Books of June 2021
June was a busy month between work, travel, and home life - definitely the busiest one in the last year! I think that was reflected somewhat in the number of books that I read, but I’m okay with that. My focus has been on other things and that has made me appreciate the time that I do have to read even more!
In June I read the following 10 books:
Classic: Madame Bovary - 3 Stars. This is one of those novels that almost everyone is familiar with, so I figured it was about time that I read it. The language used throughout the book was beautiful and perfectly aligned with all that I’ve come to expect from that era of literature. The characters were complex, if not particularly compelling. I found myself a bit lost at times, but I blame that more on the other things going on in my life than the book itself. It may not be the most relaxing summer read, but it is a dense historical manuscript with many memorable lines.
Re-Read: Slaughterhouse-Five - I read this book all the time. I think I have read it more than almost any other book. I even read it just a few months ago at the end of 2020. It definitely falls into the category of “comfort books” for me, which is admittedly odd, given its topic, language, and substance. And I did note when I read it a few months ago that reading it in the midst of a world in turmoil made it slightly less enjoyable than usual. But every time I still find myself laughing, tearing up, and completely enthralled by so many of the literary devices used throughout the story. The characters aren’t particularly relatable or agreeable, but they aren’t supposed to be. Rather they read much more like archetypes than actual people, and that is why I appreciate them. I’m not sure when I’ll read the book again, but it’s one that I purchased this year, so now that it is on my shelf it will always be close at hand.
In addition to the books from my selected categories, I also read:
The Listening Path: The Creative Art of Attention - 3 Stars. Although I haven’t read The Artist’s Way, I am familiar with a lot of the ideas it presents and I plan to read it soon. Regardless, I dove into this book and was excited for what it had to share. Listening is a skill that is important for everyone, and even more so for me in my work as a coach. We have to learn how to listen to others and ourselves, and it is from there that true growth can occur. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel like this book presented too many unique ideas on how to do that. Even though I haven’t read the Artist’s Way, I found there to be a lot of overlap with the concepts that I know it covers. Also, many of the stories and testimonials shared detracted and distracted from the overall narrative, rather than propelling it forward. I still plan to read The Artist’s Way, and to deepen my listening skills, I will just be doing that without the assistance I hoped I would gain from this book.
Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most - 4 Stars. I will admit, I enjoyed Greg McKeown’s last book, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less when it came out a few years ago, but I didn’t think that it shared too many unique concepts. It felt like once shared, the main idea was pretty straightforward and understandable. In some ways, this book is the same, but I felt like this one held much more engaging nuance. That may be because I now run several businesses, work from home, and just generally have a bit more on my plate than I did when I read Essentialism, but I also think that Effortless is just the book that I needed to read more (and maybe that we all do). Life isn’t just about cutting back to solely the essential things, it’s about reducing the effort required for those things, considering how we might want to spend that effort in other ways, or deciding not to expend the effort at all. Giving ourselves permission to do less and rest is something I think we could all use a bit more of.
Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking - 3 Stars. This book covers some of the deepest, most profound, and transformational topics that are being discussed in the world today - in my opinion, of course. The research, science, and studies shared in the book provide evidentiary support to so much of the work that I do in my own life, and also with my coaching clients. I did think, however, that a lot of the research, science, and studies got in the way of the core message of the book. It was very dense, and at times, the sheer quantity of information pulled my attention away from the reasons the research is so powerful to begin with, and the truly tangible, transformational tools. I loved hearing about the new research that supports the work I know is incredibly powerful, and I loved reading about the tools that were shared (many of which I use, and some I plan to incorporate), but I didn’t feel like either was presented in the best way possible.
Dedicated: The Case for Commitment in an Age of Infinite Browsing - 3 Stars. As with many similar books, the title of this book pretty much states the entire premise. Not that that is a bad thing, it is the perfect roadmap for what is to come. And clearly, I was intrigued enough by the title to at least pick it up. I appreciated all of the nuances shared, and the examples and research seemed relevant. Overall, the book felt like it dragged on a bit longer than necessary, especially for a topic that seemed relatively uncontroversial. But the more I considered It, the more I realized the necessity of much of what was shared. While we likely wouldn't disagree with the premise, and as the book pointed out, we often most appreciate and respect the people who live it out, that doesn't mean that we do the same. The book is necessary because we continue to live in a world of endless scrolling, surface conversation, and noncommital browsing. Commitment and dedication are the things that we need to break through to the next level, but they are also the things that will never be found in the places we are looking. Dedication to finishing a book on commitment, however, is the perfect place to start.
Beach Read - 4 Stars. As the name suggests, this was a great novel to read as we launch into summer. As soon as the characters were introduced, it was clear how the story would end, but that predictability only irritated me a little bit. While the story definitely feels like a Hallmark movie (with slightly darker undertones), the characters have a bit more depth and complexity. I also fell in love with the depiction of the writing process and the illustration of what it is like when that process fails - or just no longer works the way that it once did. Although not everyone will face roadblocks at work that send them into a new genre - or the arms of their new neighbor, most people can relate to the feeling of being stuck or stunted, and the desperation of needing to find a new path. Even the cover of this book made me smile and want to head straight to the beach with a glass of iced tea - there was no time for that this month or while I read this book, but I’m sure it would have been nice.
The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness - 4 Stars. There was something about this book that I really loved. Often it will take me a few chapters to get into a book, but with this one, I was hooked from the beginning. The writing style was engaging and conversational and the chapters were a perfect length (something that all readers know is a true joy). The book talks about all things related to making money, spending money, using money, and leveraging money. Most of the topics are presented from a unique angle or with a twist to help you see the idea in a different way. I don’t agree with everything the book shares, but I found the vast majority of the concepts fascinating, and some even shifted my mindset. Also, the (somewhat amorphous) action steps, the stories, and the unique concepts are mixed together very well. I’ve always loved psychology and money, and this book was the perfect blend of both.
Two Truths and a Lie: A Murder, a Private Investigator, and Her Search for Justice - 4 Stars. I’ve been on a crime kick lately, and this book definitely fits the bill. From page 1 and the depiction of a brutal death in the electric chair, I couldn't put the book down. I’m fascinated by investigators of all types, and I loved reading about Ellen McGarrahan’s process. She dug through so much information, sought out so many interviews, and literally traveled around the world in pursuit of an answer to satisfy the ghost that haunted her. There were so many twists and turns, and although I was disappointed that it wasn’t tied up with a nice bow, I was still surprisingly okay with the resolution. It was the perfect reminder that not only are happy endings somewhat rare, sometimes there isn’t an ending at all - and the work to do then is to somehow become okay with that.
A Lady Compromised - 3 Stars. This series has intrigued me from the beginning, and the style and setting continue to keep me engaged. It is deeply reminiscent of Agatha Christie, but with slightly less compelling characters. Both do tend towards an overabundance of characters, however, and that requires me to put in a lot of effort to keep everyone straight. The romance in this book was a bit less painful than some of the earlier ones - love triangles aren’t my favorite, and I actually appreciated that the conclusion of this book seemed to put an end to at least one of the corners of the triangle. I believe that the next installment in the series will be out at the end of the year, so I will definitely continue to read it, but I suspect it may be drawing near to the end.
This month I also purchased HRH: So Many Thoughts on Royal Style, which I read a few months ago. I’m trying to purchase at least one of my favorite books every month and that was one I really enjoyed. I’m also proud of myself for finally limiting myself to just one book (although I have quite a few more that I plan to get this year). This was a book that I thought was truly beautiful, and I’m excited to have it in my home to look through again. When it arrived, I also noticed that it was a signed copy! I didn’t realize that when I ordered it, so that was a fun surprise. Not a lot of my goals are as fun or bring so much lightness, beauty, and happiness into my life - but this one surely does.
As crazy as June was, July is looking like it will be equally so. But I’m ready. I have some great books planned, lots of iced coffee ready to go, and the sunshine alone can power me for a long time. Full-fledged summer, here we come.
Until next time,