What I Read in June
Happy June! This is the month I decided to tackle some of the months that have been camping out on my “want to read” list. I’ve admittedly gotten distracted by new releases and the books Kindle Unlimited advertises for a while now, but after seeing how large my list gotten, I decided to make that the theme for the month. Needless to say, these are books I’ve been looking forward to for a while, and the correlation between expectations and actual impressions ended up being all over the place. Some were definitely new favorites, so keep reading for my full June reviews and recommendations.
what i read in june
in order to live: a north korean girl’s journey to freedom by yeonmi park
4/5 stars
I didn’t know anything about the author before reading this, and have since learned that there have been some questions raised about the validity of certain aspects of the book. That being said, it was still an impactful read and being the same age as the author makes her story much more harrowing.
This taught me a lot that I didn’t know about life in North Korea, and controversy aside, there is value to every person’s story. It made me think about limitations, both external and those that are self-imposed, and how much your perspective shapes your life. This reminded me to be grateful for my education and food safety, yet also made me feel very small and powerless once I started thinking about global politics and human rights.
Favorite quotes:
“I am most grateful for two things: that I was born in North Korea, and that I escaped from North Korea.” (p. 3)
“When you have so little, just the smallest thing can make you happy - and that is one of the very few features of life in North Korea that I actually miss.” (p. 13)
“When you have more words to describe the world, you increase your ability to think complex thoughts. In North Korea, the regime doesn't want you to think, and they hate subtlety. Everything is either black or white, with no shades of gray.” (p. 229)
Read it here.
after image by jaime deblanc
4/5 stars
This was a great debut and one of the better Kindle Unlimited thrillers I’ve read in a while.
The writing may seem detailed, but it’s purposeful, and I appreciate the author’s cleverness in designing and executing the plot.
You can maybe see the ending coming, but the author still raises lots of doubt amongst the characters throughout the book. It’s fast-paced with short chapters, and the sister dynamic is believable. It’s hard to put down and would be great to share theories with in a book club.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the unexpected spy: from the CIA to the FBI, my secret life taking down some of the world's most notorious terrorists by tracy walder
5/5 stars
What a compelling and empowering memoir by a former CIA and FBI agent. I saw the recent Bin Laden documentary on Netflix, and Walder’s backstory as a sorority girl turned CIA agent caught my attention; I had to get her book after watching.
I really loved this, and it was well-written. The redacted parts are left in (but blacked out), which makes you curious about what the CIA and FBI wanted omitted. I was shocked (but not necessarily surprised) by the sharp contrast in her experience as a CIA agent vs FBI agent. This vital insight reinforces how much work these leadership agencies still have to do.
Much of Walder’s work is confidential, but this “silent” hero exemplifies the impact of owning your story and being proud of who you are. I think young women in particular should read this book, and appreciated the nuanced perspective she took in regard to American and global politics and policies.
Favorite quotes:
“It led me to believe that to be the best CIA agent I could be, and the best defender of the United States, I'd have to shift my perspective slightly so that I wasn't standing with my feet stuck in American soil like two Kansas cornstalks. Rather, I'd need to float above it all and look at the globe with all its interconnected parts so I could see more dearly how an American Navy ship anchored in the Gulf of Aden might feel like an occupation to someone on the shore of Yemen, which might send a ripple of reactionary fear to a group of displaced refugee boys being supported by al-Qaeda in a madrassa in Afghanistan. You can see where this is going. Global thinking, I began to believe, would allow me to better serve the needs of the greatest number of people.” (p. 107)
“I am a Delta Gamma girl who joined the CIA, hunted down terrorists, and stopped WMD plots before they could kill. I am a California girl who joined the FBI and helped catch foreign spies on American soil. I am a teacher at an all-girls school, a woman who is daring to try to change the world.” (p. 244-245)
Read it here.
one in four: a thriller by lucinda berry
3/5 stars
This book ended up being not what I expected at all. The reality TV plot feels secondary and you don’t really get much from anyone in the house. It’s primarily focused on the counselor and her life and while she tries to solve a mystery, I wouldn’t categorize it as a thriller.
However, it’s dark and quite graphic at times. The intensity of some of the later themes can be unsettling, so check the TWs first.
Overall, I was intrigued by the initial plot but the book ended up not being for me and I wouldn’t have read it if I knew what it was actually about. I tried to keep an open mind through the shift, but the ending was too abrupt and left me rolling my eyes. I felt like the author
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the happiest man on earth: the beautiful life of an Auschwitz survivor by eddie jaku
5/5 stars
What a life-changing book; I consider this a must-read, and it’s one of the best books available on Kindle Unlimited.
The author, a Holocaust survivor, lived to be 101 years old and shares indispensable life advice as he shares his story with readers. I picked this up shortly before bed one night, and am embarrassed to say that I was hesitant to start it, because I knew it would be emotional and heavy. I’m so glad I didn’t make an excuse and read it - may we never look away from the hardships of history, as it can be our greatest teacher if we allow.
The book touches on the power of perspective as well as the importance of education, work ethic, and friendship. Even if you’re familiar with the Holocaust and have heard other survivors speak, this book is worth reading and there’s so much we can all learn from Eddie Jaku.
Favorite quotes:
“My father was wise when he told me a life is worth more than a bank account. There are many things in this world that no amount of money will buy you, and some things priceless beyond measure. Family first, family second, and family at the last.” (p. 19)
“If you have the opportunity today, please go home and tell your mother how much you love her. Do this for your mother. And do it for your new friend, Eddie, who cannot tell it to his mother.” (p. 70)
“Here is what I learned. Happiness does not fall from the sky; it is in your hands. Happiness comes from inside yourself and from the people you love. And if you are healthy and happy, you are a millionaire.” (p. 154)
“Remember to take time to appreciate every moment of your life - the good, the bad. Sometimes there will be tears. Sometimes there will be laughter. And if you are lucky, there will be friends to share it all with, as I have known throughout my life. Please, every day, remember to be happy, and to make others happy too. Make yourself a friend to the world. Do this for your new friend, Eddie.” (p. 188)
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the housekeeper by natalie barelli
4/5 stars
This was a nice little cat and mouse thriller, and I liked it better than I thought I would. The main character was grating at times, but it didn’t prevent me from enjoying the book.
With a single POV and singular timeline. it’d be an ideal read for those who want a straightforward thriller. It also has a complete ending, which I really enjoyed.
No spoilers, but I was surprised that this had a little more substance and heart than I expected. I could see others finding it cheesy, though.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
bad friend: why friendship breakups hurt and how to heal by michelle elman
4/5 stars
This was an interesting read; I agree with the author that there’s less conversation surrounding the ups and downs of friendships than romantic or familial relationships, but at times this book felt a little pessimistic. The book does a great job exploring the imperfectness of friendship and the blind spots we don’t address well enough, but I wish there was just a little more positivity.
This book reinforced the importance of boundaries, and how they are there to support relationships, rather than restrict them. I appreciated how honest the author was in sharing her history and friendship stories, both good and bad. There are also sample texts/ messages included if you want to apply some of the advice given, but it was a little more than I needed as a reader.
This isn’t a book that I’ll return to, but I resonated with quite a bit and think it’s worth reading.
Favorite quotes and takeaways:
“When we declare someone a 'bad friend' or a 'good friend' we speak of these labels as inherent traits, but if friendship is defined by the behaviours and actions of a person, it means that we can be a 'bad friend' to one person while being a 'good friend' to another. They are subjective terms.” (p. 35)
On distancing yourself from a friend after a disagreement versus bringing up issues head-on: “It is better to judge someone on whether their behaviour changes than on if they notice your silence.” (p. 102)
Think of people as radiators vs drains: “Radiators give us energy whereas drains suck it out. I share that with the caveat that I don't think people are inherently radiators or drains; a radiator to one person can be a drain to another… Being around the right people should give you energy.” (p. 180)
“If you keep waiting for the right moment, you will never have the conversation. It's not about the right moment, it's about the right intention.” (p. 196)
Read it here.
always you and me by dani atkins
5/5 stars
It’s rare a book can connect so deeply that I cry, let alone by the end of the first chapter, but this book really blew me away. Don’t let the emotional depth deter you from adding this to your summer reading list; it’s balanced and the author paces the story perfectly from start to finish.
The overall plot might be a little predictable, but there were a few twists I didn’t expect that really made me appreciate this author. And unlike some other books that can be described as “heartfelt,” this one isn’t preachy in the slightest. The ending knocked it out of the park, and I know I’ll be rereading this again in the future.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
don’t believe it by charlie donlea
4/5 stars
Charlie Donlea is one of my favorite thriller authors; he always delivers clever twists that aren’t cheesy and layered stories that are still easy-to-follow. You don’t quite know how all of the pieces will fit together, but every question is answered by the end.
The tropical location and July timeline made this a timely summer thriller, and the documentary element leans into society’s true-crime obsession without feeling gimmicky; I really enjoyed this.
I like how the author includes characters from his other books (without you needing to read them) to create his own literary world. You can also tell that he researches the topics thoroughly without adding unnecessary detail. This wasn’t my favorite book of his, but it was still so good and while the ending was conclusive, it left me wanting a few more chapters (or a second book following another character).
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the perfect divorce by jeneva rose
3/5 stars
This is definitely a sequel, so start with The Perfect Marriage instead of reading this review.
That being said, this was not a necessary sequel, and it felt like the author was trying to lean into the success of The Housemaid trilogy by Frieda McFadden.
As far as this book goes, it started promising and definitely held my attention at the beginning. The dialogue is still sharp, and the plot is very Mr. and Mrs. Smith meets Gone Girl.
Similar to the first book, the ending was a total letdown, and I don’t think I’ll read anything else by this author moving forward.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
This month I also read…
Love You to Death by Rowen Chambers - 3/5 stars, free to read with Kindle Unlimited.
This is a domestic thriller with an amnesia plot. It’s far-fetched and cheesy like a Lifetime movie. It’s meant to be suspenseful, but because of the predictability, the last third just seemed erratic and overdramatic.
The manipulation and abuse was hard to read about, even though you saw it coming. It’s not a new favorite thriller and doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but is a quick read that many other people enjoyed based on the high rating average.
The Last Move by Mary Burton - 4.5/5 stars, free to read with Kindle Unlimited.
A highly-rated Kindle Unlimited pick, this one definitely met my expectations. It reads like a Criminal Minds episode, all the way down to a quote introducing each chapter. It’s one of the more engaging police/ FBI procedurals, and the cases mentioned are definitely dark and gruesome (check the TWs first). The intricate plot is easy to follow, and everything flows together nicely (even with an unlabeled multi-POV). If you hate thrillers with ambiguous endings, you’ll enjoy this one, since every question gets answered.
That being said, I didn’t love the way the author described the main character at times; it just felt a little gratuitous at times, especially from a female writer trying to write a strong female lead.
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle - 3/5 stars, free to read with Kindle Unlimited.
A “semi-sweet” novel, this was heartfelt without being too sad, and the detail made me feel like I was in Italy, too. I didn’t love the fantasy element and I wished the main character explored her independence a little more (Eat Pray Love, if you will), but the themes of codependency, closure, and decision-making really resonated with me.
There’s Something about Mira by Sonali Dev - 3.5/5 stars, free to read with Kindle Unlimited.
This isn’t the type of book I typically gravitate towards, but it was a fun break between all of the thrillers. I enjoyed the cultural references and how it explored layered love in all forms (not just romantic). If you’re a people-pleaser, I think you’ll connect to this (particularly if you have a tight-knit family).
Not Our Daughter by Chad Zunker - 4/5 stars, free to read with Kindle Unlimited.
I loved this and was hooked right away. It’s a quick read that’s hard to put down because it’s so intense and action-packed, so give this a chance if you’re in a slump.
It’s more about the cat-and-mouse chase than “gotcha” twists, and I’d consider this author one of the more underrated Kindle Unlimited writers.
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez - 4/5 stars, free to read with Kindle Unlimited.
This was surprisingly really cute. You know a book is good when it makes you imagine a different life path, which is what I did with the main character’s traveling nursing career.
There was more substance to this than most romance books (childhood trauma that leads to difficult adult parent-child relationships), which I appreciated. A sweet, fun summer beach read.
Written Off by Karen McQuestion - 2/5 stars, free to read with Kindle Unlimited.
This took me SO long to get through, even though it’s a shorter page count. I couldn’t quite connect to it, even though the plot intrigued me. I think it told more than it showed, and the twists were given away before they could get interesting. Overall, the author could’ve done so much more with this; it left me thinking, “That’s it?”
Till Summer do Us Part by Meghan Quinn - 3/5 stars, free to read with Kindle Unlimited.
Full disclosure: I read this specifically for my Best Summer Books on Kindle Unlimited post, because romance isn’t my go-to genre but I wanted to include a few in the post. This was good and I can see why romance-lovers enjoy it; the creative spin on this “fake dating” plot is funny, heartwarming, and reminiscent of your favorite rom-com movie.
While I thought it was a little too long (450+ pages), there is an epilogue that really brings the story full circle, and it’s a fun way to spend a few afternoons at the beach or pool.
Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson - 3/5 stars.
This thriller had a promising premise, but I didn’t love it like I thought I would. I had an idea of where things would go, and while there was a lot of tension between the two main characters, it dragged a bit (especially since the twists weren’t that surprising). The main character was a bit much at times, but I did enjoy the mixed-media format (but skipped the audio/video links).