Hello darlings, June was such a quick month of reading that I truly enjoyed! I ended up reading a lot more children books this month than usual because after weekly reading heavy material for my masters program -- I needed very light reads for this month. I was surprised how much my Books app from Apple was used to read as well. June was a fun month of reading and gave me nostalgia as I dived into many stories. How was your June reading? I would love to know what you read also, don't forget to comment below. Here is my list from my June reads:
Title: I Judge You By Your Bookshelf
Author: Grant Snider
Genre: Graphic Novel
Synopsis: "It’s no secret, but we are judged by our bookshelves. We learn to read at an early age, and as we grow older we shed our beloved books for new ones. But some of us surround ourselves with books. We collect them, decorate with them, are inspired by them, and treat our books as sacred objects."
I laughed, I smiled. I felt as if the book connected to me so well. Snider had beautiful illustrations and a unique writing style. He reminded me why we like to read as avid readers and what it takes to become a published writer. I would recommend judge you by your book shelves if you are looking for a great funny comic book. It will bring you joy during any reading session.
Title: Matilda
Author: Ronald Dahl
Genre: Children's
Synopsis: "Matilda is a sweet, exceptional young girl, but her parents think she's just a nuisance. She expects school to be different but there she has to face Miss Trunchbull, a menacing, kid-hating headmistress. When Matilda is attacked by the Trunchbull she suddenly discovers she has a remarkable power with which to fight back. It'll take a superhuman genius to give Miss Trunchbull what she deserves and Matilda may be just the one to do it!."
Who has not watched the film Matilda or at least heard of the book? I have to admit that I have watched the film a million times but never read the book until now. The book actually made me laugh and seems to be a good book not only for children but also adults. Matilda had humor, moments where I was like "this is a book for children but I can see an adult relating to this" and showed how it was greatly adapted into a film that so many of us love. I recommend Matilda for a really funny light read.
Title: Sulwa
Author: Lupita N'Yungo Illustrated By: Vashti Harrison
Genre: Children's
Synopsis: "Sulwe has skin the color of midnight. She is darker than everyone in her family. She is darker than anyone in her school. Sulwe just wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Then a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything."
Sulwe is a book I have been trying to get my hands on for awhile. The author is someone I have watched on the screen quite a few times. She did nor disappoint with this children’s book. I felt as if she was telling everyone not just children what she has been through. There were moments in this short children’s book that I felt she was speaking to many age groups and if it was an adult book she could have elaborated on. The illustrations were stunning and created by Vashti, which really captured the story.
Title: The Tea Dragon Society
Author: K. O'Neill
Genre: Graphic Novel
Synopsis: "The beloved and charming all-ages book that follows the story of Greta, a blacksmith apprentice, and the people she meets as she becomes entwined in the enchanting world of tea dragons. After discovering a lost tea dragon in the marketplace, Greta learns about the dying art form of tea dragon care-taking from the kind tea shop owners, Hesekiel and Erik. As she befriends them and their shy ward, Minette, Greta sees how the craft enriches their lives—and eventually her own."
The Tea Dragon Society is such a fun and light hearted graphic novel that will make you feel good as a reader. It was very different than anything I read in the fantasy genre. It had a magical world as well as an adventure tone. This graphic novel was a highlight of my June reads so much that I purchased the other two books of the series.
Title: Queer Poetry
Author: Christopher Soto
Genre: Poetry
Synopsis: "In 2014, Christopher Soto and Lambda Literary Foundation founded the online journal Nepantla, with the mission to nurture, celebrate, and preserve diversity within the queer poetry community, including contributions as diverse in style and form, as the experiences of QPOC in the United States. Now, Nepantla will appear for the first time in print as a survey of poetry by queer poets of color throughout U.S. history, including literary legends such as Audre Lorde, James Baldwin, June Jordan, Ai, and Pat Parker alongside contemporaries such as Natalie Diaz, Ocean Vuong, Danez Smith, Joshua Jennifer Espinoza, Robin Coste Lewis, Joy Harjo, Richard Blanco, Erika L. Sánchez, Jericho Brown, Carl Phillips, Tommy Pico, Eduardo C. Corral, Chen Chen, and more!"
Nepantla: An Anthology Dedicated To Queer Poets Of Color is such a great collection dedicated to queer poets throughout history. I absolutely loved this collection and think it is just like the collection of 100 Best African American Poems but with queer poets of color. It is a stunning poetry collection in different styles and topics. I had to add this to my list because it needs to be devoured by any poetry reader. Christopher Soto added so many poets and he did a great job with recognizing queer poets of color.
Title: Steal Like An Artist
Author: Austin Kelon
Genre: Self Help and Art
Synopsis: "An inspiring guide to creativity in the digital age, Steal Like an Artist presents ten transformative principles that will help readers discover their artistic side and build a more creative life.
Nothing is original, so embrace influence, school yourself through the work of others, remix and reimagine to discover your own path. Follow interests wherever they take you—what feels like a hobby may turn into you life’s work. Forget the old cliché about writing what you know: Instead, write the book you want to read, make the movie you want to watch."
Let me explain the theme behind this book, it focuses on ten reasons on how to discover your true artist within you. The book is a replica of a Tedtalk by Austin Kelon from years ago and it still holds a lot of weight. I thought this book was interesting and light for advice on being an artist. The title captured me but the topics made me think about the topics I am learning in my masters program about what is art -- is it original or is it a replica of something that already exist? This book had me thinking deeper about what makes an artist and how artists come up with their own techniques.
Title: Where The Wild Things Are
Author: Maurice Sendak
Genre: Children's
Synopsis: "This iconic story has inspired a movie, an opera, and the imagination of generations. When Max dresses in his wolf suit and causes havoc in the house, his mother sends him to bed. From there, Max sets sail to an island inhabited by the Wild Things, who name him king and share a wild rumpus with him. But then from far away across the world, Max smells good things to eat."
I tried to watch the film Where The Wild Things are and felt a little lost, so I decided to read the book since I have always wanted to read it. I can see how this book won awards because it was so different than other children books that I have read. It left me wanting more but then reminded myself that this a children's book haha. It had a few moments of wait is this is imagination or did he really go into another world?
Title: Madeline
Author: Ludwig Bemelmans
Genre: Children's
Synopsis: "Nothing frightens Madeline—not tigers, not even mice. With its endearing, courageous heroine, cheerful humor, and wonderful, whimsical drawings of Paris, the Madeline stories are true classics that continue to charm readers, even after 75 years."
Oh Madeline is a character that I grew up loving and thought reading this children's book would bring me joy. Guess what? It did. It brought back memories of my childhood, laugh at the idea of living in France in another life and remind me to really enjoy what I am reading without pressure. If you are looking for a super short but light fun read -- Madeline is the book for you.
I know you are probably shocked by the main books that I read this month but this month was really a carefree month. I relied on my emotions about what books to read and did not judge myself for the book decisions I made. I definitely think you should do the same. I hope you had a great read session in June my dears. Happy Summer Reading!
