It’s June!! Probably one of my favorite months of the year. School is out, summer is here, it’s my birthday month (subtle Meghan, very subtle) and it’s the perfect Chicago weather month. It hasn’t gotten to the crazy hot and humid July and August yet and we’re (almost) 100% out of the weird, random super cold days in late spring (I say this now and I probably will be regretting it in a few days). I often find myself reading the most in summer months and December – February for different reasons. For Summer, I get to be outside and one of my favorite places to read is while on a boat on a lake somewhere. I, in typical fashion, did not plan this months reading out very well as I somehow have multiple very large books to conquer this month. But I dug my own grave and I will read these beasts! Once again, would love if you read along with me! Have you read any of these books? What are you looking to read this month?
1. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
I know you’re probably like how have you not read The Time Traveler’s Wife Meghan? I just have not. Kept pushing it to the side until I finally cracked and decided to read it. The plot incase you also have not read this book: A twist on the classic boy meets girl because one of them keeps slipping in and out of time. The love story of Clare and Henry who have known each other at different points in their life but only Henry knows that. As he has a rare condition that resets his genetic conditioning and finds him witnessing different points in his life, past and future. Clare and Henry try to live a normal life with each other, knowing that there is this cloud constantly hanging over their heads, never knowing when it might strike.
2. The Bohemians by Jasmin Darznik
Set in the Jazz Age, San Francisco, Dorothea Lange is just making her debut. She isn’t quite yet the world famous photographer she will soon become. The story follows her early years as she finds her grit, compassion and urning to become who she is meant to be. Where she learned about love, loss, friendship, and destiny before capturing the world famous photograph “Migrant Mother”. How the strength of friendship and the drive for self-invention can break free from history.
3. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Yes, yes the girl who doesn’t read/like fantasy somehow ended up in a fantasy book club. I also do not know what happened. It was all a blur and then all of a sudden I found myself checking this book out at the library. Before I give you the synopsis, why are fantasy books so long! 800+ pages! Oy vey!
A world divided. A queendom with no heir. An ancient enemy now awaken. Queen Sabran finds herself ruling The House of Berethnet but has yet to produce a daughter to take over the thrown and tensions are rising in her land. Ead Duryan has been promoted to lady in waiting but she has a much more important role that only a few people know of. She has to keep in eye on Sabran and protect her with forbidden magic. The battles between East and West are getting closer everyday and it will take Sabran, Ead, and dragon rider Tane, to come together to fight for their homeland.
4. The Last Green Valley by Mark T. Sullivan
March 1944, Stalin has begun to push into Ukraine and Emil and Adeline Martel must make a life changing decision. Do they wait for Soviets to escort them to Russia, possibly even Siberia, or do they follow the Germans who have pledged to protect “pure-blood” Germans. They decided they must run with the wolves they despise to get away from Stalin and his reign on their country. They are hoping that once they run, it will lead them to freedom elsewhere. The Martels face two warring forces and observe some horrific trials as they set out for their dream that they know begins in the West.
5. America for Beginners by Leah Franqui
Rival Sengupta is on her way to America for her first time from India. Though unlike others on foreign holiday, she is going on a cross country trip from New York to California in hopes of uncovering the truth about her son, Rahi. When Rahi came out to his parents, they shut him out and a few months later her husband informed her that her son had died. Finding herself a widow, she decides she needs to go to America to find out for herself if her son really died and to beg forgiveness from him. As she begins her journey with two other strangers, she starts to notice her original thoughts are being challenged by this country he called home. Shows the complexities of family, immigration, faith and the American Dream.
6. When we Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O’Neal
Kit’s sister Josie was killed 15 years ago during a terrorist attack on a train, at least that is what Kit has always believed. While watching the news about a fire in downtown Auckland, a girl gets shown on the screen. A girl who looks uncanny like her sister Josie. It is Josie. Kit finally has a chance to get some closure from those events, by finding her sister and demanding no more lies. If two sisters are about to be reunited, they need to uncover all the secrets they have buried over the years or they may lose everything.
7. The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
Troublesome Creek, Kentucky is your average Appalachian town except for their resident Cussy Carter. Cussy who has blue skin and is the last living female of the Blue People ancestry. Cussy gets a job at the local library and spends her days walking through the hills delivering books to her fellow impoverished townspeople. She confronts those suspicious of her skin and the new government program while also creating friendships with the other complex Kentuckians and passing her love of literature on.
8. You by Caroline Kepnes
When beautiful Guinevere Beck walks into an East Village bookstore, Joe Goldberg does what anyone else would do and Googles her. She lives a very public life, which makes it perfect for Joe to “accidentally” run into her at a bar later that night. Joe quickly becomes obsessed with all that there is Beck. Creating certain events that leads her right into his arms. Going from stalker to boyfriend, he becomes the ideal man to Guinevere, while removing any obstacles that may come his way. Even if that involves murder.
Until Next Time, The Library Abroad
The Library Abroad 
Leave a comment