June Book Review

The Sun is Also a Star

by Nicola Yoon

With this book being turned into a movie this summer, I was excited to read it first so I can then compare. It was a fun, interesting read. I loved the debate on the concept of fate between Natasha and Daniel. It’s something I love to think about and am open to all sides of the argument, without the ability to ever truly know the answer. It also did a great job sharing the experience of both a first generation immigrant as well as a second generation. It allowed the reader to see how each of them were affected by this in their own way, something many of us are not familiar with or knowledgeable about. Overall it was an entertaining summer read that led to some fun, light conversation.

Fitness Junkie

by Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza

As someone who is very active within the health and wellness community, I loved this book. It was a quick, fun read that also highlighted some of the absurdities of the industry. From extreme fad diets, to overpriced fitness classes and wellness retreats, this was shockingly accurate. It’s a bit exaggerated from what I see in Chicago, but seems to be spot on for what I hear about New York fitness culture. Either way, on top of being a great story, it was a great reminder for moderation and sensibility when it comes to nutrition and working out.

The Girls

by Emma Cline

This was such an interesting book! Set in the late 1960’s, it follows a California girl, Evie, who finds herself caught up in a cult. The book gives a first hand look, psychologically, of how someone could get involved in something so crazy, which I found fascinating. It also shared a saddening perspective of what it was like to be a young woman in relation to the men of that time period, hitting the point home with a powerful ending. While overall a pretty dark book, it was incredibly interesting and thought-provoking.