Books I read in June 2022

If May was chaotic, June basically told May to hold its drink. I did manage to squeeze in two books between getting married(!) and moving cities!

Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev

This book is the first in Sonali Dev's series around the Raje family. I had read the Emma Project without knowing that and was surprised when I started reading the book. It definitely shows Naina (the scorned lover in this book) in a more negative light. Which meant I immediately didn't enjoy this book as much. Was I projecting the character on to myself? Yes. I don't like her character in this book as much because we lack the color we get in the second book which explains her personality more. I also wasn't able to associate with any of the other characters in the novel so it definitely ranked lower for me. However, that is MY bias.

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

This book was a hard read for me because it covers the topic of drug abuse and dealing with the loss of our loved ones. It also ends on the protagonist watching the footage of the World Trade Center attacks and specifically watching her only friend jump to her death.

This book is definitely giving Hanya Yanagihara's A Little Life a run for it's money in terms of books I cried through. It's uncomfortable like no other and it forces you to ask yourself, are you judging the protagonist's actions as she self medicates herself into 3 months of sleep or are you showing compassion. And why are you showing that emotion?