9 Books I Recommend – June 2024
“All of literature is one of two stories: a man goes on a journey or a stranger comes to town.”
– Leo Tolstoy
Here are 3 novels and 6 nonfiction books I recommend from what I finished reading in June 2024.
[See previously recommended books here]
NONFICTION
1. Worth Fighting For
Finding Courage and Compassion When Cruelty is Trending
by John Pavlovitz
Sometimes it seems our country has gone mad, dividing into two angry camps against each other. Along comes John Pavlovitz with hope that perhaps it doesn’t have to be this cruel. I thoroughly enjoyed this book encouraging us to continue standing strong for our values, but also to respect each other as we do so.
[Read my review here of Worth Fighting For, “4 Ways to Love Your Politically Opposite Neighbor”]
2. Write a Must-Read
Craft a Book That Changes Lives―Including Your Own
by A.J. Harper
I recently participated in a writing webinar with A.J. Harper as the host. In the short amount of time that I had her one-on-one with my work, I was amazed at her ability to lead me more directly to the heart of what I wanted to say in my writing. If you’ve ever wanted to write a book, I highly recommend A.J.’s book about the writing and editing (and some about the publishing) process; it’s phenomenal.
3. The Age of Magical Overthinking
Notes on Modern Irrationality
by Amanda Montell
Because I loved Amanda’s other books (Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism and Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language), I had a hunch I would love this one, too. And I was right. With her witty and personal writing style, Amanda walks us through the biases that trap our brains into thinking irrationally. There’s no guarantee that we’ll automatically think more logically and realistically after reading this book, but we’ll at least be more aware of fallacies when we see them.
[Read my review of The Age of Magical Overthinking, “Unraveling the Myths of Confidence”]
4. Life After Doom
Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart
by Brian D. McLaren
How are we to live in the middle of our climate crisis? Brian McLaren shows us a wise and brave path through, not around. This is a book about grieving, about hoping, and about changing, regardless of what happens next. I found it incredibly insightful and helpful.
[Read my full review here of Life After Doom, “A Journey of Hope Amid Climate Chaos”]
5. The Light Shines in the Darkness
Choosing Hope After a Mass Shooting
by Melinda Rainey Thompson
On June 16, 2022, about 100 miles from my home in north Alabama, a visitor to a church potluck in Birmingham, Alabama, sat down to eat with welcoming church members. And pulled out a gun. With no warning, he began firing. Three people died that night. And everyone was affected. Even the church members not in attendance. This book is a beautiful collection of essays from those who were there or who loved people who were there that night. I’ve chosen it as the selection for the August meeting of our Alabama Moms Demand Action online book club. One of the authors will be with us to share his experience of that horrible night.
6. Do/Walk
Navigate earth, mind and body. Step by step.
by Libby Delana
My other book club—the in-person group—is reading Do Walk this summer. It’s a small, easy book about Libby DeLana’s habit of taking a walk every day. It’s definitely motivated me to do my short walk in my neighborhood far more frequently these days (despite the oppressive heat).
FICTION
7. The Women
by Kristin Hannah
This is a powerful novel about a young nursing student in the mid-1960s who joins the Army Nurse Corps to serve in Vietnam. While it is fiction, it is based on the lived experiences that many female soldiers had during the war and after their return home. I cried throughout the book because it was so gut-wrenching yet also such an important story to hear.
8. Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Brontë
Because I want to read Praying with Jane Eyre: Reflections on Reading as a Sacred Practice, I thought I’d better re-read the classic novel Jane Eyre this month. It’s been years since I first read it, but it held up beautifully. I thoroughly enjoyed it (maybe even more this time?). If you’re not familiar with the story of orphaned Jane Eyre, the travails of her life, and her relationship with Mr. Rochester, I encourage you to find a copy (they’re everywhere) and read it, too.
9. The Dollhouse
by Fiona Davis
This novel is based on the actual Barbizon Hotel for Women in New York City in the 1950s. Aspiring models lived on one floor, and secretaries and editors lived on another. The book alternates chapters between a modern tenant as she uncovers a story that happened in 1952, and a character living it in 1952. Interesting plot and well-written.
WHAT I’M READING NOW
- Zero Days
by Ruth Ware - Punished by Rewards
Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Edition: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A’S, Praise, and Other Bribes
by Alfie Kohn - The Heart of Nonviolent Communication
25 Keys to Shift From Separation to Connection
by Kristin K. Collier - American Carnage
Shattering the Myths That Fuel Gun Violence
by Fred Guttenberg, Thomas Gabor - Spiritual Bypassing
When Spirituality Disconnects Us from What Really Matters
by Robert Augustus Masters - A Well-Trained Wife
My Escape from Christian Patriarchy
by Tia Levings - The Power of Ritual
How to Create Meaning and Connection in Everything You Do
by Casper ter Kuile - Good People
Stories From the Best of Humanity
by Gabriel Reilich, Lucia Knell
What good book have you read lately? Please share in the comments.
With your mention of Jane Eyre, you’ve inspired me to reread this classic. I always enjoy your reviews, Lisa. Have a great weekend!
I’ve started reading Write a Must-Read. That webinar sounds amazing. Jane Eyre is one of my favorites.
All of these sound amazing, Lisa. I’m looking forward to your full reviews of Worth Fighting For and The Age of Magical Overthinking. Thank you for mentioning Jane Eyre…I want to reread that one too and then I want to read Praying with Jane Eyre.
Kristin Hannah and Fiona Davis are two authors that I find rarely disappoint with their stories! The Light that Shines in the Darkness sounds so powerful. It reminds me a bit of a memoir I read from a husband of the Paris bombing called You Will Not Have my Hate.
I can see “Jane Eyre” has awakened some of your other readers. It is my favorite of the classics with others coming a close second. I can still see my hand taking it out of the school library shelf when I was in high school to read for the first time! It has been read a few other times as an adult and even now as an older adult. It does not disappoint.
I’ve seem most of the filmed versions but the one that is a standout and I think you would totally enjoy it is the Masterpiece Theater adaptation starring Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens. Highly Recommended!
I was surprised our little library had Write a must read – ordered it! great suggestion!!
So much hope and positive action! I want to read every book on this list (including the one I’ve already read). I must check out Praying with Jane Eyre; I’ve been fascinated by that book for so long.
Oh, did I know you lived in Alabama? I’ve been to Birmingham! (Not when I’ve lived in the UK Birmimgham) as I worked for an international company that was headquartered there. I loved the friendly people and enjoyed exploring the surroundings a little, too.
Life After Doom grabbed my attention. I don’t think I have the fortitude to read it now though. I am so angry at the deniers. And to keep from living in this unwanted emotion, I put this topic on the back burner. We have done what we can: put in solar panels and we drive an electric vehicle. It is a drop in the proverbial bucket, but I take solace from having done something.
Your nonfiction books all sound intriguing. I seldom read nonfiction, but you are tempting me to add one in once and a while. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
The majority of these aren’t books I’d usually pick up, but there’s a couple that sounds quite interesting. Despite a love of classics when I was younger, I’ve never got through Jane Eyre. Maybe I should try it again.
That is a lot of books in one month! I like the sound of The Light Shines in the Darkness and The Doll House. I must admit I’ve never read Jane Eyre!
I’m definitely a lover of fiction, although I read a few autobiographies and biographies.
Popping over from Book Worms Monthly.
A few of those non-fiction really stand out to me. I am sure the book about the church shooting is quite powerful. Thanks for linking up!
Thanks for linking up! You read a lot of really interesting ones this month–I’m hoping to check out Write a Must-Read + Do Walk.
The Women is one of my favorite reads for this year so far. <3
I love both fiction and non-fiction. You’ve got an interesting selection of books this month! Loved The Women and The Dollhouse sounds intriguing!
Wow, what an outstanding reading month you had in June! These all sound great. Worth Fighting For sounds like just what we all need right now – hope for less cruelty. The writing book sounds interesting, too. I also finished The Women in June and agree – what a stunning, powerful novel and an important story to tell. And Jane Eyre is one of my favorite classics.
I only finished 3 (very big) books in June, but they were all excellent: The Women, Lonesome Dove by Larry LcMurtry (amazing novel!), and Countdown by Deborah Wiles (outstanding middle-grade historical fiction set in the 60’s).
Hope you’re enjoying more great books this month!
Sue
2024 Big Book Summer Challenge
You always provide me with a number of interesting-sounding titles to add to my to-read list! Thank you!
I am also currently reading Punished by Rewards – I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts! So far I have felt A LOT of emotions and thoughts while reading it 😉
Somehow I missed this one so glad to find it at MMD!
Jane Eyre is a favorite of mine. I definitely have to re-read it again soon! My book club is reading The Women next month and I am looking forward to hearing all about their thoughts!
Linking my June reviews, if interested!
We all found the same when we read Jane Eyre for book club. I didn’t appreciate the power of it when I was a teenager or the strength of Jane.
As always, Thank You so much for sharing your reads and recommendations with Sweet Tea & Friend’s this month. I’m so happy you’re here.
Hi, Lisa- Thank you for these recommendations. I hadn’t heard about ‘Life After Doom’ until another friend also recommended ut. I’ll take that as a sign! 🙂 ‘Do Walk’ also sounds like a great read for me!
Hi Lisa, our online bookclub have been reading classics for some time now and Jane Eyre was one of them (obviously), I’d not read it before!
Some great books reviewed in your post – many thanks for joining us for #WOYBS.
Your books sound good. I have a few Kristen Hannah books but haven’t started them yet.