It is July and we’re almost half way through the 2011 Reading Challenge! I’m coming out from being buried in threads and fabric to finally report to you all on how I did this past month with reading.
I really am amazed that I’ve somehow managed to keep up so far, and I am glad to report that I finished my 12th book in June, and have already started and finished one in this first week of July, bringing my total to 13 books and counting!
I finally finished reading both Jack & Jill and One Thousand Gifts. Both were good, for very different reasons.
I liked Jack & Jill because it is a typical Lousia M. Alcott story with a good moral and little tidbits to ponder along the way. I’m glad that Elisabeth told me to read it, because it really is a sweet story, even if I do think Little Women and An Old Fashioned Girl may still be my favorites, at least by a little bit.
I enjoyed the first part of One Thousand Gifts, but there are a few chapters near the end that are the ones that really got my attention. I’m still thinking about recapturing joy, and what it means to not live life with the many unimportant expectations we tend to put on it as we leave childhood and become adults, and why it is so easy to let the cares of this life keep us from what is most important.
I’m also starting out this month with only one book in progress. I usually have at least two going, so this may be a good indication that July is looking like it may not have much time for reading. I’m pretty sure I’ll be spending a large portion of my free time behind the sewing machine working on these quilts, but hopefully, somewhere in there, I’ll finish up “Love & War” by the Elderiges. I’ve heard very mixed reviews on this and other books that they’ve written, so I’m curious to see what I think of this one. I’d also love to start one of the next two books on my pile: The Waiting Place and Growing Up Amish, but we’ll see how the quilting goes and how much excitement Life has in store for us in July.
In the mean time, I’m ready to hear what you’ve been reading! Add the link to your July update and be sure to check out how everyone else is doing.
My reading was very “de-railed” toward the last two weeks in June. I was disappointed to not finish 2 of the books but oh well. As soon as I get my review typed up, I’ll be linking up :)
One Thousand Gifts was a wonderful book for me to read this year. It’s changed my life.
I’m so behind right now! But, I did start a really interesting book this week and can’t wait to share more about it soon. :)
I would love to know more about this Reading Challenge. How does someone get involved in that? Thanks for your reviews. I may have to add a few of these to my list :)
Shannon
My interest is peaked about ” The Waiting Place”, hmm, I might look into. ;) Meanwhile I need to finish the only full sized book I started last month. :(
I don’t know if it is good or not, but the reviews made it sound like it’d be a book I’d want to read! I’ll hopefully be able to find out soon.