June Wrap-up

Hi everyone!

This is still relevant, it will always be: BLM petitions and links

June was an amazing month for me personally, although not so much reading wise. I finished my degree! I’m oficially an Occupational Therapist and I counldn’t be happier! It’s a little bittersweet without the graduation ceremony to celebrate with my friends and family, but with the COVID-19 there was no way it was going to happen, oh well.

In terms of reading I didn’t read nearly as much as I wanted to, big surprise. I ended up finishing 4 books. However, I did love everything I read so really I’m winning.

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins

I’m still having so much fun with this reread. I remembered less things from this book compared to the previous one, but I did remember loving this one more than book one and this time around I think I prefer The Hunger Games. Still, this was amazing.

I understand that people critique the pacing in here since we spend half of the book in District 12, but the games are rushed for a reason, it’s not lazy writing, it’s intentional. At least that’s how I see it.

Song of the Dead (Reign of the Fallen #2) by Sarah Glenn Marsh

This is the last book in the Reign of the Fallen duology. It’s a fantasy series featuring necromances and a black, bisexual protagonist. Unfortunately, I didn’t love this as much as the first book. I was let down by the f-f relationship, the predictable plot and amount of characters. However, I loved the world-building and the magic system and I’m overall really happy I read this.

My review here!

Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamine Alire Saenz 

This book was stunning. I adored it with every fiber of my being, one of my new all time favorite books and definitely will make an appearance in my Top Books of 2020.

It’s a historical-fiction that tells a very quiet story about a Mexican boy who is one of the purest and sweetest characters I’ve ever met, and his friendship with a guy from his small town. It’s told over the course of two summer and I cannot recommend it enough. I will scream about this book forever and ever.

Review coming soon!

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

This is one of the best books I’ve read in 2020. The story is heartwrenching but incredibly important. This is a very hard to read adult-contemporary that deals with an abusive relationship between a 15 year old student and her teacher, so please check out the content warnings if you want to give it a try because it is not an easy read at all.

I adored how well explored the theme of abuse was. I was completely in love with our MC Vanessa, even though she isn’t necessarily likable, but was so well developed that I coulnd’t help but love her. This made me very uncofmortable, which is the whole point. Stunning book.
Review coming soon!

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins

I just started this as of writing this post, so I’m on chapter 2.

I’m excited to see if my feelings on this controversial ending have changed over time. I don’t remember much about the plot, just the overall feeling of being a bit let down so hopefully this time will be different.

Girls Made of Stars by Ashley Herring Blake

I’m 10% into this and I can already tell that this is going to be a hard-hitting YA-contemporary. I guess I was in a sad reading mood this month.

My Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

I’m currently 20% into this and let me tell you, I adore it already. I’m listening to the audiobook at the same time as I’m reading my ebook, and guys this is a stunning book to read. Not only is the prose and the story beautiful, but there is art throughout the pages that make this book stunning.

Since I didn’t do one for May, I’m combining posts from May and June:

Fadwa showed us 100+ books by muslim authors with content warnings for all of them which I deeply appreciate so go show her some love!

Margaret made an amazing post about 40+ queer books by Black authors that I loved!

Charlotte and Anna also delivered on some wonderful Pride Flag Book recs!

Leelynn made a wonderful post all about the upcoming release A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A Brown that made me even more exctited to pick it up.
The Quiet Pond is a blog I recommend every single month because not only is it trully stunning but the content is 10/10, so just to mention one post I especially enjoyed we have Book Recommendations: Pride month

Caitlin reacted to some Twitter unpopular opinions and I coudln’t agree with her thoughts more!

Jess testes recipes from books and not only is her blog one of the most beautiful ones I’ve seen, but the pictures of the food she cooked were mouth-watering. I adored this unique idea!

Belle recommended books based on her favorite karaoke songs and it was such a fun post to read I couldn’t not mention it!

How was your reading month? Did you read any new favorites? Let me know!

Until next time,

Leyre