What I read in June 2025
I can’t complain about June (apart from the heat – roll on autumn!). As usual, I read a whole bunch of books. I also drafted, and re-drafted, enough of a short story that I feel compelled to polish it off. Big thanks to my mini Zoom writing group for keeping on at me to continue working on it after the session (which is always a stumbling block for me), and giving invaluable feedback.
My review schedule is looking rather sparse beyond the next couple of weeks, so if you want a book reviewed soonish, now’s a good time to ask! Feel free to contact me on Instagram or Mastodon. I especially enjoy reviewing autobiogaphy, other non-fiction, short stories, and sci-fi.
Space Dragons: Luxorian’s Crew, by Veo Corva - 4*
Named: A Story of Names and Reclaiming Who We Are, by Camilla Balshaw - 4.5*
This Is How You Lose the Time War, by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone - 4
Children of Time, by Adrian Tchaikovsky - who knew the affairs of spiders could be so interesting? 4.5*
The Forty Rules of Love, by Elif Shafak - 4.5*
A Psalm for the Wild-Built, by Becky Chambers - 5*
Kill Them With Kindness, by Will Carver - 4*
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy, by Becky Chambers - yes, switching from soft, optimistic Chambers to harsh, cynical Carver and back did give me whiplash! 5*
The Listeners, by Maggie Stiefvater - 4*
Desolation: The Overdue Library, by D. Harrington - 4*
The Path of Thorns, by Angela Slatter - 5*
Desolation: Keep Your Imaginary Friends Close, by D. Harrington - review coming soon! 4*
Looking ahead…
Lots of blue/blue-adjacent book covers this month! A new Eva Björg Ægisdóttir blog tour is always a must-jump-on for me, so I’m looking forward to Home Before Dark.
Reading The Forty Rules of Love last month reminded me that I love Elif Shafak’s writing, and The Island of Missing Trees was already on my TBR pile, so that’s a no-brainer. I’ll also be continuing Claire North’s Penelope series with House of Odysseus.
I’m about to start Guilty by Definition, by Susie Dent, which comes very highly recommended by my dad!