My 5 Favourite June Reads

I managed to get through fifteen books in June – that blog tour (almost) break helped!  There were some five-star reads and a few that fell just short of that but, once again, no stinkers.  You can find a complete list of all the books I’ve read so far this year here, with links to my reviews.  If we’re not already friends on Goodreads, send me a friend request or follow my reviews on Goodreads.

Click on the book title to read my full review.

First up this month is The Shady Side of Town by Adrian Lawson and Geoff Sawers, a lovely little book about some of the notable trees to be found around Reading in Berkshire, where I live.   Alongside the descriptions of the trees are interesting titbits about how they came to be planted and the birds and insects that make them their home.  There are also lovely illustrations.

Next it’s historical fiction in the shape of Forsaking All Other by Catherine Meyrick. It’s a book I was introduced to by Amy at Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours who is responsible for bringing to my notice quite a few of the historical fiction novels I’ve enjoyed recently.  Set in 1585, Forsaking All Other is a fascinating, well-researched historical novel wrapped around a believable and touching love story with an engaging, independent-minded heroine.

More historical fiction, this time with a touch of the psychological thriller – The Poison Bed by E. C. Fremantle.  Set in the court of James I, it’s a story of friendship, betrayal, secrets, lies and obsessive love.  At around two thirds of the way through the book, the author throws a completely unexpected and absolutely brilliant curve ball.  This was a five-star read for me.

A few months ago I saw the film Darkest Hour starring Gary Oldman at my local independent cinema, Reading Film Theatre.  The film dramatizes the events of a pivotal few weeks in the Second World War when Britain faced the defeat of European allies and the possible loss of the entire British Expeditionary Force pinned down on the beaches of Dunkirk.  I loved the film – Oldman is superb as Winston Churchill – and was keen to read the book, also called Darkest Hour, on which it was based.  I’m pleased to report it is equally fascinating with lots of background detail drawn from contemporaneous sources which doesn’t appear in the film.

Finally, we’re back to my beloved historical fiction, this time of the crime/mystery/thriller variety.  And what a cracker it is!  Set in 1799 in New York, The Devil’s Half Mile by Paddy Hirsch is compelling, action-packed and intricately-plotted.  It’s notable for its colourful, sparkling prose that is generously sprinkled with period slang, some great curses and pithy one-liners. Highly recommended.

What great books did you read in June?