After May’s slow reading month, June has been much busier, with a mixture of crime, thrillers, YA and literary fiction.
I’m not sure I could pick a favourite novel, as there have been several this month that I’ve really enjoyed. I downloaded Eleanor and Park on a whim when it was on offer for Kindle, having heard a lot of great things about author Rainbow Rowell. I wasn’t disappointed, staying up until 2am to finish the book, which is a moving teen love story about two high school outcasts who bond over their love of comic books and music. The characterisation rang true and I found Eleanor’s troubled home life so sad.
I also read another YA novel, Haze by Australian writer Paula Weston, which is the second part in a supernatural romance series. I reviewed the first novel, Shadows, last year.
Since I read The Cuckoo’s Calling earlier in the year, I’ve been looking forward to Robert Galbraith/J.K. Rowling’s follow up, The Silkworm. It proved to be another page turning adventure for soldier turned private detective Cormoran Strike, with an elaborate and gory crime to be solved. Set in the literary world, it seemed that Rowling had a lot of fun constructing her cast of vain writers, fearsome publishers and deluded hangers on. Plus it was an added bonus to see a portion of the book set in the Yorkshire village of Masham, which isn’t too far from me. Definitely grab a copy if you enjoyed the first book.
Letters to a Young Poet has been on my bookshelf for ages, and reading it made me even more of a Rilke fan. His observations on life as a writer are honest and relatable, and his willingness to engage in conversation with an aspiring writer is inspiring.
Also this month I read my first Neil Gaiman novel, The Ocean at the End of the Lane. I have to admit, I wasn’t too keen at first and only began to appreciate the novel about halfway through as the pace of the story picked up. But it’s certainly a unique read.
Here’s the full list of books read in June, with affiliate links.
June’s reads
- We Need New Names, by NoViolet Bulawayo (read my review)
- Eleanor & Park, by Rainbow Rowell
- Letters to a Young Poet, by Rainer Maria Rilke
- The Three, by Sarah Lotz (read my review)
- Haze (Rephaim), by Paula Weston
- The Ocean at the End of the Lane, by Neil Gaiman
- The Silkworm (Cormoran Strike), by Robert Galbraith
Disclaimer: I received copies of The Three and We Need New Names from the publishers via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Beth @plasticrosaries says
Eleanor & Park was my first Rainbow Rowell novel and I have thrown myself into every other since because I really love her work. Neil Gaiman is one of the authors I’m hoping to tackle over the summer – he has such a huge following yet I’ve never picked up one of his novels so I’m looking forward to it – when I get there!
Amy Lord says
Think I’ll definitely be reading more from both authors, Beth!
Jade @ Bits & Bobs says
It sounds like you had a great reading month in June. I also downloaded Eleanor & Park when it was on offer on Kindle, although I haven’t got round to reading it yet – unfortunately. It was on my TBR for June however I kind of failed at completing that this month, it was slow one for me.
Good luck with reading in July – do you have anything good lined up?
🙂
Amy Lord says
I loved Eleanor and Park, it was a super quick read too! Just started The Secret Place by Tana French, and I’ve been craving a bit of Kerouac and possibly a reread of The Bell Jar, but I’ll see how the month goes 🙂
Charlie Simpson says
Big fan of Neil Gaiman, but not much time to read these days. Very impressed at how much you manage to get through. Will try and spend more time reading and less time on Facebook. ‘Steampunk for Simpletons’ first!
Looking forward to your July reads… maybe I ought to set up a spreadsheet…
Amy Lord says
Ha, I actually have a spreadsheet! You’ll have to recommend me my next Neil Gaiman 🙂