Mid-June Book Nerd Update (Day 171, Year 2)

Last week, when I was interviewing an oncology researcher, she remarked on all the books behind me in my office. She was impressed with my library (She could only see half of them; and she couldn't see my Kindle Library. Or the books in the garage or in my basement or on my bedside table or stashed in Nick's room or my cookbook collection in the kitchen.); and asked what was on my shelves. 

The answer: everything, except all the books I am yet to acquire. 

She told me that her first favorite books were Sherlock Holmes; because she loved the mystery in those and that is why she loves science--because it is like solving mysteries and being a detective. 

I love that. Books really are a window to our truest selves (and shelves). 

Since I shared my summer reading list way back on Day 149, I haven't read anything on my initial list. As usual, I was distracted by other recommendations, things I saw at the bookstore and random Kindle advertisements (for books that DO NOT include a naked cowboy turned small town school teacher looking for love. Seriously who is writing these books?). 

And while my distraction may seem like a failure on the book nerd front, I have read 5 books in 3 weeks, so I think I am winning!

Here's a quick June book nerd update and my reading list:

1. Float Plan by Trish Doller

Looked this book and it was the first in a series (and the second was published), so perfect for a binge. I wrote about this on Day 156. I loved it! It is sweet, but surprisingly deep. 

2. Verity by Colleen Hoover

This novel remains one of the most messed up things I've read. I loved it. It is brilliant, so go buy it and plan on ignoring your family, forgoing sleep and reading until you get to the messed up end! (More in my Day 158 review)

3. The Golden Couple by by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Hendricks and Pekkanen are fabulous writing duo. This book features a therapist who uses unconventional, but in my humble, possibly unethical opinion, logical tactics in her marriage therapy practice. She stalks and uncovers truths so couples can cut through the bullshit and get on with it. Anyway, one couple challenges even her superior stalking methods and it is brilliant until the very end, as all good thrillers should be. You think you figure it out and then you haven't it and then you have, but then you wonder. 

4. The Suite Spot by Trish Doller

The second book after Float Plan and equally delightful! Doller creates characters that are so highly likable, yet still flawed and have you rooting for them all to do the right thing and get their lives together. And then, they do, but not in a way that makes you want to vomit or roll your eyes. I cannot wait for the third installment! 

5. My Summer Darlings by May Cobb

Last year, Cobb published The Hunting Wives, a psychological thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed reading but hated every character mentioned in the book. I was sort of disgusted with myself for keeping on with it when I was rooting for everyone to catastrophically fail. Her 2022 release is thoroughly enjoyable, completed messed up, but I like most of the characters in a way that makes me not want everyone to die horrible deaths. I was concerned in several spots that I lose some of them! My Summer Darlings is truly a bit of shit show of humanity; but it is an enjoyable ride with characters who are not completely awful, until they are (but someone has to be!)

And last but not least, I am now reading:

6. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. 

A friend recommended this, so I am on it! I've only read the few opening pages; but I am already in love with the complexity of the writing and details that set the scenes just so perfectly.