My June Reading Wrap-Up

All the books I read (and listened to) in June

June flew by for me, but I still managed to read nine books. I read a mix of stories, including family dramas, a few impressive debuts, a thriller, and a backlist book I read with friends on Instagram. I even listened to a new release I was looking forward to. Overall, it was a fantastic month of reading. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout. This was actually my Fable Book Club’s June pick, and I think it’s safe to say we all really loved it. I finished the book in awe of Elizabeth Strout’s writing, and I’m excited to explore more of her backlist. Another standout for me was The Parisian Heist by Jo Piazza (out July 14). The dual-timeline mystery had me hooked from the beginning. I enjoyed The Sicilian Inheritance, so I expected to like this one, but I ended up loving it even more.

In this wrap-up, I’m sharing everything I read and listened to throughout the month—what I loved, what didn’t quite work for me, and my overall thoughts on each title.

Let’s dive into my June reads…

Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash

More Than Enough by Anna Quindlen (My rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️) Right from the start, I was hooked. What’s not to like about this novel? Relatable, flawed characters, witty banter, emotional depth, and stellar writing. All of it is just so good. Oh, I forgot to mention the book club. I loved the book club and its members. Anna Quindlen writes in a smart, precise, heartfelt, and very perceptive way. In under 250 pages, she covers tough topics like infertility, loss, grief, and dementia. What makes this book stand out is how the author turns ordinary moments and personal struggles into a story that feels honest and deeply moving.

This book is really about the relationships that shape our lives: between mothers and daughters, family members, close friends, and married couples. The author explores these bonds with care and detail, highlighting their challenges and the strong connections that hold the story together and move the reader forward.

The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout (My rating: 5/5 ⭐️) I love Elizabeth Strout’s writing, and I love Artie Dam. What a beloved and endearing character. From the start of the novel, we know Artie is struggling. To an outsider, his life seems pretty good. He’s been married for over 30 years, lives in a nice home, has a son, and seems to enjoy his job as a history teacher. Yet he’s quietly struggling. Beneath the surface, he battles profound loneliness as he learns a secret that will change everything he believes. All of this while pondering whether we really have free will.

This is a book about the human condition and the complexities of our connections to others. It’s about how well we know the ones we love and, in turn, how well they truly know us. This is not a light read. It tackles several heavy themes (check the trigger warnings) and carries significant emotional weight. It’s poignant, human, and beautiful. Artie Dam is a character who will definitely stay with me.

Down with the Shipmans by Meg Mitchell Moore (My rating: 4/5 ⭐️) This book isn’t your typical beach read. It’s more of a character-driven family drama set against a beach backdrop. The story unfolds at the family’s summer home on the New Hampshire coast and follows the three Shipman sisters as they reunite for the first time since losing their mother, each facing major changes/challenges in their lives. As the youngest of five, I really connected with how the sisters interacted. Their relationships felt real and familiar to me. I especially liked how the author handles the themes of family, grief, and resentment with a gentle touch, adding humor and honesty so the story never felt too heavy.

I do want to mention that there’s a trad-wife storyline that I could have done without. I’m honestly tired of that theme. Still, I found this book really enjoyable, full of drama, family moments, and beach vibes.

Little Wonder by Sophie Chen Keller (My rating: 5/5 ⭐️) If you know me, you know I’ve always been drawn to emotional, character-driven stories centered on family, and this book exceeded all my expectations. The author’s writing is poetic and immersive, drawing you into the characters’ lives from the very first page. At its heart, the story explores a mother’s unconditional love for her child, the power of music, and the need to hold on to hope even during the most difficult times. It tells the story of the unbreakable bond between Song and River, even when separated by circumstances beyond their control. The story is propulsive, and the anticipation builds throughout; I found myself desperately hoping Song and River would find their way back to each other. The conclusion is profoundly moving. Be sure to have a few tissues nearby.

Somebody Worth Killing by Jessica Payne (My rating 4.5/5 ⭐️) Lately, I’ve been reading a lot of heavy, emotional books, so this story was a refreshing change. It’s a fast-paced, fun thriller about Nadia, a devoted suburban mom of two who is secretly an assassin. When she gets a major assignment, she’s shocked to find out her target is her loving husband. I couldn’t put this book down because I needed to see what would happen next. While the story has some dark moments, it’s also an easy, entertaining read with short chapters—perfect for your next beach trip. The writing is witty and engaging, and even though Nadia is an assassin, her inner thoughts are clever and funny. She’s actually a very likable psychopath. If you want a quick, highly entertaining read, add this one to your summer list.

All the Little Ways by Laura Lekkos (My rating: 4/5 ⭐️) It’s been a while since I read a story focused on female friendship, so this book was a refreshing change. Victoria and Liz are at very different stages of life, yet they form a bond in a parenting class. The book explores female friendship and also examines family—both the family you’re born into and the family you choose. Each woman experienced less-than-ideal family dynamics growing up, which left them longing for a reliable, comforting relationship—something I believe ultimately brought them together. There’s a plot twist I kind of saw coming, but it still pushed the story forward and made me more engaged with each woman’s journey. I appreciate how motherhood is a prominent theme and how these women connect through it. Overall, this heartfelt debut is highly recommended for anyone interested in stories about female friendship, family, and motherhood. I’m excited to see what the author writes next.

Trespasses by Louise Kennedy (My rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️) Amid daily reports of violence, the main character, Cushla, lives a quiet life with her mother in a small town near Belfast, teaching at a parochial school and moonlighting at her family’s pub. There she meets Michael Agnew, a Protestant barrister who’s made a name for himself defending IRA members. Against her better judgment, Cushla lets herself get drawn in by him and his sophisticated world, and an affair ignites. Then the father of a student is savagely beaten, setting in motion a chain reaction that will threaten everything, and everyone, Cushla most wants to protect. I read this with a group of Instagram friends. Although I enjoyed learning more about the Troubles, a period of Ireland’s history I knew little about, I never really felt connected to the characters. This is a me issue, as others in my group enjoyed it. Another factor that influenced my rating was the author’s lack of quotation marks. I’m so used to them that when they’re absent, it throws me off and makes the book less enjoyable.

Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer (My rating: 4/5 ⭐️) I started reading the physical copy of this book, then switched to the audio at my Instagram friend Tracy’s recommendation. I have to say, the audio version is perfection. I could visualize the Italian countryside, vibrant and charming. The author’s writing is witty and humorous, and each day our young man is tasked with the most absurd duties by the Baronessa. There were several laugh-out-loud moments. The personalities, setting, humor, and life lessons were very endearing. Bravo to Edoardo Ballerini for such an incredible narration.

The Parisian Heist by Jo Piazza (My rating: 5/5 ⭐️) Out July 14 This dual-timeline mystery hooked me from the beginning. I enjoyed the author’s book, The Sicilian Inheritance, so I expected to like this one, but I ended up loving it even more. The art-world backdrop, the characters, and the story are all compelling. If you enjoy strong female characters, art history, and suspense, I highly recommend picking this one up.