June Wrap Up and Reports

[Dan]

I'll get this month started. The last few months I've struggled with consistently reading but after finishing Chelsea Cain's Archie Sheridan series, I've been on a roll (for me at least). I'm still a few books behind pace but I've read 21 so far this year which is the most I've ever read in a year since college, which was over 10 years ago.

I started with John Le Carre's "Call For The Dead". A decent start to a series that I've heard has so much promise. One of my all-time favorite movies is based on one of his books in this series, "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy". Looking forward to reading through this series as he is considered one of the best spy thriller writer's ever!

I next read U.S.S. Seawolf by Patrick Robinson. His best in the Arnold Morgan series so far. His writing is so raw emotionally and so detailed technically, it really is impressive how he molds the two together to create such riveting novels. His only hitch so far was H.M.S Unseen.

Into The Fire by Dakota Meyer and Francis Bing was an incredible account of bravery and courage in the face of an almost unbeatable enemy. Written in a very raw and unrefined way, it shows how strong individuals in our military really are when faced with lack of command support and an overwhelming enemy. A small account of why I believe we have the greatest military, not because of fire superiority, but because we don't see life as dispensable as some other cultures do, therefore lending to individuals like Dakota, doing seemingly impossible things without thought or care to thier own safety for the greater good.

Last, I read Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Again, I'll say he's one of my favorite authors of all time. This story, full of science, math and physics that I'll never understand, created a beautiful picture of humanity willing to give itself up to a greater good (e.g. Dr. Grace). He wove an incredible story through what could've been a drudge of science and relativity, and created an incredible piece of art. Though space related to his other two novels this one was very different in style and cleanliness that I very highly recommend.

[Jonathan]

First I'll say, thank you so much for taking initiative for this month. I honestly kind of forgot to post this month, mostly because of the decrease in participation over the recent months, but maybe that's changing.

I read 11 books in June, and it was my best month both in number of books read and in number of pages read. My breakdown(at least the goodreads version) is

5-Stars: 4
4-Stars: 4
3-Stars: 2
1-Stars: 1

Among my favorite books were "Talion: Revanant", a stand alone epic fantasy by Michael Stackpole, "Star Trek IV: The Undiscovered Country" a movie novelization by J. M. Dillard, "Love Thy Body", a Christian current events book by Nancy Pearcey, and "The Rising Storm" by Cavan Scott. All books are in the running for favorite books of the year.

The biggest book that I read was "A Dance with Dragons", but that was a big let down. As was "Eon", the other tome I read this month.

By the way Dan, I really look forward to reading "Hail Mary". It was blurbed by my personal favorite, Brandon Sanderson, and I've heard its "The Martian", but even more Sci-Fi. Sounds right up my alley.

I hope everyone else posts because I am continuously looking for some more recommendations. Have a great month everyone!

[Matthew]

I dropped off on reading for much of the spring sadly. Tolkien beat me again and I let the defeat drag me around for a few months. I'm back with only 6 books for June, but they were all great reads.

Sanderson's Alloy of Law and Legion were great ways to jump back in to a regular reading mode. I also began Rhythm of War, but I'm reading it aloud to my wife at roughly two chapters/week so it will take awhile to finish.

David Mitchel's Utopia Avenue was a strange trip back to the '60s and I recommend reading Cloud Atlas before hand as there are references between the works I did not get at first. Slowly working through Atlas now.

My absolute favourite for this month was Backman's Brit Marie Was Here. I adored the first entry into this "series", My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry, but Brit Marie was even better and had me staying up into the early hours of the morning to finish it.

I've been trying to work at least one non fiction book in a month and June's was Broken Faith a detailed look at the "church", Word of Faith Fellowship. Reading the accounts from survivors of that cult is a rough experience, but it is also a wonderful reminder of light and hope in the midst of a fallen world.