June is here and gone. Am I the only one who is surprised that half the year is over already? Am I the only one excited about what the next half will bring? I am hoping it works out better than the first half of the year. June 2021 reading wrap-up is going to be the same, yet different. I’m going to share my stats as well.
Mid Year Stats
| Books Read | Pages Read | Avg. Pages | DNF | Audio | |
| Jan | 5 | 1957 | 391 | 0 | 1 |
| Feb | 7 | 2377 | 340 | 0 | 1 |
| Mar | 7 | 2366 | 338 | 0 | 2.25 |
| Apr | 5 | 1606 | 321 | 3 | 1.5 |
| May | 6 | 1681 | 281 | 0 | 2 |
| Jun | 7 | 2190 | 313 | 3 | 2.5 |
June 2021 Reading Wrap Up
After looking at my May Reading Wrap Up, and out of the five books I listed to read for June I only read two. But one of those I didn’t finish.
- The Thing About Leftovers by C.C. Payne
- Two Trees Make a Forest: Travels Among Taiwan’s Mountains & Coasts in Search of My Family’s Past by Jessica J. Lee
- The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
- Love at First by Kate Clayborn
- A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey
- When You Get the Chance by Tom Ryan & Robin Stevenson
- Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
- The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk
- Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar
DNF Books
- How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House by Cherie Jones
- The Light of Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler’s Ghettos by Judy Batalion
- Better Together by Christine Riccio
A Brief Summary of Each Book
Book 1: The Thing About Leftovers by C.C. Payne
The Thing About Leftovers is a middle-grade coming-of-age novel written by C.C. Payne. It is a story about a girl trying to be perfect to feel like she belongs in her family. I read this book as part of a reading challenge, where the theme for June was a book Set in the Southern United States. This book is set in Kentucky.
Book 2: Two Trees Make a Forest: Travels Among Taiwan’s Mountains & Coasts in Search of My Family’s Past by Jessica J. Lee
Two Trees Make a Forest: Travels Among Taiwan’s Mountains & Coasts in Search of My Family’s Past is a non-fiction book that combines history, language, nature, and memoir writing. I was introduced to this book through the CBC Canada Reads 2021 list.
In this book, Lee examines her family’s past as she knew only the bare minimum. Growing up, she always thought she had no other family on her mother’s side other than her grandparents. However, after their passing, she learns that there is more than meets the eye. She also discusses the history of Taiwan and how over time, not only has it culturally changed over the years but also environmentally. Along the way, Lee also covers her struggles of figuring out where she fits in as she isn’t as connected to Taiwan as many people there think she should be.
Book 3: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
The Midnight Library discusses mental health, especially depression and suicide. It also discusses the regrets we have and how best to deal with them. It was the Goodreads Choice Award Winner for Fiction in 2020.
Book 4: Love at First by Kate Clayborn
Love at First is a combination of missed connections, enemies to lovers, and secret lovers rolled into one. This book hit my radar in January as part of an anticipated release list on Goodreads.
Book 5: A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey
A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow was a pick for the Reese Witherspoon YA Reading Club in November 2020. I listened to this book on audio. This book was picked as part of the Uncorked Reading Challenge, and the theme for June was a Book With a Beverage in the Title.
I should mention there are content warnings for the book. Some topics discussed include death, grief, loss of relationships, homesickness, mental health, and early-onset dementia. There is also some drinking by the main characters, as the drinking age in England is 18. Drinking does not happen a lot, but it is there, even by those who are 15 and 16.
I enjoyed the book for what it is, a story, a work of fiction. One that gave me a look into a different person’s life.
Book 6: When You Get the Chance by Tom Ryan & Robin Stevenson
When You Get the Chance is a great road-trip, coming-of-age story. Both Mark and Talia grow and mature through their adventure. The main characters are part of the LGBTQ+ community, and each has their own reasons for attending Toronto Pride.
When You Get the Chance is a collaborative work by Canadian authors Tom Ryan and Robin Stevenson. This YA contemporary was released in May 2021 by Running Press Kids. I was introduced to this book by Hailey from Hailey in Wonderland, a wonderful Canadian Booktuber.
Book 7: Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
This is the first book in the Brown Sisters trilogy. This one features a chronically ill female lead and a male lead who isn’t full of toxic masculinity. The book has a trigger warning at the beginning of the book from the author, and there are many steamy scenes.
Book 8: The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk
The Midnight Bargain is a fantastic stand-alone fantasy from Canadian author C.L Polk. I was introduced to this book as it was part of the CBC Canada Reads 2021 list.
Reading this book, you will find yourself in a Regency-era story, but with a magical twist. It is full of magic, wealth, and romance!
Book 9: Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar
Hani and Ishu, released May 2021, is set in Dublin, Ireland, and discusses some serious topics. The author added a content warning at the beginning of the book due to racism, homophobia, Islamaphobia, toxic friendship, gaslighting, and parental abandonment. That said, this YA contemporary is well written. It honestly addresses these topics.
DNF Books
Out of the 3 books I listed above, I will attempt to read The Light of Days again. I feel it’s a story that needs to be told, and I enjoyed it while I read it. But I just had other books I was drawn to.
July 2021 TBR
I have two books that I am currently reading, Nemesis by Agatha Christie and Indians on Vacation by Thomas King, that I will share on my wrap-up for July.
- Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales
- One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
- Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
- Perfect by Rachel Joyce
- The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie
Looking for some more ideas to read? Check out my other monthly reading wrap-ups.
The Midnight Library, The Midnight Bargain, and Love at First are all on my TBR list. And I thoroughly enjoyed Get a Life, Chloe Brown.