June has been a good reading month, 6 fiction books, 2 nonfiction, and 10 picture books. I’ll do another post about the the 74 books I’ve read so far in a few days, but let’s get to my favorites of the month.

Favorites

I already wrote a post about this being on my favorites list here. This was a reread for me.

I posted about this too. One of my favorites authors and series.

Posted my thoughts on this one here. Inspiring women.

Better Than Chocolate: 50 Proven Ways to Feel Happier by Siimon Reynolds and Jenny Kostecki, 4.25 stars, Self Help, 112 pages, 2005

Don’t worry, be happy! Everyone could use some tips on how to increase the happiness in their lives and this fun book is just the thing. I loved it and have a few new tips and resources to check out. The illustrations and short entries make it perfect for daily reflection time. They cover the obvious (excercise, laugh, be grateful, turn of screens) and the unexpected (develop discipline, understand buddhist theory, get in flow, seek internal goals).

Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code by Laurie Wallmark & Katy Wu. 4.5 stars, nonfiction picture book, 48 pages, 2017.

She was such an inspiration! Joining the Navy at 37 and retiring at 80, there probably won’t be another like her. Answers the question of why we call it a computer ‘bug’

Without Separation: Prejudice, Segregation, and the Case of Roberto Alvarez by Larry Dane Brimner & Maya Gonzalez. 4.25 stars, 40 pages, nonfiction picture book, 40 pages, 2021.

It’s about the 1931 case Roberto Alvarez v. The Board of Trustees of the Lemon Grove School District. I loved the story and the art and the 6 pages of photos and extra information at the end.

I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsberg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy and Elizabeth Baddeley. 4.25 stars, nonfiction picture book, 40 pages, 2016.

It starts with Ruth’s mother wanting more for her daughter and ends with her friendship with Antonin Scalia and showed everything she did in between to make this country one that treats women more fairly.

Also Good

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James. 4 stars, Spooky thriller, 327 pages, 2020.

There is a creepy, sinister, and forgotten feeling you get when reading about Fell, NY and The Sun Down Hotel. There are ghosts, killers, and missing and murdered girls. The book is a whole vibe.

One storyline is about Viv in 1982 and the second is about her niece Carly in 2017. Lots of parallels and mystery that will keep you reading. There are even a few boys! It didn’t love this one at first, but it didn’t take me long to be hooked.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. 4 stars, fiction, 360 pages, 2020

I saw it all over my feeds, my husband told me I had to read it, my book club read it (I missed that month), and it’s STILL taken me over a year to read it. A talking octopus wasn’t really calling to me. But, dang, if I didn’t fall for that eight armed smarty, Marcellus!

Alternating, but connected, storylines about several struggling humans and one bored cephalopod make this a sweet, healing debut novel. Did I love Marcellus? Of course! Did I read through the other parts to get to Marcellus? Yes! Did I like the rest of story? After reading all of the parts I did indeed like the book, BUT it didn’t quite live up to the hype for me. The small mysteries kept the plot moving along.

Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano. 3.75 stars, mystery/thriller, 355 pages, 2021

I had a hard time getting into this one, but as it went on and I embraced the ridiculousness of a divorced mom with so little money her electric gets shut off becoming an inadvertent killer for hire. It ended up being fun, although I’m unlikely to continue with the series.

Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome by Calarabelle van Niekerk & Liezl Venter. 4.25 stars, fiction picture book, 48 pages, 2008.

 The colorful illustrations brought this story about Sam to life. This talks about so many aspects of being on the autism spectrum, but all to highlight Sam. I loved this one and it starts before he even gets diagnosed with tips for neurotypical kids in the back.

Peace by Baptiste Paul, Miranda Paul & Esteli Meza. 4 stars, fiction picture book, 40 pages, 2021.

efinitely for the younger child. I loved these gorgeous illustrations so much! So many great things showing what peace is, like pronouncing your friend’s name correctly and giving far more than you take. The last page talked about how war and violence around the world affects wildlife and nature. A wonderful discussion starter.

I am an Aspie Girl: A book for young girls with autism spectrum conditions by Danuta Bulhak-Paterson & Teresa Ferguson. 3.5 stars. nonfiction picture book, 32 pages, 2015.

Good information for a younger girl to help understand her autism diagnosis.

She’s Not Sorry by Mary Kubica. 3.5 stars, Thriller, 330 pages, 2024

I took nurse Meaghan on a few walks this week and followed her story of caring for a coma patient while being concerned about Chicago’s serial attacker. I had a hard time connecting with Meghan and so the book was only okay for me. I liked the few twists in the second half of the book, but the end fell a little flat.

These were okay

Papa’s Mechanical Fish by Candace Fleming & Boris Kulikov. Fictional picture book about the man who made the first submarine.

Yetta the Trickster by Andrew Griffing Zimmerman and Harold Berson. Four trickster stories for younger kids.

Not for me, but maybe just right for you!

Summer Story: Brambly Hedge by Jill Barklem, fiction picture book for young children.

The Big Book of Butts by Eva Manzano and Emilio Urberuaga, silly nonfiction picture book.