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Behind Her Books

Book reviews, recommendations and stories of literary life.

June Wrap Up
Monthly Wrap Ups

June Wrap Up

July 1, 2020

Another month has gone book lovers! Time for my June wrap up. It’s been a funny old month (again) and I’m sure we’ve all been feeling the ups and downs. But don’t worry – we’ll always have books.

Books I Read

I managed to get through 6 books this month. A bit less than in May but I found it a real struggle at the start of the month for some reason. I’m back to picking my book up regularly now though so I’m back in the groove! I thought I’d give a tiny summary of the books I read.

1. The Vegetarian by Han Kang

Short but powerful, this book is unlike anything I’ve read before. Strange and visceral, it tells the story of a woman’s decision to stop eating meat and the following unravelling of her mental health.

2. The Nakano Thrift Shop by Hiromi Kawakami

A quirky, gentle read about Hitomi who works in Mr Nakano’s thrift shop and has fallen in love with her colleague. Full of eccentric characters who never fully reveal themselves yet remain interesting.

3. Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

There’s a full review here but in a nutshell, I loved it! A funny, sad and hopeful story about Queenie, a twenty-something from London who is on a path of self-destruction following a break-up. 

4. Circe by Madeline Miller

 Based on the Greek myth, Circe is the daughter of Helios, the sun god, and of the ocean nymph Perse. She is a witch and a bit of a badass who can transform humans into animals. A feminist retelling that I thoroughly enjoyed.

5. Just So You Know edited by Hanan Issa, Durre Shahwar and Özgür Uyanık

I’ve just written a review of this too. This is a great essay collection from writers connected to Wales (my home) covering diverse and underrepresented topics.

6. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The story of mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and his enduring, obsessive love for his young sweetheart Daisy Buchanan. I found this to be sadder than I thought it would be however it’s a short one if you’re looking to start reading more classics.

My favourite was probably Queenie, closely followed by Circe. I just love me a strong female character.

Books I Bought

I seem to be in a cycle of buying and reading straight away (weird, right?) so to avoid being boring I won’t repeat those. Here are the books I bought from Hive: An American Marriage by Tayari Jones, White Girls by Hilton Als and Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo.

Books I Want to Read Next Month

Aside from the three listed above (which I can’t wait to get to), I am also thinking of picking up the second in the Shadow of Night. This is the second book in the All Souls Trilogy that I started last year and need to get on with it really.

I hope you enjoyed this month’s June wrap up. Let me know your thoughts on any of these books or what you’ve been reading in the comments.

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Just So You Know: Essays of Experience – Edited by Hanan Issa, Durre Shahwar and Özgür Uyanık
6 books translated to English that you should read

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Megan | Behind Her Books
Currently reading Ghosts and I am already (to use Currently reading Ghosts and I am already (to use the parlance of The High Low) ob-sessed. Such beautiful writing and I find myself nodding along in agreement and so many bits, my head is at risk of coming off. Hopefully finish this afternoon then on to uni reading.

What's your plans for Sunday?

#igbooks #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #ghosts
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse ✨ This The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse ✨

This book is the perfect salve to January the l o n g e s t month of the year (I think there's around 300 days in it). Warm, wise, and full of friendship and kindness, I can see why this book was so popular when it came out. With pages full of beautiful illustrations and messages of love, I implore you to read this book. Then lend it to your friends, your family, your neighbour, anyone who needs to remember how much kindness there is in the human heart.

My favourite quote: "When the big things feel out of control ... focus on what you love right under your nose." ♥️
I've had 'catch up on book reviews' on my to do li I've had 'catch up on book reviews' on my to do list for weeks now and I've finally got started 🙌🏻 Yay for progress!

I've not seen many people talking about Slack-Tide on here but I enjoyed it / was frustrated by the characters so I wanted to write up some of my thoughts!

There's a new post up on the blog that I'd love for you to read ♥️

#bookblogger #Bookstagram #bookreview #slacktide #igbooks
First book of 2021 - what do you mean, you didn't First book of 2021 - what do you mean, you didn't start with some Willy Shakespeare? Weird 😜

Had to read that as part of my uni reading as we are exploring what makes certain texts a 'classic' and the cultural impact of them. Finding it really interesting (coz I'm unashamedly a nerd) and also have a deep urge to watch Shakespeare in Love because I feel like it will count as research, right?
⭐ 2021 Reading Goals ⭐ Like most people I can ⭐ 2021 Reading Goals ⭐

Like most people I can't help but start the year by thinking about my plans, goals and dreams for the next 12 months. Can't help it I love a cliché and an excuse to write a list. I've written about my 2021 reading goals over on the blog - would love if you gave it a read. Link is in my bio, luv ya.
Here's to new beginnings, new books and a fresh ne Here's to new beginnings, new books and a fresh new year ahead of us.

I don't come to you with big reading goals for 2021 because if last year taught me anything, it's to find pleasure in the things that I love. So this year my focus is on finding new authors, genres, or voices to fall in love with, along with revisiting some of those that I already cherish.

Happy New Year to all my book friends, it's nice to be back.
Hey friends, it's a been a hot minute. What's goin Hey friends, it's a been a hot minute. What's going on with you all?

The past week or so has been busy with uni tutorials, work, getting back into the gym (finally!), and most exciting of all prepping for a little fluffy addition to the household 🐶

Photo is completely unrelated but still so pretty. This was my first from the @mrbsemporium subscription I got for my birthday and they nailed it! Sounds glorious.

How's your week been? Let me know what's going on with you!
Books goals for the last couple of weeks of 2020 ☝🏻

I know right, doesn't feel weird that we're almost at the end of 2020. Life gets busy at this time of year (even in the current situation!) but that doesn't mean I can't squeeze in a few more reads right.

Here are some books I'd love to read before the end of this year. Some new, some I've had on my shelf a few months.

What's on your reading list for 2020? Have you read any of these? I'd love to know what you thought!
Wouldn't expect anything less than this dreamy cov Wouldn't expect anything less than this dreamy cover from Lana Del Ray. I don't read a lot of poetry but I am looking forward to jumping into this one.

2020 Reading Challenge

2020 Reading Challenge
Megan has read 26 books toward her goal of 30 books.
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26 of 30 (86%)
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