Want to know what books I finished in June? In 2019, I’m sharing the books I read each month and what my honest thoughts were on those books. If you love books, you don’t want to miss this post! (You can see all of my book reviews for this year here.)
I set a goal to finish 80 books in 2019 and a second goal that 40 of those books will be books I already own. (You can see which books I picked to read from those I already own here).
By the way, I’m truly loving using GoodReads to track my reading. You all were right! It is really motivational to see my progress! And I’ve been ahead on my goal for the last month!
I finished 6 books in June —- yay! Here’s what I read + my honest thoughts on each of the books:
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
1. Killing Kennedy
After listening to Killing Lincoln and really finding it fascinating last month, I added this one to my list to listen to it (I got it free from the Libby app.)
It was really good, as well, and I learned so many details of history that I didn’t know. I will say that it did have some details that were definitely not appropriate for young ears. (Jesse and I were listening to it while on a road trip and had to turn it off since the kids were in the car!)
As I said with Killing Lincoln, “I learned so many intriguing details that I never knew before. Plus, having more historical context made the story so much more compelling.
From what I could tell, it was very well-researched and historically accurate. I appreciated that it didn’t seem politically motivated/biased but just very facts-based. If you enjoy history, this is a must-read/must-listen.”
Verdict: 4 stars
2. The Day the World Came to Town
I first found this when I was going through books that were available to read for free as part of the Kindle Unlimited deal. I mentioned it on one of my posts and a number of you highly recommended that I read this.
You all were right! This book chronicles the moving story of how Newfoundland opened their hearts and homes to thousands of passengers whose planes were diverted on 9/11.
It’s a beautiful story and I think it’s worth reading. There are a lot of different stories interwoven throughout the book, but I felt like the author did a great job of helping you keep everything straight.
Verdict: 4 stars
3. Sensitive & Strong
I was excited to get to read a pre-release copy of this book and write an endorsement for it. It’s written by two women who are both HSP (Highly Sensitive Persons) — one who embraces this idea and one who is hesitant to embrace that she is HSP.
The book gives you a lot of practical ways to navigate being highly sensitive and is full of insight and wisdom. Whether you are HSP or you just know someone who is and want to understand them better, I think it’s worth reading.
Verdict: 3 stars
4. Bearing Hope
This book was sent to me by the author and has been on my to read shelf for a long time. It’s a heartfelt compilation of stories and encouragement for women who struggle with infertility or child loss.
The author has experienced deep loss and heartache herself, so she understands what so many women face. In addition, she shares stories and perspectives from a lot of other women who have gone through a variety of situations — infertility, secondary infertility, infant loss, and more.
If you know someone who is experiencing infertility, I think this book could be a real encouragement and could help her feel less alone. (Do know that some women who are grieving infertility may not be in a place to receive a book on the topic, so I recommend being sensitive to that if you are thinking of giving this book as a gift.)
Verdict: 3 stars
5. Digital Minimalism
You know how much I loved Deep Work by Cal Newport. In fact, I loved it so much that I ended up having him on the podcast to talk about that book and his new book, Digital Minimalism. (Listen to that episode here.)
While I disagree with some of Cal’s strong stance against social media (I personally think that there is a lot of value in social media and the relationships I’ve built and the interactions I’ve had through it), I agree with his premise of being very intentional and strategic in what choices we make when it comes to the internet and our phones.
I love the emphasis he places on not being slaves to our devices, setting good boundaries for our time use, and thinking outside the cultural box when it comes to how we engage online. (You can read his philosophy of Digital Minimalism here.)
All in all, I think this is a very worthwhile read and would highly recommend it to anyone who spends any time online.
Verdict: 4 stars
6. Maid
This was an interesting audiobook that made me ponder a lot of my perspective. It was written by a woman who worked as a house cleaner in order to pay her bills during a really rocky financial season.
The reviews on Amazon of this book are pretty harsh. Many people felt like she was pretty whiny and ungrateful.
I could see how one could feel like that from reading or listening to her book. But I also think that she was trying to do the best she knew how. It’s easy for us to judge others when we haven’t walked in their shoes.
I don’t know how I would be if I landed in the place she was in. Because of this, I shouldn’t point fingers. However, to be completely honest, I still found myself judging her or disagreeing with her at times. It was good for me to recognize that and consider why and if there was valid reason for feeling like that or if I was just being critical and lacking empathy.
Overall, my biggest takeaway from this book was the reminder to treat people in service jobs like people not commodities. It’s challenged me to smile at the man working at the Kroger meat counter or the woman handing me my order at the drive through or the woman cleaning the bathroom at the airport.
Have you read this book? If so, I’d love to hear what you thought.
Verdict: 3 stars
What have you been reading recently? Any books you think I really need to read soon? I’d love to know!
I recently read Educated by Tara Westover. Tara grew up in a very conservative, home isolated from the outside. The children were not allowed to attend school or receive medical care. She taught herself enough to get a scholarship to BYU. She graduated with honors and eventually received graduate degrees from Cambridge. I found her story very inspiring and fascinating.
I read EDUCATED as well…fascinating.
It reminded me some of HILLBILLY ELEGY, which I also thought was very good. So glad you mentioned this book, Kristi.
YES! I can’t stop thinking about that book!
I just finished “The Pants Of Perspective: One Woman’s 3,000 kilometre running adventure through the wilds of New Zealand ” it was a Kindle Unlimited read (got in on the .99cent deal –thanks to you).
I really liked it. I seem to be really into books about long hiking trails as of late. I picked up another book about a trail that goes through France and Spain yesterday in a Little Library box started it last night, too early to decide if I like that one yet.
Another book recommendation: Careful What You Wish For by Nora Ephron. It’s about two women who run a decluttering business. I thought of you because I remember you like Marie Kondo.
MAID was problematic for me. I wanted to feel sympathy for her — and I sort of did, part of the time, when she was cleaning. Some of those houses really did sound nasty.
But she spent a great deal of her energy explaining why she couldn’t take advantage of the opportunities she did have. She couldn’t rent a different place (or wouldn’t take the effort to look for one) because, after all, she couldn’t afford it. (So how did she afford this place??) She couldn’t spend her money differently, either, because, after all, it was critical to buy this or go to that. (Really??)
Barbara Ehrenreich did the same thing in NICKEL AND DIMED. If you had actually worked at the some of the places she described, you would know that her choices were often based on whatever was easy or convenient for her personally — not what could have been different or healthier, as well as cheaper. As a writer who’s worked in many places, including Walmart, as well as cleaning toilets and vacuuming at a church, I know she could have made better decisions. That makes me feel unsympathetic when she begins whining.
I felt the same way about MAID.
If you want another look at poverty and how people dealt with it, any of Helen Forrester’s novels or memoirs are much more realistic, including TWOPENCE TO CROSS THE MERSEY: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Forrester
I am also a big fan of ITS A LONG WAY FROM PENNY APPLES by Bill Cullen. (ANGELA’S ASHES is another possibility, though you have the urge to fault Frank McCourt’s parents for getting their children in their difficulties.)
These books make the heroine of MAID look much wealthier and privileged than she would have you think.
My biggest moment of sympathy for her was in the beginning of the book, which clearly illustrated her genuine lack of family support. It was heartbreaking to hear about how she was so thin that her ribs stuck out, and how hungry she was for that steak that she erroneously thought her mother and stepfather were going to buy for her. My sympathy waned as the book went on, for reasons mentioned. It seemed that different choices would have made things more manageable for her (for example, spending so much money on gas to clean homes in such a wide radius; it seems that she could have found more private clients closer by, and then of course her relationship choices. Also, I have substantially more resources than she does, but I don’t insist on buying my son organic milk.) Regarding the tax refund: it’s been a while since I read the book, and I don’t have it to refer to, as I got it from the library. I recall that when she first got the refund she took her daughter out to Red Robin and let her order a huge meal, including a milkshake. I honestly don’t find that to be frivolous. I think spending a small portion of a windfall on a splurge is reasonable, especially since she and her daughter rarely have the luxury of a huge meal. I can’t remember what else she spent it on; maybe some of her choices were frivolous, but I can’t begrudge her that trip to Red Robin.
We are about to enter fostercare/adoption so I have read so quickly through these books! Three Little Words and Another Place at the Table! Not easy reads, but eye opening. They are memoirs. You’ve probably already read it, but I’ve also enjoyed Kristen Welch’s books…Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World. Thank you for your book reviews! I always enjoy them!
Three Little Words is SO good!
I haven’t read ANY of these but I plan to read a couple of them. Maid intrigues me and I plan to read it. It has always been a priority in raising my children to teach them that people in service jobs are not “servants” but hardworking people with a job. I taught my children to look them in the eye, say hello, or thank you. It is a pet peeve of mine when others seem blind to the service people around them.
Let me know your thoughts if you end up reading it!
As a HSS person myself, along with a daughter who is definitely a HSS, do you have any other book recommendations? I’m learning to navigate this and would appreciate any recs!
By the way, thank you so much for recommending the Libby app. I have “read” 3 audiobooks since downloading the app and love how easy it is (and so much cheaper then Audible).
YAY for Libby! And as far as other books… I’ve only read Anne Bogel’s book, Reading People, which is where I first really understood that I was HSP from. Maybe some others on here have some suggestions.
I highly recommend Dr. Elaine Aron’s books. Her first is The Highly Sensitive Person – How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You. (There is also a separate workbook available.)
The Highly Sensitive Child – Helping Our Children Thrive When the World Overwhelms Them is a great resource for parents of HSP children.
I read “Maid” recently, too, and my thoughts mirrored yours!
I read “Maid” and gave it five stars. I work with single moms. It’s so very difficult to make a living. I thought this book was a true representation of their journey.
That is so good to hear your perspective. Thank you for sharing!