Hey there everyone! How are all of you doing and did you know that it is now June? Summer is here. I will say that our weather people in this area have been a bit obsessed with saying our temps are way too much like summer and reminding everyone to watch out for the heat. A lot of people have moved into Central Texas from other parts, places that late spring/summer takes a longer time to appear. I say, welcome to Texas. Be sure you have your hat, your sunscreen, and your water. Those are my warnings to newcomers. Ha!
My other reading for this month included a couple of books for the afternoon book group that I attend. The theme was 'books and libraries' and I reread Anne Bogel's book of essays called I'd Rather Be Reading. I've linked to my review of that one from several years ago. I again enjoyed reading her thoughts. I also sort of skimmed Ann Hood's book, The Book That Matters Most, which I also read in 2018. Again, I linked to my review from that time. It's a tale of a book group that talks about 'the book that has mattered most' to them, one member shares each month. I liked it again as well. The last book I finished was the second book in Kristen Perrin's new series, How to Seal Your Own Fate. I had shared that one as a 'Waiting on' book back in February here. The first book in the series was discussed at our mystery book group in February. I did like this second book, but I think maybe not quite as much as the first. I'll be curious how the author will continue the series. This new one was good, but I just didn't find it quite as absorbing.
I think that's it for May. It's now June and summer reading is here. I have enjoyed hearing about all the plans that so many have for 'summer reading'. I thought about joining in on some of the events, but....no. I've been going a bit back and forth about working on catching up on another mystery series that I've gotten behind on (there are several of those!) or even doing a reread or two of some longer books that I enjoyed a number of years ago. We'll see what works for me. I know I've talked about how I really like to do 'free reading' - no rules, no musts, no 'gotta's'. And I have so, so many books that I haven't even begun as yet. Ah well. Books and reading make me happy and 'take me away'.
Hope everyone has a nice week! I will have a 'Waiting on' post on Wednesday and have several books that I am excited about that I will share in that way this summer. Take care - stay cool - enjoy your summer reading!!
I'm hoping to catch up on several series this summer, too. And also fit in some of those new, fun-looking summer romances. I like the sound of that Julia Spencer-Fleming series; if my summer reading list wasn't already too long I'd add her name to it. Happy reading this month! :D
ReplyDeleteI hope your summer reading is a lot of fun, Lark. Sounds like it will be. Yes, if you ever get a chance to try the Spencer-Fleming series I hope you'll take it. It's a good one. And Happy Reading right back at you!
DeleteThat's an interesting thought...the book that matters most to me. I think of two from my childhood- "The Secret Garden" and "Karen". The first is a famous work of fiction. The second is by a devout Catholic woman about her daughter, Karen who had cerebral palsy. Both books very well written and a big influence on me. I know you didn't ask for us to tell you this but I did anyway! LOL. Stay cool in Texas! Will try to in hot Georgia too. x
ReplyDeleteKay, it is an interesting thought, right? Thanks for sharing a couple of books that have meant a lot to you. I'm always interested in hearing these type of things. Staying cool may be a bit of a challenge. It always is in summer, but right now the humidity is pretty awful. I suspect that will improve as our rain chances move downward. Happy summer!
DeleteHappy summer to you too! "Karen" is by Marie Killilea. (Hope spelled right!) I read that her father was a journalist. I almost always love books by journalists, excellent writers who get to the point.
DeleteKay, thanks for more info about 'Karen'. I'll keep it in mind.
DeleteIn general, I like to feel free to read what I want, too. I do like making of list I'm thinking about reading. That way I have a nice list to consult when I can't decide what to read next.
ReplyDeleteDeb, I think what happens with me is that the list is made in my head sort of. And it changes and goes back and forth as time passes. Plus, I have the tendency to go down the rabbit hole with mystery series. If there are more books in those, I often select those books. I love connecting with the characters and then have a hard time moving on. LOL
DeleteFor some reason, I tend to read the first book in a series, and I never read another. Odd, I know.
DeleteNo, not odd, just your way of reading. You read so many books and I know you're often checking out what comes next. I think part of my fondness for series books is that I want to continue the story and learn more about the recurring characters.
DeleteI do need to get back to Julia Spencer-Fleming as I loved the first two books in her series. You had a good reading month in May. I'm all for free reading which is why I do very few reading challenges these days. It's nice to see people's lists for the Summer Reading challenge but I'm not tempted to join officially. What I do is write a few books I'd like to get to this summer, in my reading notebook and if get to them, that's great. If not, well that's fine too. Enjoy your June reading, Kay!
ReplyDeleteCath, I agree that it's nice to see the lists that our book friends make for their challenges or summer reading type things. Gives me a bunch of ideas. I hope you too enjoy your June reading!!
DeleteWe had some warm weather in April, but then in May it went back to normal, even a bit cool. Unfortunately, June is coming in hot, literally! It will be nice to find a cool spot and get some reading done. So many books, so little time!
ReplyDeleteYes, I think that because we have it so hot in the summer, our vacation times in summer are usually to locations in the mountains or at least cooler areas. Hope you guys have some relief from the heat and I hope your June reading is lots of fun!
DeleteIt's a great feeling to be caught up on a series!
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed. Of course, then begins the wait for the next book in the series....ha!
DeleteI can always tell when we have an influx of new people because of how people react to the weather - especially when it comes to temps and tornados. I enjoyed the Anne Bogel series and I really need to make an effort to get back to the Julia Spencer Fleming. I remember really enjoying what I read of it.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think a lot of people moving into new areas must not research the climate too much. Plus there are more watches and warnings from the weather people these days. Their equipment is more precise I guess. I do like Anne Bogel's podcast, but it's been a while since I listened to it.
DeleteI would love to catch up on the Julia Spencer-Fleming books, but I could never do it at the rate you have. I have the next one in the series, and a couple of others. And the new one looks very appealing.
ReplyDeleteTracy, when I read a series (for the most part), I get really caught up in the storylines and characters and I always mean to slip other books in between, but I usually just pick up the next. If I have it anyway. That's why it's difficult for me to plan my reading ahead. Most of the time anyway. Hope you enjoy the next you read of the Spencer-Fleming series.
DeleteI remember that I enjoyed Anne Bogel's book, but it's the sort that I don't remember much about. I'll have to give it another look someday. Ann Hood's book is also quite good. I seem to have a lot of books (nonfiction) about books & reading. Might be time for a collage & post with my favorites.
ReplyDeleteThat would be fun to see - a collage of those type of books. Yes, Anne Bogel's essays are good, but hard to remember details after several years. :-)
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