Well, readers, it looks like I’ve finished the 2022 Reading Challenge a bit before 2022 has finished.
Oops.
I got a bit carried away reading books to finish the challenge and spent the first 4 months reading nothing BUT books for the challenge. Then in May and June, I sprinkled in a few extra books unrelated to the challenge. But here we are. Halfway through the year and ready to say goodbye to a structured reading list. Ready to say goodbye to the challenge. Ready to jump into some new and inspiring books that don’t fit a category.
Stay tuned in the next month for a recap of the challenge. What I liked and didn’t like, what I plan to do next year, what I plan to do with the rest of 2022, and more!
So June has been fun. I only had four more books to read for the challenge and the rest were completely random and fun. I picked a few from the library bookstore sale (6 books for $1!), I picked a few from the Little Free Libraries, and some e-books from the library.
Without further ado… June’s reading list:
#19- Made into a Movie
2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
I can’t believe I’ve waited so long to read this book! This was absolutely wonderful and a pure sci-fi classic. From the dawn of man to the far-flung futures of space travel, this book is simply amazing.
#24- Green Book Cover
A Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths
This was a solid book with some investigating and traveling. I liked that the MC was a skilled forensic archeologist that was able to bring expertise to the task at hand. The murders weren’t gruesome, so pretty reader-friendly.
#32- Heard About From a Coworker
Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women that a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall
This book is powerful. If you want to hear about the side of feminism that isn’t hitting the mainstream, check out this book. Kendall discusses key feminist issues as experienced by a black woman in this essay-style format. It’s approachable and will leave you rethinking everything.
#38- Featuring the LGBTQ+ Community
The Liar’s Dictionary by Eley Williams
This book won’t be for everyone, but only because you’ll find yourself stopping to look up so many words you don’t know. This is such a creative book where two timelines tell the story of an unfinished dictionary riddled with false entries. So don’t feel bad if you don’t know a few words… because they’re completely made up!
BONUS BOOKS:
Outside of the 2022 Reading Challenge, I’ve been reading a few others this month.
After Me Comes the Flood was strange, yet satisfying. I’m still not sure where to classify this besides ‘a novel,’ but it was cool.
The Sellout was definitely unique. It’s supposedly a comedic satire piece, but I don’t think it really landed well for me.
Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body’s Most Under-Rated Organ by Giulia Enders was one of my favorites this month. I learned SO MUCH about the anatomy of the human digestive system and how the bacteria we harbor have a bigger effect on our brain than I ever imagined.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie was an absolute delight. She is quickly stealing my heart with her books. I don’t know why I’ve waited so long to give her a try, but I’ve liked everything I’ve read by her so far.
Shadow and Bone has been on my radar since the beginning of the year and it keeps popping up on lists of must-read books. It’s a quick-read, YA that has a bit of magic and a bit of adventure to add to the good vs evil theme.
Spine & Leaf Books 
Personally I don’t want to finish before December so I’m really hoping you’ll have one of these post still for the coming months.
I loved 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke and anything Agatha Christie which I mostly read back in High School when everyone were passing books around. I already did my LGBT related book but I’m going to look out for The Liar’s Dictionary by Eley Williams – seems interesting but I checked it out and the category doesn’t say LGBT…
So my tally for the challenge is 34 books – 2 only for June, and I’ve read a total of 120 books so far.
My husband came back from Ukraine and we’ve worked on his “Honey Do List” for a few weeks now so I was able to read 16 books in June.
Here are mine for the challenge:
#25 Set in the 1800s. Danelle Harmon Pirate In My Arms -367- 4 stars. Since I read most of my romance in 1800s, I chose this one set in ~1715 and it is based on the true story of the Whydah and its legend. Up to ~50%, it was adventure, romance, hope, trials. Everything is described to make you feel as if you were there too; the booming guns, the smoke, the winds, the water on the ship, etc. Makes quite a nice picture and easy to understand the pirates’ fear and determination, their love of rum, and the lolling around. Plenty of adventure, escapes, loyalty and friendship.
#42 Written by 2 authors Emily Larkin/Grace Burrowes Love and Other Perils 2 books -243- 4 stars average. The difference between the two books is extreme. One was ultra funny all the way, albeit over-the-top in unlucky situations, while the other was missing a lot of passion in multiple ways and was boring. 1. Lieutenant Mayhew’s Catastrophes 5 stars. Sweet story between Lt. Mayhew and Miss Culpepper, both loving the army life, both lovers of cats and whatever mayhem that entails. Loved it to the end. 2. Kisses and Catnip 3 stars. That Lady Antonia didn’t have the chance to knee Peter where it costs most is the worst decision the author made, huge missed opportunity; it would have ended this story with a bang.
That’s it for me. Looking forward to more books read in the challenge as I’m getting less for reviews in July and August.
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