June 2024 Reads!

I've been trying to read around 100 books every year; this year I think I'll actually succeed. This June I read six books!

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Satrapi writes of her childhood in Iran right before and during the Islamic Revolution. The book is set in graphic novel format, which makes the atrocities that occurred during the takeover even more distressing. This book explores much about Iran's history; I found it very educational and touching to read a perspective from a child's viewpoint.

Four stars!

Stitching Snow by R. C. Lewis

If you like The Lunar Chronicles, Stitching Snow is a fabulous retelling of Snow White set in a sci-fi world. The protagonist is a hacker/programmer, which puts a fun spin on the story. I really liked the romance in this book—it was clean and sweet, with both characters sacrificing for each other. I only wish the book were longer with more backstory and character development.

Four stars!

What Are You Going to Do With Your Life? by J. D. Greear

Part of following Jesus is being convicted. Well, this book was definitely very convicting. It certainly forced me to think about whether I was really all in for Jesus or not, to lay aside my own plans and realize that the sacrifice is worth it. Greear prods the reader to actually follow Jesus' commands of making disciples and living a revolutionary faith that might require actual trust in God. If you want to get booted out of comfy American Christianity, read this book!

Four stars!

The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez

This book really captured the lives of Latin American immigrants to the U.S. Henríquez writes her characters so realistically that they could've been living and breathing before me. The romance in it was rather sweet, but there were one or two scenes that needed to be skipped so be warned. Overall, it's a touching story of a family and the struggle to start over in America.

Four stars!

One Race One Blood by Ken Ham and A. Charles Ware

I was looking for a robust Biblical argument against both Darwinism and racism, and while this book partially addressed my questions, it felt as if it were designed more for high school/middle school age than a deep examination of the topics. While both authors did bring up the usual arguments for racism by Christians in history (and on X, it seems), I wish they had been more thorough in delving into the Biblical refutation of these arguments and more clearly tied neo-Nazi ideas back to their roots in Nietzsche philosophy and Darwinism. It's a good read for high school, perhaps, but left me disappointed.

Three stars.

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

Towles develops a powerful story about a young man and his brother who travel across the United States in the 1950s to get back a car stolen from them by some prison buddies. Every character in this novel is alive with good writing and characterization. Even the less savory ones breathe; Towles does an excellent job of allowing the reader to see and comprehend each character's thought processes and motives. Woven throughout the book are themes of atonement and justice; I almost want to reread it to better analyze the ideas the author presents. There were a few curse words, but regardless it was an excellent novel.

Four stars!