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.
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!)
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.
Starting a bit of a June challenge for myself! June is my birthday month so I want to gift myself health, beauty, relationships, and simple routines. Iām putting this here for additional accountability and encouragement! Itās never too late to start again.
Looked at dinner pool list to decide what I have in cupboard for dinner. Nothing needs thawing.
Made my yogurt bowl for breakfast. Got kids finishing breakfast (fend for themselves) and starting math and piano practice.
Unpacked a few things from car that we left after arriving home late last night.
Texted with daughter at college. She got my card. ā„ļøSent her video she wanted.
Collected cold coffee and yogurt bowl, grocery list, random journals, and pens and took upstairs.
Ran downstairs, washed out and filled water bottle.
Forwarded email someone wanted me to pass on to momās group.
Sent recommendations to my daughterās soon to be MIL.
Ran back upstairs.
Listened to Marco Polo group messages while eating and settling up my journals.
Caught up on some journaling.
Ran downstairs. Printed off book covers for reading journal.
Sat down with four kiddos for our morning time.
Listened to narrations and popped popcorn for snack.
Did reading lessons with little boys. Read them a couple chapters of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Buzzed boyās hair, helped them with showers, and finger nails.
6 yo and I spread the hair clippings to birds outside .
Texted my best friend, my sister!
Listened to 17 yo narrate again.
Helped 21 yo son with his college paper for 10 minutes.
Got out leftovers for lunch, heated up ham veggie soup for my husband and I! Washed spoons.
Cleaned up while kids outside.
Got out big block of cheese, gallon bags to split and freeze. Canāt find serrated knife?
Went back upstairs and journaled a bit more, started grocery list/menu plan.
Tried to go on walk, super windy and cold. Listened to audiobook. Grabbed my sonās laundry that was on clothesline because it looked like rain. Admired the violets!
17 yo left for extended music lessons.
Call three younger in, work on each childās history, science, and copy work. Work on some reading with my current dyslexic.
Make more popcorn and cheese and cracker snack.
Send them out to play.
Set up nature outing with friends via Voxer.
My 6 yo and I thoroughly enjoyed this together. ā„ļø
I found missing serrated knife. š¤Ŗ Finished cheese project and I froze some of the cheese.
Sat down and started listening to The Raphael Affair, almost finished.
Watched one Booktube video.
Got kids ready for going with dad and picking up cousins for church. Found socks, shoes, sweatshirts.
Now blogging š and thinking of dinner prep (egg sausage casserole), and which book to read.
Need to finish grocery list/menu plan.
Need to finish unpacking car.
Maybe start packaging up books for an east coast friend or write a pen pal letter?
I could sweep kitchen floor and scrub table too. š¤
I love these sort of post as I donāt often realize all that Iām doing while in the midst of it! Also itās a record and a memory of a wonderful life! Iām so blessed to be a home keeper and home schooling mama. A favorite quote I heard again this past weekend was about āa long obedience in the same directionā. May that be so of my faith journey and my relationships. šš»ā„ļø
What did you do today? I bet youād be surprised if you jotted down the minute details as closely as possible. Happy Wednesday! ā„ļø
A few simple things to aim for this spring/summer! Prayerfully asking the Lord to help me focus on relationships and rightly ordering my affections. Do you have anything planned or something on your heart? ā„ļø Journaling brings me so much joy! š„¹ā„ļøš„°
Trying this set up! Very ambitious, but aim high, I guess. šAdded album cover inspiration! Walked 15 miles for my second book over $5! Yay!Took me a long time as I got sick second half of March/early April! Not to mention the weather has been very hit or miss. šš April reading journal pages filling up!I messed up my Book Shelfie order, but no worries, it will work. If I get too perfectionist, I would never journal! Missed one day in my streak! It was pouring! šš¬
What are you creating/enjoying? š„°šā„ļøšæ
A.M. Pine - Hearth Ridge Reflections 