June Wrap-Up

The other half turned 50 yesterday, so we threw him a massive party at the weekend and now it’s is all about recovering from having way too much fun. Oh wait …. That didn’t happen. Because obviously the corona crisis messed that up. So instead, we had a “quiet” dinner with our bubble. (and the other kind of bubbles 😉) Also fun, but not as much. Especially because I’ve already seen our bubble three times since our lockdown measures have eased and … I’m sick of the sight of them already. 🤣

That party would have been the highlight of the month. Since it didn’t happen, not that I’m complaining it didn’t 😉, June has been pretty uneventful. I’ve spent most of my time gardening, reading and putting on weight. Especially the latter, unfortunately. And the last few days were all about melting in the heat. My sister in law chose the hottest day of the year so far to go shopping for clothes. I don’t like shopping for clothes (or any other shopping unless it involves books) at the best of times. She, on the other hand, can do about six tours of the same shop as if it’s some kind of crime to leave empty-handed. Tip of the day : never go shopping for clothes with someone who loves shopping for clothes!

Apart from that, June was pretty much all about the books. Although, a Zoom reunion with the cast of The Lord of the Rings did prompt me to start watching all six Hobbit/LOTR movies again. I forgot how long they were though so, so far I’ve only managed three. But there’s always next week!

Onto the books! I’m sure you’re all dying to know if I managed to up my game this month.

| BOOKS I READ IN JUNE |

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Well, would you look at that! Nothing like a challenge to kick my bum into gear. Techically, I’ve read 11 books from my 20 Books of Summer list by now. Officially however, I’m at 7. A few from my original list were somewhat disappointing and I chose not to review them. But all in all, June was a great reading month! Two of those will be popping up again at the end of the year when I compile my “books of the year” list. Feel free to play the guessing game. Unless your name is Kelly. 😏

| WHAT I LISTENED TO IN JUNE |

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Still continuing the Maeve Kerrigan series. Still enjoying them too. #TeamJosh

| BOOKS I BOUGHT IN JUNE |

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This is a good average. I wonder if I can keep this up. (Clue : no)

| BOOKPOST WHAT LANDED ON MY DOORSTEP THIS MONTH |

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Two for upcoming blog tours. One a surprise. Not entirely sure it’s for me but I’ll give it a good go. With thanks to Hodder, Viking and Orbit.

| ON THE BLOG IN JUNE |

Review | The Last One to See Her by Mark Tilbury
Review | The Temple House Vanishing by Rachel Donohue
Review | The Catch by T.M. Logan
Review | What Lies Between Us by John Marrs
Review | The Legacy by Yrsa Sigurdardottir
Review | The Waiting Rooms by Eve Smith
Review | Cradle to Grave by Rachel Amphlett
Review | Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier
Review | Blood Red City by Rod Reynolds
Review | His and Hers by Alice Feeney
Extract | The Curator by M.W. Craven

Press release | Shortlist unveiled for Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year
Press release | Val McDermid tips crime fiction’s rising stars

| COMING UP IN JULY |

Hopefully more reviews for the 20 Books of Summer challenge will be coming your way in July but who knows. After quite a brilliant start, things went a little downhill. I really have my eye on She Has A Broken Thing Where Her Heart Should Be but that book is nearly 800 pages so it’s going to take me a while, if I decide to squeeze it in.

What’s definitely coming up, is this :

July 17 : Blog tour | Extract | Rags of Time by Mike Ward

July 24 : Blog tour | Review | Finders Keepers by Sabine Durrant

July 30 : Blog tour | Review | Hilton Hollow by Will Carver

July 31 : Blog tour | Review | All The Lonely People by Mike Gayle

And that’s a wrap! Bye bye, June. Hello, July! (Please be kind.) Until next time! xx