For the Love of Reading, June 2026

I read 9 books in the month of June. Here’s what I thought of each of them.

Land by Maggie O’Farrell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Maggie O’Farrell’s Land is a beautifully written, deeply immersive novel that explores place, memory, loss across generations and the deep arc of history. Set in the aftermath of Ireland’s Great Hunger, the novel explores not only the struggles of one family but also the lingering effects of a national tragedy. The hardships faced by the characters feel rooted in the world O’Farrell has created rather than imposed for dramatic effect, giving the novel an emotional authenticity even at its most heartbreaking. Readers should know that this is not an easy novel. Tragedy follows this family with almost relentless persistence, and there were moments when I found myself wishing O’Farrell would allow them a little more happiness. Yet the novel never feels bleak for the sake of being bleak. Instead, it becomes a meditation on endurance, on the ways people carry grief through generations, and on how life continues despite heartbreak. One of the things O’Farrell does particularly well is place characters with deeply intertwined histories in the same orbit without allowing them to fully recognize their connection. Again and again, people cross paths, miss opportunities, or slip away from one another just when revelation seems possible. I found these moments equal parts maddening and beautiful. They create a powerful sense of how lives intersect, diverge, and echo across generations. This won’t be a book for everyone, particularly readers looking for a lighter or more uplifting story. But for those who appreciate literary fiction with gorgeous writing, emotional depth, and a strong sense of place, Land is a remarkable achievement.
I was given an advanced reader copy by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City, and a Family’s Search for Truth by Patrick Radden Keefe
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Patrick Radden Keefe’s London Calling is narrated by the author, which I always appreciate in narrative nonfiction. His delivery adds an extra layer of authority and immediacy to the story, and the opening chapters are particularly compelling. The central mystery — whether a young man jumped voluntarily, jumped in fear, or was pushed — creates an irresistible hook that kept me listening.
As the book progresses, however, it expands into a web of historical and political background that I sometimes found difficult to connect to the central narrative. While much of that context is undoubtedly important, there were stretches where I felt the story lost some of its momentum and focus.
To Keefe’s credit, the book eventually circles back to the original question, but readers looking for a neat resolution may be frustrated. The truth remains elusive, and the book ultimately embraces that uncertainty rather than forcing a conclusion. While I don’t think it reaches the heights of Say Nothing, it’s still a worthwhile listen and another strong example of Keefe’s talent for investigating the gray areas where history, politics, and personal tragedy intersect. Whether you call it true crime, investigative journalism, or narrative nonfiction, it’s a thoughtful and engaging exploration of a mystery that may never be fully solved.

The Hunter by Tana French
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I loved this second installment of the Cal Hooper series even more than the first. What continues to make these books so compelling is the relationships. Cal and Trey have developed a genuine, hard-earned trust that feels authentic, while Cal and Lena’s quiet, mature romance is one of the most satisfying relationships I’ve read in crime fiction. French is also unmatched at creating atmosphere. The small Irish village feels like a character in its own right, with old grudges, buried secrets, and conversations where what’s left unsaid is often more important than what’s spoken. She layers the tension so skillfully that even ordinary interactions carry an undercurrent of unease. The story itself is excellent and intriguing, but it’s the rich characterization and immersive setting that elevate this beyond a typical book in this genre. Thoughtful, beautifully written, and deeply atmospheric, The Hunter is a reminder that the best crime novels are just as interested in people as they are in solving crimes.

Real Americans by Rachel Khong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Real Americans is an ambitious, multi-generational novel with beautiful writing and richly developed characters. Rachel Khong excels at creating people who feel real and emotionally complex, and I found myself invested in each generation’s story.
The one aspect that didn’t quite work for me was a major reveal in the latter part of the novel. While I appreciated what Khong was trying to explore thematically, it asked me to suspend my disbelief more than I could. Some of the connections between the characters felt a little too coincidental, and I struggled to fully buy into how everything came together.
Even so, the emotional core of the novel remained strong, and the questions it raises about family, identity, and what shapes our lives stayed with me after I finished. It’s a thoughtful, beautifully written novel that I’m happy to recommend.

The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this very contemporary novel about friendship, petty jealousies, old resentments, and the kind of misunderstandings that can linger for years even though a single honest conversation might clear everything up. At its heart, the novel explores a long-standing friend group whose members have become stuck in familiar roles and expectations. Over time, they begin to realize that relationships that have sustained them can also hold them back, stifling growth and change. One of the book’s strengths is the way it examines whether people can evolve into new versions of themselves while still maintaining the relationships that helped shape them. The characters are believable, if occasionally a little annoying and occasionally stereotyped, but that didn’t bother me much. This is a plot-forward novel that keeps the story moving as long-buried assumptions and grievances come to light. I also loved the Massachusetts setting. Jackson blends real places with fictional ones in a way that feels authentic, creating a world that New England readers will instantly recognize. If you enjoy contemporary fiction about complicated friendships, personal growth, and the challenges of changing without leaving people behind, The Shampoo Effect is well worth a read.
I was given an advanced reader copy by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice by Virginia Roberts Giuffre
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Nobody’s Girl is one of the most difficult books I’ve read this year, not because of the writing, but because of the subject matter. Virginia Giuffre recounts the abuse she endured with honesty and courage, and her story is both heartbreaking and deeply disturbing. I never found myself questioning the truth of what she experienced. Reading it now, in light of her death, adds another layer of sadness. Like many readers, I couldn’t help but wonder about the circumstances surrounding the end of her life. Regardless, her memoir stands as a powerful testament to what she survived and the risks she took in speaking out. This is a compelling, horrifying read that shines an important light on the reality of sex trafficking, exploitation, and the lasting trauma experienced by survivors. It’s not an easy book to recommend because of its difficult content, but I do think it’s an important one.

Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Villa Coco is beautifully written, with a vivid Italian setting that is easy to sink into. Andrew Sean Greer has a talent for creating atmosphere, and the sense of place is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. While I admired the writing throughout, I found it a little harder to connect emotionally with the story and some of the characters. The pacing occasionally felt uneven, and a few characters struck me as stereotypes rather than fully developed individuals. That said, I appreciated where the novel ultimately landed, and the ending brought the themes together in a satisfying way. Although it wasn’t a perfect fit for me, I can easily see why many readers will be charmed by its wit, warmth, and lovely setting.

Summer Sisters by Judy Blume
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I absolutely loved Summer Sisters. It was so good that I finished it in a single day (okay, two sittings, but still!). Judy Blume had me completely invested from the very first pages.
The dual timeline keeps the story moving while gradually revealing the history between the characters, and the Martha’s Vineyard setting is the perfect backdrop for a summer read. The characters are messy, flawed, and wonderfully human, they feel like people you might actually know.
What impressed me most was how well Blume captures the complexities of female friendship, especially when power, money, beauty, and social status create an imbalance that neither friend fully understands. At its heart, this is both a coming-of-age novel and a moving exploration of the family we build through friendship. Decades after it was published, it still feels emotionally honest and incredibly readable. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a character-driven summer novel.

American Fantasy by Emma Straub
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
American Fantasy by Emma Straub is an entertaining, thoughtful look at midlife, identity, and the sometimes surprising ways we hold onto the people we used to be. I especially enjoyed the main character’s reflections on menopause and the quiet ways aging changes how we see ourselves. Those moments felt honest and relatable. The boy band cruise setting was fun although the interactions among the devoted fans was pretty cringe. Ultimately, there’s an undercurrent of sadness running through the novel that was difficult to incorporate into the over the top setting of the cruise ship.
Overall, I thought this was a good read with flashes of Emma Straub’s trademark warmth and insight, but it never completely drew me in emotionally. I’m glad I read it, even if it won’t be one of my favorites.

Overall it was a pretty good month of reading, certainly in terms of volume! I hope you found something here that interests you, too.