyssey, which has been sat on my TBR since last year as I really enjoyed the Greek Myth element to this story.
{trigger warning for human and animal death}
After reading the first two books in this series last month, I used my audible credit so I could read this during June. As I said last month, I’ve spoken about this series many times and I feel most know what it’s about by now as it’s been around for a number of years now.
But in case you missed reading my May Wrap Up the main reason I’ve been re-reading this series is because I have an Animal Crossing New Horizons Island that is based on it. So I wanted to go through the books to make sure there wasn’t anything I’d missed and wanted to add to the island before sharing it and making it so others can visit the island through a Dream feature in the game.
While I do prefer to read this series physically, I did enjoy the audiobook and thought the narrator did an excellent job.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
On an absolute whim, I decided to loan the audiobook of this from my library. I read the synopsis and thought it sounded like I might enjoy it as while it is definitely Fantasy, it didn’t seem like full on Fantasy and I was kind of right.
This series follows Celaena, who is an 18 year old assassin, who starts off in the salt mines in Endovier after she was caught on the job. Then a Captain of the King’s Guard offers her deal, represent the Crown Prince in a tornament against other skilled thieves and assassins and gain freedom. Or stay in the mines for the rest of her life.
While there are elements of Fantasy sprinkled throughout the book, with the most heavy Fantasy elements being towards the end, I found I enjoyed the mystery that surrounded them and working out what was going on with Celaena. I did figure out some of it before she did and felt myself getting a little annoyed at her for that, but I understand the slow build and reveal factors that come with Fantasy books ~ it’s the same in the realm of Science Fiction.
But it didn’t feel like it was Fantasy all the time and have those non-fantasy moments when Celaena is training and competing in the contest trials gave the book the balance I was wanting. I liked the majority of the characters, Celaena included and there was a sort of love triangle going on that I found myself enjoying, though it definitely had it issues ~ but who doesn’t love a morally grey love interest in their books at times?
Overall, I did enjoy the story and I think I’ll carry on the series to see where it all goes. But I don’t feel I’m in any rush to continue the series immediately. That being said, I think if the audio version of book two had been available at my library, I probably would have loaned it but they only have ebooks for the rest of the series and I struggle to read them. So I may have to save up some of my Audible credits ~ though July’s is already spoken for.
Celaena will just have to wait a while before I continue her story.
So those were the books I managed to read during June. While Mockingjay is a long time favourite, Cloud Cuckoo Land is definitely one of my favourites of the year so far.
Have you any of these books? I’d love to know your thoughts if you have and also let me know what you enjoyed reading during June ~ you know I’m always looking for recommendations.
Stay Safe. Read a Book.
L x
