This June recap is a little special. Monday, July 3rd, is my mother’s 85th birthday and I want to give her the biggest shout-out I can because aside from being a wonderful mother, this blog, the podcast, my career as a librarian, none of it would have happened without her passion for books. She’s the lovely high schooler in the photo above and my love of reading is one of the most precious gifts she’s given me.
On to the books! June was quite the month for great and unexpected reading.
The House Is on Fire by Rachel Beanland
Published by Simon & Schuster
Publication date: April 4, 2023
In 1811 the Richmond Theater burnt to the ground causing the deaths of hundreds of people. The House is On Fire is an engrossing novel about the days surrounding the fire and its aftermath, as told from the perspective of four people who were there. One is a young society widow, another an enslaved Black blacksmith, a stagehand at the theater, and a Black slave girl who accompanied her mistress. Extremely well-written and a creative blend of history and suspense.
The Puzzle Master by Danielle Trussoni: Fabulous mystery thriller. My review
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue: Review to follow
I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai
Published by Viking Adult
Publication date: February 21, 2023
I Have Some Questions was a unique reading experience in that it took me four tries to finish it. The stalls were due to library holds, new releases, and an inability to stay focused. This is a slow burn novel with a literary overtone. Bodie is a successful podcaster who returns to her private high school to teach a mini-mester course on podcasting. One of her students decides to do a true crime podcast and revisit the murder of one of Bodie‘s classmates. This is the wormhole Bodie falls into.
Makkai is an unusual writer, in that while this is fiction she crams so many real-life details into the plot or the narration, that the theme, violence against women, often overtakes the story. Still, a very thought provoking read about relevant social issues.
Such Kindness by Andre DuBus III: A novel of melancholy beauty about one man’s midlife reckoning. My review.
The Art Thief by Michael Finkel: Nonfiction about one man’s obsession with art. Review to follow
If We're Being Honest by Cat Shook
Published by Celadon Books
Publication date: April 18, 2023
Genres: Fiction, Contemporary 
When patriarch Gerry dies his best friend Fred, is the person chosen to give his eulogy simply because his children and grandchildren don’t feel capable. Little do they know that Fred’s going to drop a bombshell that has ripple effects throughout the novel, If We’re Being Honest. Even before Andy’s bombshell, the author uses each character as a Molotov cocktail set to explode at any moment. None of these characters are going to be reliable, and only a few will even be likable. Dislikeability is not enough to keep me from enjoying a book, as long as there is some texture to the person. Sadly, in if we’re being honest, this never materializes. Each of the characters steadfastly dreadful from beginning to end with the exception of matriarch Emma, and possibly the hapless Fred, both of them find themselves in situations they hoped never to face.
I hope everyone had some great reading in June. Have a happy long weekend! I’m away for a bit but will post reviews as I can.
This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on a link and make a purchase of any kind, I get a small commission (at no cost to you).
*I received a free copy of this book from Celadon Books in exchange for an honest review.*
I was confused by your review for If We’re Being Honest- I believe the deceased man is named Gerry, and his best friend was Fred, not Andy. I just finished this book, and I found it quirky, and I agree with your assesment that each character was a Molotov cocktail waiting to happen- I enjoyed it on audio.
Oh my gosh, you are absolutely right! I’m mortified, but it shows how little the book stuck with me. Thank you for pointing this out and I’ve corrected the names.
What a nice tribute to your mother, the reader! Happy birthday to her. So glad she passed along her love of books to you. My Labrador’s bday was also on July 3, Stella is now 11 and is exceptional to us. It also took me a long while to finish the Makkai novel. Parts of it I liked and other parts went ’round & round. She wore me out. Happy July to you.
Agreed. The novel lost some of its urgency with Makkai’s insertions of all the instances of violence against women. An important topic, but diluted the plot.