Hi there Readers! Summer Reading officially wrapped up at my library on July 31st, but I don’t expect the craziness to slow down for a while still. It has been a blast seeing so many people be “Wild About Reading!” Even if some of them did only participate because of the fine waivers (lol). The Jane Austen July reading challenge also wrapped up on the 31st. I did not achieve my goal of completing Northanger Abbey in the last 1.5 weeks, but I got close and still enjoyed the event. Let’s see how I did on the rest of my TBR…
Total Books Completed: 5 Average Rating: 3.6⭐s
📚 Baby Mine by Kellyn Roth
My Rating:⭐⭐
Genre: Recent historical fiction (uncertain decade 1900s)
This short story was easy to read in just over an hour, but I never really got into the story. Deep topics about family responsibilities, parental roles, and adoption are dealt with. It just fell flat to me. I did not agree with the outcome, but I also did not like the only other alternative discussed. It isn’t poorly written, I just didn’t like it.
📚 Finding the Edge: My Life on the Ice by Karen Chen
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Memoir/autobiography
I loved listening to this audiobook! Hearing Karen talk about her life and journey up to being the 2017 US National Champion in figure skating was interesting and fun.
📚 Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Experimental fiction/multi-genre
Yes, I finally did finish reading Cloud Atlas! That in itself is quite the accomplishment. See my review here for my thoughts. It was a fantastic journey that I am glad is done.
📚 Dandelion Dust by Faith Potts
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Contemporary YA/Christian fiction; light Romance
I was very concerned that this novella would be sad, but I am thrilled that I finally got over that concern and just read the book. It is amazing! Yes, it has sad moments, but overall it is hopeful, heartwarming, and uplifting.
📚 The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Historical Fiction/Gothic Fiction
If you want an example of “show, don’t tell” in writing taken a bit too far, this is it. Unfortunately, this was a disappointing read. Not awful, just…disappointing.
Other Books Read but Not Completed:
📚 Hearing God’s Voice by Richard and Henry Blackaby
Genre: Nonfiction: Christian Living
📚 Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
Genre: Historical Fiction
📚 The Mini Farming Guide to Vegetable Gardening: Self-Sufficiency from Asparagus to Zucchini by Brett Markham
Genre: Nonfiction: Gardening
📚 House of Dreams: The Life of L.M. Montgomery by Liz Rosenberg
Genre: Nonfiction: Biography
Thus was July! I will be doing a quarterly check-in on my year-long reading goals soon, as well as sharing my August TBR and possibly some other updates. I hope your summer finishes out well and enjoyable!
Until the next chapter,
Jana
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