Ronit J

Fantasy Author of Absurd Stories

June 2025 Reading Wrap-Up | Almost went into a reading slump this month…

June 2025 Reading Wrap-Up! Half the year is gone. And if I’m being honest, I almost went into a slump this month. You’ll see as you read the post. I might be feeling burnt out because of a few things, so I decided to take a break from reading SFF about halfway through June.

Side note: Island of the Dying Goddess is the Resident Author Book Club Book of the Month! If you’d like to participate in the discussion, head on over to r/Fantasy!

Now, onto my reading wrap-up!

June 2025 Reading Wrap-Up!

The Crafting of Chess by Kit Falbo – ★★★1/2

The Crafting of Chess by Kit Falbo

I read this for May’s Resident Author’s Book Club. So, that checks off my ‘book club or readalong’ square on r/Fantasy Bingo. What made me pick up this LitRPG fantasy book was ‘chess’. But what made me keep reading was the cozy adventure vibes that were a refreshing change of pace. A good start to my month, if you ask me.

My full review is live on SFF Insiders.

You Are the Detective: The Creeping Hand Murder by Maureen Johnson & Jay Cooper – ★★★1/2

You Are the Detective: The Creeping Hand Murder by Maureen Johnson & Jay Cooper

Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers & the authors for this eARC. I finished reading this whodunnit in two sittings. A mix-media immersive experience, this one was a much-needed read. Why? Because I was already feeling a reading slump creeping onto me. Losing myself in this world of 20th century London, going through the interviews, case files, and illustrations had me feeling nostalgic.

My full review is live on my blog.

Abaddon’s Gate by James S. A. Corey – ★★1/2

Abaddon’s Gate by James S.A. Corey

You guessed it. This sci-fi space opera epic almost put me in a reading slump. I had high expectations with The Expanse, especially given how the last two books unfolded. Alas, I was wrong.

Additionally, I haven’t written a long review, mostly because I wasn’t motivated enough. Also, I didn’t want to just rant about everything I hated. But if you’d like to check out what I wrote, here’s the Storygraph link.

June 2025 Reading Wrap-Up | Current Read:

As is clear from my wrap-up, I didn’t have a single 4 or 5-star read this month. And after almost facing a reading slump, I decided to switch gears. For a short bit, I’m taking a break from SFF to read something I’ve been wanting to for years. The Brothers Karamazov.

I got this copy on my birthday. Translated by Richard Pevear & Larissa Volokhonsky, many hold this version to be a more faithful translation of Dostoyevsky’s original. I’m reading this one very slowly, taking my time to absorb every bit of philosophy and writing that

I don’t know if I will review this one. Mostly because I don’t know if I’ll be able to articulate all my thoughts and do justice to this masterpiece. Already, I’m bowled over by how enlightening this is. But if I decide to review it, you’ll find it on my blog!

Finally,

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading! I hope my June 2025 Reading Wrap-Up helps you decide on your next read. Check out my other posts:

If you haven’t yet, subscribe to my newsletter! (I only send out one a month, unless I have any other major announcements to make.) Plus, you get a free e-copy of my grimdark anthology, Abandoned by the Gods!

Hope you had an amazing May! Until next time!

ronitjauthor

June 30, 2025