49 The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett 7/7 (print/own)
Cousin book club pick for this month. Boy, it was an interesting ride. I do think it got a bit better as the story went on. The beginning was rough, and these characters deal with some rough stuff. There's a bit of language. But also you can't help rooting for the characters, even if you want to shake them sometimes. A few times I might have DNF it if it wasn't for book club. But I am glad I stuck it out. The last few chapters were my favorite.
My dad always said a person needs three things to be happy: something to do; someone to love; and something to look forward to.
Loving children is when they hold your hand with their little sweaty, meaty paw and you feel a direct wire to your heart. Loving children is even though they drive you up the wall, and life was so much easier before they were around, you hope they always, always come back home, and you miss them as soon as they’re gone. You miss them as soon as the school bus takes them away in the morning, and you worry about them, you constantly worry about them, hoping and praying that, somehow, they will be one of the lucky ones. One of the lucky ones who is happy, and safe, and stays off drugs and lives to a hundred and two and never knows any heartbreak or pain.
You need a story about your own life, or the bad stuff in your head writes the story for you.
50 The Belle of Chatham by Laura Frantz 7/13 (print/own)
52 Bookclub 13. Bookface
In honor of America's 250th Birthday I picked this for our Alive BC book for July. I found it delightful. This is mainly fictional characters but there was a cameo by George and Martha Washington at a Ball. Mae and her sister Coralie find themselves with opposite loyalties as the Revolution rages on. I never really thought much about women in the war camps and forts. It was an interesting peek into fort life.
A side character Lucy and her little dog Petey were among my favorites.
I felt like the ending was a little abrupt but overall, I enjoyed it. This was my first book by this author, but I am looking forward to diving into her backlist.
"But I do. All of have wounds. Some scarring you simply don't see."
"Sometimes it's the simplest things that mean the most."
As she dressed in the frigid dawn, she counted her blessings. Quilted petticoats. Salt. Freshly milled flour. Firewood. From the kitchen below came the aroma of coffee and baking bread. Never mind that the eggs and milk would be frozen. They were snug, well-fed, and beneath a sturdy roof.
51 The Little Women Devotional by Rachel Dodge 7/21 (print/own)
52 Bookclub
37. Started On The 26th Of The MonthMy friend gave me this book for my birthday a few years back. For whatever reason I picked it up in May and found it a delight. The words seemingly meant for this very season. I enjoyed reading a chapter each morning in my quiet time. Each chapter begins with a quote from the book and connects the story in the book with our walk with God.
It is hard to "take up our packs" on days when we're tired, out of sorts, or don't like the jobs we have to do. But a little bit of perspective goes a long way when we consider the plight of others and start to notice all the things we've been given. When we turn our focus from the mess in front of us to the hope that's before us, our whole attitude shifts. As we choose thankfulness, everything changes.
When you're in crisis, make prayer and Bible reading your first line of defense. Ask God for the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Make Him your refuge and your strength (Psalm 46:1). Let Him be your strong tower (Proverbs 18:10). Go to Him first. Go to Him most. God to Him always.
52 You Learn by Living: Eleven Keys for a More Fulfilling Life by Eleanor Roosevelt 7/22 (kindle/own)
52 Bookclub 46. Non-Fiction About Character In Prompt #45
I think a bought this book a few years back when it was a kindle deal. I've been slowly reading it, and in the last month or so made a more concerted effort to actually finish it. I enjoyed the little antidotes about her life sprinkled throughout the book as well as her knowledge and wisdom she was passing on.
What I have learned from my own experience is that the most important ingredients in a child’s education are curiosity, interest, imagination, and a sense of the adventure of life.
One of the things I believe most intensely is that every child’s why should be answered with care—and with respect.
in the light of history, it is more intelligent to hope rather than to fear, to try rather than not to try. For one thing we know beyond all doubt: Nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, “It can’t be done.”
53 A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham 7/27 (audio/hoopla)
52 Bookclub 9. Featuring A Natural Disaster
A light fun, romcom. Set in North Carolina. Pepper Basham's novels are always a good time. Prim and proper Daphne owns a teashop her grandmother started, dashing single dad Finn is opening a pub next door. A tea vs coffee rivalry begins, flirtation and banter flying back and forth. I found myself wanting to make much of the food that was mentioned.
54 The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett 7/28 (kindle/library)
52 Bookclub 3. Written Without Quotation Marks
One of those books I started seeing everywhere. Then someone at work recommended it to me. I put it on hold in every format at my library. I was surprised how chonky the hardcover was and ended up switching to the kindle version because it was so cumbersome. I devoured it. It's long but worth it. You become so invested in these characters and I find myself thinking about them. I went in basically knowing nothing of the plot. It takes place in Mississippi during the Depression. Told from two points of view, one an 11 year old girl Meg, who finds herself in an orphanage after her mother goes to the store and does not return. The other is Birdie, a young woman whose resigned herself to probably never marry, still living with her mother and grandmother.
Here is what I learned when it is your turn to wash: Sometimes you wash the spoon, sometimes the spoon washes you, so be sure and put a apron on.
Mrs. Tartt backed her chin up at me. I believe I’d offended her. “I’ve lived my whole life with high expectations. I have the highest of hopes every day and I plan on staying that way.”
Live the life you want. You should have that choice.
This slapped-together band of misfits made me feel, for the first time, that I truly belonged. How the hell, I wondered, did I ever get so lucky?
I've also made great progress on The Count of Monte Cristo. I fell behind the read along, but I am halfway through and mostly enjoying it. I am confused by some of the side quest parts but I presume it will become clear as I continue on.
Total: 6 2026: 54
Kindle/Ebook: 2 Print: 3 Audio: 1
Library: 2 Owned: 4 Kindle Unlimited: 0
Unread shelf: 1 Reread: 0
Favorite: I think this month it would be The Belle of Chatham, I also did really enjoy the Little Women Devotional
Challenges:
1000 Books: None- not doing very well on this one. But I do have two in progress.
52 Bookclub: 38 of 52 (73%) 8 books (15%) ahead of schedule (according to goodreads)
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