What I Read — June 2023

As we entered June, with the warm promise of summer to come, I couldn't help but indulge in some easier-to-read books while soaking up the turquoise waters of Lake Bled in Slovenia. This month features an eclectic mix of historical fiction, mystery, and, of course, some self-help. Because, hey, even during this season of relaxation and adventures, there's always room for personal growth and working towards our goals!

As always, I clarify in my reviews whether I listened to or physically read the book. I also link all of the book covers to Goodreads so you can read more reviews if you’re so inclined.

Here’s everything I enjoyed this June:

rEAL sELF-CARE
Pooja Lakshmin

Stats: Psychology, 6 hours and 15 minutes

Quick summary
We’ve been sold that self-care is anything from juices to yoga retreats to bubbles baths. As a board certified psychologist, Lakshmin peels back the layers of marketing in the self-care industry and explains why these solutions don’t work. She uncovers the gendered nature of these so-called solutions and sheds light on how society sets women up for a lose-lose situation. According to Lakshmin, real self-care is about summoning the courage to make tough choices and challenging a system not built for you.

What I thought:
Yes! Yes! Yes! Lakshmin hits the nail on the head with this one. All these self-care books and media make it seem like a bubble bath can solve all our problems, but let's be real—those are just tiny serotonin Band-Aids. If we want to break free from the loop of “bad feelings”, we need to dig deeper and confront the root causes behind our emotions.

Who should read it:
Women. Literally all women.

The Island of Missing Trees
Elif Shafak

Stats: Historical Fiction, 368 pages

Quick summary
Set in Cyprus, two teenagers, Kostas and Defne, fall in love under a fig tree in a local tavern. The island is in turmoil between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, both claiming the land is theirs, which is exactly why Kostas and Defna shouldn’t be together. Told through split timelines of the past and present, Shafak's lyrical prose weaves a unique story on the meaning of love, loyalty and heritage.

What I thought:
This was recommended by a friend after I posted about how much I loved the slow burn, sensory writing of Spells for Forgetting, and I was swept away by it. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that was set in Cyprus, and it gave me the opportunity to learn more about the Turkish/Greek conflict of the mid-70s, something I was completely unaware of prior to reading this book.

Who should read it:
Fans of slow burn, complex love stories with a touch of magical realism.

The London Séance Society
Sarah Penner

Stats: Mystery, 352 pages

Quick summary
Following her sister’s brutal murder, Lenna travels from London to Paris, determined to uncover the truth behind that fateful night. She seeks guidance from Vaudeline D’Allaire, a renowned spiritualist, delving into the afterlife and a world she doesn’t believe in. During the middle of a séance, Vaudeline is summoned back to London to solve a high-profile murder. With Leanna accompanying her, the two women stumbled upon an underbelly of crime and deceit buried in the afterlife.

What I thought:
The spooky books are back, my friends! Since I enjoyed Penner’s debut novel, I was eagerly awaiting the release of this book and was not disappointed. While there was a lot of spiritualism through the séance theme, this one definitely tipped more towards a mystery or thriller trying to find a London killer.

Who should read it:
I’m going to say mystery and true crime fans. Spice up your genre a little bit with some magical realism.

Drama Free: A Guide to Managing Unhealthy Family Relationships
Nedra Glover Tawwab

Stats: Psychology, 7 hours and 36 minutes

Quick summary
In Tawwab’s sophomore book, she moves beyond establishing boundaries and into navigating some of the most complex relationships humans have: those with our families. Unlike strangers and friends, we don’t choose our family and that can lead to a breeding ground of unhealthy relationship patterns like enmeshment, gaslighting, neglect and abuse.

What I thought:
I’m a huge fan of this author and I love how direct she is about managing relationships and boundaries. This one was a little less helpful for me personally (only because my family dynamics didn’t match up to most of the scenarios) than her previous book, but I still highly recommend it, especially to people raised by a single parent, divorced parents, or in a blended family or those who have experienced neglect or abuse (emotional or physical). It is absolutely a must-read for anyone who grew up under any of those conditions and is currently in a parenting role as there is a lot of help with breaking cycles.

Who should read it:
Honestly, I think most people either grew up in an unhealthy situation or are currently navigating one.

Maybe in Another Life
Taylor Jenkins Reed

Stats: Romance, 342 pages

Quick summary
After leaving her life behind in New York to return to her hometown of Los Angeles, Hannah goes to a bar with her best friend, Gabby. She runs into many of her high school friends, including her first love, Ethan. As the evening draws to a close, she has two options: go home with Gabby or leave with Ethan. What follows is a captivating narrative that unfolds in alternating chapters, exploring the divergent paths Hannah's life could have taken based on that decision.

What I thought:
Page-turner! It’s been so long since a book has kept me reading well into the night. Is it formulaic chick lit? Yes. Did the main character’s immaturity at every turn annoy me? Yes. Did I love it? Also, yes.

Who should read it:
It’s summertime, baby. Let your mind relax a little bit and unwind with a quick romance. You’ve earned it.

Tuck Everlasting
Natalie Babbitt

Stats: Classic, 3 hours and 32 minutes

Quick summary
The Tuck family discovers a spring hidden deep in the woods that grants them eternal life. A hundred years later, Winnie Foster ventures into the woods and finds one of the Tucks and the spring. As Winnie wrestles with the idea of everlasting life and the consequences it brings, she finds herself torn between the allure of eternal youth and the beauty of life's natural cycle.

What I thought:
After a few too many “betterment” books, I decided to return to my classic lit reading quest. For being such a short book, Tuck Everlasting gives the reader a lot to think about in terms of immortality. Will it maybe send you into an existential crisis? Perhaps.

Who should read it:
Someone who simultaneously wants something easy to read while going on a philosophical journey.

Have you read anything lately that you’ve absolutely loved? Leave a comment with your suggestion! I’m always on the hunt for the next great book, whether it’s fiction or nonfiction!

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