Auntie’s Annex: June Shelves

So much less reading because I’m summering so hard

Heyo! Time for another Auntie’s Annex! So let’s channel our B.K. (Before Kids) self and imagine we are free to kick back with whatever read we want whenever we want. BUT! Let’s also celebrate the space and chapter that our lives may currently be in and relish the reads we are able to get. For example, my big brother, father of 4 under 10, loves to read pocket detective stories published in the late 60’s. They offer him something he can blow through one paragraph or sentence at a time, whenever life allows. For me it is romance. One sweet paragraph at a time. 

Thanks, as always, for being here. The summer is full of cousins and travel and new and different routines and schedules. This means everyone is off their book game and I think that is OK. When nature requires a kayak trip over a chapter read, we take it! 

I hope you are having your fill of adventure and reading, wherever you are and whatever chapter of life you are in! 

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MY JUNE TOP PICK

BIRDING WITH BENEFITS by Sarah T Dubb

What a win of a debut novel! I’m partial to birding, and I love a divorcee protagonist who is sexy and in charge even in her post-kid post-marriage state. Apparently the “let’s fake date” is a romance trope, I’m fairly new to the genre so I didn’t realize how often I’d run into it, but I’m not mad about how it pans out in this story. Do I love it because I can relate? Perhaps. Two people fresh out of their own relationships, carrying plenty of baggage, agree to partner up for a birding event…with perks. Though there is plenty of steam, the part that struck a chord with me was the personal growth of both characters. This was the best kind of romance IMO because you get the sexy, but you also fall a bit in love with both main characters.

Perfect if you are looking for a fun and sweet romance.

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 FROM THE STAX

I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU by Rebecca Makkai

A successful podcaster returns to her boarding school as a guest lecturer only to be distracted by her own graduating classes’ murder mystery from when she was a senior at said boarding school. Partially an examination of being female in our world at large and being a victim, partially a commentary on today’s media centric society, this book lands as a successful and well executed fictional story that feels too steeped in possibility to be completely fabricated.

Read this if you like true crime podcasts and want a smart modern mystery. 

JUST FOR THE SUMMER by Abby Jimenez 

A traveling nurse reads a Reddit thread suggesting that a man is the penultimate date: everyone who dates him ends up finding his happily ever after as soon as they break up. The traveling nurse slides into his DM’s because the same thing is always happening to her! (Even tho she is traveling and won’t commit to anyone or anything…is this a plot hole?). Several flirt levels later, she surprises him by taking a short term nursing job in his home town. They date under the premise that they will do so to break the spell (see! Fake date trope once again!) because once they break up they are sure to find their soulmate, right?! Or will they fall in love in the process?

::spoilers below:: Oh, also there is a distant and abusive mom who suddenly shows up for her and he is a man whose mom is going to prison, leaving him in charge of his young siblings, so there is a lot going on. Also a fire. Also unexpected sibs. When the main character, who is obviously going through some serious self discovery, is able to have huge therapeutic breakthroughs and resolution in 6 months time I found myself a little annoyed at how quickly everything was resolved and how ready she was to jump into her new and also very responsible role as half guardian.

Despite me being a bit fussy, this is an addictive read, and I’ll be picking up Jimenez books again in the future.

FINLAY DONAVON IS KILLING IT by Elle Cosimano

Frazzled, recently divorced mother and writer is mistaken for a hit man and bumbles her way through an accidental murder. With help from her loyal nanny (yes, if you are asking former employees, I’d be that kind of employee for you), she manages to complete the hit, write a best seller, and maybe start a romantic fling all at once. Too bad my universe hasn’t got the message that I could do with an accidental 50K (would I be willing to kill? TBD) or an accidental 2 book deal. I guess we read to escape to the dream. 

Read this if you are a mom who wouldn’t be afraid to get your hands a little dirty.

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ON THE NIGHTSTAND

US AGAINST YOU (BEARTOWN #2) by Fredrik Backman

His choppy and direct writing style back at me again. I’ll keep reading because I know it’s gonna be good but it’ll take me a minute to get into it.

THE LONG WAY HOME (#10) by Louise Penny

Aptly named for me, it’s taking me the forever longest to listen to this audiobook, for no other reason than I am not at home and I am not doing my usual household chores. Let’s see if we finish it before it’s due back! 89% done listening, 7 more days to go. 

ON DECK

For the first time in a long while I have no holds on my library card! I’ll probably put the next Finlay Donovan on hold as that was a fun read, and the next Louise Penny for listening to. A few friends are talking about The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo, so that’s on my coming up list. I started reading a book called Perilous Times that had to go back to the library before I could finish it, and I’d pick it up again. 

I also brought The Dictionary of Lost Words on this trip and have yet to crack the spine! So many books in the world, so little time. 

What’s on your TBR pile? 

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ADULTING

Oh hey! I’m training for a 5K that I’ll run on July 4th. For the first time in probably 5 years (coincidence that my eldest is 5? I think not) I can successfully and (mostly) happily run 3.1 miles! I’ll cheers to that. And I have been cheersing. A lot. So many drinks and s’mores to be had this summer because life is all about balance. Here’s a s’mores cheers to you reaching your goals, whatever they may be, and achieving balance.

See y’all soon and happy reading!