Reading Challenge Progress Report: June 2021

It astonishes me how it’s already time for this post! June has flown by and despite my best efforts, not a lot of reading happened. See, I used to be able to read at work during my downtime. Guess what? I don’t get any downtime anymore. I can’t even remember the last time I actually had a lunch break, honestly. On top of that, I’m working sometimes until 5:30, sometimes until 8:30 or 9. So, the fact I get any reading done at all is pretty miraculous. Anyway, I finished 2 books this month, bringing my total to 14/36. I’m 3 books behind schedule, but I do have my vacation coming up. I’ll have long stretches in the car as well as hours on the beach. As always, I receive no compensation for reviewing these books or you purchasing them. I’ve included links to purchase the books on Amazon, but feel free to support your local library (if they’re open, or you can find it as an ebook) or bookstore (if you can order it).

Long Time Coming by Edie Claire

Joy, a big-city veterinarian, moves back to her small hometown due to her father’s ailing health eighteen years after the death of her best friend. She has avoided facing her grief. She’s avoided it so well, she can’t remember most of their senior year of high school. When strange occurrences happen in her home–which was Jenny’s childhood home–and she’s forced to interact with Jenny’s ex-boyfriend Jeff, she’s forced to face her grief head-on.
This book was so-so for me. I was interested in the concept of the book, but it felt it was lacking something. I’m not sure what, but it just wasn’t there. I wasn’t much of a fan of how Joy’s parents were pushing her to get married and have babies when Joy has clearly expressed no desire to do either of those things. I did like the thought that the “ghost” was linked to her grief, but that was probably the most interesting part. I do suggest it, but I wouldn’t say it’s one of the best I’ve ever read.

You can purchase this book here.

Lost in the Neverwoods by Aiden Thomas

Wendy’s brothers John and Michael have been missing since she was thirteen. She herself had gone missing then too, but turned up in the woods outside her town of Astoria, Oregon. Five years later, children are going missing and her brothers’ disappearances are dragging up all the emotions Wendy fought hard to contain as their family was torn apart. In her attempts to avoid her trauma, she runs into a boy named Peter–Peter Pan, that is. His shadow has gone missing again, and he needs Wendy’s help to recover it, before more children disappear.
I loved this book! It was difficult for me to put down, which often meant I was reading well into the night. I think it’s funny somehow both books I read this month is about repressed trauma and facing your grief. Not haha funny, but “oh, that’s strange” funny. I don’t know if I’m too enamored with the big reveal in this book, but it was good. Aiden is a fantastic writer, and I can’t wait to read more of his work. Highly suggest this one.

You can purchase this book here.

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