June was not a book success for me this year. I made it through three books and didn’t really like any of them.

Book #1 – The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel

I made it through this book, but I didn’t like it. I never felt connected to the characters. I never felt drawn in or on the edge of my seat. I didn’t really feel anything.

That being said, I didn’t take the time to write a review for the book. If you’re curious about this one, there seems to be a large audience who DID like the book and you can read their reviews on Goodreads or Amazon.

Book #2 – Happy-Go-Lucky by David Sedaris

“Happy-Go-Lucky” by David Sedaris was my first introduction to this apparently well-known comedian, and it certainly left me with mixed feelings. The audiobook, narrated by Sedaris himself, showcased his unique, childlike voice, which I found rather annoying. Interestingly, Sedaris is self-aware about his voice and even makes fun of it in his comedy routines, but I couldn’t help but agree with him—it’s 100% true.

One of the reasons I’m conflicted in my review of the audiobook is that there are moments of genuine hilarity that had me laughing out loud, immediately followed by segments that made me feel quite uncomfortable.

The book’s content has its ups and downs, reflecting a mix of highs and lows in both the humor and the narrative flow. There were chapters that I genuinely enjoyed, appreciating Sedaris’ humor and insight. However, there were also parts where I found myself losing interest or feeling uneasy due to the content.

In conclusion, “Happy-Go-Lucky” was a mixed bag for me. While I didn’t love it, I also didn’t hate it. Sedaris’ unique voice—both literally and figuratively—offers a distinctive listening experience, though it might not be for everyone. If you enjoy humor that walks the line between funny and uncomfortable, this audiobook might be worth a listen.

Book #3 – World Travel: An Irreverent Guide by Anthony Bourdain

POV – I listened to the audiobook vs. read the physical book.

I, as a huge Anthony Bourdain fan, want to love everything that has his name attached, but his one was tough since it was written after he passed and his voice was filled in by his brother and friends.
I am happy that they decided to publish these notes, because it does feel authentic in the way Bourdain saw the world and gave advice, but it just wasn’t the same.

It reads a lot like a Lonely Planet travel guide wherein there’s a blurb about the place’s history and current state and then information about the best restaurants and bars, public transport, and getting to the country/city itself. Although a lot of this information is already outdated, it was nostalgic in the way it was written and I liked it very much.

*You can check out my Book Reviews page or my goodreads page to see what else I’ve been reading this year if you missed any of my previous posts*

Katelynn Kellogg

Katelynn is a Texas-based writer and travel enthusiast who makes the most of her time exploring new destinations while balancing a full-time 9-5 job. She has visited 12 countries and 27 U.S. states. She describes herself as a weekend warrior and shares her passion for travel, outdoor adventures, and solo journeys on her blog, KatelynnOutLoud.