Books Read in June 2023
I swear the further we get into the year the faster the months just fly by. Can you believe June is over? I know I say the same thing just about every month but, I mean, can you believe it?
June was a lighter month for me with my final total of books read being six. It was Pride month last month and while I only read two queer books, I did compile a list of 14 queer books to read for International Pride day and beyond because we don’t only read LGBTQ+ books in June. We read them all year long! 🌈❤✨
Star (⭐️) ratings are out of five and have no strict criteria. I’m a big mood reader so while a book might not have the strongest writing/plot/etc, I might still give it a strong rating because I had fun reading it. Here is the general way I decide on a rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Absolutely loved. Vibes were immaculate. Would definitely read again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Thoroughly enjoyed. Vibes were still amazing. Might read again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Good but not necessarily my cup of tea.
⭐️⭐️ - Left a lot to be desired.
⭐️ - Given out very, very rarely. Typically reserved for books with offensive content
*I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Babel by R.F. Kuang (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ½)
Amazon* | Bookshop* | Goodreads | StoryGraph
This book is nothing short of amazing. The first half of the book set up the second half so well that I predicted just about everything that happened but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment. R.F. Kuang is an absolute master at her craft and it’s clear how much care and research went into writing this novel. It’s on the slower, more literary side (I thought there’d be more fantasy aspects) so if that’s not what you’re looking for then maybe it’s not your vibe but I still recommend everyone read it.
That Summer Feeling by Bridget Morrissey (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Amazon* | Bookshop* | Goodreads | StoryGraph
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Read my full review here.
This book felt like a long, intense hug at the end of camp from your new best friend. It was so much fun. I loved going on this journey with Garland as she rediscovered herself after a painful divorce. It’s an important message about living your life authentically for yourself instead of for others and how you think it’s supposed to be. A fantastic book for anyone who had their queer awakening later in life.
Bless the Daughter Raised by a Voice in Her Head: Poems by Warsan Shire (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Amazon* | Bookshop* | Goodreads | StoryGraph
A beautiful collection of poems about the painful experiences that can come with womanhood and life as a refugee. This is something I’ll have to revisit since I struggled with following the audiobook to no one’s fault except my own.
Self-Made Boys by Anna-Maria McLemore (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ½)
Amazon* | Bookshop* | Goodreads | StoryGraph
What happens when you take The Great Gatsby but add in several layers of complexity by making several characters queer and Latinx? You get the beautifully, tender story that is Self-Made Boys.
Without giving away too much of how this retelling is different from the original novel, Self-Made Boys is a story about how important it is to create a life for yourself and create space for yourself when the rest of the world refuses to do so.
The Antiquity Affair by Lee Kelly & Jennifer Thorne (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Amazon* | Bookshop* | Goodreads | StoryGraph
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
If you take Indiana Jones, The Mummy, and make the main characters two sisters with opposite personalities, you get The Antiquity Affair. A fun, action-packed archeological adventure with anti-imperialism as one of the central themes. It has puzzles, betrayals, a case of mistaken identity, and a dash of romance. A fun, wild ride with non-stop twists and turns.
Ajax by Kelsie Calloway (⭐️⭐️ ½ )
Amazon* | Bookshop | Goodreads | StoryGraph
I don’t know what I expected from a second chance romance set in a cabin during a snowstorm that’s only 48 pages long. It’s fine if you want something quick and somewhat dirty.
I don’t have a plan for my TBR for July other than work on some of my book challenges including the ESSENCE Fest Readathon Challenge curated by The Collective Curates. The readathon runs from June 26th to July 3rd, so it’s just about over, but there are tons of excellent authors and books to check out. All donations go to The Boys and Girls Club of Louisiana - New Orleans, where ESSENCE Fest is held, and benefits their literacy programs.
What’s on your TBR for July?
