I cant believe we are half way through 2020. Today I’m excited to share with you what I read in June 2020. This is my best reading month of the year so far. I read so many amazing books this month but for some reason I’m having a hard time giving 5 stars.
Reading Stats
- Total Books Read – 10
- Pages Read – 1,608
- Audio book Total hours listened – 33
- Books by BIPOC authors – 6/10 (60% – I am focusing on this in order to diversify my reading so I’m adding this to my stats for myself)
- Favorite Book I read this month – The Vanishing Half
If you want more details for each book check out the review for each book. I have already reviewed some of them.
Feels Like Falling by Kristy Woodson Harvey
This is a great summer book, add it to your beach/pool bag! This is a lighter read that touches on some deeper themes with grace. I don’t tend to read much southern fiction but this book is making me read more of it, specially in the summer. Some of the topics covered include family, friendship, forgiveness and second chance at love.
Format – Audiobook
Rating – 4 Stars. Check out my review here.
I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown
In this collection of essays Austin Channing Brown tells her personal experiences as a Black woman living in a white world. The stories are eye opening and highlight many problems in our society. This is a book that will open your eyes and hopefully encourage action. If you are looking to read anti-racism books I recommend you start here.
Format – Audiobook
Rating – Read NOW. Check out my review here.
One to watch by Kate Stayman-London
Are you a fan of The Bachelor/Bachelorette reality TV show? I am! This book is the season of The Bachelorette we’d want. I LOVED it! The structure of the show on the book is very similar to The Bachelor shows. I thought it was very unique to write a book that read like you were watching a TV show. The format of the book is different. Some parts of the book where narrated but others were articles or text message exchanges. I thought it was very creative! This book is part of my Summer Reading Guide.
Format – Physical Book
Rating – 4.5 Stars. Check out my review here.
Here for it by R. Eric Thomas
This is a book of essays that had me laughing out loud. I picked this one up because I am trying to diversify my reading by reading more books from Black and LGBTQ authors. This book addresses some heavier topics with humor and overall I really enjoyed it. Some of the topics covered in the book include: marginalization, self acceptance, and how to fit in.
Format – Audiobook
Rating – Read. Check out my review here.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
This book has been everywhere and it was the GMA Book Club pick for June. I definitely lived up to the hype for me. The premise of the book is so interesting but it is so much more than that. The story focuses not only on the two sisters but also their daughters. If you are looking for a powerful and relevant book pick this one up.
Format – Physical Book
Rating – 4.5 Stars. Check out my review here.
The Book of Rosy by Rrosaira Pablo Cruz and Julie Schwietert
This was my book club’s pick for this month and we had a great discussion. It is a non-fiction book that tells the story of a mother who was separated from her children at the border. The book focuses on Rosy’s story and Julie Schwietert Collazo who is the founder of Immigrant Families Together, the grassroots organization that reunites mothers and children.
Format – Audiobook
Rating – Read NOW. Review coming soon!
The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory
I’ve been meaning to read another Jasmine Guillory book for a while. I really liked The Wedding Date and I just gave this book to my bridesmaids as a gift so it was a good time to read it. I was in the mood for a fun distraction and I really enjoyed this one. As it is typical with Jasmine Guillory’s books there’s a lot of food talk (which I love) and this book made me crave pizza. This book is part of my Summer Reading Guide.
Format – Physical Book
Rating – 4 Stars. Review coming soon!
The Last Flight by Julie Clark
I think I found a new favorite thriller! I saw a lot of great reviews about this book so I had to see if the hype is real. Aaron read this book and loved it so I picked it up right after he finished it. It definitely lived up to the hype for me. Its full of twists and has a great ending.
Format – Physical Book
Rating – 4.5 Stars. Review coming soon!
The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
I’ve had this book for a few months and I’m not sure why I hadn’t read it. After finishing The Book of Rosy I waned to read more about undocumented Americans so I decided to read this one. This is a non-fiction book written by one of the first undocumented Americans to graduate from Harvard. It tells the stories of undocumented Americans across the country and their struggles. This is a book everyone should read!
Format – Audiobook
Rating – Read NOW. Review coming soon!
White Fragility by Robin Diangelo
I have a long list of anti-racism books I want to read and I will be reading at least one anti-racism book a month for the next year. Aaron and I read and discussed this book together by reading one chapter a day. This book is a mirror to help you understand your White Fragility. I am so glad I read it but I’d say that this should not be the first anti-racism book you pick up. I recommend reading I’m Still Here (see above) first.
Format – Physical Book
Rating – Read NOW. Review coming soon!
What was your favorite book you read this month? Let me know in the comments!
