Oh boy, we've moved into the official second half of the year. :O Feels pretty intense, but we'll make it through alright if we stick together. June actually felt like a pretty long month for once, which is certainly a change compared to the way the others month have flown by!
I feel like I don't have too much to share about what happened in June. My birthday was on the 2nd, so I guess that's fun. My husband and I have also been exploring where we live a bit more, so that's brought a little bit more excitement to our lives. We even played hooky during the week a while back to have a beach day since we live so close and need to take advantage of it while we're here! We also live near a beautiful little gem called Franklin Canyon Park and had a great time on a pretty mild hike enjoying nature. It was such a tranquil area–we'll definitely be back. I'm also still hunting for a new job, but that is much less tranquil.
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A view of the small lake
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In book news, 13 is a great number I feel pretty good about, but I feel weird about it since I felt so slumpy this past month. And it seems like quite a few people I've talked to have been a bit slump-ish lately, too–must be something in the water? Has anyone else been struggling? I think I'm slowly pulling myself out of it using my failproof trick–reading Haruki Murakami! For some reason Murakami always hits the spot and acts as a major palate cleanser for me, and I always feel so much more focused for some reason. His nonfiction What I Talk About When I Talk About Running was one of my favorite books of his and I felt it resonated so much with me. He's really a smart guy. Outside of that, stand out books I read were Tender is the Flesh (awful and grotesque and has completely stuck with me, but also incredibly done), After Dark (another Murakami, and a new favorite), Winter Counts (fantastic audio read!), and Dreams of the Dying.
Anyway, enough about me--how was your month? Have you read any new favorites books, or anything that just didn't work for you? Do let me know in the comments how things are, I love hearing from you all!
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami ★★★★★
Source: Owned | Format: Paperback
The Pariah by Anthony Ryan ★★★★
Source: Publisher (Orbit) | Format: Physical ARC
Ring Shout by P. Djeli Clark ★★★★
Source: Library | Format: Hardcover
Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
Source: Library | Format: Paperback
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman ★★★★
Source: Library sale | Format: Hardcover
After Dark by Haruki Murakami ★★★★★
Source: Owned | Format: Paperback
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake ★★★★
Source: Owned | Format: Paperback
The Book of Accidents by Chuck Wendig ★★★★
Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau ★★★
Source: Gifted | Format: Paperback
Dark Sea's End by Richard Nell ★★★★
Source: Author | Format: Ebook
Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden ★★★★★
Source: Audible | Format: Audiobook
Dreams of the Dying by Nicolas Lietzau ★★★★★
Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover
Source: Owned | Format: Paperback
DNF/To-Be-Finished:
She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
This is a potentially temporary DNF and I can't tell you how much it broke my heart to have to make that decision, especially since it was a request on NetGalley. I have been so excited for this release, but I just could not get into it after ~40% or so. I tried it twice, and it was my husband who ended up telling me I should really just try reading something else rather than forcing myself to like something that wasn't working. 🤣 Sometimes you really just need permission to DNF, haha. I would still like to revisit this, but for now I've set it aside. It was hard, and a lot of people have loved this, so don't let me experience sway you!
(other than reviews)
Top Five/Ten Tuesday:
Can't-Wait Wednesday:
The Friday Face-Off:
Have you read any of these? What books did you read this month? I hope you all had a great month-- comment below and let me know!
That's fun that you've been exploring your area, and especially finding some nice outdoor places! I don't know that I would necessarily call it a slump, but I'm definitely reading less than I used to!
ReplyDeleteI just started The Book of Accidents, and I'm curious about Tender is the Flesh but also scared, lol. Looks like you had a great month!
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday! I love that you guys are making time to explore! That's so fun :)
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