Books in June

Don't ask me what condition I was in when I made this decision but over New Year I told myself that I could not buy any books in 2024. I know - what was I thinking? Who even am I? I told my family and they all but laughed in my face, not believing for a single second that I was capable of going a whole 12 months without buying a single book. I was in a habit of buying books and then leaving them on my shelf unread for, in some cases, years. So I'm on a bit of a mission to get through as many of the books I currently own and I've done reasonably well so far. I've read 23 books so far this year and have purchased (through book vouchers or Waterstones points) only a few. I've also been gifted some books too and who am I to say no to free books? So here is what I read in June! 

Twilight and New Moon by Stephanie Meyer | I can't tell you exactly what made me what to re-read the Twilight series but here we are. I rewatched the films last year and mostly enjoyed them. I forgot how different the book was to the film and I'm aware that there are a lot of problematic areas so this was for nostalgia more than anything else. I was curious as to how they would read as an adult compared to a 14 year old who was so adamantly Team Edward (can I be Team Charlie now?) I've always loved Jasper and Emmett but they are so much better in the books than in the films. Anyway, it's just one of those easy-to-read, familiar series that fill the gap between other books. 

Questions I am Asked about the Holocaust by Heidi Fried | This was fascinating. I studied History at university but haven't had a whole lot to do with the subject since graduating so it was refreshing to spend some time delving back into it. I also read a few other WW2 related books this year which I have loved. Fried's book is only around 150 pages and it is incredibly interesting. She basically just talks through common questions she gets asked about the Holocaust and answers them in simple terms. I've spent a long time learning about the holocaust throughout various stages of my education and there were still things that she discussed in this book that I'd never even considered about people's lives in the camps. Definitely recommend! I read this on the free BorrowBox app which connects to your local library card and lets you 'borrow' digital copies of books - I would highly recommend downloading it if you don't already have it as, if you're like me and can't resist buying a book, this is a great way of finding something new to read without having to buy anything. 

Bones and All by Camille DeAngelis | I actually saw the film trailer for this a while ago and was intrigued by the premise. I won't lie, I had to re-read the opening paragraph about 4 times before it made any sense to me but once I made it past the first page (always a good sign) I really enjoyed it. Well, enjoyed it as much as a person can enjoy a book about cannibalism. It has some touching moments of friendship and loss and heartbreak in there too and it makes you feel for the main character despite her tendency to self-sabotage. 

In July I will probably read the next book in the Twilight series (Eclipse) and I have a couple of thrillers on my shelf that have been recommended to me too. I might also reread the first Game of Thrones book again as I'm watching House of the Dragon at the moment and I just want to be in that world again.