I didn’t read as many books this month but the books I did read were a little longer than normal. I will say that this month’s books were much more enjoyable than last month’s. So here’s what I read:
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak | 5/5 stars
Short synopsis: It is 1939. Nazi Germany. By her brother’s graveside, Liesel’s life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordian-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor’s wife’s library, wherever there are books to be found. But when Liesel’s foster family hides a Jew in their basement, Liesel’s world is both opened up, and closed down.
This book has easily become one of my favorite books of all time. I wrote a review on it a couple of weeks back if you want to read that for a more in-depth discussion of my favorite quotes and sections of the book. I’m probably the last person on earth to read this book and I don’t even have a good reason as to why that is. Nevertheless, I am very glad I read the book. I can’t recommend it enough!
The Voyage Out by Virginia Woolf | 4/5 stars
Short synopsis: Rachel Vinrace embarks for South America on her father’s ship and is launched on a course of self-discovery in a kind of modern mythical voyage. The mismatched jumble of passengers provide Woolf with an opportunity to satirise Edwardian life.
I had only read one book by Virginia Woolf — Between the Acts — which didn’t impress me too much. It was Woolf’s last novel. The Voyage Out, however, was Woolf’s first novel and I enjoyed it so much more! It’s a mixture of both the Brontë sisters’ dark aesthetic and Jane Austen’s romantic flair. It’s both enlightening and tragic. This book touched my heart although I’m still not sure how to feel about the ending. But I guess it wouldn’t be a Woolf novel if you were.
P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han | 4/5 stars
Short synopsis: Lara Jean Song Covey finds herself being pursued by two boys between whom she must choose. Peter Kavinsky was her boyfriend until she broke up with him because he lied to her. John Ambrose McClaren is a grade school friend with whom Lara Jean has recently reconnected.
This second book of the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy was a much needed light read after having read The Book Thief and The Voyage Out. I definitely still enjoyed the first book of the trilogy though. I read this book as an e-book whereas with the first book I read as an audiobook. (Side note: I wonder if the medium through which you read a book makes a difference on how much you enjoy it.) Regardless, this is a fun, light-hearted read if you’re looking for something casual and easy to read.
Total number of pages read this month: 1264 pages
Books I’m reading but haven’t finished yet:
- The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins (audiobook)
- Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
- The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson
Do you read multiple books at once?
What was your favorite book that you read in June?
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xx
Books mentioned in this post:
bonitappétit 