It’s been too long since I’ve shared my recent reads, but I have sure missed the #IMWAYR community! I was checking my “currently reading” list on Goodreads this week and realized I finished at least 45 books on that list and just never rated or reviewed them. Eeeek! I’ll try to get things updated this month (as I often put it off until I have time to write a review). In any case, I’m reading as I can between busy summer activities with our five children and unpacking. Speaking of…
GREAT NEWS: We listed our house in Nebraska on April 15th, had an official offer within two weeks, and we closed on May 31st. So we’re now officially all in Texas, with piles of boxes all around. Since we’ve had two different homes, we have a lot of excess we’re slowly taking to a donation center. Lee also received a job offer and so we’re feeling very optimistic about the year ahead!
On to books…
I loved the Mark of the Lion series and it came at such a crucial point in my life. My bestie from elementary school recommended it YEARS ago, saying it would change my life. It took me so long to finally get started, but then I hungrily flew through it! It’s historical fiction focusing Jews, Romans, and “Barbarians” from after the destruction of Jerusalem – around seventy years after the death of Christ. Each book follows a different main character. However, many of the same characters appear throughout the series. Highly recommend!
You can add this title to your Goodreads list HERE.
If you do not have a local bookstore, you may purchase it through IndieBound HERE.
You may also choose to purchase it through Amazon HERE.
I don’t know if all of Emily Henry and Julie Whelan are strictly all classified as “modern romance,” but I enjoyed them for the quick, clever humor, modern lingo, and eventually some love connections. Just some fun summer reads that don’t require much deep thought. WHEW!
These two were my impulse grabs for the month. On Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, I was really just curious about how the books stacked up to the Netflix series. Of course, there’s the obvious difference in getting to better understand the characters, but there are so many changes made between the book and the show. I wish I could interview the producers to ask all the questions! And on the Red Winter Trilogy, I read promising reviews online and just dove right in. I enjoyed it so much and definitely want to follow the story in book #2!
Halfway to Harmony is such an endearing coming of age story full of adventure and peculiar characters! Sweet Walter is grieving the unexpected death of his big brother and quirky little Posey moves in right next door when he needs a friend, most. An absolutely wonderful summer read by Barbara O’Connor.
You can add this title to your Goodreads list HERE.
If you do not have a local bookstore, you may purchase it through IndieBound HERE.
You may also choose to purchase it through Amazon HERE.
Currently Reading:
My oldest fell in love with this book many years ago during her pre-teen years and actually re-read it many times. For some reason I never read it, but I happened across a copy from a used book store on a family vacation and decided to grab it. I’m just almost halfway through and can already see why she enjoyed it so much. It’s part of a trilogy, so I’ll probably try to get the other two books once I finish this one.
To Be Read:
I’ve asked my 10-year-old what she’d like me to read among her favorite series and she wants me to start on Wings of Fire. I’ve owned the first books of the series for AGES, so I’m finally going to start it. YAY!
If this is your first visit to my blog, welcome! Today is Monday, and I regularly participate in a weekly #IMWAYR meme. Kellee Moye of Unleashing Readers and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give Kathryn’s (at Book Date) “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” meme a kidlit focus, reviewing books in children’s literature (picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, or anything in the world of kidlit). If you enjoy this type of reading, join us every Monday to share what you’ve been reading.
The Miller Memo 
My daughter had the Wendy Mass book, too, but the series hasn’t done well in my library. I might have binged some Bridgerton and really thought about reading the books; maybe when I retire. I only had to take the shorter version of the class since I’m not a language arts teacher. I worry about some of our staff, like principals and art teachers! Nothing has been said about math, but if we have to take it and struggle, I have friends who can help! Enjoy the Tui Sutherland, although I struggle with them like I did with Brian Jacques!
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Ok no. Your 10 yr old cannot actually be 10. ARE YOU SURE?? In my mind, she’s a baby. Wow. Hooray for that job offer and everyone reunited in Texas! Can’t wait to hear more. Ok, on to books! SO glad to see you here, dear friend! Like you, I really missed the #imwayr community when I stopped blogging about books. It’s been a challenge to get back into the weekly habit (and also to make sure I’m finishing books consistently to have something to write about), but it’s really nice to be back. I am so excited to see that Barbara O’Connor title. I love her books and didn’t know about that one. I love a good dragon story and see that Wings of Fire is available on Hoopla as an audio, so I might try it in that format. Happy reading this week!
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Wow, Shaye, I could hardly believe that you had commented on my post! I had visited a few & didn’t return to see that you had posted, too! Congratulations and best wishes for both your job and your move! And, thanks for the books. Like Elisabeth, I like O’Connor’s books, too, & noted that one. I’ll check out the earlier ones, too, all seem new to me! Have a nice Independence Day!
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Good luck with the move!! My son loved the Wings of Fire Series when he was a kid, but I never got around to reading it. One of these days!!
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