🌈June Reads 📚
June was a fun month and we still made steady progress as far as reading. Read two books and got to try audiobooks again so that was a cool reminder that audiobooks can be a fun way of reading as well 🤭
These are my June Reads 📚
1. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt - Our story follows three characters. First we have Tova, a grieving elderly widow whose son died when he was 18 and she is still trying to come to terms with his loss. In trying to stay occupied, she takes a job cleaning floors at the local aquarium where she meets Marcellus. Marcellus is a giant Pacific octopus who is very intelligent & observant of the humans around him. Last but not least, we have our third character, Cameron. A young man who finds himself in Sowell Bay searching for his father. As Tova prepares to retire & Cameron is searching for answers, Marcellus plans to help Tova & Cameron discover their unlikely bond and help them realize they are not as alone as they might feel. Genuinely a really wholesome book. I’m looking forward to watching the Netflix adaptation!
⭐️Rating: 4.5 out of 5
2. The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers - Two women who are connected due to their sisters' disappearances come together to work their cold cases. As they trace back the last few weeks of each sister's life they begin to unravel secrets and discover how their cases are connected and who the real culprit may be.
This was a re-read for me since I read this book last year, but it was our Book Club Book of the Month for June. This was the first time I listened to the audiobook and it was interesting to listen to someone else reading it. Will definitely consider audiobooks as a form of reading for future books 😊
⭐️Rating: 3.5 out of 5
3. Theo of Golden by Allen Levi - Theo is an elderly man who is new to the town of Golden. When he visits the local coffee shop and discovers a wall of hand drawn portraits, he makes it his new purpose to buy these portraits and gift them to the person sketched in each portrait, all he asks in return in that each person sits with him for a bit and have a real conversation so he can get to know each person. Thru this new venture he meets the locals of Golden and develops friendships & builds his own community. However while Theo is getting to know everyone, as the reader you have very little details as to why Theo went to Golden in the first place. The last six chapters were nothing but tears. Haven’t cried from a book like this since I read The Nightingale. This was such a beautiful story about people from all walks of life being able to find common ground. The importance of kindness & generosity and the lasting impact it can have. And a reminder that life is fragile and tomorrow isn’t promised.
⭐️Rating: 5 out of 5
#books #reading #lemon8bookclub #bookrecommendations #BookReview
As someone who often juggles a busy schedule, I found June to be a particularly rewarding month for my reading journey. Trying audiobooks again was a refreshing experience that brought a new depth to my engagement with the stories. For instance, listening to Ashley Flowers’ "The Missing Half" allowed me to pick up on nuances in tone and tension that I may have missed when reading silently. It’s a format I now highly recommend for book club picks or when life gets hectic. Delving into the story of "Remarkably Bright Creatures," the unique narrative perspective of Marcellus, the giant Pacific octopus, really stood out to me. It’s rare to find a book that so creatively incorporates an animal character into a human-centered story, blending melancholy, hope, and unexpected friendship. This novel’s themes of grief and connection stayed with me long after I finished reading. On the other hand, "Theo of Golden" by Allen Levi profoundly moved me with its emphasis on community and kindness. Theo’s mission to engage personally with everyone in Golden reminded me how simple acts of generosity can build powerful bonds. I found myself reflecting on how I can incorporate more genuine conversations with those around me, reinforcing that life’s fragility makes these moments even more precious. Engaging with these books over June not only enriched my reading habits but also inspired reflections on empathy, connection, and the different ways we experience stories—whether through pages or sound. For anyone looking to uplift their reading list or try new formats, these picks—especially accompanied by fresh audiobook explorations—offer diverse, deeply human perspectives that resonate beyond the final chapter.
