Saturday, July 1, 2017

June Confessions

What a fun month June has been! I definitely planned on reading more outside and enjoying a good book by the beach while on vacation, but, well, kids.  That never happened! One day I'll be back to reading oceanside, but for now, I spend most of my time chasing a very active one year old and watching a four year old swim in tidal ponds. My 14 month old has reached the stage where he is a pretty confident walker and now he can run! Plus, he's getting into everything. So, needless to say, I didn't get much vacation reading done and what I did read was quite long...I'm looking at you Kiss Carlo!  But what can I say? June is meant for making memories outside and enjoying the weather.  Right?

I did just start listening to audio books when I exercise, so I think that might help me reach my reading goals. Anyone else a fan of audio books?


I did read a TON of early chapter books with my son though. At least someone is meeting their summer reading goals, right? It's been so much fun reading together.


I can't believe next month is July. Can we all agree to slow down summer now? 



Books Read in June:

1.  The Scribe of Siena by Melodie Winawer (Adult Historical Fiction) 3.5 out of 5 stars
2.  Kiss Carlo by Adriana Trigiani (Adult Historical Fiction) - 4 out of 5 stars
3.  Hello, Sunshine by Laura Dave (Adult Fiction) - 4 out of 5 stars (Review to come!)
4.  If Birds Fly Back by Carlie Sorosiak (YA Realistic Fiction) - 3.5 out of 5 stars (Review to come!)
5.  Once and For All by Sarah Dessen (YA Realistic Fiction) - 4.5 out of 5 stars (Review to come!)
6.  Trusting You and Other Lies by Nicole Williams (YA Realistic Fiction) - 3.5 out of 5 stars (Review to come!)

Children's Chapter Books:

1.  Oona Finds an Egg by Adele Griffin - 4 out of 5 stars
2.  The Yeti Files: Meet the Bigfeet by Kevin Sherry  - 4 out of 5 stars
3.  The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey  - 3.5 out of 5 stars
4.  The Yeti Files: Monsters on the Run by Kevin Sherry - 3.5 out of 5 stars
5.  Dragon Masters: Return of the Earth Dragon by Tracey West - 4 out of 5 stars
6.  The Yeti Files: The Kracken by Kevin Sherry - 3.5 out of 5 stars
7.  Dinosaur Trouble by Dick King-Smith  - 3 out of 5 stars
8.  Dragon Masters: Saving the Sun Dragon by Tracey West - 3.5 out of 5 stars





1.  Favorite Book:  Once and For All by Sarah Dessen - I really enjoyed this book and I found a lot of quote-worthy lines. Some people may have been annoyed by the insta-love featured, but I think it worked the way Dessen portrayed it. This book is perfect for summertime. More to come on this later.

2.  Biggest SurpriseHello, Sunshine by Laura Dave was an enjoyable read. Even though it dealt with a few controversial issues (cheating, fraud, etc), I found it very entertaining and I liked the setting of the Hamptons. It has me wanting to pick up her other novel Eight Hundred Grapes.

3.  Biggest Disappointment: If Birds Fly Back by Carlie Sorosiak was just a little better than average for me. I thought it was going to pack more of an emotional punch since it dealt with some more emontional issues, but that never happened. 

4.  Favorite Post from June:   Top Ten Tuesday: Best Books of 2017 (so far!) 


5.  Favorite Part of June:  My family vacation to the beach is always a fun and memorable time.

What was your favorite book you read this month? Now bring on the hot, sultry days of summer that July is known for. I'm ready!

5 comments:

  1. I keep telling myself that I want to get more reading done outside in the sunshine but I never get a chance to. lol! I have a very active 4 year old who never stops and is always into something. We are going to the beach in a couple of weeks so maybe I'll get a little reading done then...probably not. haha! I also read/reviewed Trusting You and Other Lies and I didn't love it. I didn't necessarily hate it either but I expected a little more. Can't wait to read your thoughts. Hope you have a great weekend

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    1. Haha. I hear you! I can completely relate to that. Yes, I agree about Trusting You. It was entertaining, but not mind blowing in the least. I liked the summer camp setting. Thanks for visiting, Julie.

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  2. I've been enjoying audiobooks more and more lately. I still tend to be super picky about the readers, though---it has to be just right or it just bugs me lol. When your boys get a bit older, I highly recommend "Nightmares!" on audiobook to listen to together (road trip story!)--its read by the coauthor, Jason Segel and he does an awesome job.

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    1. I hear you. It's my first real audio book so far I am impressed, but I could see how the reader, if annoying, would be a deterrent. I will have to check that out! That sounds right up my son's alley. Thanks for the recommendations and visiting, Becky!

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  3. Sounds like you've had a busy summer so far! Glad you had a good vacation.

    I like listening to audio books during my commute to work and when I travel. I am pretty picky about narrators though so sometimes I'll start listening to an audio book but finish reading the print version because I don't like the narration. It is a great way to read more though and it certainly makes my commute more enjoyable.

    I am glad you liked Once and For All so much. I am hoping to finish listening to it tomorrow. Then I plan to start The Scribe of Siena. Hopefully the narrator is good but just in case I also have the print version from the library :)

    I will have to add Hello, Sunshine to my list. I liked Eight Hundred Grapes. My book group read that last summer and then we went to a winery and did a wine tasting as part of our book discussion. I think that was the best part of reading that book :)

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