Read This Next: June 2024

June has been a slow starter here in Germany, with summer taking its sweet time to arrive. While waiting for the warm days to kick in, I’ve taken advantage of the cooler weather to finish up some knitting projects. Even though my focus has been on knitting, I’ve still found time for some late-night reading, and I’m excited to share this month’s book lineup with you. From heartfelt romances to introspective memoirs, here’s what kept me turning pages this June.

As usual, I found a variety of genres ending up on my nightstand. I found myself picking up a little bit of everything, from the latest release by Emily Henry, to a gripping memoir by Jennette McCurdy, to a charming slice-of-life book about books.

As always, I clarify in my reviews whether I listened to or physically read the book. I also link all of the book cover images to Goodreads so you can click on them to read more reviews if you’re so inclined. So, with that, let’s see what you should read next!

Funny Story
Emily Henry

Stats: Romance, 387 pages

Quick summary
Daphne always relished telling “their” story until her soon-to-be ex-fiancé, Peter, returns home from his bachelor party, informing her that the wedding is off and he’s actually in love with his childhood best friend, Petra. Having uprooted her entire life to mesh with Peter’s, Daphne finds herself with nowhere to go, so she moves in with Petra’s now-ex, Miles. As soon as her big event is done at work, Daphne is moving out of state, ready to leave all this mess behind. Sharing her plans with Miles, he offers to show her all that Waning Bay, Michigan has to offer before she leaves. How could she say no?

What I thought:
I know I’ve said that I’m not usually into romance reads, but every summer I make room for the latest Emily Henry book. I just can’t help myself after loving Beach Read, which has remained my favorite book of hers, followed by Happy Place, released last year. Friends, Ms. Henry has outdone herself this year. I loved this book, and it has officially taken the top spot in Emily Henry’s meet-cute cannon. There was so much to make this a late-night page turner: limited over-the-top cheesy dialog, complex character histories and a consistently high level of spice throughout.

Who should read it:
Romance fans, this is the must-read of the summer. Trust me.

I’m Glad My Mom Died
Jennette McCurdy

Stats: Memoir, 6 hours and 26 minutes

Quick summary
Thrust into acting at a young age, McCurdy’s memoir takes a raw and unflinching look at her life growing up in the public eye and her enmeshed relationship with her mother. McCurdy recounts her experiences with dark humor and brutal honesty, shedding light on the pressures of child stardom and the emotional abuse she endured. Through her writing, she starts to find her own voice and healing from decades of being controlled by her mother's ambitions.

What I thought:
Wow. Since I was a little older than the target demo for iCarly, I wasn’t familiar with Jennette, her character or the show, but this book has been on every list since it came out in 2022. Many chapters were difficult to read, particularly those involving her mother not only encouraging her eating disorder, but teaching her how to restrict as a child. It feels weird to say I enjoyed this book, but I flew through it and was thoroughly captivated by McCurdy’s storytelling.

Who should read it:
Fans of memoirs.

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop
Hwang Bo-Reum

Stats: Slice of Life, 320 pages

Quick summary
Burnt out from her job and her commitments, Yeongju runs away to open a bookshop in a cozy neighborhood of Seoul. Not really knowing what to do, she hires a young barista, also lost in the world after graduating college with no job prospects. Slowly the bookshop takes hold in the neighborhood, and becomes not just a refuge for the owner, but also for a diverse cast of characters looking for their place to belong.

What I thought:
An utter delight. This book was a warm cup of tea and a big hug of prose. Originally published in Korean, the genre for this book loosely translates to “healing fiction” and that’s exactly what it is. The pacing is slow and there aren’t many twists and turns. Instead it’s following characters as they live their little lives. It’s about how books bring us together. And I loved it.

Who should read it:
Fans of Midnight Library and The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. Book lovers. People who feel overwhelmed or stressed with their current situation. People in need of a cozy book.

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
Daniel H. Pink

Stats: Psychology, 5 hours and 53 minutes

Quick summary
Pink dives into what truly motivates us, challenging Motivation 1.0, or a system based on punishments and rewards. He reveals that autonomy, mastery, and purpose are the real drivers of Motivation 2.0 in our current society. Through compelling research and case studies, Pink shows how fostering intrinsic motivation can lead to higher job performance and satisfaction. The book ends with suggestions for further reading and how to start incorporating Motivation 2.0 tactics into companies and your daily life.

What I thought:
My spouse suggested this book to me, and since I took a whole course on motivational psychology in undergrad, I didn’t find a lot of new information here. I still think it’s a worthwhile book, especially for those who have never heard the term intrinsic motivation before.

Who should read it:
Honestly, I think motivational psychology is fascinating, and I’m hard-pressed to find anyone who wouldn’t benefit from learning more about it.

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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