Welcome back to Whatcha Reading? in which we talk about some of our favorite reads of June!

For a little bit of added excitement we've decided to do a giveaway this month! Comment below letting us know what you read in the month of May for a chance to win a $25 OwlCrate shop gift card! *Winner will be randomly selected on Wednesday, July 13th*

Want even more great recs? Check out OwlCrate Jr's monthly wrap up as well! (and they may also be hosting a giveaway👀)


Starlight by Richard Wagamese
Starlight

Starlight was unfinished at the time of Richard Wagamese's death, but don't let that put you off this beautiful story. In it we follow Frank Starlight, an Indigenous farmer who has been living a quiet life until the day that Emmy and her daughter show up needing a place of refuge. They have recently escaped a life full of abuse, which is still very much haunting them. Frank takes them in, and in doing so creates a new and unexpected family of his own. The only trouble is Emmy's violent ex isn't ready to let go.

Although incomplete, this story dug into my heart. I am eager to pick up Medicine Walk, which features Frank Starlight's beginnings. 

 

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa
The Travelling Cat Chronicles

Get ready for a tear jerker! Nana, once stray cat, now happily homed with owner Satoru, is on a roadtrip around Japan meeting up with Satoru's old friends and family. Trouble is, Nana isn't sure what the point of meeting all of these people is. Satoru seems to be hinting at something, but Nana can't figure out what, and when he does figure it out, well, grab the tissues.

 

 

 

 

— Cori

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Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
Legends & Lettes
Do you like slice-of-life stories? What about high-fantasy novels? If you answered yes to both of these questions, then you’re going to want to read Legends & Lattes. This story follows Viv the orc barbarian, who decides she no longer wants to be a warrior and instead sets out to open the very first coffee shop in her city. This book is like a heartwarming cup of charming with a little intrigue (and a lot of whimsy) sprinkled on top. The colorful cast of supporting characters alone is worth giving this one a read! Also, don’t make the same mistake I made and read it with a cup of something hot, because you’re going to be craving caffeine with this one.
— Babs


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Sari, Not Sari by Sonya Singh
Sari Not Sari

My mom actually bought this book for herself and one morning said she had a book she thinks I might like. I told her I had about 5 books on my TBR and might get to it when I had a chance. After I saw the cover and read the back, my entire plan changed.

About halfway through the read, I felt like the main character Manny was my best friend and basically a rockstar! Not only was the read fun, but I felt like I learned a lot from her. Long story short, highly recommend.

 

 

 

— Jaclyn

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Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
Binti

Binti explores feelings of being an outsider, of looking beyond and finder the larger truth. It’s also a story about how by opening ourselves up, by learning more about the world (or worlds) around us, we become different people – and isn’t that something we should all strive for?

This is a short novella and I love how Okorafor doesn’t get bogged down in the details of the world-building, allowing the reader to fully focus on the story and message instead. It’s a sublime, sometimes brutal story that succinctly provides everything you would need. But if you’re like me and need to continue on with Binti and Co., there are two more in the series.

Pro tip: if you can access it, I suggest picking up the audiobook read by Robin Miles. Miles is by far my favourite audiobook narrator and trust me, you’ll be fully immersed in the story in no time at all.

— Shanleigh

What great books have you read lately? Let us know in the comments!


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