Mini Book Reviews: June 2024

Disclaimer: I received copies of Margo's Got Money Troubles, The Midnight Feast, Sandwich, Husbands and Lovers, and Bear from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest reviews.

June just flew by, didn't it? And of course, I read plenty of books this month. My NetGalley prereleases were getting cumbersome, so almost the entire month working through the list, knocking out 5 of them. I loved four of them--surprisingly, the one I didn't care for was written by Lucy Foley, who is a very popular thriller author. It would be hard to choose a favorite out of the other 4--I enjoyed them all very much! 

But it was A Walk in the Park that had my heart and took a while for me to read. It was long, yes, but it was just so good. It is a must read for anyone who loves to hike or run trails, or who wants to learn more about the Grand Canyon. I fully expect to see this on year-end lists of best of non-fiction books!

Most likely you've heard of people hiking from one rim to the other rim of the the Grand Canyon. Maybe you've done it yourself. But did you know the Grand Canyon is actually 750 miles long? I didn't until I picked up A Walk in the Park, an engrossing and entertaining account of Kevin Fedarko's attempt to thru-hike the Grand Canyon with his photographer buddy, Peter McBride. Told with great detail, this book takes the reader up and down the canyon, through narrow slot canyons, along the Colorado River, through thunderstorms and blizzards, and more. They find Native American artifacts and artwork drawn on the walls that date back centuries. Fedarko also shares a lot of history throughout the book and presses the reader to consider the effects that commercial tourism is having on the canyon. Lots of food for thought! I've been to the Grand Canyon, but now that I've read this book, visiting will be a completely different experience.

What a fun, refreshing story! When Margo finds herself pregnant after sleeping with her English professor, she has to figure out a way to support herself and the baby. and her unconventional line of work on Only Fans made me alternately cringe and laugh out loud. You might not agree with her choices, but she did what worked best for her and her baby. This quirky book takes the reader on a roller coaster ride as Margo navigates her situation. As you might imagine, there are lots of interesting characters--her father is a former WWE wrestler-- and the pages practically turned themselves. Margo's Got Money Troubles has already been optioned as an Apple TV series, so stay tuned for that!

When a bougie wellness resort opens in an old historic manor, the locals are not happy about it. The proprietor is the granddaughter of the former owner who strives to put on a perfect outer appearance and is obsessed with her health. She has a dark past, which the reader learns about as the book unfolds. The story is told from multiple POVs, which initially confused me. Once I got about 1/3 into the book, the story started to find a groove. I couldn't help but make comparisons to Liane Moriarty's Nine Perfect Strangers, although this was more of a mystery. I had never read any of Lucy Foley's books before, but The Mimdnight Feast was just meh for me.

Sandwich is the story of a family on their annual vacation to Cape Cod. They stay in the same cottage every year and enjoy repeating the traditions honed over time. The kids are grown into young adults and their mother, who is the narrator, is struggling with menopause and the changes that come with growing older. Oh, could I relate to this one!!! The author does a great job of capturing the messiness and the joy of spending a week with your family in a small space. There are flashbacks to provide context. The dialogue is crisp, quirky, and realistic. It's a short, breezy read with a lot of substance. If you like Ann Patchett, you will love this one. 

The always reliable Beatriz Williams's newest offering is told in 3 timelines, mainly focusing on the present and the story of a single mom, Mallory, raising her son, who has kidney failure after a tragic accident. He needs a kidney and there is no way she's telling his dad, even though she is hopelessly in love with him. The backstory tells the story of Hannah, a woman in Cairo in the 1950s, whose connection to Mallory becomes apparent as the story unfolds. Yes, it's a lot and it took me some time to sort it all out and settle into the story. If I'm being honest, both stories were interesting and could have been told on their own. Husbands and Lovers was a very compelling read!

Bear is the story of two sisters, Sam and Elena, living with their dying mother, on San Juan Island in Washington State. Both women are struggling to make ends meet, working in service jobs. Sam, the younger sister, spots a bear swimming across the channel. After that, the bear shows up at their home. Sam's decision to call a state wildlife official causes dissent between the sisters and reveals Elena's relationship with the bear. Haunting, magical, suspenseful, and ultimately shocking, I could not put this book down. 

What did you read this month? Have you been to the Grand Canyon? Do any of these books intrigue you?

I'm linking up with Jenn and Zenaida for Tuesday Topics. I'm also excited to join Farrah for My Month is Booked!