Whether you’re in the mood for a self-help book on managing anxiety or a novel filled with mystery, family drama, friendship, and more—June’s reading list has something for everyone. This month brought a wide variety of stories and themes, from thought-provoking nonfiction to gripping fiction that kept me turning pages late into the night. Some titles truly stood out as top picks, while a few left me underwhelmed. In this post, I’m sharing honest reviews, star ratings, and recommendations on which books to add to your list—and which ones you might want to skip.

gods In Alabama By: Joshilyn Jackson

Summary: 10 Years ago, Arlene left her hometown of Possett, Alabama, with no intention of returning. For those 10 years, she had kept her promises, and God had kept His. Now, her two worlds are colliding. When a former high school classmate turns up in Chicago asking questions about Jim Beverly, the high school quarterback and god, she knows she will have to return to her previous life. Additionally, Burr, her longtime boyfriend, gives her an ultimatum: it is time for him to meet her family in order for their relationship to continue. Arlene loves him but is scared to death of the response they will receive when her racist family meets her African American Boyfriend. Grudgingly, she decides that Burr might as well join her on the road trip to her past. 

Review: The book’s first line pulled me right in. “There are gods in Alabama: “Jack Daniel’s, high school quarterbacks, trucks, big tits, and also Jesus.” Anyone from the South can relate to this opening line.

Arlene and Burr are polar opposites, who are perfect for each other. Arlene is quirky and loud, and Burr is stable and calm. The host of characters that make up Arlene’s family add depth to the story that I really liked. This is my first book by Jackson, but others have told me that character development is one of her strengths. I also appreciated the fact that the book took a turn I hadn’t seen coming, and I love it when a story catches me by surprise. I recommend listening to the audiobook version of this novel.

I will certainly read another book by Joshilyn Jackson.

Trigger warning regarding sexual assault.

Audiobook

Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery, Book Club, Southern

A Grace Kelly Dress By: Brenda Janowitz

Summary: This book tells the story of a wedding dress designed in Paris in 1958 and the three generations of women who are connected to the dress. Rocky’s mother and grandmother both wore this dress on their wedding days, but it simply did not fit with what Rocky envisioned for her own wedding. Rocky finds herself torn between what she feels is an obligation and her own style. Will her grandmother and mother understand if she chooses not to wear this family heirloom?

The book is told in three different time periods: that of her grandmother’s, her mother’s, and Rocky’s.

Review: I did not like this book as much as I thought I would. I really liked Rocky and her grandmother, but I did not connect with her mother. Interestingly, I am roughly the same age as her mother. My favorite part of the book takes place in 1950s Paris and tells the story of how the dress came to exist.

Audiobook

Fiction, Historical Fiction

The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club By: Faith Hogan

Summary: Set in a small village of Ballyrock on the Irish coast, this novel tells the story of Jo, her daughter Lucy, and Jo’s friend Elizabeth.  Elizabeth’s husband has just passed away, and she has uncovered his secrets that will impact her future.  All three women are at a crossroads in their lives, and it is through the connections that they make during their midnight swims that they find the strength to face their challenges.

Review: I read this for a book club, and it was an excellent choice for a group of women of all ages. Everyone in the group found a character that they could relate to.  I thought that book dragged a bit in the middle section, but I was able to make it through.

I listened to this book, and it was the narration that brought the story to life for me. I would have liked it as much if I were reading the book.

Audiobook

The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan

Summary: This is a memoir that chronicles Kelly and her father, George’s, battles against cancer. It also discusses the family dynamics of this large Irish family. The opening line, “The thing you need to know about me”, she begins, “is that I am George Corrigan’s daughter, his only daughter,” really sets the tone for the relationship that will take front and center throughout the book.

Review: I find this book both hard to review and rate. While reading the book, I found myself laughing, crying, and frowning at various points. Her father is a true character, and I fell in love with many of his responses to very serious situations. His love of life is consistently captured throughout the book. I had a harder time connecting with the author. Still, I have not experienced much of what she discussed in this book, so that is probably why some of her reactions seem over the top.

I must respect that the author shared her story and did not always portray herself in the best light. Her honesty is refreshing.

Audiobook

Nonfiction, Memoir, Autobiography

Beach Read By: Emily Henry

Summary: January is facing severe writer’s block and must meet a deadline that has already been stretched to its limits. She retreats to a house that her father owned, and she had not known about this place until after his death. Her plan is to write her next happy ending romance novel and clear out the house to sell.

After a somewhat awkward encounter with her neighbor, she discovers that it is a fellow writer with whom she had a crush in college. Augustus Everett is an acclaimed fiction writer, but he does not write about happy endings. After several negative run-ins with each other, a friendship begins to form. Will this new connection help her meet her deadline to finish her book?

Review: This is my least favorite Emily Henry novel. The plot had great potential, but just got bogged down and was repetitive. I never found myself waiting to read the next page or chapter; instead, I was plowing through to finish in time for the book club meeting.

Kindle

Fiction, Summer Read, Contemporary Fiction

As Bright As Heaven by Susan Meissner

Summary: In 1918, the Bright family —Thomas, Pauline, Evie, Maggie, and Willow —leaves their extended family in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, for an opportunity in Philadelphia. Thomas’s bachelor uncle owns a mortuary business that he wants Thomas to take over. The Brights find themselves living in Uncle Fred’s vast home, which also houses the business, but soon World War I and the Spanish Flu pandemic will change their lives forever.

Thomas is drafted to serve in the military, so Fred and Pauline are left to run the business. With thousands of people in Philadelphia with the flu, the mortuary is busy 24 hours a day. Pauline and other church members set out to help those less fortunate. It was during one of those trips with her mother that Maggie discovered a baby whose mother is dead, and his sister is dying. Maggie takes the baby and makes a decision that will haunt her for years to come. The family does not escape the Spanish flu without loss.

Review: The story is told from the point of view of four female characters, each distinct, which adds depth to the narrative. I found myself drawn to the characters, and I was thrilled when the end of the book took us to 1925 to see how the three girls had evolved.

I am a big fan of historical fiction. Yet, I had never read a book that included the Spanish Flu, so I enjoyed learning more about that epidemic.   Nor do I believe I have ever read a book that was set in a mortuary.

Audiobook

Fiction, Historical Fiction

Building A Non-Anxious Life By: John Delony

Summary: Most of us realize that our lives are filled with anxiety, and most of us have the skills to deal with daily anxiety. More and more people are finding it challenging to deal with anxiety, and some are paralyzed by their anxiety. In this book, Dr. Delony identifies the root of the issue by mapping out a plan to understand where anxiety originates and the actions we can take to change it. The book focuses on the six daily choices we must make to create a non-anxious life.

– Choosing Reality

– Choosing Connection

– Choosing Freedom

– Choosing Health and Healing

– Choosing Mindfulness

– Choosing Belief

Review: I decided to read this book because I have someone near and dear to me who suffers from debilitating anxiety, and I will say that it helped me understand their reactions, or lack thereof, much better.  Although the six daily choices were developed based on in-depth research and scientific information, the approach he took with the book was very non-clinical, and I appreciated that aspect of the book.

What I valued the most was that he has struggled with debilitating anxiety, and he openly shares those struggles, as well as the approach he took to put out the fire.

Audiobook

Nonfiction, Self-Help, Mental Health

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” -Dr. Seuss