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D'Ann Mateer

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June Reads

Home » Reading » June Reads

In: Reading on: June 29, 2023

It’s been a month of chaos—the busy kind where I can only read in snippets. Which drives me crazy! Audio books have been a huge blessing this month. 

So let’s start with audio. This month I listened to: 

The Lady’s Mine by Francine Rivers

Such a fun story. Definitely a bit of historical romcom. I loved the banter between the hero and heroine. 

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

I think sometimes it’s hard for a novelist to take a true story and put in novel form. Sometimes they are too close to the story to keep it at the usual arc of a novel. This was a fascinating story in and of itself. And to find out in the afterward that it is a true story made it more compelling and more tragic. However, about 3/4 of the way through, where a novel would wrap up, the writer chose to basically summarize everything else in the main characters’ lives. Which was definitely interesting, but didn’t really continue the story in the same way and felt a bit disconnected. And I have to say, there were some glitches in the audio production that bugged me. Still, it is a story worth knowing and thinking about, so I’m glad I stuck with it through the very end. 

On to ebooks!

The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki

Wow. I love a good biographical novel. Especially when the person and the history around them isn’t something I know much about it. This was definitely one of those books. I knew nothing of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elizabeth (or Sisi). It was fascinating picture of Europe heading toward World War I. And Sisi herself had such a tragic existence as a Habsburg Empress. In some ways, her story reminded me of Princess Diana. Apparently there is another book that picks up where this one leaves off. I’ll have to move that one up on my list! 

Man of Shadow and Mist by Michelle Griep

Oh my goodness how I loved this book! I love how she used the classic story of Dracula to fuel the tension of this story. The characters were great and the story kept me turning pages as fast as I could! 

Once Upon a Cowboy by Lacy Williams

This was a fun take on a royal/commoner romance. I especially enjoyed it because I had just edited Lacy’s book that revisits this couple many years later! It was fun to see where they started. A sweet story. 

The Truth in Tiramisu by Rachael Bloom

This is the 2nd book of an adorable contemporary romance series. Two books in and the town feels full of my friends. Looking forward to reading the next one. 

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

This was last month’s book club read. I feel very conflicted about this book. I can appreciate the creativity of the story and the fascinating look at a woman trying to pursue a professional/academic world in the 1950s. Some of the plot twists were awesome. Some I saw coming. The POV of the dog was both hysterical and genius. BUT—way too many f-bombs for me. And this might be the first book I’ve ever read where all the major characters don’t just ignore God, they professed a disbelief in Him. And frankly, that just made me sad all the way through. 

Non-fiction probably isn’t something you’ll want to pick up. I read it for research. 😁

Scottish Highlanders in Colonial Georgia by Anthony W. Parker

A very detailed discussion of the town of Darien, GA in the early to mid 1700s. Investors specifically recruited Scottish Highlanders to people this settlement which was on the border with Spanish territory. They did so because the Highlanders were warriors who were also used to working the land. And they came with families and lived in community together. A fascinating look at the beginnings of Scottish emigration to the colonies and the life they found here. 

That’s it for June! I’m currently in the middle of three different books—all of which I’m anxious to get time to finish! Lots of travel time next month will help with that. 

Tagged: Allison Pataki, Anthony W. Parker, Bonnie Garmus, Francine Rivers, Heather Morris, Lacy Williams, Michelle Griep, Rachael Bloome

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