This year, I’m participating in the Unread Shelf Challenge 2020 with a goal to read 75 books that I already own. Each month, I’ll read one fiction, one nonfiction/memoir, one law/business/politics, and one devotional/spiritual book. Quarterly, I’ll be reading one book of classic literature. I’ll be listing where each book came from, whether from my existing collection, I borrowed the book, or purchased the book new this year. This is my June 2020 Reading List, which includes the books that I’ve finished, the books in progress and ongoing, and the books that I’ve abandoned.

Books Finished:

Son of a Gun by Justin St. Germain

Already owned physical book. June Nonfiction/Memoir pick from 2020 Reading Plan.

This memoir is the story of the author coming to terms with his mother’s murder and his childhood. His mother was a bit of a free-spirit with a penchant for terrible men, which meant that his childhood was a little strange and sad. But he has fairly good insight into the poignant situation.

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson

Already owned Audible.

The movie based on this book was fantastic, and the book is too. Stevenson tells the stories of several of his clients, how they ended up incarcerated, and how they were able to get them released. Stevenson also talks in the book about the incarceration of youth, particularly life sentences for youth. As a criminal defense and juvenile law attorney, the heartbreaking subjects in this book are all too familiar to me. If they are not familiar to you, then I recommend reading the book. It’s well written, and Stevenson is just a wonderful storyteller.

Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall

Already owned physical book. June Fiction pick from 2020 Reading Plan.

This is a coming-of-age story for a little girl who comes into contact with a traumatized woman. They experience some really terrifying and sad things, but grow and become stronger for their experiences. The book was not at all what I expected from the cover, but was a great book anyway.

The Lost Colony by A.G. Riddle

Borrowed from Kindle Owners Lending Library.

The final book in the trilogy, this one takes place on the new planet that the survivors have evacuated to. But there’s a mystery there once they arrive, and things aren’t as wonderful as they seem. A satisfying ending to the series. A. G. Riddle is a fantastic writer of science fiction, and I really enjoy everything of his that I’ve read so far.

Pont Neuf by Max Byrd

Already owned Audible.

This is the story of a female war zone correspondent during the end of World War II. She comes into contact with Martha Gellhorn, Ernest Hemingway’s wife, as well as two different men with very different backgrounds. She is attracted to both of them, and needs to choose between them. The book was okay, but not my favorite.

Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth

Borrowed from library using Libby app.

Veronica Roth is the author of the Divergent trilogy. I heard about this book in BookPage magazine, and thought the plot sounded interesting. The book starts out by following the ‘chosen ones’ after they’ve successfully defeated the ‘Dark One,’ but life isn’t as easy or good as it should be. And then there’s the multiverse… This book was a little long in the setup, but it was entertaining.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Purchased physical book this year.

The Night Circus has been on my radar for quite a long time, and I read it this month because my book club will be discussing it next month. Even though I’d heard about it before, I went into the experience of reading it without knowing much about the plot. I think this really is the best way to experience it, so I won’t say much more. I will say that it involves a circus, magic, unique characters, and a plot that I had to sit with and think about but didn’t see coming. I loved this book.

The Crown by Kiera Cass

Borrowed from library using Libby app.

The final entry in the Selection series, this book ties up the story of Eadlyn and how she secures her nation, her royalty, and opportunity for her people. It’s a fun YA book that moves right along, but also has some intrigue. I really enjoyed the series, even though I’m not a young adult.

The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel

Borrowed from library using Libby app.

Emily St. John is simply a masterful writer. I think that I’d read a shopping list if she published it, that’s how good she is. The Glass House is her latest release, and I had it on hold from the library right away. This story is quiet, and slower, and more haunting than her other books, but is beautifully written. The way each of the characters’ plotlines intersect in the end, I just didn’t see it coming. I don’t think this book is probably for everyone, as it’s not light, or fluffy, or a beach read. But if you’re willing to go to a different place, it is worth the experience.

All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot

Borrowed from library using Libby app.

A friend from my book club listed this as one of his favorite books, and I’d never heard of it before. I picked it up this month, and really enjoyed savoring it and reading it slowly. It was quite easy to read in smaller segments of time, as each of the chapters is more of an essay or short story in its own right, while fitting into the larger story in the book as a whole. The book is the story of the author’s experiences as a veterinarian at the turn of the century. It is a wonderful book, and I’m grateful that my friend told me about it.

Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life by C.S. Lewis

Already owned physical book. June Devotional/Spiritual pick from 2020 Reading Plan.

I initially thought that this book would be more of a story of C.S. Lewis’s spiritual life, but was mistaken in that belief. It is actually an autobiography of his childhood and young adult years. I was shocked at some of the topics that he covered in the book, although they were things that he actually observed and experienced. This will not be counted among my favorite of C.S. Lewis’s books, although it was interesting to learn about how he came to the Christian faith.

 

Books Ongoing through 2020:

Unshakeable: 365 Devotions for Finding Unwavering Strength in God’s Word by Christine Caine (Already owned physical book.) This is a daily devotional that I’ll be reading all year.

Year of Wonder: Classical Music to Enjoy Day by Day by Clemency Burton-Hill (Already owned physical book.) This book has daily readings about classical music generally, various sub-genres of classical, and a daily piece of music to find and listen to. I’ll be working through it all year.

 

Books in Progress:

The St. Nicholas Anthology edited by Henry Steele Commager (Already owned physical book.)

Taste for Truth: A 30 Day Weight Loss Bible Study by Barb Ravelin (Purchased Kindle e-book this year.) My bible study is working through this book.

Thank You for Being Late: An Optimist’s Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations by Thomas L. Friedman (Already owned physical book. June Legal/Business/Politics pick from 2020 Reading Plan.)

 

Books Abandoned:

Waco: A Survivor’s Story by David Thibodeau (Borrowed from library using Libby app.)