What I read in June

This month has been a slow reading month for me. I have those where I just don't pick up a book as often as normal, but hey ho I did manage two books and to be fair they are both pretty fab and although both have been hyped up at the moment they, in my opinion are worth the hype.

So stick around and see what I read in June.

Queenie - Candice Carty - Williams ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book has been on my radar for a while, it was recently available for 99p on kindle so I downloaded it immediately and started reading. You may of seen Candice has just recently won a British book award being the first black writer to do so. A well deserved win for a beautifully written book.

BOOK OF THE YEAR 2020 👑 And the FIRST Black AUTHOR to win it let alone Black WOMAN since the prize BEGAN in 1994? Sorry for all the caps but what are you telling meee #Nibbies pic.twitter.com/QqUGvfvgxP

— Candice Carty-Williams (@CandiceC_W) June 29, 2020

The story follows 25 year old Queenie, a British Jamaican woman, who is grappling with who she is and how she fits into the world. She finds herself  struggling after a break up with her long term white boyfriend, and while she always wanted to work at as a writer finds her job at a national newspaper not what she hoped, constantly comparing herself to her white middle class work colleagues. Queenie takes solace in all the wrong places flitting from man to man, all of whom appear to using her. 

For me this book was a stand out read that really highlighted the everyday racism black women face in the UK. Queenie faced racism in her job, and from the men she dated. She was battling her mental health and although her family loved her their traditional values made it difficult for Queenie to reach out for help. She really was a woman trapped between two worlds.

A must read for 2020!

Normal People - Sally Rooney ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Normal People has been pretty hyped recently especially since the TV adaptation aired on BBC. The book is a beautifully written story about two complicated characters that are in love, although I wouldn't class this book as a love story, more of a coming of age tale. Marrianne and Connell are at school together although they never talk to one another there, the relationship that develops between them is underwraps. Connell is popular and well liked, Marrianne is odd, always on the fringe, Know one must know.

The story follows how after school at college the dynamic changes, Connell feels out of his depth, while Marianne has reinvented herself and is well liked and attractive. At times the story is heart wrenching to read as although it is clear they both need something from each other, they both have hung ups, some serious that get in the way of a "normal" relationship.

I recommend both these books, so if you get the chance definitely give them a read.

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