The end of each month seems to come as a surprise more often than not, and this one is no exception! While somewhat less exciting than the months of summer, September has been thoroughly enjoyable and full of decent book and spending time with friends enjoying their hobbies (such as football – not my usual cup of tea, but I’ve enjoyed using the time to crochet while my friends are more invested in The Game™). Here are my (mostly) bookish highlights!
Books Completed
📚 The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold Contemporary Fiction ⭐⭐⭐⭐
📚 Clara’s Kitchen: Wisdom, Memories, and Recipes from the Great Depression by Clara and Christopher Cannuciari Nonfiction ⭐⭐⭐⭐
📚 Joyful Sorrow: Breaking Through the Darkness of Mental Illness by Julie Busler Nonfiction ⭐⭐⭐⭐
📚 Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot Poetry ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Average Rating: 4⭐s
Other Books Read But Not Completed This Month
📚 Ruff and Tumble by Lucy Gilmore Contemporary RomCom
📚 The God Who Stays by Matthew West Nonfiction
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Goals Recap
Originally posted here.
- Post here at least 3x a week, including at least 2 reviews ✔ – Only 1 review, but otherwise met
- Help with creating quizzes for the children’s Bible study program at church ✔
- Read 5 books
- Complete 3 that are currently in progress first: Joyful Sorrow by Julie Busler (nonfiction), Clara’s Kitchen by Clara and Christopher Cannuciari, (nonfiction) and The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold (contemporary fiction) ✔✔✔
- Find some soup recipes to try when it gets cooler ✔
- Start making plans for Christmas gifting. If I’m going to knit things for multiple people, I probably should have already started! I think there is still time though. ✔ – Well, plans were started, and some yarn was bought, but then plans changed, so I’m not completely sure if this was actually a net positive or not.
- Keep enjoying time outside when possible ✔
Movies Watched: Feeling Butterflies (2022) ⭐⭐⭐⭐; Encanto (2021) ⭐⭐⭐.5; Mystery 101 (2019) ⭐⭐⭐
Music of the Month: This month I discovered the band Jukebox the Ghost. They’re not a new group, just new to me. So far my favorite song of theirs is Great Unknown. Also, along with his new book Matthew West released a new song that has made its way onto some of my playlists: My Story Your Glory.
Podcasts Enjoyed: In addition to my usual shows, in September I also enjoyed The Matthew West Podcast and a few episodes of Sweet Tea and Coffee.
Other Highlights
- This will probably be hard for some to believe, but I’ve actually enjoyed watching football this month. More honestly, I’ve enjoyed spending time with friends who are watching while I crochet.
- Started attending a women’s Bible study on Wednesday nights. It’s an interesting dynamic; the other girls around my age who I’ve previously connected with are teaching children’s classes at the same time, so it feels like being brand new to the congregation all over again. I’m trying to take the opportunity to meet more of the older women each week, but it’s clear that I don’t quite fit in with this group as well as I do with those close to my own age. It’s also proven to be a bit difficult to really study the content and try to go beyond the surface level when I’m uncertain about the group dynamics. Hopefully things will iron out as the weeks progress!
- Another run-out to a nearby small town with a group of friends to hear one preach. Excited for the opportunities coming for this friend, although it’s a little bittersweet.
- On a less positive note, there has been some concern and drama in the library world on a national level recently, and it is having an effect on the atmosphere that I work in. I’m sure this is somewhat true in the wider world generally, but lately we have had more talks about situational awareness, shorter tempers from many levels of staff and administration, and generally dark industry news. While nothing extreme has occurred within my library system, this is still somewhat a dark cloud on the horizon that is hard to ignore.
- I made a Cherry Limeade Icebox Pie – it looks bright pink like a cherry pie (appropriate for taking to an OU game watch party), but tastes like key lime! I’m a little proud of figuring out how to do this on my own.
So long, September! What was one highlight of the month for you, Reader?
Until the next chapter,
Jana
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