The Best Books We Read in June
Jul 1 2024
The end of June always makes me a little sad—I just know the rest of the summer will fly by from here. Luckily there are plenty of excellent books to distract me from my premature melancholy.I asked the editors what their favorite read of the month was, and, as per usual, we’d also love to hear from you on the Fable For You feed: What did you read and love in June? 
The best books we read in June 2024
Alex: There have been so many exciting books released this month that I’ve been struck with a touch of reader ADHD hopping between all of them. One that’s stuck with me, though, is Ananda Lima’s “Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil.” Lima is a poet by training, and this is her fiction debut. The premise is strange and delightful: after sleeping with the devil at a Halloween party, the narrator begins writing stories to him, exploring their shared fascination with the imagined—and occasionally spectral—lives of others. If you love “The Master and Margarita” and the work of Carmen Maria Machado, I highly recommend giving this a read. Cameron: “Imaginary Friend” by Stephen Chbosky captivated me this month! Its blend of suspense, horror, and profound emotional depth was unlike anything I ever read. The intricate plot, well-developed characters, and the way Chbosky weaves themes of childhood, fear, and resilience really resonated with me, making it one of my all-time favorite reads!Desiree: I found a lot of new favorites this month, but one that I still can’t stop thinking about is “Flight of the Hummingbird” by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas. I read this during Environment Week and, while this book is only 64 pages long, it has a really powerful message. Split between three impactful people sharing their perspectives on our environment and global warming, and adding the story of the “Dukdukdiya” which originates from the Haida Nation of the North Pacific, this is a must-read. I’m incredibly grateful I found it while doing some research because it’s not a title I’d heard very much about. It’s an impactful, short read that will definitely leave a lasting impression on its readers!Hayley: “Blood Over Bright Haven” by M. L. Wang blew my mind. It’s the perfect dark academia fantasy with a smart and scathing critique of privilege, race, class, and power. I was sucked in from page one. The journey we go on with the main character, who is the first woman ever admitted to a prestigious order of mages as she unravels a sinister conspiracy involving the fate and cost of magic, is twisted, yet highly reflective of our real world. I’ve been thinking about this book nonstop since I finished it and want to tell everyone about it.Jason: “Yoga” by Emmanuel Carrère (translated by John Lambert) rocked me this month. The memoir starts out with a pretty straightforward premise: a great writer explaining his life-long meditation practice. Within a few pages, however, the entire book becomes fluid as the author changes genres, settings, and themes throughout an incredibly difficult year — like a caterpillar dissolving inside a chrysalis. I’m so glad my friend Bianca recommended this book to me!Yoga
By Emmanuel CarrèreA renowned writer’s downfall in a crisis-ridden Paris unfolds after cutting-edge yoga retreat. Doubt and truth blur in this engrossing, humorous, and thought-provoking narrative.
Blood Over Bright Haven
By M. L. WangAn orphaned mage student at elite magic school faces hostility and uncovers secrets with an unexpected ally, risking all for forbidden truths and ultimate power.
Flight of the Hummingbird
By Michael Nicoll YahgulanaasHere is the story of the great forest that caught on fire. The terrible fire raged and burned.
Imaginary Friend
By Stephen ChboskyAn epic work of literary horror, years in the making, whose grand scale and rich emotion redefine the genre.
Craft
By Ananda LimaAn intoxicating fiction debut where a writer tells impossible truths to the devil. Explore surreal US and Brazil, tales of ambition, fear, and longing.
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