June Reads! A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

I devoured this book!  It really touched me, I laughed out loud, I identified with Ove at times, and I was sad at times.  It did all the things a book should do.  I can't praise it enough!

My mom recommended this book it wasn't the type of book I normally read, but it sounded interesting.  Right after that I saw that the book club I attend, when I am able, to is reading it, so I decided it was fate and requested it from the online library for my Kindle app. Unfortunately, it took months to come in and I missed the book club meeting. Well, it finally came in and I happily started reading and pretty much didn't put it down until it was finished.

Ove intrigued me right away with his organized, persnickety ways.  The things that annoyed him seemed both funny and fairly reasonable, if not a bit over the top.   The story of Ove's life unfolded slowly a bit at a time through going back and forth between the present and flash backs of the past. Normally this would annoy me, but in this book I wanted to learn more about Ove, so the flashbacks were interesting to me as well.  To me, Ove seemed like he was on the high-functioning end of the Autism spectrum and I loved the relationship he had with his wife.

The author's style of writing tragic, unhappiness in a way that makes you laugh reminded me a bit of Angela's Ashes.  (Although, that book was a true story and this is fiction.)  I finished the book with a satisfied sigh, a bit sad at the end, but not unbearably so.  A great book about our relationships with other people and how we persevere after tragedy.      

I have heard there is a Swedish language movie of the book out.  I'm off to figure out how to watch it.

June Reads! The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

The book was difficult at times--so much brutality and bad things happening.  It was hard to read about, I can't imagine how horrible it would have been to live as a slave.  The courage Cora showed was inspirational.  I loved Cora's observations about people and the world and how things seemed to her.  A brilliant book!

June Reads! The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer

I like Stephenie Meyer and yes, I liked Twilight and The Host.  I picked this book up when I was sick and just wanted a fun book to take my mind off feeling bad and this book fit the bill.  The main female character (aka The Chemist) reminded me a bit of a cross between Katniss Everdeen of the Hunger Games and Jason Bourne.  I liked that she was smart and scrappy and able to take care of herself.  I really liked the main male character, he was very likable, maybe almost too perfect to be realistic, but very fun to read about.  I enjoyed reading about all of the things The Chemist did to stay safe.  What I didn't like reading about was all the guns.  I realize that this is a thriller and there are armed people and shooting happening, it just seemed like gun overkill, with lots and lots of guns, gun stashes, gun practice shooting that was maybe not 100% necessary.  I also would have liked a bit more interaction between the characters and a bit less of the running.

Overall, an entertaining book that I enjoyed reading.

June Reads! The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking

The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well 
by Meik Wiking 

I stumbled across the concept of Hygge after the New Year, determined to make changes to be happier. This book seemed perfect! I have recently been reevaluating my life and are making changes to be happier and healthier. So I order a copy and, first of all, I love the look of the book. The white cover, orange end paper, and adorable drawings in blue and orange make the book visually cute, warm, and comforting.

I loved the book! It was just the thing I needed. I have always believed in finding happiness in everyday life and in the small things--changes in season, good food, family, etc. and this book just kind-of solidified that view for me and put a name to it--Hygge! The book spells out how the Danes find happiness and while not everything will work for me, living in the United States, there is a lot I can take away from it. I plan to get my hygge on tonight by grilling out hamburgers and enjoying family time around a fire.