My Favorite Reads in June

and my mea culpa for not posting a 5-senses Sunday this week!

First of all, so sorry I wasn’t able to send a 5-Senses Sunday this past week. Sometimes you just have to honor your capacity, ya know? I started the draft but life got in the way on Sunday and I wasn’t able to finish it.

However, until next week, please enjoy my mini-reviews of my favorite reads in June.

What were your favorites?

1. The River is waiting, Wally Lamb

Wally Lamb is easily one of my favorite authors ever since reading “She's Come Undone” in the 1990's. He is an expert at conjuring up all the nuances and complexities of the human experience in a beautiful and digestible way. Corby, a struggling but loving and dedicated Dad faces an unthinkable tragedy and what follows is his story about how to go on and even thrive in the most difficult circumstances, both physically and emotionally.

2. How to Walk Away, by Katherine Center

Katherine Center is quickly becoming my go-to romance novelist. I adored the Rom-Commers and Hello Stranger, and this book also does not disappoint. Margaret and her fiance are in love and very close to getting engaged when the worst-case-scenario happens and lands Margaret in the hospital instead of the altar. With significant injuries, and working hard to heal, Margaret begins to question all her relationships, (including her long-lost sister who now wants to be in her life) and is confused about her burgeoning feelings for her physical therapist in the hospital.

3. Vladimir, by Julia May Jonas

Indulgent, unexpected, relatable and bonkers - this is the story of a middle aged woman who is an acclaimed English Professor and in an open marriage with her Professor husband. She becomes obsessed with a younger man and the lines blur between fantasy and reality as her preoccupation with him takes unexpected turns. Great for people who liked All Fours, The Safekeeper and the Rachel Incident.

4. Isola, by Allegra Goodman

For some reason I tend to avoid stories that take place in the 1400's - 1500's. I associate that time with books that have a lot of details, names and dates that I have trouble keeping up with. Isola, however is a magnificent surprise. Marguerite is an heir to a fortune after she became orphaned at a young age. Her guardian is a mercurial and unforgiving man who has moments of humanity such as teaching Marguerite how to play the piano. But, when Marguerite is found cavorting with her guardians' assistant, he banishes them both to a remote island, left to fend for themselves. I found the entire novel gripping and the writing was pristine. Highly recommend this one.

5. Flavor: The Science of our Most Neglected Sense, by Bob Holmes

Many of you know I have a huge interest in the 5-senses as it relates to our eating behaviors and eating psychology. While I already knew a lot of this information from Charles Spence's book, Gastrophysics: The New Science of Eating, there were many interesting tidbits and science-based facts about the specific sense of taste in this book which I appreciated.

6. The Lost Bookshop, by Evie Woods

I was delighted to be invited to be part of a new book club my friend is starting and this is our first read. I devoured it. This book has it all: Beautiful dueling romance story arcs in two different timelines, magical realism, vanishing bookshops with magical keys to find them. Great characters to root for and a feel-good read for sure.

Can’t wait to hear your favorite reads last month.