Ah June. The first month of summer, and the 1/2 mark of 2022. This month was incredible in terms of reads + music. I even closed the month out with some concerts–I got to see my piano/vocal teacher from when I was in high-school Natalie Huggins play, AND Dean Lewis St. Louis tour stop. Both were fantastic–and the Dean Lewis show nearly made me cry.
Here are my Storygraph June 2022 stats–though I take the mood categories with a grain of salt. They’ve got Beth O’Leary’s The No-Show down as a “lighthearted” book and I’ve got to disagree! That book tore my heart out. But the graphs are, of course, still fun to look at.
Arguably more interesting would be the genre breakdown–though I have to say I really dropped the ball on Pride Reads this month. There was so much going on politically that I honestly didn’t feel like celebrating. An unfortunate reality of the times. That being said, I do need to prioritize queer reads and will keep it on my radar as I head into the second half of the year.
the highlights
I started the month off strong with three back-to-back romance reads that were all 4+ stars for me: The No-Show by Beth O’Leary, Dream On by Angie Hockman (out 7/5/22), and a new favorite Love & Other Words by Christina Lauren.
I also read two YA series this month–all three books in the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder trilogy by Holly Jackson and the three currently released titles in Katharine McGee’s American Royals series. The A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder trilogy really blew me away–I thought that the writing and characterization was fantastic. Jackson lost me a bit with the plot of the third title, but I overall really enjoyed the series. American Royals, on the other hand, I was planning to binge like I did The Selection back in 2020–much to my surprise there is another book coming out. While it was the sort of soapy, cast-of-characters based series I was looking for, I had really hoped things would be wrapping up in book three. It’s definitely not my favorite, but I think younger YA readers + anyone who enjoys The Selection, Gossip Girl, 90210, or The Luxe, series (mix of t.v. and books there) would enjoy these. Jury’s still out on whether I’ll pick up book four once it’s released.
I’m two books into my Octavia Butler reading adventure (a little bit behind, I’d say, but have it all scheduled out) and I’m loving them so far! Working my way through the Pattern Master books now before launching into Kindred.
Last two 4+ star reads were Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid and In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado. Carrie Soto blew me away, of course, and I can’t wait for the world to read it. There’s a reason Reid is one of my favorite authors and is loved by so many! Carrie Soto also felt particularly special as someone who grew up in the world of tennis (I’m not a great player myself, but my whole family/extended family plays). It was so fun! In the Dream House was visceral and heartbreaking; ultimately, such a revolutionary text and powerful reference tool for those who struggle to confront abuse within the LGBTQIA+ community, specifically among sapphic women.
the music
Ultimately, good reads and good music for June. Excited as to what July has to bring.
