June Reads

11 days into July and already have four books in the "read" pile.  I'm going on a vacation soon so hoping to get some major reading read this month.  Hope you are getting some time to enjoy "summer reading".  Here is what I read in June.  

Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again

Rachel Held Evans

5 star listen.  This book had been on my "want to read" list for over a year.  It moved up my out of control TBR due to the author's recent death after a fight with a "virus".  She was 38 and left a husband and two young children.  Truly one of those deaths that doesn't make sense.  

This book spoke to me.  So much so that I'm planning on buying the book so I can "highlight" all my favorite lines.  She explains the Bible in a way that makes sense.  It is a great read for anyone from diverse religions as she talks about the Bible in relation to various religions, not just Christianity.  

Rachel reads this book and I thought how lucky her children are to have this document/audio of their mother's written and spoken words to go to as they age so they can continue their connection despite their mother's missing presence on this earth.  We were lucky to be blessed with this author and this way to look at religion. 

 

The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See

Another audio book I spent time with this last month.  3 stars.  ON audio I got confused with all the different family members.  This was an interesting story, historical fiction, about the Korean island- Jeju and the women who fish using bare hands and knives in deep water diving.  This island has an unusual set up for their social system- matriarchal haenyeo phenomenon (women working, being the bread winners, in charge and deep sea diving while holding their breath).  The story takes place over several time periods: WWII, Korean War and present day.  Young-sook is the main character.  This is her story- starting as a "baby diver" in her mother's collective (group of women divers).  The story follows her ups and downs.  Her friend in childhood, Mi-ja, is also a major player throughout the story and their relationship drives most of the plot.  The story just drug on for me and I didn't find it fascinating enough.  

The Huntress by Kate Quinn

5 star read!!!  This was the perect "chatty natty" book.  Historical fiction, WWII, romance, mystery and suspense.  It has strong leading ladies, some good some bad. Why I think I love historical fiction, especially about WWII-- a war and time I'm intrigued and never tire of reading about-- I always learn something I didn't know about the war.  This time I learned about the night witches- Russian night bombers who just happened to be lady bombers.  The mystery comes in finding "The Huntress"- nazi war crime leading lady who is being hunted- hence the name of the book.  Multiple story lines entangle in this one.  Despite being over 500 pages this book flew by for me.  

Lean Out: The Truth about Women, Power, and the Workplace

By Marissa Orr

4 star read.  I didn't read "Lean In", wanted to be up front about that because this book is in opposition of "Lean In" thinking.  "Lean In" focuses on women changing their behavior and actions to be more like men- aggressive, assertive and go for the promotions and management positions.  

"Lean Out", per my reading eye, focuses on being who you are, knowing what you want and living how you want to live.  The introduction of the book is a debunking of research and "thoughts" people (women and men doing research in the "business world" have put out there talking about what women are doing wrong, why women don't get paid as much and don't get the promotions/management positions).  This book had some great quotes.  This was one of my favorite lines of the book... "When women aren't interested in something like science, it's a societal disease.  When men are disinterested in anything nobody freaking cares."  Another great one... "We blame stereotypes for the lack of women running big corporations, but we never talk about stereotypes for the lack of men running our homes."  

An interesting read and I'm thankful Harper Collins Leadership sent me the book.

The Heir by Kiera Cass

3 star read.  Audiobook listen.  I enjoyed the first three books in this series so much.  This one not so much.  The author moved the story of America Singer and Prince Maxon to the story of their daughter Eadlyn.  There is again turmoil in the land with the caste system no longer in place but members of their society/community still feeling oppressed.  I didn't enjoy the move away from America Singer and Prince Maxon.  The book dragged on and I was bummed that their was no resolution to the story.  

The Gown: a Novel of the Royal Wedding

 by Jennifer Robson

5 star read.  Again historical fiction gets me almost every time.  Even more so because of the connection of WWII.  Added bonus flashbacks and forward.  The story was one I hadn't heard of and it was so good.  Something for everyone with this book- romance, mystery, family and friend drama.  The historical fiction part was the story of the embroiderers for Princess Elizabeth's gown (yep the current Queen Elizabeth).  I highly recommend this book!