At the beginning of June, I selected three books that I thought were manageable to get through. I was excited to read all of them because of the glowing reviews. Plus, June is Caribbean-American Heritage Month, so excellent time to read more Caribbean novels. Well, let’s just say one out of three was a hit!
Here’s what I read:
1. Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo – This book was outstanding! This was a book club read, and everyone loved it. Evaristo is a unique storyteller; she has a talent for allowing the story to naturally unfold. This is a must read, so stay tuned for my complete review. Rating: 5
2. Pleasantview by Celeste Mohammed – A popular book on Instagram, and I read it with great anticipation, but it was just an okay read. Mohammed accomplished her goal of highlighting the dark side of living in the Caribbeans, but the book’s flow was disjointed, which caused me to be less connected. I’m glad I finally read it, but not my favorite. Rating: 3
3. When We Were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo – Again, another popular book on Instagram. I participated in a read-along with two other bookstagram buddies, and let’s just say this was underwhelming, so much so that I DID NOT FINISH! This is the first book I did not finish this year. The book started off very slow, and 100 + pages into it, I was not fully engaged. I may pick it up at a later date…disappointing so far.
So, reader, how was your June?
Bookish Naija Gal 
Glad you loved Girl, Woman Other, I thought it was outstanding too. Such a shame When we Were Birds was a disappointment. My June was pretty good, 7 books read, another started, highlights were O Caledonia and Apricot Sky. I read a great debut called The Return of Faraz Ali by Aamina Ahmad which was great, and Elif Shakak’s The Island of Missing Trees.
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Yes, I was trying to push through When We Were Birds and just couldn’t. You had a very productive June. I’ve heard such great things about Elif Shakak, and I plan to read the Island of Missing Trees! Is this the first book you read by her?
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That was my third by Elif Shafak, I read The Bastard of Istanbul and then 10 minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World, which became a favourite read of last year, absolutely unforgettable, brilliant novel.
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Ahh, yes! 10 minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World…I think I’ll start with this one first. Thanks.
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I’m so glad you loved Girl, Woman, Other (in fact I read it because Ali, above, did!) I had some good reading in June, I hurried through a massive volume about the church in medieval England, as you do, but for relaxation enjoyed Salma El-Wardany’s These Impossible Things, Tomi Obaro’s Dele Weds Destiny and Larry McMurtry’s The Late Child. Hope you have some good ones in July – what have you got lined up?
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I actually do not have much lined up in July. I plan to read one book and hopefully catch up on book reviews (Black Cake, Girl, Woman and Other, etc.). Then, I’ll start my usual reading list again in August.
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