I just realized that I haven’t written a recent reads post since 2020! I’ve still been reading, and occasionally sharing book updates on Instagram. But, I’m prioritizing reading now that I have a more flexible schedule, so I’m going to start posting monthly reviews here. For this post, I’m sharing what I read in May and June. Some good ones from a couple of my favorite authors, and a few excellent beach reads!
An Upside Down Sky by Linda Dahl: The story of a quirky group of tourists visiting a fictional country modeled after Myanmar. I liked how the culture of the place was interwoven with witty banter, and the characters were well developed. It did drag a little at times, and I felt like the ending was a bit abrupt.
The Other Alcott by Elise Hooper: The fascinating, untold story of May Alcott—Louisa’s youngest sister and an artist in her own right. I loved the descriptive writing and the character development, but portions of the story could have still been meaningful if they were shorter. Towards the end, it did the opposite and sort of fast forwarded.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry: Hardworking literary agent Nora, and brooding book editor Charlie have never been on the same page. But, when they end up in the same small town, they find out that the ending to their story is what they would have predicted. I could have read this in a day (if I had time!) Emily Henry is such a clever storyteller and her characters really draw you in. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened, and I was sad when it ended.
The Better Sister by Alafair Burke: When a prominent Manhattan lawyer is murdered, two estranged sisters—one the dead man’s widow, the other his ex—must set aside mistrust and old resentments . . . but can they escape their past? I liked this. A thriller, but more about the relationships than the crime itself. Interesting to think about the roles women play and the many hats we wear in our lives.
Rivals (American Royals #3) by Katharine McGee: I love this series so much, and waiting for the next book is always such a struggle. But, it’s always worth the wait. Katharine has crafted these characters so beautifully that you can’t help but become invested in their lives. It really makes you wonder what it would be like for America to have a monarchy too.
Meant to Be by Emily Giffin: In a beautifully written novel that recaptures a gilded moment in American history, Emily Giffin tells a story of a love that may or may not have the power to transcend circumstances that seem arrayed against it… and the difficulty of finding your way to the place you belong. don’t know a lot about the younger Kennedys, but this book definitely made me more curious. Such a captivating look at how our background can influence our choices, and our self-worth. As always, Emily’s character development and detailed descriptions were fantastic.
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson: In present-day California, Eleanor Bennett’s death leaves behind a puzzling inheritance for her two children, Byron and Benny: a black cake, made from a family recipe with a long history, and a voice recording. This was such a rich story. Family can be complicated, and this one was even more so than they realized. Also, really interesting perspective on cultural and societal expectations.
