Book Talk – June & July 2025

Did you realize I missed my book post last month? No? Well, I won’t hold it against you. I was (and probably still am) in somewhat of a reading slump so I had not too much to say. That is why I decided to combine two month – but I split it up in books and audio books. Stay tuned for the audio books. Today we dive into the book talk for June and July.

Danke, Deutschland by Bahman Shahozaini | ★★★★★

Book Blurb: Bahman Shahozaini is German, even if his name and appearance don’t necessarily suggest it. For a long time, he struggled in vain to fit in “I thought and spoke German, but that didn’t seem to be enough.” In his book, which holds up a mirror to us with a wink, we find out how he finally succeeded. Amusing and tragic stories of do-gooders and racists, but also encounters with great people for whom origin doesn’t matter. His book is a furious declaration of love to Germany, as sarcastic as it is thought-provoking. A refreshing new voice in German immigrant literature!
First Sentence: Ich mag Rassisten. (I like racists.)
What I thought: I read this book in order to see if I can recommend it in our church bulletin. I volunteered to do book recommendations that fit the topic. And I needed something for gratitude. I wasn’t planing on reading the whole thing but it was so good and interesting. A differentiated, trenchant analysis of German society. Shanozaini puts his finger in the wound without losing humor or gratitude. He shakes people up and makes them think. Entertaining and eye-opening.
Elevate count: none as it was German.
Characters: Bahman himself
Setting: Germany
Medium: eBook through library
Original Language and Title: German
Publications: no translation found
Recommend to: Everyone wanting to get the inside view of a so called “Deutscher mit Migrationshintergrund” (German with a migration background) on politics, feelings and social issues.
Author’s Origin: born in Teheran, Iran | 1982
Read Around the World: Logged for Iran in my Read Around the World Challenge

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman | ★★★★☆

Book Blurb: Viewing an apartment normally doesn’t turn into a life-or-death situation, but this particular open house becomes just that when a failed bank robber bursts in and takes everyone in the apartment hostage. As the pressure mounts, the eight strangers slowly begin opening up to one another and reveal long-hidden truths.
First Sentence: A bank-robbery.
What I thought: Again it is amazing how Backman manages to capture the different characters and their quirks. By overly emphasizing their weakness he manages to show us deficits in society and maybe ourselves. I find his books very entertaining. However this may have been my least favorite of his so far.
Elevate count: none found as read in German
Characters: Zara – wealthy bank director, Roger & Anna-Lena – retired couple, Julia & Ro – lesbian couple expecting, Estelle – 80 year old woman, police
Setting: Small town on New Years Eve.
Medium: paperback
Original Language and Title: Swedish “Folk med ångest”
Publications: German title “Eine ganz dumme Idee”
Recommend to: Everyone loving an absolutely wird, silly story that is carried by quirky characters and shows us what is wrong in society.
Author’s Origin: born in Stockholm, Schweden | June 2nd, 1981
Read Around the World: Logged for Sweden in my Read Around the World Challenge
Additional note: I have also read “The answer is NO” ★★★★, “A man called Ove” ★★★★

Wedding People by Alison Espach | ★★★✶☆

Book Blurb: It’s a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island, when Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn wearing a green dress and gold heels, not a bag in sight, alone. She’s immediately mistaken by everyone in the lobby for one of the wedding people, but she’s actually the only guest at the Cornwall who isn’t here for the big event. Phoebe is here because she’s dreamt of coming for years – she hoped to shuck oysters and take sunset sails with her husband, only now she’s here without him. Meanwhile, the bride has accounted for every detail and every possible disaster the weekend might yield except for, well, Phoebe-which makes it that much more surprising when the women can’t stop confiding in each other. 
First Sentence: The hotel looks exactly as Phoebe hoped.
What I thought: I am always fearful to pick up a book that has been hyped. But this one didnt disappoint. It was deep er at times than expected and I really had fun reading it. However Lila was so annoying – I wanted to throw her from a cliff at times.
Elevate count: 2
Characters: Phoebe – suicidal professor, Lila – bride, Gary – groom, Juice – daughter to groom
Setting: Resort at the coast
Medium: eBook through library
Original Language and Title: English
Publications: German title “Wedding People”
Recommend to: Everyone enjoying a quick and easy read that isn’t too mellow.
Author’s Origin: born in Trumbull, U.S.A. | September 17th, 1984 
Heard of/Recommended by: Stephany, Instagram and I think my book club

The Art of Nothing by Youssef Merzoug | ★★★✶☆

Book Blurb: In a world that never stops, the most radical thing you can do is… nothing.
Are you exhausted from being constantly “on”? Drowning in to-do lists that never end? Feeling guilty every time you’re not being productive? You’re not alone. We’ve created a culture where rest must be earned, where every moment needs optimization, and where doing nothing feels like failure. But what if the secret to feeling better isn’t doing more – it’s doing absolutely nothing at all? This isn’t another productivity book in disguise.
The Art of Doing Nothing is permission to stop. It’s a gentle rebellion against hustle culture, a roadmap back to your own humanity, and proof that you don’t need to earn your right to rest.
First Sentence: It’s 6:03am, and I am already failing.
What I thought: I wasn’t expecting much from this freebie to be honest and was pleasantly surprised that it actually held some useful nuggets of thoughts and information. I also realized that I indeed have changed my life towards more rest in recent years and that a few of his suggestions I already include. I think this book cold be very valuable for anyone really struggling.
Elevate count: none, just elevator
Medium: eBook
Original Language and Title: English
Publications: no translation
Recommend to: Everyone struggling with overwhelming to-do lists and needs a new way of looking at productivity.
Author’s Origin: born in unknown | unknown

The Modern Declutterer by Alicia Freemantle | ★★✶☆☆

Book Blurb: Feel like your home, schedule, or mind is overflowing? You’re not alone—and you’re not stuck. The Modern Declutter shares a refreshing, real-life approach to simplifying your space, your routines, and your mindset without guilt, overwhelm, or perfectionism.
First Sentence: In a world where our phones never stop buzzing, delivery boxes pile up at our doors, and our calendars look like a game of Tetris, it’s easy to feel like life is running us instead of the other way around.
What I thought: Well, this is one of those freebie books that you don’t really need to pick up. I can not even recall exactly what it was about. So there must not have been really good info here. The only useful thing in there is the mentioning of a service that has you unsubscribe from all newsletters: https://unroll.me (service is not working in the EU due to data privacy laws – what ever that means for pople outside I don’t know).
Elevate count: 1
Medium: eBook
Original Language and Title: English
Publications: no translation
Recommend to: Don’t waste your time and instead pick up Goodbye, things by Fumio Sasaki.
Author’s Origin: born in unknown | unknown

Black Keys by Rose B. Mashal  | ✶☆☆☆☆

Book Blurb: To save a stranger’s life, she put her own in the hands of a man who represents everything she loathes. American CEO Marie Archer sent her brother, Joseph, to the Arab Kingdom of Alfaidya to open a new branch office. He returns with the contract and news of his engagement to a princess. With the surprise royal wedding only four days away, Marie’s Catholic upbringing makes her question the rush, but she swallows her misgivings and agrees to attend in order to make Joseph happy.
First Sentence: Making a difference in the world and changing someone’s life doesn’t require a person to be rich, or even smart – all it takes is live in caring.
What I thought: What the hell did I just read. This must be the most racist book I ever picked up. Everything in this book is just awful. A spoiled rotten girl as stupid, privileged and ignorant as they come paired with bigot Christian beliefs. Constantly saying all Arabs all muslims are terrorists and spreading a few more awful beliefs. For that alone this book is not readable. The author probably tried to bridge differences but doing so in the last 3 percent of the book is not acceptable at all. The about the author note says: „Through her stories, she wants to spread nothing except understanding, peace and love.“ Well, Do better!
Elevate count:
Characters: who even cares
Setting: not even pretending to spend more effort on this book.
Medium: eBook through Kindle unlimited, library | audiobook through library | paperback | hardcover
Original Language and Title: English
Publications: Fortunately it’s not been translated.
Recommend to: No-one. Please don’t read.
Author’s Origin: born in U.S.A. | unknown

Book Stats for June 2025

Books I couldn’t finish

Keeping track of the books that weren’t right for me. This month it was:

• Wir sind doch Schwestern by Anne Gesthuysen – Stopped at 29%. This was boring. The writing was not good. And so many reviews are pointing out what I am struggling with. So a DNF it is. 

New books on the shelves

Always buying books even though I am trying to reduce my TBR pile. This month I have been on a kindle spree and saved a ton of freebies. Please hold me accountable and ask if I read them or just piled them up.

• The Art of Nothing by Youssef Merzoug – kindle freebie
• Must Love Moss and Moonshine by Maisy Magill  – kindle freebie
• Thrive: Your Complete Guide to Health, Fitness, and Mental Wellness for a Happier, Stronger You by Dr Rahul Sharma – kindle freebie
• Exploring the Universe by Carl Sagan – kindle freebie
• Neem: Nature’s Remedy for Hair Loss: How to Restore Thinning Hair and Repair the Scalpby Eve Kaufman – kindle freebie
• The Modern Declutter by Alicia Freemantle – kindle freebie
• Ultimate Discoveries of Unusual Knowledge by CC James – kindle freebie
• The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley – kindle deal 0,99€
• Über den Wolken wohnen die Träume by Meike Werkmeister – birthday gift from my best friend

What is the last horrible book you read? Do you feel bad giving awful reviews? Do you have any suggestions on how get over a reading slump? Is book shopping a hobby just like reading?