June Reads
Some people crank out the books in the summer as they lounge by pools or go on vacations – or do whatever it is that allows them to get all their summer reading in – I however, find myself doing the opposite. When the weather is hot and warm and the days are long and sunny, we play! And then when the cozy days and early nights of winder arrive, we cuddle up with books on books.
Speaking of books on books, I got onto the Book Reader Algorithm for Substack (somehow…), here are some thought-provoking articles on book reading I have really enjoyed lately:
The Day NY Publishing Lost Its Soul
Serious Reading Was Always a Minority Sport
And now here are some books I’ve read lately as well:
Stories Woven in Silver by by Kathryn Butler & Korrie Johnson
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I loved the first several chapters of this book – all of part 1! So much good and encouraging information about reading good books, embracing the classics, soaking our kids in literature, and letting it feed and fuel their learning. It was a balm to my heart and encouragement for this upcoming year of homeschooling – I highlighted many a quote! I didn’t expect part 2 to be laid out as a guide – specifically walking through several books and the gospel themes / discussion ideas. I didn’t hate this part, but it did feel more like a list of blog posts back to back. I skimmed through that section and, since I own it, will be able to reference it when we read some of these books again together as a family. As it is impossible to be exhaustive in a book format, I did feel like it included a lot of the obvious ones (like Narnia and LOTR) leaving out a lot of Classics that would be more helpful to have the Gospel themes laid out. Part 3 reads like a good book list (similar to Honey for a Child’s Heart) and I was grateful to see that included as well as other resources. Still many books missing, but you cannot list them all! Overall, a great book filled with so much Truth, yet lacking a bit practicality in the ways I would have liked to see. Still worth the read clearly since I rated it 5 stars! HAHA.
“Above all, approach your read-aloud time not as a chores, not as another assignment or item to check off your list, but as a chance to delight. Delight in your kids. Delight in the elegance, the beauty, and the power of the written word. Delight to overflowing in the majesty, holiness, and almighty power who invented stories and words, children and parents, sunlight, moonlight, and everything else.” Pg.68
Morning Watch by Dean Ridings
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I added this small devotional to my quiet times this month and it was a good reminder of the Gospel basics. While geared toward newer Christians or those who want to renew a commitment to Christ, I still found it to be encouraging & convicting and a good reminder of Gospel truths. The price point also makes it super affordable for groups, Bible studies, and mentorships (the author even offers the pdf for free!)
The Bookshop of 99 Doors by Jaime Jo Wright
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Read this book in October people! I had no idea what I was getting into and was hooked from the beginning! I didn’t know how all the ghost/ haunting things would turn out in the end and was pleasantly surprised by how it all came together. The dual timelines really play off each other, crafting a thrilling and enticing narrative. Brokenness, lies, coverups yet also redemption, restoration, and wholeness. This book so beautifully holds the Gospel with messy lives and takes you on a journey with many memorable characters. I enjoyed it!
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
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Our book club voted on The Help for this month’s book and I was excited to read it for the first time. I watched the movie once when it came out (nearly two decades ago) so I had a vague understanding of the storyline and the characters. I found it to be absolutely delightful! Like a good historical fiction novel, it drew me into a different place and a different time. Many times I couldn’t get over the idea of being a stay-at-home mom without doing any of the cooking, cleaning, or childrearing. And what it might be like to do all of those things for a home and a family not your own. So many likable characters, and so many unlikable ones as well!! I don’t remember much of the movie, but the book includes so much more depth and storylines making it superior to the movie. Worth a read if you haven’t read it yet!
Book Tracker: 35/52 books read in 2026. If you don’t already, follow or friend me on Goodreads where you will see what I am reading, what I want to read, my favorite books, and every review I write! I also share all the books that I have rated 4 or 5 stars on my Amazon storefront AND here is my Monthly Book Review archives where I have monthly chronicled my reading list since 2023! Always feel free to share recommendations with me in the comments too – I am a big fan of word-of-mouth!