Iām loosely participating in five? July specific Booktube Readathons! I really enjoy just marking off prompts! šā
I decorated some of my July pages ahead in my to-do pocket Moleskine because thereās some travel and family stuff going on. I usually decorate this one the day of use because itās so small, but I donāt pack all my journaling supplies when going on trips! I especially love the Jane Austen stickers I saved for the start of Jane Austen July! šā„ļøšø
Deck-a-TBR-a-Thon! Summerween! Private Eye July! Jane Austen July! Zoom in for Prompts, if interested! š ššš
These are some summer long prompts! I made a great dent in them in June!
Two June Read-a-Thons that I had a lot of fun with! I just read what Iām in the mood for and make them fit mostly, but I do tailor a few of my choices depending on topic. Read a couple American Revolution type books with my kids etc.
June Reading Journal pages almost full!
I purchased coffee stickers and cute yellow bakery type washi so my July theme is Yellow Coffee & Flower Shop! š¤Ŗš ššš¤šš¤š
VERY ambitious health/mental/spiritual/relational goals for July! šš±š
What are you creating lately? I so enjoy working in my journals.
Iāve taken these last few days of June to catch up on listening to Booktube for a birthday month finale! Still eking out as much celebrating as possible! š I hope to start listening to this audiobook on walks soon! A classic P.I. mystery that Iāve never tried, The Maltese Falcon. If I enjoy it, I hope to watch the Humphrey Bogart film.
~watching~šæā„ļøBooktube, mainly, and I hope to try the 2020 Emma film adaptation to kick off the Jane Austen July readathon! Iām very hesitant about newer Austen adaptations, because I love the old ones so much. Have you seen this one? Is it any good? š
~reading~šæā„ļø Iām mostly loving my L.M. Montgomery rereads and diving into Moby Dick. I have a lot of slower nonfiction going, too! I have many kindle books that I got via a gift card from my dad for my birthday! šā„ļø
~Noticing~šæā„ļøThe world is blooming and so fluffy and feathery! Sigh. I saw a Belted Kingfisher on a bridge the other day, which made me so happy!
How about you? What are you listening to, watching, reading, and noticing? ~ šæā„ļø
Iām an extreme mood reader, but will make heaps of hopeful piles! Many of these are rereads or books on my 50 books by 50 list! Iām in a cozy, domestic fiction mood with a side of nonfiction and a vague feeling of something else reading mood. š š¤Ŗš
Iām slowly rereading the Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery series because my Ann with an E is getting married this year! šā„ļøIām on the 3rd book now!
Moby Dick by Herman Melville ~ I love the gorgeous word-smithing and hilarious situations Ishmael finds himself in! I got 3/4ths through this a few years ago, but never finished so determined to now.
Unmaking the Machine by Paul Kingsnorth ~ VERY out of my wheelhouse, but an interesting look at the dismantling of Western cultural foundations and the dehumanization of man. This is so fascinating and honestly, a bit sobering. Iām not sure what Mr. Kingsnorth is totally trying to say, š but thereās enough in here to make me really think.
4. The Scent of Water by Elizabeth Goudge ~ Iām due for a reread of this beautiful story of an older woman moving to an inherited house in the countryside and asking herself if she has ever truly been living.
5. The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery ~ been craving a reread of this one . If you felt you had a short time to live, how would you live your life? Valency Sterling has lived a stifling existence up to this point and jumps at the chance to buck against it!
6. Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery ~ yes, another Maud book! Iām really leaning into the domestic, cozy fiction. Young Emily Starr is taken in by aunts when her beloved father passes away. Her writerās soul aches with growing pains and trying to find a kindred spirit in her new situation. Iām finally feeling ready to really dig into my reread of this sadder trilogy.
7. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh ~ this is for my in-person book club! We are all busy moms so reading it slowly, but so much to discuss on fading English aristocracy, religion, family and societal pressures.
8. Daniel Deronda by George Eliot ~ this is a book from my 50×50 list and my friend who I trust implicitly with book recommendations said itās a good summer read! I donāt really know what this is about but looking forward to trying another Eliot!
9. Jane Austenās Bookshelf by Rebecca Romney ~ Iāve been hoping to read this for a long time and the Booktube reading event Jane Austen July would be perfect. Iām much slower at nonfiction, so weāll see if I can get to it!
10. Habits for a Sacred Home by Jennifer Pepito ~ Iāve been interested in checking out this home educating title for awhile and am looking for a title to read with our homeschool momās group this autumn!
~These are just a few of the ones capturing my attention currently! What about you? What books are on your stack this summer? šāØāļøšā„ļøš
Happy Tuesday! Iām here to wrap up this Booktuber reading challenge. You can still participate by picking and choosing what books you are reading fulfill the prompts! I donāt follow the monthly delineation because Iām a mood reader, mostly. Small confession: {whispers} Only 3 of these titles were actually on my physical/Kindle shelf! The rest were library check-outs. So I āfailedā on the reading my shelf. Oh well! All in good fun!šš¤
The first half of this story was so dark and depressing. Our main female character gets caught up in covering up a crime. The guilt, fear, and shame are palpable as she barely moves through life. The last 1/4th of the book was better, a bit more hope, but wow, not my favorite from my favorite Victorian author.
Three or More Objects (on cover) ~
The Labors of Hercules Beale by Gary D. Schmidt ~
This was a lovely story of two brothers working through their grief due to the loss of their parents. They are navigating their new relationship and trying to keep the family greenhouse afloat. Hercules transfers to a new school and a strict new teacher challenges him in ways that truly help him grow! Schmidtās books are fantastic in a rip-your-heart-out-and -put-it-back together way! I also love Wednesday Wars by this author.
Weapon on Cover ~
Dawn of Wonder by Jonathan Renshaw ~ A beautiful classic quest fantasy with an underdog main character! Aedan and his new found family he gathers truly grow in character and love! This was so amazing! Satisfying ending even though sequel never was released due to the authors health.
Title Includes a Conjunction ~
For Whom the Book Tolls by Laura Gail Black ~ Gal inherits her uncles antique bookshop in this cozy mystery. Unfortunately, a terrible secret awaits her as she wakes up the first morning! Suspicion is aimed at her surrounding a past false accusation. This had an old mansion, treasure, and an old diary as part of the story!
Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time by Michael Perry ~ a beautiful memoir about life & death, philosophy, small town Wisconsin. This was written so well and so true to relationships and culture in the Midwest. Highly recommend with the caveat of some sad explicit emergency situations and descriptions.
Has a Map ~
The Will of the Many by James Islington ~ Roman-like world, epic fantasy with deep themes of love and sacrifice for a son who is driven by revenge for a beloved father. Highly recommend!
Water ~
Dead in the Water by Denise Swanson ~
I thought this was a cozy, but it turned out a bit grittier and with adult themes. I really loved the husband/wife duo in the Chief of Police, Wally and his wife Skye, psychologist. They are expecting their first child and a tornado disaster causes havoc to their small town. A murder, family issues, and the town rebuilding/clean up bring them together.
Animal ~
Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witemeyer ~
This was a deeper Red Riding Hood retelling. I loved the kindness and love the main female character lived and the Grandmother was awesome! A bit heavier on romance, but wonderful characters and an unique take on this story! I loved the wolf dog sidekick, too!
Bookish~
Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine ~ This is such a unique premise! The Library of Alexandria is the center of all knowledge and special librarians are trained to care for it and guard the knowledge. The new batch of trainees are a mixed bag and full of secrets including Jess our main character. The students uncover corruption at the highest levels. I loved this story and the characters. Unfortunately, a bit of a sneering attitude towards traditional morality, so be aware. Nothing explicit except fantasy violence, so far. I hope to continue with the 3rd in the series soon!
Transportation ~
Hearse and Buggy by Laura Bradford ~
Cozy mystery set in Amish community. I love the bed & breakfast and main characters aunt! This was a little slow and repetitive, but I may return if I want a gentle, quiet mystery. I loved the ex-Amish police detective!
True or False ~
The Secret of Honeycake by Kimberly Newton Fusco ~ if anything, read this story for the exquisite writing. Hurricane is our main character and she finds her life in upheaval when she is sent to live with her aunt and employee. This books deals with grief, chronic illness, loneliness, found family, traditions, carving a life for oneself out of a whole new experience. The Great Depression, class, and PTSD touch Hurricane and her new friends lives in a big way. I loved the ābutlerā character in this story! This is very slow but so sweet and poignant.
Beauty in the midst of construction zone! š š„°
Iāve enjoyed Jessicaās blog for awhile now and I saw she was joining in a bookish blog hop about our 2026 reading! I used to blog hop a lot and really enjoyed linking up with others over a common topic. š Iām joining her at Words & Peace for this reading meme reflecting about your first six months of reading.
Instructions from Emma at Words & Peace:
In 2021, Jo at The Book Jotter started hosting the meme Six in Six. She stopped blogging in 2025, so I have decided to host it myself.
What is 6 in 6?
The idea is to look back at the books you have read so far in the six months of this year. Now, I love plays with numbers, so Iām extending this meme: you can post any time in July, or as early as 6/6, June 6th.
What do you post?
Choose 6 books in 6 categories. You can come up with your own category, or choose among the following examples (copied from Joās blog):
Six new authors to me
Six authors I have read before
Six authors I am looking forward to reading more of
Six books I have enjoyed the most
Six books I was disappointed with
Six series of books read or started
Six authors I read last year ā but not so far this year
Six books that took me on extraordinary journeys
Six books that took me by the hand and led me into the past
Six books from the past that drew me back there
Six books from authors I know will never let me down
Six books I must mention that donāt fit nicely into any category
Six books I started in the first six months of the year and was still caught up with in July
Six trips to Europe
Six blogging events I enjoyed
Six bookish things Iām looking forward to
Six Espionage or Historical Novels I enjoyed
Six Cool Classics
Six Non-US/Non-British Authors
Six From the Non-Fiction Shelf
Six books that didnāt live up to expectations
Six books that I had one or two problems with but am still glad I tried
Six books that are related to The Great War or Second World War
Six bookshops I have visited
Six books Iāve read in an English translation
Six books which are better than the film
Six books which are worse than the film
Six books that have sport as their major theme
Six favourite places to read
Six books read on kindle and then went and bought an actual copy
Six books I abandoned
Six classics I have read
Six books I have read on my Kindle
Six physical books I have read
Six book covers I love
Six book covers that bear no resemblance to the story contained within
Six books to read to avoid politics
Six books I have read but not reviewed
Six books I have read in lockdown
Six classic mysteries
Six books about Royalty
Six pretty book covers
Six books set in a country other than my own
Six books that feature a Pandemic
Six books that are great when self-isolating
Six books recently added to my wish list
Six mysteries, thrillers or crime novels NOT by Agatha Christie
Six books with titles connected to rivers, seas and storms
Six nature related books
Six books about Librarians and Libraries
Six books I really want to buy in the next six months
Six books that feature a building in the title
My categories Iāve chosen to share about are:
Six favorite genres so far
Six favorite reads so far in 2026
Six favorite Booktube Readathons
Six New-to-Me Authors
Six Mysteries I loved
Six Books I Read from My Shelf
My Six Favorite Genres: (many are a mixture of these below! Iām such an eclectic reader!)
Fairytale/Classic Retellings
Fantasy
Historical Fiction
Mystery
Young Adult
Middle Grade
My Six Favorite Reads so far 2026 (so hard to choose!)
The Secret of Honeycake by Kimberly Newton Fusco (beautiful, heartwarming Middle Grade)
The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas (gorgeous, Biblical Historical Fiction)
The Will of Many by James Islington (wonderful epic Historical Fantasy)
Through Rushing Waters by Catherine Richmond (Heartbreaking Historical Fiction)
Mistress Pat by L.M. Montgomery (beautifully written classic)
Dawn of Wonder by Jonathan Renshaw (classic fantasy story of an underdog!)
My Six Favorite Booktube Readathons So Far this Year: (You can still join these! I donāt follow the monthly prompts, I just fill them in as I go!)
Iām taking a Booktube watching break/Instagram break and a few days in, itās already been nice. Iāve mostly been listening to the birds on my deck early in the morning. Starlings are loud and strange sounding birds. š¤£ Recently, I got to hear two owls (Barred?) chattering because I went out there at 4:00 am. I did get in the Agatha Christie audiobook of Dumb Witness, Poirot and Hastings make me laugh! š I also got the audiobook Ruby Holler in, but weāll see if I get to it. I decided to soft quit Calculated, my last audiobook, because I have to be in the right mood for revenge stories. I do like the main female character, though, and setting, so I will probably finish it.
Watching ā„ļøšæ~ my hubby, three younger kids, and I traveled to see the biggest steam train recently. It was used during WWII to haul big loads over Utah mountains?! We had a fun Tookish adventure together! š ā„ļø I read almost a whole book there and back! š Otherwise, I havenāt been watching much? I hope to watch the movie āSummer of Monkeysā with my kids as we are almost finished with the book. š„°ā„ļø
Reading ā„ļøšæ~ I talk nonstop here šš about my reading, but Iām currently most enjoying The Mysterious Magic of Lighthouse Lane, What you are looking for is in the library, and The Bride of Fallen Stars is intriguing me on my Kindle.
Noticing ā„ļøšæ~ Iām mostly noticing flowers, trees, and seedlings. š± š„° Itās a wonderful time of year!
What are you listening to, watching, reading, noticing? ā„ļøšæ~
Reading and journaling bring me so much joy š„¹ so the marriage of the two is a double dose! I donāt really plan, but just go with whatever is inspiring me in my sticker/washi stash. I had a kind of slow start to my reading in the beginning of May, my reading mood was changing, had some meh/ok-ish reads at the start. I pretty much hated Date with Danger! š¤£ The end of the month reading though was amazing! I loved all the Middle Grade reads for a small readathon on Booktube called Middle Grade May! Especially, Secrets of Shakespeareās Grave and its sequel, Tower of the Five Orders by Deron R. Hicks. I really enjoyed the Christian historical light fantasy, The Huntress, also. Honorable mention goes to The Little House in the Highlands which is based on Laura Ingalls Wilderās ancestors. It was a slow start but SO cute! I made some good progress on my newest bingo boards I printed off from Pinterest, also. Georgette Heyer is hit or miss for me, but I loved two of her Regency romances, Arabella and Sylvester. Overall, a great reading month.
Now that summer is close at hand, my TBR stacks are exploding!
Here is what Iām currently finishing on my Kindle āstackā! My reading mood is pretty light as we have a heavy, busier season with remodeling:
A bit slow? May try the next in series? I got this one for Motherās Day, begins a teeny bit draggy, but cute, light fantasy middle grade about Bee, who can bake a wee bit of feelings into her baked goods. I love the tulip bulb smuggling pirates and the second half has been fantastic! Sequel to a wonderful childrenās mystery story about a brother and sister saving their fatherās place in the familyās publishing company! (The Secret of Shakespeareās Grave) This one has Shakespeare, Marlowe, other bookish nods, hidden messages, and just a lot of delight! I enjoyed the first, the best, but this one is great, too.
I think my mood? is still a bit on the lighter side but shifting to historical fiction, especially American Revolution possibilities to honor the 250th birthday this year.
Lighter maybes on my stack!
A Booktuber I like to watch wrote this and I want to dive in! Iāve tried about 10% and I like her writing style!Sign me up for anything lighthouse! Itās one of my reading buzzwords. Do you have any favorite lighthouse fiction recommendations? I love this cover and canāt wait to try it! Banned books and ancient Korean Pride & Prejudice retelling? Yes, please. Iāve enjoyed some of Hurās historical fiction in the past. Iāve heard great things about this, like Agatha Christieās And Then There Were None vibes?
A few historical fiction Iād like to try!
Fictionalization of Deborah Samsonās story. A woman who joined the Patriot army in disguise during American Revolution. Boston Tea Party and modern day, hard-hitting topics in a dual timeline with thread woven between eras.
Thereās a lot more in my stack, but these are catching my eye! Are you a mood reader or make a list and stick to it reader? Do you read more than one book at a time?
Iāve been mainly listening to two audiobooks when on walks or cooking.
I donāt LOVE revenge stories, but this is very creative so far! Chinese American Math genius is rescued from prison to save a failing company. Can she get revenge on the woman who put her in prison?Reading the new book out from Bright Eating founder with my friends.
Iāve also listened to a little Booktube and music. I heard an Oriole singing above us when my little boys, daughterās finance and I where sitting at the campfire. It was beautiful!
ā¢watchingā¢
Spring burst out around us! Itās glorious! My daughter and her relationship! They were able to visit Motherās Day weekend and it was so good to visit.
ā¢readingā¢
We are finishing up a lot of our school books as we need to be done early this year! My two little boys and I are almost finished with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and we laughed so hard at the preachy Ompaloompa songs. š I just finished a raw, realistic historical fiction about a womanās journey to true faith as she struggles to survive on the Dakota prairies. Spring for Susannah is my second Catherine Richmond and it wonāt be my last.
ā¢noticingā¢
I am noticing how much we are asked to trust and let go of as Christ-followers, women, mothers, sisters, and friends! I find myself drowning if I hold on too tight and try to control out of fear. Iām noticing I need to choose to surrender to the Lord.
How about you? What are you listening to, watching, reading, and noticing?
Iām trying to keep going with my 100 Day Project even though my posts arenāt always perfectly consecutive! Life gets life-y! Thanks for commenting and sharing your thoughts with me on this journey!
Happy Thursday! I ātriedā to group these by main genre topic. ā„ļø Iām hoping to add more for reference! A few of these donāt regularly update, but there is a TREASURE TROVE of back posts!
I donāt remember when I first encountered the wonderful world of Booktube, but it was pre-covid and Iāve been happily watching ever since! If you arenāt sure what it is, Booktube is a corner of YouTube that focuses on reading and talking about reading! š I also have found AMAZING reading journalers which is like a sandwich of my two favorite hobbies ever! There are YouTubers for EVERY hobby! Flosstubers, Gardentubers, Cookingtubers! šš ā„ļø Overall, Iāve found a small group of people in the Booktube world who are sooo friendly, welcoming, and as passionate about books and reading as I am! As with anything, you have to weed out a few thorns and balance the time spent, but this has been an enriching part of my life. Today I thought Iād share a few of my current favs! As you know šI read a wide variety of random things, so Iām going to share my Eclectic Booktuber favorites! I have many MORE, I love, but these are my jam currently.
Do you have a niche YouTube corner? A hobby that you like learning about on YouTube!? Iād love to hear! Maybe I will do another of these lists later for my general favorite Booktubers!
From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed.
Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.
Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!
Psalm 61: 2-4, NLT
Whatās been inspiring me? ā„ļøšæ
ā¢listening toā¢ā„ļøšæ
BTSā new āArirangā album. šæ A bit different than what I expected but itās growing on me. I donāt love lots of language or overly sexual themes, but thereās enough deeper lines/ideas that got me thinking. Hope to write a few of my own poems based on some of the lyrics.
ššššššš
Iāve also started the audiobook of Quarter Labyrinth by Victoria McCombs on the recommendation of a friend! Itās included free with Audible currently! I really hope our weather will warm up a bit so I can get outside walking and listening. šš§
ā¢readingā¢ā„ļøšæ
I always have a healthy stack šš¤Ŗ of things Iām dipping into! Iāve started my two buddy reads and Iām currently really enjoying slowly rereading my favorite Victorian novel of all time, Wives & Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell. Itās almost an annual reread for me. My 14 yo is listening to it for the first time and enjoying it! Iāve also been craving a reread of The Scent of Water by Elizabeth Goudge. Itās been awhile and itās a perfect spring read.
If only I had this gorgeous vintage copy! šā„ļøšæ
Iāve also been enjoying the Alex Rider Series by Anthony Horowitz about a 14 yo spy with M16. The fifth? one made me definitely warm up more to Alex who seemed a bit cold/distant at first. They are so adventurous and thrilling. Definitely super violent, but compelling. I also just dove back into Donna Leonās Commasario Brunettiās police series. She writes Venice and Brunettiās family life SO well, that Iāve just fallen in love with Guido as a police detective. The crimes are gritty and disturbing, so if you donāt like police procedural type detective novels, these may not be for you. I feel so immersed in Venice and his friendships and his family that Iāve come to love them! They are a fast, great Kindle read that I get through the library!
This one āļø was 5 star š for me!
ā¢watchingā¢ā„ļøšæ
I really havenāt watched much recently as I took a Booktube break for the Lenten season. I did put on hold at the library the first Season of Dr.Quinn Medicine Woman š¤Ŗš¤£ to see if I can get my hubby to watch with me during the chilly, spring nights.
ā¢noticingā¢ ā„ļøšæ
How cute my little guys hands are! He has bad dry skin in the winter and weāve been rubbing Aloe Vera into them each night. Heās such a blessing. š„¹ā„ļøšæ
Iāve really been noticing and remembering little tidbits from this lovely collection of quotes!
āGod has not called me to be successful, He has called me to be faithful. When we stand before God, results are not important. Faithfulness is what matters.ā
A.M. Pine - Hearth Ridge Reflections 