Book report: June 2024

Reading stats and my five-star reads of the month

10 Things I Hate About You

Hey, book pals! With the first week of July already behind us, it's time to get my ass into gear and share June’s book report - the first of many, I hope.

While I’m not new to writing, this Substack is a fresh venture, having launched just at the beginning of June. So, full-length reviews are a bit sparse at the moment. My goal for the summer is to change that and really beef up this newsletter with the aim to become a hub for all things crime fiction, thrillers, and horror. It might sound like a lofty goal but I am manifesting and putting it out into the Universe!

I love writing longer, more in-depth reviews because they allow me to thoroughly explore and appreciate the intricacies of each book. I find such creative freedom in putting my thoughts down on paper. For me, it’s a form of self-expression. It’s art.

I always find authors incredibly generous. After all, they are granting us access to their worlds and characters, inviting us to experience the fruits of their imagination and hard work. I enjoy diving into the nuances of their stories and uncovering the subtle details that might be overlooked in a brief overview. Unravelling the author’s intentions - getting under their skin and between the spaces of their words - provides a deeper understanding of the narrative, revealing the underlying messages and the broader context within which the story was crafted. It’s like a never-ending treasure hunt, searching for hidden insights and perspectives that might otherwise go unnoticed. This process enriches my reading experience.

I can’t wait to share these in-depth reviews with you and hear your thoughts too!

Thank you for being here on this journey with me. Let’s dive into June’s book report.

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June’s book breakdown

Reading stats

• 13 books read (5,066 pages)

• 0 books DNF’ed

• Top three moods: Dark, mysterious, and tense

• 100% fiction, 0% non-fiction

• Top three genres: horror, thriller, and science fiction

• Average star rating: 3.79

Books I rated five-stars

(Psst: In my opinion, these books are perfect and I highly recommend you check them out. I fully intend to write longer reviews for each book I read in June, so keep an eye out for those!)

Swan Song by Robert McCammon

A 900-page epic that follows the intertwining stories of a resilient group of survivors as they navigate a world devastated by nuclear war. 

I can't begin to express how much I loved this book. It blends powerful storytelling with richly developed characters, exploring human resilience and the battle between good and evil. The lyrical prose packs a punch, with each page filled with vivid descriptions and gripping action scenes that paint a stark and believable picture of a world on the brink of destruction.

I loved how the narrative interweaves multiple characters, each confronting their deepest fears and moral dilemmas. It delves into the complexities of human nature, showing how extreme circumstances can bring out both the best and the worst in people, evoking both terror and empathy.

The portrayal of the antagonistic forces left me questioning the true nature of evil. The primary antagonist embodies an almost mythic evil, contrasting sharply with the human characters’ struggles for goodness and redemption. Ultimately, it’s human society that reverts to barbarism and savagery, making me wonder: are we the real monsters?

This book broke my heart, pieced it back together, and then shattered it all over again. On repeat. It is, dare I say, a masterpiece in the post-apocalyptic genre.

Who is this for? Those who enjoy epic post-apocalyptic, dystopian sagas.

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

Published in 1966, this is a tale of a young man, Charlie Gordon, who undergoes an experimental surgery to increase his intelligence.

Flowers for Algernon sat on my bookshelf for years, and after finally picking it up, I discovered it’s a stunning piece of literature that I regret not reading sooner. This story delves into the fragility of happiness, human dignity, identity, the pursuit of knowledge, and the need for love and self-acceptance. It poignantly shows that intelligence doesn't guarantee happiness; in fact, it often complicates it. Charlie's journey is a rollercoaster of emotions, and his increased intelligence doesn't bring the fulfilment he expected.

Keyes does an incredible job of making us empathise with Charlie, experiencing his joys and sorrows as if they were our own. Although it is a product of its time, with language and references that can be uncomfortable to read, the writing is highly profound, full of emotional depth with every single word serving a purpose. 

This story stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page. It's a thought-provoking, emotional journey that challenges our understanding of intelligence, humanity, and compassion.

Who is this for? Those who enjoy, or are intrigued by, literary science fiction.

I Am Legend by Robert Matheson

A pandemic has turned humanity into vampire-like creatures and Robert Neville is the last man on earth, struggling to survive in a world committed to ending his life. 

Intrigued by the promise of an ending that would shock me - and completely different from the 2007 film adaptation - I devoured I Am Legend in one sitting. It was an excellent read that immersed me in the trials and tribulations of one man’s relentless fight for survival against a world determined to see him dead, no matter the cost.

What really struck me about this story is the overwhelming sense of isolation. It is palpable from the very beginning as we follow one man’s struggle to survive alone in a chaotic, untenable environment. Understandably, Robert Neville’s life is a constant battle against loneliness. His military-like daily routine of fortifying his home and scavenging for supplies, along with the short and bittersweet relationship he forms with a stray dog, illustrate the psychological toll his isolation takes on him. His existence becomes a monotonous cycle, reliving the same day over and over, as if he is on a conveyor belt with no prospect of escape. The repetitive nature of his days heightens the sense of despair and futility that pervades his life. And then, suddenly, everything changes.

This story brilliantly captures the crushing weight of solitude and the human need for connection, making Robert all the more compelling. And the ending? It left me reeling.

Who is this for? Those who enjoy survival stories with a twist.

The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enriquez

A selection of short stories set in Buenos Aires, a city thrumming with murderous intentions and morbid desires.

After finishing Our Share of Night, I was eager to dive into everything Mariana Enriquez has created. I started with The Dangers of Smoking in Bed, a collection of short stories that led me through the dark and unsettling streets of Argentina. What captivated me most about this book is Enriquez’s raw and evocative writing, seamlessly blending horror with sharp social commentary. There’s stories about missing children returning from the dead, unearthed bones carrying curses, revenge plots fueled by dark magic, and urban madness where women and girls navigate their deepest, often sinister desires. Her narratives are shocking and gripping, painting urban horror scenes where supernatural and psychological elements invade everyday, domestic settings, turning the familiar into something eerie and dangerous.

Enriquez fearlessly tackles themes of poverty, inequality, sexism, and injustice in her stories, often using vivid and unavoidable violence to underscore her points. There is a heck of a lot of violence towards women in each story. You cannot avoid it. The protagonists, predominantly women, are forced to confront their deepest fears amidst a backdrop of misogynistic chaos and brutality, offering a piercing critique of the crises facing women and girls in contemporary Argentina today. 

This book is confronting and masterfully explores the unsettling intersections of horror and social realism.

Who is this for? Those who enjoy short horror stories drenched in social commentary.

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How was your reading month? How is July looking? I would love to know in the comments below!

As always, happy reading!

Until next time, 

Sian | Criminally Creepy Books