High-intensity heists, a race against sinister enemies, the perils of fundamental religious views, and some thought-provoking psychology — it’s been quite an interesting month of books! It’s also been a slower reading month, but at a book a week, it isn’t all that bad! Here’s my reading wrap-up for June 2024.
(Click on the book covers to purchase the book on Amazon.)
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (A book with a number in the title)
Ketterdam, a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone. A convict with a thirst for revenge, a sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager, a runaway with a privileged past, a spy known as the Wraith, a Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums, a thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.
I selected this book for the 12 in 12 challenge, and it didn’t disappoint! It took me some time to really get into the story, but once I did, it was a rip-roaring, page turning adventure with a cliffhanger of an ending. Every time you think that Kaz’s team can’t possibly pull the heist, let alone get out of there without getting caught, they surprise you with their heroics. Being back in Grishaverse with a bunch of young thieves and conmen, now what could be more fun?
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
Kaz Brekker and his crew of deadly outcasts have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn’t think they’d survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they’re right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz’s cunning and test the team’s fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city’s dark and twisting streets—a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.
After that cliffhanger of an ending, I had to read the next book in this duology. And Oh. My. God. What a ride it was! Bardugo kicked things up a notch from 6 of Crows and how! In a bid to ensure they get paid for the incredible heist they just pulled off, Kaz and his crew take on the king of the Barrel Pekka Rollins and the all-powerful merchant’s council, coming out on top even when all seems lost. This was a page-turning right from the first page. Heart in mouth, gasping unbelievably, cheering and mourning with Kaz’s crows. That’s the kind of book that’s called reader’s gold! What a brilliant end to this duology.
Origin by Dan Brown
Robert Langdon, Harvard professor of symbology and religious iconology, arrives at the ultramodern Guggenheim Museum Bilbao to attend a major announcement—the unveiling of a discovery that “will change the face of science forever.” The evening’s host is 40-year-old billionaire and futurist Edmond Kirsch, whose dazzling high-tech inventions and audacious predictions have made him a renowned global figure. And he’s about to reveal an astonishing breakthrough, one that will answer two of the fundamental questions of human existence. But the meticulously orchestrated evening erupts into chaos, and Kirsch’s precious discovery teeters on the brink of being lost forever. Reeling and facing an imminent threat, Langdon is forced to escape Bilbao. With him is Ambra Vidal, the elegant museum director who worked with Kirsch to stage the provocative event. Together they flee to Barcelona on a perilous quest to locate a cryptic password that will unlock Kirsch’s secret. Navigating the dark corridors of hidden history and extreme religion, Langdon and Vidal must evade a tormented enemy whose all-knowing power seems to emanate from Spain’s Royal Palace itself, and who will stop at nothing to silence Edmond Kirsch. On a trail marked by modern art and enigmatic symbols, Langdon and Vidal uncover clues that ultimately bring them face-to-face with Kirsch’s shocking discovery, and the breathtaking truth that has long eluded us.
Well, what can I say about Robert Langdon and Dan Brown? He’s not the best writer, but he does know how to keep you hooked to the plot! There wasn’t as much symbology and Renaissance art as in the previous Robert Langdon books, but the story was still rather compelling and interesting. Plus, it was interesting to read about Gaudi’s architecture and inspiration and learn a bit more about some of his iconic buildings. If you’re looking for a fast-paced weekend read, give this one a go!
Quarterlife: The Search for Self in Early Adulthood by Satya Doyle Byock (A book that sparked your curiosity)
I’m stuck. What’s wrong with me? Is this all there is? Satya Doyle Byock hears these refrains regularly in her psychotherapy practice where she works with “Quarterlifers,” individuals between the ages of (roughly) 16to 36. She understands their frustration. Some clients have done everything “right”—graduate, get a job, meet a partner. Yet they are unfulfilled and unclear on what to do next. Byock calls these Quarterlifers “Stability Types.” Others are uninterested in this prescribed path, but feel unmoored. She refers to them as “Meaning Types.” While society is quick to label the emotions and behavior of this age group as generational traits, Byock sees things differently. She believes these struggles are part of the developmental journey of Quarterlife, a distinct stage that every person goes through and which has been virtually ignored by popular culture and psychology. In Quarterlife, Byock utilizes personal storytelling, mythology, Jungian psychology, pop culture, literature, and client case studies to provide guideposts for this period of life. Readers will be able to find themselves on the spectrum between Stability and Meaning Types, and engage with Byock’s four pillars of Quarterlife development:- Separate: Gain independence from the relationships and expectations that no longer serve you- Listen: Pay close attention to your own wants and needs- Build: Create, cultivate, and construct tools and practices for the life you want- Integrate: Take what you’ve learned and manifest something new. Quarterlife is a defining work that offers a compassionate roadmap toward finding understanding, happiness, and wholeness in adulthood.
This was a really interesting insight into the psychological development of quarterlifers. While I’m not part of this demographic, I was curious to understand the developmental psychology of this period of life, and this was an excellent primer. Understanding the meaning and stability types, and figuring out where on the spectrum I fall, was also enlightening, and helped me connect the dots and understand myself a bit better. While the particular problems facing these two types in quarterlife may be different from mid-life and beyond, understanding where you fall on the spectrum and seeing how well you have integrated both sides in your younger years can be quite helpful. If you’re currently in quarterlife (roughly 16 to 40 years old), or if a loved one is navigating this age, I highly recommend this book. And if you have any interest in Jungian psychology, no matter what your age, you may find something of interest here too.
Over to you! What was on your reading list this month?
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