june book report.

"It was good to walk into a library again; it smelled like home." - Elizabeth Kostova

These are all the books that I read in June. The first four I read in Beijing (and on the plane home), and the last four I read since being home. Have I mentioned I love libraries and vacation?

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty / I really liked this book. It was fun and light, but also serious: Will Alice get her memory back? What will happen to her marriage? The rest of her family? It was a little predictable, but also felt refreshing, if that makes sense.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins / I think because of all the hype and rave reviews, I was expecting great things. Maybe my standards were too high, but I didn't love it or even like it that much. It was too slow for me, I think, and a little boring. That being said, I did speed through it because I wanted to know what happened.

Inside the O'Briens by Lisa Genova / I read this book so fast. It was one of those ones that I would think all day, I can't wait to read when I get home! It's about a family struggling with Huntington's disease and the characters are so real. They aren't perfect or unimaginable; I ended up feeling like I knew them. The ending was a little disappointing, only because I wanted to know exactly what would happen. I've read all of Genova's books and I think this and Still Alice are my favourites.

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty / This is the third book by Moriarty I've read. I hate to say it, but I didn't like it that much. It seemed like there were too many characters and we didn't get to know any of them very well. It just didn't feel like a very rich novel. I finished it because I had to see how it ended (I liked that we find out what happens to everyone), but it wasn't as good as her other novels I've read.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel / I borrowed this book from the library based on a review by my favourite blogger Elise. When I picked it up and read the description, I told my Nan, "This is not the type of book I'd usually pick for myself, but Elise and I have similar tastes, so I'll try it." It's set mostly in Canada, which is cool. And it was well written. Bottom line, I liked it but didn't love it.

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes / I read this in just a couple evening hours, a few jet-lagged early morning hours, and then a couple more late morning hours. It was so good. This is the third book by Moyes that I've read, and although I've enjoyed them all, this one is my favourite so far. It takes place during World War I and current time, telling a rich story of people connected by a painting. Read it; you won't regret it.

We Are Called to Rise by Laura McBride / This was an interesting read told from the points of view of a few different people who all end up being connected somehow. I really liked it and recommend.

The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand / I don't think I've read a book by Hilderbrand that I didn't like. This one is set in a restaurant on Nantucket and it was a fun, quick, and easy read. Great for summer!