I managed to complete ten books in June 2021, and so many of them were excellent. I had a real mix of genres this month and I really enjoyed the diversity of the books I finished. Two of the novels in particular were exceptional and will stay with me for a very long time.
Here are the books I read in June 2021:
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
Little is known about Shakespeare’s son other than he died at age 11 in 1596. Hamnet is Maggie O’Farrell’s fictional interpretation of the events that unfolded over 400 years ago. In 1596, a young girl becomes suddenly seriously ill. Her twin brother, Hamnet, searches for help as nobody is home. Meanwhile, their mother, Agnes, is over a mile away and their father is working in London. None of them know that Hamnet will not survive the week.
It’s a book that will stay with me and has inspired me to visit Stratford-Upon-Avon again. I found it to be well deserving of all the praise and awards.
Click here to find my full review of Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell.
The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne
The novel follows the life story of Cyril Avery, a gay, Irish, illegitimate adoptee. After his teenage unwed mother realises she can’t look after him, Cyril is adopted by The Averys, an affluent yet eccentric couple who never let Cyril forget he isn’t a “real Avery”. We follow Cyril’s life throughout the years, as he floats from country to country, anchored only by his friendship with the enigmatic Julian. We follow Cyril through the decades as he tries to find somewhere he can truly fit in.
My favourite book of the year so far.
Click here to find my full review of The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne.
The Echo Chamber by John Boyne
George Cleverly is a stalwart of television interviewing and a self-proclaimed “national treasure”. However, his carefully curated reputation is only one tweet away from being destroyed. He and his family soon realise how past perceptions count for nothing in the world of social media. Are we all just one misjudged tweet away from being “cancelled?”
The book is a clever, satirical look into society’s reliance on social media. It brilliantly covers political correctness, the desire to be seen as “woke” and the cancellation of people who say the wrong thing, however well-intentioned. It made me laugh and cringe in equal measures. Some of the observations really do ring true and it does raise the question, were we all happier before social media?
Click here to find my full review of The Echo Chamber by John Boyne.
Where The Grass Is Green by Lauren Weisberger
Peyton Marcus seems to have it all – her dream job as an anchor on a morning show, a husband who adores her and a daughter who is headed for a prestigious Ivy League college. Her sister Skye is a stay-at-home mum living in Paradise, a luxury New York suburb full of rich parents and yummy mummies. Skye devotes her time to looking after her beloved child but dreams of making a real difference. Max, Peyton’s daughter, is clever and spirited and dreams of becoming a film-maker. However, one act of dishonesty threatens to unravel all their lives.
This is a character-driven novel with no major plot twists. Instead, it’s a story of family ties, deception and finding your own way. It’s a light read but does have hidden depths. It encourages the reader to appreciate what they have and worry less about appearances and remember we all have our own paths.
Click here to find my full review of Where The Grass Is Green by Lauren Weisberger.
Scenes Of A Graphic Nature by Caroline O’Donoghue
Charlie is struggling to break into the world of filmmaking and is feeling frustrated as she watches her friend Laura achieve success. Her beloved dad’s life was shaped by the events of his childhood and he is now facing a battle with cancer. Her dad was the sole survivor of a tragedy on the island of Clipim, where a class of children and their teacher died. Laura writes a film detailing the tragic events on Clipim and it gains the attention of an Irish film festival. She and Laura, who produced the film with her, decide to attend the festival and visit the island where her dad grew up. However, it seems her father’s version of events may not be wholly accurate. Charlie is determined to find out what really happened to those children, despite the locals wanting to cover up the devastating conspiracy. It’s up to Charlie to find out the truth, whatever the cost.
I found it to be a gritty, honest and moving novel about family, disappointment and seeking the truth.
Click here to find my full review of Scenes Of A Graphic Nature by Caroline O’Donoghue.
Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase
Back in the 1960s, The Altons spend their summers at Black Rabbit Hall, their family country estate. The days are long and full of laughter and fun. The house may be in some need of repair but the family love their long summers spent there until disaster strikes and things are never the same again.
In the present day, Lorna and her fiancé are searching for their ideal wedding venue in Cornwall. Lorna is drawn to Black Rabbit Hall and immediately feels an intense connection to the now depilated old building. She is intrigued to know what happened to the family who lived there over three decades ago and is curious about the pull she feels when she is there. Could she possibly be connected to Black Rabbit Hall, and the people who lived there?
Black Rabbit Hall is a brilliant, atmospheric mystery and I really enjoyed it. I loved how the two stories entwined. It pulled at my heartstrings and kept me intrigued until the final page.
Click here to find my full review of Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase
The Sight Of You by Holly Miller
The Sight Of You by Holly Miller is the story of Joel and Callie. Joel has visions revealing the good and the bad that lie ahead for those he loves. He meets Callie who is grieving the death of her best friend. She realises she needs to start being more spontaneous and live her life fully. Together, they both need a reason to start living for today and from the moment they meet each other, it seems life-changing…until Joel has a vision of how it’s going to end.
An emotional love story like no other.
Click here to find my full review of The Sight Of You by Holly Miller.
After The End by Clare Mackintosh
Max and Pip have a strong marriage and are loving parents to their two-year-old son Dylan. However, after a failed attempt to completely remove a brain tumour, Dylan is left severely brain-damaged. Max and Pip must now face a heartbreaking decision. Do they seek treatment that may prolong his life, but not cure him? Or do they listen to the doctors’ recommendations and provide him with palliative care until he passes away. And what happens if Max and Pip can’t agree?
It’s a thought-provoking read and one that made me wonder what I, as a mother, would have done in a similar situation.
Click here to find my full review of After The End by Clare Mackintosh
The Heights by Louise Candlish
After her son, Lucas, loses his life in a car accident, Ellen Saint wants revenge. Lucas’ friend Keiran was in the car at the time of the accident and yet escaped unscathed. Believing Keiran entirely responsibly for her son’s death, Ellen becomes obsessed with Keiran and wants him to suffer.
Therefore when she sees Kieran through the window in the penthouse of The Heights, a high-rise building in London, she’s shocked. Kieran is supposed to be dead, and she was responsible for his murder. How could he possibly be living in the building opposite where she’s having a business meeting? How can he possibly still be alive?
Click here to find my full review of The Heights of Louise Candlish.
Haven’t They Grown By Sophie Hannah
While taking her son to a weekend football match, Beth realises the match is being played just minutes from where her former best friend now lives. Beth hasn’t seen or heard from Flora or her family for over twelve years after their friendship fell apart. Beth knows that seeing Flora would bring back painful memories but the temptation to see her again, even from a distance, is too much to resist. Beth parks outside Flora’s large, gated house and moments later Flora returns. Beth is shocked to see Flora encourage two children out of the car, and call their names – Thomas and Emily. Flora appears, as you would expect, twelve years older. However, the children, Thomas and Emily, look exactly as they did twelve years ago when Beth knew them. How can that be? Why haven’t they aged? Beth is determined to find out the truth about the family, whatever the cost.
The book had a really interesting premise and it kept me gripped and guessing until the end.
Click here to find my full review of Haven’t They Grown by Sophie Hannah.
You may also be interested in reading the books I read in May 2021 and my other previous monthly reads.
Some of these books were sent from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.