What I Read in June
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I am so so so excited to be bringing this series back! Instagram voted for an IGTV version but I couldn’t just leave the blog hanging so I figured I would go ahead and do both. That way you can easily check for links, references, etc. and save whichever format you enjoy for later when you’re looking for books to add to your TBR. We all know that I’ve now failed at running two book clubs (yikes) but you guys seem to enjoy books just as much as I do so maybe there’s hope for us yet. Quick refresher of how I rate books below!
RELATED: 2020 Made in Mom Jeans Reading Challenge
How I Rate Books
Before we dive in, I wanted to chat a bit about how I actually rate each book. Over the years, I’ve developed certain criteria for how I rate books so that I can have a personalized standard for myself. I want to stress that there isn’t a right or wrong way to rate a book, I just wanted to share mine so you understand why my ratings might be a little harsher for some books and not others. Books that I recommend will automatically receive a rating of 3 stars or higher. So, here’s how I rate the books that I read based on a 5-star system:
1 star - Utter waste of time
This book added no value to my life. I didn’t want to finish it but kept reading it anyway because there was at least a part of me that wanted to see if it got better. One star books are often riddled with inaccuracies, problematic writing styles, or just didn’t make much sense at all.
2 stars - It was just okay
This book was more annoying than it was pleasurable to read. There were definitely points that were problematic but not so much so that I struggled to finish it like the one-star books. Read for the sake of reading. The main plot was lost and the author had to work to come back to the point again and again.
3 stars - Average read but enjoyable
This book wasn’t life-changing but I enjoyed reading it. Somewhat rewarding of a read and not a total waste of time. The author did something to make an otherwise tired concept fresh again in terms of writing style. I might recommend this book.
4 stars - A book I loved reading
A good book that could have used minor improvements. Something I had fun reading and found enjoyable. This book made somewhat of an impact on me, my thoughts, and/or my life. I can see myself rereading this book in the future and would definitely recommend it.
5 stars - Life-changing
This book was one of the most impactful books I’ve ever read. Something about reading this fundamentally changed my thoughts or feelings about something. The book was flawless in terms of execution and I absolutely could not put it down. I will continue to think about and talk about whatever topics were covered in this book. I will avidly look forward to other works from this author. I strongly recommend this book and believe that everyone should read it.
So there’s my rating system. This will be the first time I’ve fully implemented it so I look forward to seeing how it changes the way I talk about and consider books once I’ve read them. Below you’ll find each book that I read in January along with the corresponding reading challenge topic I chose said book for followed by my rating and thoughts on the book!
One final note: Please do not take these ratings personally. Just because I may be harsh on a book doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to like it or that you are lesser because you enjoyed it. These ratings are all based on my personal reading preferences and in no way negatively reflect on you, the book, or the authors.
What I Read in June 2020
White Fragility
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
White people in North America live in a social environment that protects and insulates them from race-based stress. This insulated environment of racial protection builds white expectations for racial comfort while at the same time lowering the ability to tolerate racial stress. Although white racial insulation is somewhat mediated by social class (with poor and working class urban whites being generally less racially insulated than suburban or rural whites), the larger social environment insulates and protects whites as a group through institutions, cultural representations, media, school textbooks, movies, advertising, and dominant discourses. Racial stress results from an interruption to what is racially familiar. In turn, whites are often at a loss for how to respond in constructive ways., as we have not had to build the cognitive or affective skills or develop the stamina that that would allow for constructive engagement across racial divides. leading to what I refer to as White Fragility. White Fragility is a state in which even a minimum amount of racial stress becomes intolerable, triggering a range of defensive moves. These moves include the outward display of emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt, and behaviors such as argumentation, silence, and leaving the stress-inducing situation. These behaviors, in turn, function to reinstate white racial equilibrium. This book explicates the dynamics of White Fragility and how we might build our capacity in the on-going work towards racial justice.
I’ve challenged myself to read at least one book about race issues in America each month and White Fragility was the first one I picked up in June via ebook. I read it in only a few short days and learned so much valuable information as I continue to exam my own internal biases as well as having tough conversations about race. If you go to the official website for the book, you can even download the free readers’ guide! While I would definitely recommend picking up White Fragility at some point, I highly suggest looking for books on the topic of race who are written by Black writers.
Legend
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.
Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.
I read Legend a few years ago but never made it past the first book in the trilogy. If you’re like me and love a good YA dystopian trilogy then this one is for you. I’ve been intrigued by the militaristic aspect of this series and since I’m currently writing a YA dystopian novel that also focuses on the military, I wanted to give this a reread and finish the series. There’s actually also a graphic novel version that I was hoping to get but I was too impatient to order it when I couldn’t find it locally. It’s been a while since I dove headfirst into a good dystopian trilogy and I’m excited to keep reading this one!
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin--one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.
As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin--and his world--forever.
So this is the second book I read in June that was a reread. That never happens. Anyways, it basically doesn’t even count for ACOTAR because I couldn’t remember having finished it until I got to the end of the book for the second time. I’ve mentioned before that I just don’t like Sarah J. Maas’s writing and trying to read this again did nothing to help.
Did Not Finish (DNF)
A Court of Mist and Fury
Reading Challenge Pick: A book you own but haven’t read yet
Rating: 0 out of 5 stars
“Tell me what you see.”
“A world divided in two.”
Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court-but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.
Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms-and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future-and the future of a world torn apart.
#1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sarah J. Maas expands Feyre's world beyond even her wildest imagination in this seductive and stunning sequel to A Court of Thorns and Roses.
UUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHH. First of all, I don’t know why in the heck this series ever gets put in the teen/young adult fantasy section at book stores. The series is so sexually explicit that I’m not even comfortable finishing it. Like, it’s a fantasy 50 Shades of Gray (which is ironic if you know the history of where that series actually originated) and it has no right to be that way. There is literally no reason for those scenes to exist. Not only is that problematic but most of the characters, especially the male ones, are seriously problematic. I can’t believe I actually spent money on the entire series. Part of me wants to continue to see just how bad it actually is, just like my feelings with Throne of Glass. Please, some Maas stan explain to me what you guys see in these books because I can’t find it.
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