What I Read: June

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Happy Saturday, CWH readers!

I want to start a new series on the blog where I share what I read for the month. Seeing as we’ve said “see ya” to June, and “hey, hey” to July, let’s chat about the books I read last month, shall we?

I’ve always been a bookworm. I was chatting with my friend McKenna about how many books we used to read in middle school, and we realized that with all the time we didn’t spend on social media/cell phones back then, we had all the time in the world to cuddle up with a good book.

So I’ve been taking time to sent my phone aside and check out while checking in to the chapters of a book. It’s been amazing! I read every day on my lunch break and then before bed for a while. Another tip is to bring your book anywhere where you may have a wait like the doctor’s, the dentist’s, or the auto shop.

If you need a book to hang on to this month, try one of these:

The Three Wissemann’s of Westport by Cathleen Schine

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There’s a cute little “Take a Book, Leave a Book” library in my neighborhood, so I keep a bag of old books in my trunk, so I can go do an exchange every couple of weeks. This was one of the ones I picked up from the book nook in June. It was a simple beach read about an elderly woman and her two grown daughters that go off to live in a little beach town cottage after the elderly woman gets divorced.

Once and For All by Sarah Dessen

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Sarah Dessen’s latest novel did not disappoint! I loved being transported back to her world, and I loved how this book centered around weddings. The main character is the daughter of a wedding planner who learns that you can get more than one chance at happily ever after. And the love interest totally reminded me of a young Logan Huntzberger. Swoon!

You are a Badass by Jen Sincero

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Finally got around to reading this! Cam and I were taking a romantic stroll through Target, and when he saw me hesitate by it, he bought it for me. I think anyone and everyone can benefit from this book. It’d be a great plane read, but I read it over the course of a few days while taking bubble baths, haha!

Confess by Colleen Hoover

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Kayla from Kayla Blogs got me on a Colleen Hoover kick. I’ve read several others by her, and I’m never disappointed. Each starts out as a classic love story, but always turns out to have a dark twist. It’s a read-it-all-in-one-night-because-you-can’t-put-it-down kind of book. And this one was set in Dallas, TX which I thought was super fun!

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

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I re-read this old Sarah Dessen for nostalgia purchases. (And my copy of “Once and For All” got lost in the mail and I was really having Dessen cravings.) It was actually the first book of hers that I’d ever read. I love Ruby’s story of how she lives a new life with her long-lost sister after her mother abandons her. It’s a touching story that helped me to learn back when I was 13 (and now at 21) that home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling.

A Thousand Days in Venice by Marlena de Blasi

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One of my favorite bloggers, Jess Keys, mentioned this back in her Valentine’s Day post. It’s a sweet love story of an American woman who leaves her life behind to marry a man she meets in Venice. I checked this one out from my public library, and LOVED it. The imagery is gorgeous. I’m planning on checking out the sequel, A Thousand Days in Tuscany very soon!

Once Upon A Marigold by Jean Ferris

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Just for giggles, I re-read this book I loved in middle school. It’s the story of a cursed princess, Marigold, who’s evil Queen mother is trying to marry her off, so that she can have the kingdom for herself. Marigold meets an unlikely love interest, the commoner Christian, and he is determined to save her from a narcissistic prince, an unhappy marriage, and her evil mother. It’s basically a Disney movie in a book. Super cute and will make you smile!

The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis

Holy. SHIZZ. One of the best books I’ve read in a while. Funnily enough, I’d already read the Bell Jar and studied the writings and history of Sylvia Plath, so it was neat that this book mentioned her as it was also written about the hotel for girls she stayed in (for only a month) in New York in the 50s. Coined “the dollhouse” for the all-female occupancy, the Barbizon hotel was full of feminine hormones, hairspray, and even deceit. I loved how this particular story paralleled with modern day New York City and explored two women’s stories of love, loss, and betrayal. I read it in 24 hours and could not tear myself away.

In a French Kitchen: Tales and Traditions of Everyday Home Cooking in France

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I read it every night before dinner for a couple nights, and learned so much. I’m really intrigued by the European approach to food and dining. I love that food isn’t meant to be fast there, diets are practically non-existent, and sitting down to a meal with loved ones is the most important aspect of feeding yourself. I got some good recipe inspiration and immediately wanted to book a ticket to Paris. C’est manifique!