LibraryReads for June

They posted the LibraryReads for June shortly after I posted my blog. Two of the titles on the list, I just spoke about last week so I won't go into them other than title author. Some of the others were surprises to me.

Number one on the list is Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave. Another beach read book, I believe. A career minded young woman, Julia, sees something on the street while being fitted for her wedding dress. It causes her to run home to a vineyard in Sonoma, CA. A book about relationships, with parents, with other family and with yourself. A strong sense of place and delightfully imagined characterizations.

Next, let me get the 2 we have already discussed out of the way.
Paul Doiron's The Precipice which I have on my list to read and Elin Hilderbrand's The Rumor which I just know you will see people reading on the beach this summer.

Now, there is one nonfiction work. Pirate Hunters: Treasure, Obsession and the Search for a Legendary Pirate Ship by Robert Kurson. This is basically the story of 3 people who go in search for a sunken pirate ship. One reviewer called "history, biography, and psychology rolled into one page-turning tale."

The author of A Man Called Ove, Fredrik Backman, has written another work just as lovely but completely different. My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry is the story of a 7 year old little girl whose only friend is her 77 year old crazy grandmother who dies and leaves letters to all the people that she felt needed an apology. Said to be extremely affecting.

Next we have the children's/teens author Judy Blume with a book aimed at adults, In the Unlikely Event  Miri Ammerman returns home to Elizabeth, NJ after 35 years to revisit events that happened the year she was 15 and 3 passengers planes crashed in a short period. Reviewers say the sense of time and place was outstanding and although the number of characters were confusing it was definitely worth it.

Erika Johansen's The Invasion of the Tearling made the list. It is the second volume of her fantasy tale of Kelsea, the new Tearling Queen. Those who read the extremely well reviewed first volume have been waiting for this one. Without going into the plot of the first one, just know that the Tearling were supplying slaves for the evil kingdom next to theirs. Kelsea stopped sending the slaves so the evil kingdom attacked them to take the slaves themselves.

Nina George's The little Paris Bookshop is next. 50 year old Jean Perdu owns a book barge on the River Seine in Paris. From it, he dispenses literary remedy for all. He himself has a lost love who left him with a sealed letter (he has never opened) 21 years ago. He finally opens the letter and takes the barge down the Seine toward Provence to find the truth. A story of love and loss. It has been an international best sellers.

The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler is perhaps a little dark but magical also so.....you make the decision. Reviewers have compared it favorably to The Night Circus so if you liked that title, definitely pick this one up. Simon Watson is a librarian whose life is falling apart when someone sends him an old book that has his grandmother's name in it. He discovers that among other things, women in his family seem to drown themselves on July 24th. Suddenly, close to that magic date, he gets a phone call from his sister who says she is coming home. Simon believes it is up to him to see if he can break the curse.

Lastly, Annie Barrows has The Truth According to Us on the list. Interestingly, Barrows co-authored The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society with her aunt. This work is also a sweet, gentle read. It takes place in 1938 rural West Virginia when a young female working for the Federal Writer's Project comes to record the history of Macedonia, WV. Surprisingly, secrets are uncovered and some not willingly.

OK - enjoy this months list. Hope something reaches out and tempts you.