{"id":13536,"date":"2023-07-18T10:11:56","date_gmt":"2023-07-18T10:11:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/?p=13536"},"modified":"2023-07-18T10:29:16","modified_gmt":"2023-07-18T10:29:16","slug":"june-2023-book-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/everything-else\/june-2023-book-recap\/","title":{"rendered":"June 2023 Book Recap"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sharing the books I read in June and if I\u2019d recommend adding them to your collection!<\/em><\/p>\n

Hi friends! I hope you’re having a wonderful week! I’m so happy you liked the Anniversary Sale picks. While there’s not as huge of a selection as they’ve had in previous years, there’s still lots of good stuff!<\/p>\n

For today\u2019s post, I wanted to share a recap of recent reads. I haven\u2019t been reading quite as much as usual since I was so focused on finishing IHP2<\/a>, but I\u2019m back in reading action with a mix of fun fluff + more educational fare. I\u2019ve added so much to my list over the past month, so I\u2019m looking forward to diving into some new ones on the list.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what I read in June!<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

(Dress on sale here<\/a>)<\/p>\n

June 2023 Book Recap<\/h2>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Mistress of Rome<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

I love Kate Quinn and am on a mission to read all of her books. It was pleasantly surprising to find out that this book<\/a> is part of a 4-part series, and I\u2019m already on the second book. It\u2019s more a slow burn than some of her previous novels I\u2019ve read (The Huntress, Rose Code, The Diamond Eye, The Alice Network),<\/em>\u00a0but it gradually builds until a crazy, satisfying ending. Since I typically read more WWII era historical fiction, it was a treat to read about an entirely different time period, and also learn a lot about what it might have been like in first-century Rome. 9\/10 recommend and it lined up perfectly with our trip and the ability to see the Coliseum again in person.<\/p>\n

From Amazon<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

First-century Rome: One young woman will hold the fate of an empire in her hands.<\/p>\n

Thea, a captive from Judaea, is a clever and determined survivor hiding behind a slave\u2019s docile mask. Purchased as a toy for the spoiled heiress Lepida Pollia, Thea evades her mistress\u2019s spite and hones a secret passion for music. But when Thea wins the love of Rome\u2019s newest and most savage gladiator and dares to dream of a better life, the jealous Lepida tears the lovers apart and casts Thea out.<\/p>\n

Rome offers many ways for the resourceful to survive, and Thea remakes herself as a singer for the Eternal \u2019City\u2019s glittering aristocrats. As she struggles for success and independence, her nightingale voice attracts a dangerous new admirer: the Emperor himself. But the passions of an all-powerful man come with a heavy price, and Thea finds herself fighting for both her soul and her destiny.<\/p>\n

Many have tried to destroy the Emperor: a vengeful gladiator, an upright senator, a tormented soldier, a Vestal Virgin. But in the end, the life of Rome\u2019s most powerful man lies in the hands of one woman: the Emperor\u2019s mistress.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Every Summer After\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

I wanted to like this book<\/a> a little more than I did, but still blasted through it during our flight so I could find out what happened. This follows the story of Percy and Sam, who have been friends (and a little more than friends\u2026) since their teenage years, until a mysterious event totally changed their relationship. Percy ventures home following Sam’s mom\u2019s funeral, and the pieces of their relationship are slowly revealed, along with what happened to tear them apart. I\u2019d give this one a 6\/10.<\/p>\n

From Amazon<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

They say you can never go home again, and for Persephone Fraser, ever since she made the biggest mistake of her life a decade ago, that has felt too true. Instead of glittering summers on the lakeshore of her childhood, she spends them in a stylish apartment in the city, going out with friends, and keeping everyone a safe distance from her heart.<\/p>\n

Until she receives the call that sends her racing back to Barry\u2019s Bay and into the orbit of Sam Florek\u2014the man she never thought she\u2019d have to live without.<\/p>\n

For six summers, through hazy afternoons on the water and warm summer nights working in his family\u2019s restaurant and curling up together with books\u2014medical textbooks for him and work-in-progress horror short stories for her\u2014Percy and Sam had been inseparable. Eventually that friendship turned into something breathtakingly more, before it fell spectacularly apart.<\/p>\n

When Percy returns to the lake for Sam\u2019s mother\u2019s funeral, their connection is as undeniable as it had always been. But until Percy can confront the decisions she made and the years she\u2019s spent punishing herself for them, they\u2019ll never know whether their love might be bigger than the biggest mistakes of their past.<\/p>\n

Told over the course of six years and one weekend, Every Summer After is a big, sweeping nostalgic story of love and the people and choices that mark us forever.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Alleviate Dry Eye<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Since I\u2019ve been dealing with the eye saga, you can bet your booty that I\u2019ve been a reading and researching machine, especially since trips to multiple doctors have failed to give me a lot of answers or a true action plan. (I\u2019m seeing my regular eye doctor + a specialist this week. The good news is that my eyes have healed!!! But I\u2019m trying to figure out WHY this happened so I can prevent it in the future and also a path to wearing contacts again, since my doctor told me I still needed to wait. I can\u2019t function in my glasses forever.)<\/p>\n

I stumbled upon this book<\/em><\/a> and while it\u2019s intended to be an 8-week action plan, I read it in one sitting. (I took a break every 20 minutes and did blinking exercises, too, lol.) It\u2019s filled with tangible action steps and favorite products if you suffer from Dry Eye or Meibomiun Gland Dysfunction. I\u2019m still not sure if I actually have either of these things, or if I\u2019m allergic to something in the environment that triggered all of this. Either way, these steps have absolutely continued to help. You can get a copy on Amazon and also download a free workbook that accompanies the book. The author also has a lot of free resources on her site.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Love Stories of the Bible Speak<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

I haven\u2019t finished this one<\/a> yet, but have read snippets of it each night; it\u2019s the perfect pre-bed reading and fills my heart with warm fuzzies before I drift off to sleep. This book explores the various love stories in the Bible, including romantic relationships and deep friendships. I love this book and also feel like it would make a great gift. 10\/10<\/p>\n

From Amazon:<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

The Bible is full of \u201clove\u201d stories. But the Biblical idea of love is so much bigger than we imagine.<\/p>\n

Love is at the heart of the Bible. From the moment Adam declared Eve \u201cflesh of my flesh\u201d\u2026to the sacrificial love of Joseph for Mary\u2026to the deep friendship of David and Jonathan\u2026to the abounding and never-changing love of God: The Bible is a love story. But it also redefines the way the world tells us we should think about love.<\/p>\n

The Bible reveals not just butterflies and broken hearts. In Scripture, we see God\u2019s beautiful design for the partnership of marriage. We witness friendships that cross all boundaries. We watch as families navigate the many seasons of life. Our guiding example for them all is the deepest, most abiding, foundational love ever known: God\u2019s unconditional love for His people.<\/p>\n

In The Love Stories of the Bible Speak, Shannon Bream draws lessons from the good, the bad, and the ugly of Biblical romances, friendships, and families. She shows how God\u2019s love is often very different from ours, turning upside down our assumptions about life, relationships, and each other.<\/p>\n

The Love Stories of the Bible Speak reminds us that, no matter where we find ourselves, God\u2019s unwavering love will sustain and guide us. These insights into biblical relationships will uplift and encourage you, and reveal new dimensions to the most central Christian duty: to love God and your neighbor.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Circus Train<\/em><\/a>– DNF<\/p>\n

While the premise is promising, I found the writing to be slow and dull. I read 50 pages before calling it quits. There are so many other books I have on my list, so I\u2019m not going to force myself to read something that I\u2019m not totally into. It has excellent reviews, but just wasn\u2019t my fave.<\/p>\n

From Amazon<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

When all is lost, how do you find the courage to keep moving forward?<\/p>\n

1938. Lena Papadopoulos has never quite found her place within the circus, even as the daughter of the extraordinary headlining illusionist, Theo. Brilliant and curious, Lena\u2014who uses a wheelchair after a childhood bout with polio\u2014yearns for the real-world magic of science and medicine, her mind stronger than the limitations placed on her by society. Then her unconventional life takes an exciting turn when she rescues Alexandre, an orphan with his own secrets and a mysterious past.<\/p>\n

As World War II escalates around them, their friendship blossoms into something deeper while Alexandre trains as the illusionist\u2019s apprentice. But when Theo and Alexandre are arrested and made to perform in a town for Jews set up by the Nazis, Lena is separated from everything she knows. Forced to make her own way, Lena must confront her doubts and dare to believe in the impossible\u2014herself.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

So, tell me, friends: what have you been reading lately? Any favorite summer reads?? This is still my #1 of the summer so far.<\/a><\/p>\n

Thank you so much for stopping by the blog today and I\u2019ll see ya soon!<\/p>\n

xo<\/p>\n

Gina<\/p>\n

The post June 2023 Book Recap<\/a> appeared first on The Fitnessista<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sharing the books I read in June and if I\u2019d recommend adding them to your collection! Hi friends! I hope you\u2019re having a wonderful week! I\u2019m so happy you liked the Anniversary Sale picks. While there\u2019s not as huge of a selection as they\u2019ve had in previous years, there\u2019s still lots of good stuff! For\u2026
\nThe post June 2023 Book Recap appeared first on The Fitnessista.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13538,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":""},"categories":[20,1,21,22,19],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13536"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13536"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13536\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13543,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13536\/revisions\/13543"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13538"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13536"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13536"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13536"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}