June Preview

Hi all. Wow we’ve made it to June. We’re part way through the year now. Happy summer for those in this hemisphere. We had a dry, windy, and hotter than usual May so we are still looking for some rain and hope that June will bring the much needed moisture to douse the ongoing wildfires up north. Luckily a southern wind has been keeping the smoke away from us, yay. 

Unfortunately May turned out to be a slow reading month for me as we worked on the yard and I wallowed for a good while in Barbara Kingsolver’s long novel Demon Copperhead, which was a read for my book club. I’m nearing the end of the ebook now and it’s been quite the journey of an Appalachian boy’s life. I’ll wait to finish it before crystallizing my thoughts for a review. But it’s a good one for the Big Book Challenge at 550 pages. I’m not sure I’ve read a novel that long since Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch, which I loved, at 770 pages. Both books won the Pulitzer Prize coincidentally. I normally don’t like reading such long tomes but every once in a blue moon they can be well worth their time.

Meanwhile it’s fun to see everyone’s summer reading lists going up. I plan to post my summer list next week, which I always like doing. I’m looking to mix in some faster beach reads with some literary reads from earlier in the year. We will see what I come up with. 

Also this past month we’ve been watching the series Succession Season 4 as well as the crime show Happy Valley Season 1 (need to binge Seasons 2 and 3 now). Wow both are good but we’ll need something a bit happier after these shows, LOL. So I’m going to throw in the series Daisy Jones & the Six for some lighter fair. We’ve not seen the last few episodes of Succession just yet, so we are avoiding all the finale talk. But it’s been fun to hate the bratty, rich Roy siblings, right?

And now let’s see what notable releases are coming out in June. There’s a slew of possibilities with new novels by Lisa See, Isabel Allende, Leila Slimani, and Richard Ford among others. I’ve picked a few additional novels that look good too. First off is the novel The Rachel Incident (due out June 27) by Irish author Caroline O’Donoghue about a college student named Rachel Murray who gets caught in the middle of a friend’s romance. It’s said to be a “funny novel about friends, lovers, Ireland in chaos, and a young woman desperately trying to manage all three.”

Author Lauren Fox says Donoghue “shines a laser beam on young adulthood, particularly the crazy intensity of those messy, beautiful friendships forged in the fires of romantic crisis.” It seems it might make you remember your twenties all over again.

Next up is the novel Hedge (due out June 6) by Jane Delury about a 40-year-old woman who is a “garden historian in San Francisco” and is balancing the demands of motherhood and marriage with her own needs and work. Wanting to escape her troubled marriage, she accepts a summer job restoring the garden of a lush, 19th-century estate in the Hudson Valley.

Hmm my curiosity is piqued by the description. And Kirkus Review says: it’s a “persuasive, quietly satisfying portrait of a woman’s midlife crisis and the essential choices she makes.” Apparently there’s also a surprise or twist in the novel … and it’s been described as part love story, part thriller. So what are we waiting for?

Then there’s Andre Dubus III’s novel Such Kindness (due out June 6) about a man who’s lost just about everything: his job, his family, his house, and his self-worth and then he undergoes a transformational journey to retain his sense of goodness that apparently is “tremendously moving” according to author Ann Patchett.

I’m a bit of a sucker for Andre Dubus ever since his novel House of Sand and Fog gutted me years ago, but I haven’t read him since so perhaps this is my chance. It seems his fiction often brings light on the working class. And I still have a copy of his 2011 memoir Townie that is sitting on my shelves unread, so perhaps I should crack that as well.

As for what’s new to watch in June, the final Indiana Jones movie is coming out on June 30, though unfortunately it doesn’t look overly appealing and the reviews of it aren’t that great, but at least Fleabag actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge is in it. Still I think I might pass for now.

Perhaps the bright spot of that old franchise was the first one with actress Karen Allen in it — Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981. I remember it … about as well as those high school days. That makes Harrison Ford and his character about 80-years-old now. If I had to guess, my favorite Harrison Ford movie is still probably American Graffiti even with all the Star Wars films.

If you need more action, the fourth and final season of the spy series Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan is starting June 30 on Prime. We’ve watched the earlier seasons and the episodes went by as quickly as melting ice cream on a summer day. I have no idea the plot this time around, but I’m pretty sure John Krasinski as Jack will get the job done — someway, somehow. 

And lastly there’s new albums out in June by such notable artists as: the Foo Fighters, Noel Gallagher, Jenny Lewis, Rufus Wainwright, John Mellencamp, Cat Stevens, Lucinda Williams, and the Cowboy Junkies among others. Whoosh there’s a lot. Following my country vibe lately, I’ll pick Jason Isbell’s new album Weathervanes, due out June 9, along with Canadian singer Jenn Grant’s new one Champagne Problems, coming out June 21. We’ll see how they turn out. 

That’s all for now. What about you — which new releases are you looking forward to? 

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34 Responses to June Preview

  1. I always look forward to your monthly previews. I think I will also pass on the new Indiana Jones movie for now, maybe catch it once it’s free on streaming. I do like the Fleabag actress though….

    I haven’t watched Succession, but there sure is a lot of buzz about it’s ending. I also haven’t watched Jack Ryan so thank you for reminding me about it.

    Have a great rest of your week.

    • Susan says:

      Thanks Helen. It’s been a busy week but thanks for your kind words about my previews. They sort of help me keep on track or try at least. The Jack Ryan series is a pretty good spy action show. Hope all is going well there.

  2. Lesley says:

    I’m glad the winds have shifted and that it’s not as smoky, but it would be great if you could get a little rain (preferably at night while we’re up there!). It’s very windy today on the Columbia River. We’re off to Walla Walla to a brewery for our overnight stay. I’m sharing a lot of photos/videos on Instagram, if you care to follow me there. Ooops, Rod’s ready to head out, so I’ll write more about your recommendations later today. Ta-ta.

    • Lesley says:

      I wonder which is the longest book I’ve read. Maybe Sarum, but The Goldfinch was definitely up there in length. Pillars of the Earth, too. Hedge and Such Kindness appeal to. Thanks for bringing them to my attention.

      • Susan says:

        Oops just saw your second comment. Sarum and Pillars look huge. I have not tried those. Sometimes the really long reads sort of lose me. I think the Goldfinch might be the longest I’ve read ..but it was good. Seems like more epic novels these days. Happy reading.

    • Susan says:

      Hi Lesley, has your trip started now? I know we have marked June 8th to meet in Black Diamond. I just started getting on Instagram a bit more – so I’ll look out for your posts. Sometimes I forget about Insta LoL.
      We still can’t get rain here in the south of Alberta. Crazy. It’s pretty dry and windy. I’m crossing my fingers for your trip to be great. talk soon.

      • Lesley says:

        Yes, we left the Cove on Memorial Day and are now in Spokane, heading to Troy, MT this morning. We’re looking forward to meeting up in Black Diamond on the 8th. I’m sharing pictures on IG, but I’m posting a few days back, so not in real time (so not really “Insta”). 🙂 Sorry you guys haven’t had any rain. The skies down here are pretty clear and smoke-free, thankfully. I look at the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard every morning to see how things are looking.

        Regarding Sarum and Pillars of the Earth, I read the former and it took me months! Pillars was a great audio and one I highly recommend if you enjoy listening to lengthy books. John Lee is the narrator and he’s fabulous.

        We’ll be in touch!

        • Susan says:

          Okay thanks for the update! Sounds like your trip is off to a good start. I pulled up your Trip Wizard and see that you’re near Kalispell. But did you get to see Flathead Lake? That’s a good one. Weird thing is we might get rain when you’re in Black Diamond. Crazy. But we need it. I like that Wildfire Dashboard too. I look at it each morning. Air quality is not great today. You might like this site too: https://aqicn.org/station/canada/ Keep in touch on what hours you want to meet up at the brew pub. Cheers! Have fun.

  3. stargazer says:

    Fingers crossed, you’ll get some rain! I often struggle with tomes and tend to find them overly long with too much filler content. That includes Demon Copperhead and The Goldfinch, not to mention Crime and Punishment. Occasionally, I come across a chunkster, which keeps my attention fixed all the way through, but it is rare.

    The Andre Dubus novel sounds like my kind of book, but I am not familiar with the author. I wonder if it’s too sentimental?

    Hope you are enjoying your new house. It makes sense to work in the yard, rather than reading, now the weather is nice.

    • Susan says:

      Thanks Stargazer. I agree with you about long long books — I struggle with them too because usually they do get flat somewhere along the way. They ebb & flow, or at least my interest does. It is rare that one is good all the way. But if they are good 80% then I’m happy.
      We will have to see about the Andre Dubus novel. If you haven’t read House of Sand & Fog, you might try the audio. It’s a doozy.
      The new house has given us new life — but the yard work is huge. Good thing we are gardener enthusiasts otherwise we’d be toast. Lol. Happy reading!

  4. Carmen says:

    Yesterday and today we have had haze due to wildfires in Nova Scotia. I hope you get some rain to assuage those fires. Maybe I’ll watch the latest Indiana Jones movie; The Crystal Skull was quite a disappointment. I have Lisa See’s latest in queue to read after August Blue and Loot, which I’ll be reading in June. Also, I’ll be starting Succession next week.

    I finished The Covenant of Water; it’s epic and easy to read, though it ebbs and flows. The most enthralling passages are the ones describing medical procedures and diagnoses (4*). Then, I read Yellowface, which I strongly recommend you; it was incredibly easy to read (took me 4 days), very funny and dark as well. I liked it a lot (4* with some 4.5* passages). I’m almost done (hopefully tonight) with an ARC of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s latest, TBR in July; I’m liking it a great deal. Maybe I’ll have time to squeeze another quick reading before August Blue releases on the 6th. Happy reading, Susan!

    • Susan says:

      Wow Great report Carmen. You are on a reading roll! Way to go. You’ve read a lot lately. Covenant is epic! I’m impressed. I’m way behind but now you have me interested in Yellowface. I like publishing kinds of plots. Reminds me a little of The Other Black Girl, which also had a plot set in the publishing industry. I will add it to my TBR. I looked at the Deborah Levy new novel — I read one of her past novels and it was weird but good. She’s quite a big writer.
      I will try to get back on track … if I can finish Demon Copperhead. Soon!
      Enjoy your June.

  5. I didn’t realize there was a “Daisy Jones & the Six” series. I’ll have to look for it. Thanks for cluing me in.

    • Susan says:

      Hi Dorothy, yeah Daisy Jones is on Prime. I looked at episode 1 and was drawn into it. I sort of pooh poohed it before and then I watched it and liked it. See what you think. I still need to watch the rest. Happy June to you.

  6. Kathy Vullis says:

    Hi Susan, I liked the series Daisy Jones and the Six specifically because of the chemistry of the two main actors and I look forward to your review. Regarding Richard Ford I have never read his novels but I did read his short story collection Rock Springs which I must have read 25 years ago and I have very fond memories. I hope you have a great summer and I too need to think about my summer reading list.

    • Susan says:

      Hey Kathy, yeah we need to brainstorm on a summer list. Next week I’ll have something. I’ve read a couple Richard Ford books — he’s quite renown, so I hope to check out his new one. About a son & father on a road trip with all sorts of mortality issues apparently.
      I liked the Daisy Jones book and enjoyed Episode 1 of the series so I will continue on. I think you told me about it. I admit Sam Claflin is easy to watch! Did you see him in the movie Adrift? Worth a watch.
      Happy June & summer to you as well. Much to read & see.

      • Kathy Vullis says:

        I haven’t seen Sam Claflin in anything else but what a great job he did. He’s a British actor and I would never have known. He just fit the part so perfectly.

        • Susan says:

          Yeah in the first episode he did a great job so I must see more. He hides his British accent well. I might have seen parts of Me Before You, which he’s in too.

  7. Lark says:

    Yay for June! I hope it brings some rain your way. And that you find many good books to read. 😀

    • Susan says:

      Thanks Lark. We can’t seem to buy a raindrop lately but send some if you have any there. Much to read this summer! Have a happy June!

  8. I am glad the winds are keeping the smoke away and hope you get some rain soon to help with the fires.

    My daughter’s Keeper of the Lost Cities books fall into the Big Book category, but it doesn’t seem fair considering they are middle grade level. I hope to read at least one or two more substantial books this summer for the challenge in addition to some of those lighter ones. But if I don’t, at least I can count those others!

    I keep hearing about Succession, but haven’t seen it myself.

    I am excited about Lisa See’s new book and will definitely be reading that one. I came across a title the other day, Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea by Rita Chang-Eppig that has caught my attention. I may have to add that to my unofficial summer reading list. Hazel Gaynor’s The Last Lifeboat is also coming out this month, I think. I hear it’s sad, but I do love her books.

    I liked the first season of Jack Ryan, but never got beyond that. We’re going to see The Little Mermaid today at the theater.

    I hope you have a great week, Susan! Happy reading!

    • Susan says:

      Thanks LF. Good hearing from you. Much to read & see eh? I’m going to have to investigate Keeper of the Lost Cities and see what that is. Some day I think I’m going to go back & read Watership Down (the bunny story) which I think is a middle grade level read. I first read it in 1977 when my family took a summer vacation at a house in Laguna Beach. I think at the time I thought there were some violent or sad parts to it. So Mouse beware. But it also quite good too.
      I like Lisa See’s books too. And haven’t fully recovered from Island of the Sea Women but when I do I’ll move on to the next, LOL. Have a great week.

  9. Harvee says:

    I can recommend the Rachel Incident. Loved the characters. Have a good reading week.

  10. mae says:

    That’s an interesting list of novels. I hope you enjoy your summer reading.
    best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com

    • Susan says:

      Thanks Mae, I just joined the Books of Summer challenge so you can see another list of books in the post above. So many books so little time, right? Happy reading.

  11. Susan, I’d like to join Helen in thanking you for updates about what is coming out next. I tend to miss seeing what is new.

    I brought home a lot of ARCs from the library conference, but, honestly, I need to sort through them again and see what I’d like to read. I may have ARCs of some of the books you shared. I especially hope I can find and read Such Kindness.

    • Susan says:

      Thanks Deb for the kind words about my Preview posts. I try to use them to keep a bit organized about what’s new but I often don’t get to the releases right away.
      I will look to see the ARCs on your site. I’m hoping Such Kindness will have light amid the character’s sorry plight. We will see. Enjoy your week!

  12. May was a slow reading month for me, too. Just two books, but both excellent. Demon Copperhead took a lot out of me, too. Tough to read in parts, but I kept turning the pages. I’d forgotten that The Goldfinch won a Pulitzer, too. That’s been on my kindle almost since it was released… maybe that will be next summer’s “project” read. Sure hope you get some rain soon. Happy June!

    • Susan says:

      Thanks JoAnn. My reading continues to be slow as molasses. I’m considerably busy with the new house (& getting furniture) and clearing & planting the land around it. So I’m distracted in a good way with that. But we will see if I can get a jumpstart into my summer reads list. I hope you will be joining in with your list.
      We still have had no rain and there are heat warnings this week with 90 degrees. So strange for here. We are hoping Friday brings a storm. Enjoy your June!

  13. iliana says:

    Hope you guys get some rain! We’ve actually had some lately which is not very usual for this time of the year but I’m grateful. I did see a preview for the new Indiana Jones movie. Well, I may watch it but not in a rush to see it. We’re also probably going to watch the final Jack Ryan season. It’s a bit all over the place but I do like to see the international settings. Very curious about the Hedge! Hope you have a great start to your summer!

    • Susan says:

      Thanks Iliana. Wow hot Austin is getting rain and not us? That’s unusual. We are hopeful for thunderstorms someday soon. We just keep missing them.
      The Jack Ryan finale will be good for summer watching. I think the start of summer is fun — there’s so much to do and it’s nice to be outside!
      Happy June to you.

  14. Hello! I feel like it’s been an age since I’ve stopped by. Are you settling? I know it was crazy for awhile.

    I’m happy to be able to tell you Such Kindness is a gorgeous novel. Pure literary gold. Sadly, I think that means it won’t get much attention- there’s not a lot of plot. But the writing!

    • Susan says:

      Hey Catherine, great to hear from you. In a couple weeks, it’ll be 5 months in our new place, woohoo. Hard to believe but true. We are settling in gradually & love it – about 45 mins outside the city. Granted we still have much to do – furniture to get, boxes to unpack in a couple rooms. Bookcases to acquire! LoL. How is your re-settling going? Glad to be back in Seattle? I hope all is well.
      And very glad to hear from you about the novel Such Kindness, yay! That’s good news. I will get to it sometime for sure. I never forgot his novel House of Sand & Fog. Gawd a killer. Happy summer to you. ps. I’ve enjoyed your podcast episodes with Sarah a lot. Keep it going!

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