It’s time for the books of June! We started repainting the (inside of the) house, so that ate up a fair amount of time. And then the month ended with hanging out with small people, so less reading than previous months (but still not shabby).

Some of the better books I read were Dreams Underfoot by Charles de Lint, which is the first Newford anthology. And I particularly liked The Ruin of a Rake by Cat Sebastian which is the sequel to The Lawrence Browne Affair and one of the heroes was a rather unlikable prig when he made his appearance in that book, so it gets kudos for changing my mind about him. (Cat Sebastian writes M/M historicals, so they’re NOT for everyone, but I quite like the twist that gives to the relationship, in that the men have to trust each other to some degree, and a long term relationship is never expected, since the relationship was illegal.)

Fantasy, Urban

Dreams Underfoot (1993) Charles de Lint Rating: 8.5/10

Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery

By the Sword (1991) Mercedes Lackey  Rating: 8/10

Historical Mystery

Lady Helena Investigates (2018) Jane Steen  Rating: 8/10
The Service of the Dead (2016) Candace Robb Rating: 7/10
DNF: A Lady in the Smoke (2016) Karen Odden DNF

Historical Romance

The Lawrence Browne Affair (2017) Cat Sebastian Rating: 8/10
The Ruin of a Rake (2017) Cat Sebastian Rating: 8.5/10

Audio Books

Mercy Thompson
Blood Bound, Audio Edition (2007/2009) Patricia Briggs narrated by Lorelei King Rating: 7/10
Iron Kissed, Audio Version (2008) Patricia Briggs
Bone Crossed, Audible Edition (2009) Patricia Briggs narrated by Lorelei King Rating: 8/10
Alpha & Omega
Cry Wolf, Audible Edition (2008) Patricia Briggs narrated by Holter Graham  Rating: 8/10
Hunting Ground, Audible Edition (2009) Patricia Briggs narrated by Holter Graham Rating: 8/10

And now: THE STATS!!!!!

Of the 11 books I finished (no matter what percent I complete, a DNF doesn’t count) it was split pretty evenly between e books and audio books. Lots of listening while painting the house. And lots of re-reads (unsurprising with 5 audio books).

eBook: 6
Audio: 5
Multiple Formats: 2
Re-read: 7

Split mostly between fantasy and romance this month (remember, books can fall into multiple categories, so there were romances with fantasy elements)

Fantasy: 7
Mystery: 2
Romance: 6

Male authors fell way behind in June, dropping them to 31% for the year.

Male: 1
Female: 10