June 2021 Reads

Here's what I read in June! As ever would love to hear about your fave latest reads. And if you want a collection of recommendations, check out this post for 65 recommendations.

1. Wow, so "Great Circle" by Maggie Shipstead. It's massive (almost 600 pages...IMO counts as two books LOL), artfully written, and deftly illustrates the complicated nature of humans as they navigate choices and fight to break the mold (as is the case for the lead story line characters, aviator Marian Graves and actress Hadley Baxter). Many years ago I was at a small professional retreat with Maggie and while we didn't get to know each other very well, it's fun to think about the possibility that these characters were starting to emerge or take shape in her head at that time. Congrats, Maggie!

2. I found the dual narrative approach of "Sea Wife" by Amity Gaige so effective in showcasing the differences in perception/perspective, particularly during intense human experiences. The book, with it's threads of marital discord, abuse, and family secrets, isn't exactly a relaxing read but it is beautifully and achingly written.

3. I initially wondered why I was moving so slowly through Patricia Engel's "Infinite Country." It's a slim novel (just under 200 pages) and highly lauded so I assumed I would burn through it in a day or two. I think the reason for my slow pace was because I just needed time to process. The book details the pain of racism (many threads familiar to me) and a family being split up, something that seems unimaginable when you have the privilege of citizenship. It wasn't an easy read for me but I'm glad I finished it.

4. If you're in the mood for creepy AF, read "The Family Upstairs" by Lisa Jewell... though trigger warning for abusive relationships in a variety of stripes. The voice-switching narrative was effective and while I was rooting for the character Lucy early on, I felt that even stronger as twists and turns in the book unveiled themselves.