The photo above is more an interpretation of my brain these days than a statement about June in Seattle. Apologies to everyone in the path of this staggering heatwave, but it’s been a lovely month here weatherwise. My reading was similar. The stormy part comes into play in that in an effort to mute the surrounding noise (which gets louder every day) I’ve become a bit of a book assassin—bringing to a sudden end books that have not immediately appealed to me. I had 6 DNFs (did not finish) in June, my highest monthly count ever.
Here are two that I thoroughly enjoyed as well as links to my other June reading.
Killer Potential by Hannah Deitch
Published by William Morrow & Company
Publication date: March 18, 2025
Bookshop
An SAT tutor shows up at a wealthy client’s home for a planned appointment only to find it empty. Except for the parents, both of whom are dead in the backyard. Horrified she rushes out of the house to call the police, only to hear a small voice calling for help from a closet under the stairs. She opens the door to find an Asian girl, about her age, tied up, who begs to be released. From there, the novel Killer Potential spirals outward in ever widening circles of wild circumstances, bad choices, and panic.
Of course, there is a Thelma & Louise vibe to Killer Potential. Two women on the run from local police and the FBI for a crime they didn’t commit, but which leads them to commit crimes. Evie and the girl crisscross the country in an effort to find safety, until, as Evie vainly believes, the real killer is found. A darkly humorous and sharp debut, this kept me reading.
The Book That Held Her Heart by Mark Lawrence: Review to follow
King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby: My review
The Death of Us by Abigail Dean
Published by Viking Adult
Publication date: April 15, 2025
Bookshop
This novel about a couple who survives a home invasion attack in which the wife is beaten and raped is powerful in its impact. Told from the man’s and the woman’s perspectives after their assailant has been caught years later (ala The Golden State Killer) it’s a sad portrayal of the devastation left behind by sexual assault. I’m still thinking about this bleak book and wishing I could write a more comprehensive review because it’s meaty and deserves deeper consideration.
We Don’t Talk About Carol by Kristen Berry
The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig: Love horror? This is can’t miss. My review
The Catch by Yrsa Daley-Ward
Published by W. W. Norton & Company
Publication date: June 3, 2025
Two sisters abandoned and adopted by different families grapple with their estrangement when, as adults, one reaches out to the other because she’s certain she’s seen their mother. I tried, but this plot was too slippery and I didn’t fully understand the premise.
The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark: My review
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans: Review to follow
I may not have had the quantity of reading I’m used to in June, but there was certainly quality. What did you read this month?
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*I received a free copy of these books from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.*
I’ve only finished 3 books this month so far, almost have a 4th one completed but not quite.
I read Beach House Rules by Christy Woodson Harvey. Usually I enjoy this author, not this time. I felt like I had read this story before and it had been done better.
You and I both liked The Ghost writer, and King of Ashes.
I’ve enjoyed Nora Robert’s Hidden Nature, easy breezy reading, she writes a formula nothing taxing to read.
I’m not reading much right now due to brain width, and my eyes. I hope to have cataract surgery soon.
Oh, cataracts are the worst! You’ll feel better once you have the surgery and it’s quick and easy (and I hate surgery!). Feel better so you can get back to your reading!
I didn’t realize the home invasion includes a rape in The Death of Us … ugh — maybe that is too bleak right now. But it’s on my summer list. Should I go there? Or sub it out? How good is The Correspondent? hmmm. We had a cooler & wetter June here — which we actually needed after a couple dry months. I think July could be back in the frying pan. Stay well.
I’d wait on Death of Us. I wanted to write a better review, but I seem to be losing my words these days. My brain is so focused on not going insane or sinking into problematic depression that I have no band width.
The Correspondent is lovely. A balm, but not too sweet. We had high temps earlier in the week, but now it’s beautiful again. We could use rain, but that’s par for a Seattle summer. You take care.