the june stack 📚 a medley of nonfic and fic reads📚 ranked from least favorite to most
books | monthly reading recommendations + reviews
Hello friends, book lovers, and book recommendation seekers,
Here is the newest installment of my recurring monthly “STACK.”
ALL of the books that I read in the month of JUNE, but with a little flair to my review/recommendation.
When it came to the overarching theme of June’s reads: I could not find one. ha!
It was a medley of nonfic and fic books that I wanted to read, so I did.
They range from infectious disease, to cults, signs from the universe, to food madness. There’s an eco-thriller and a book about magic/tech/ai and dark academia about languages. Not to mention a book from one of my favorite drag queens!
I ranked them from least favorite to most: to be frank, I enjoyed and would recommend all but that was my strategy this time around.
It was pride month, so I had to read some books with queer characters too<3
Hope you enjoy one or ALL!!
If you prefer a video option: I made a youtube channel :)
Before I dive in…just wanted to plug that this is a free publication, and would love your support as a subscriber. I love being a part of this community and want to grow it :)
Without further ado…
Spillover by David Quammen
one sentence summary— A deep dive into the origins of some of the scariest zoonotic disease that have spilled over from animals to humans.
why this book, why now?— I have been patiently waiting to procure a copy from Libby App, and the Libby gods spoke, read now or forever hold your peace.
what stood out?— Listen, you could not pay me to go to a petting zoo, or some remote forest where there are known high mortality viruses, sorry no.
honest opinion— This one was a bit lengthy, but I appreciate the history of some of the most notable viruses, and things like HIV and Ebola.
read this if you…— Are looking for something science-y love infectious diseases. DO NOT READ if you are a hypochondriac or a nervous nelly about infectious diseases and pandemics.
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
one sentence summary— All cults have something in common: language.
why this book, why now?— As a result of one of those “When in rains it pours…” type Libby dumps, this book became available…and I started to dig in.
What stood out?—Trump and MAGA is a cult. But so is my pilates studio.
honest opinion— This provides an excellent overview on some famed cults and a bit of their history. This book also helps to answer the age old question: what in the heck is it that draws people to cults? am i susceptible?
read this if you…— If you want to get ahead of possibly getting drawn to a cult and losing touch with your family at a moments notice. OR if you enjoy learning a bit more about language and how persuasion works.
Signs by Laura Lynne Jackson
one sentence summary— Uplifting and encouraging tales about signs received by people who know the author.
why this book, why now?— I saw an interview of this woman on Jay Shetty’s podcast, and everything she had to say really resonated with me that day, so I wanted to seek out her book.
What stood out?— Signs are all around us, some we might not even notice. The trick is to get out of your mind and keep vigilant for signs from the great beyond or the universe.
honest opinion— I enjoyed this one, it was heavy on the anecdotes, less instruction of how to chime in to the parts of our brains that see signs and receive and interpret them.
read this if you…— If you want to read tales of other people who have experienced life changing signs from above or beyond, OR if you are a fan of books by psychic mediums, read it!
Piglet by Lottie Hazell
one sentence summary— To enjoy food, or die trying.
why this book, why now?— I’ve been dying to read this book and it has been sitting on my shelf forever, and finally I inhaled it.
What stood out?— The author is a wizard with prose. The way she describes food is unlike anything I have ever read, but also how she relates it to relationships and deep thinking throughout the planning of a wedding…remarkable.
honest opinion— If you don’t enjoy vivid and sometimes gross and gluttonous depictions of food, this is not for you. But if you are seeking a book that uses food and eating as a mechanism to talk about bigger issues, it’s good!
read this if you…— If you are into a slightly unhinged but charismatic female protagonist, with a penchant for food and reanalyze every choice she has ever made…check it out!
Dark Days Ahead by Natalie Docherty
one sentence summary— Dark, sexy, empowering, magical.
why this book, why now?— The lovely author Natalie, was kind enough to send me a free copy!
What stood out?— The female friendships front and center in this novel, are unparalleled. This is not a book I would typically seek out:tech, ai, magic, and a little dystopian future that seems highly plausible, but I am glad I listened to my internet friends and their recs.
honest opinion— This book rocks! It’s not to heavy on the magic/tech/ai words/concepts, and it’s more a story about the possible end of humanity and the true power of female friendships!
read this if you…— If you enjoyed books like The Power by Naomi Alderman or enjoyed watching Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning.
Babel by RF Kuang
one sentence summary— Prestigious college of language with students from diverse backgrounds + magic.
why this book, why now?— It was time. I was bullied by Booktube, and inspired to finally pull it off my TBR.
What stood out?— I’ve never read an arcane fiction with magic and a distinguished love for language and research. Top notch details.
honest opinion— The best book I’ve read from this author, so far. If you like Harry Potter, and you’re an adult now, you will probably love this, but warning it is a bit long.
read this if you…— If you want to read a dark academia type books OR have aspirations to be a polyglot or learning about the polyglot life.
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
one sentence summary— Remote island + research facility + chaotic family + end time, what can go wrong?
why this book, why now?— I was influenced by the masses, and the cover is gorgeous, so I had to check it out right away.
What stood out??— Unexpected gay character, woo! I crave a good thriller every now and again, also, my first eco-thriller, loved.
honest opinion— No notes on this book. I enjoyed it from start to finish, it really has you raising an eyebrow and trying to figure out who is telling the truth and what the heck is actually going on here.
read this if you…— Need a bit of suspense in your life, OR care about the environment.
Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert by Bob the Drag Queen
one sentence summary— Harriet Tubman is a legend, an icon, and the moment.
why this book, why now?— I bought this book earlier this year, I am a huge fan of Bob the Drag Queen and wanted to support them…and I figured the best time to read would be the days leading up to seeing Bob, live in person at a standup show~
What stood out?— Bobs narrative voice speaks through… I read it in his voice!
honest opinion—This was such a refreshing book! Queer characters, and a story that tugs at your heartstrings, while simultaneously wanting to shout “This is exactly how I envisioned Harriet Tubman!!!” Bob adds so much flavor to this book and what a unique concept!!
read this if you…—If you love music, support drag queens, or have taste.
6/8 of the books I read this month (June 2025) 
Dark Days Ahead got my attention. I can't wait to read it.