My reading mojo came back this summer. The kids and I go go go all day, and by the time I tuck them in I’m ready to put on my pajamas and read. I’ve been reading some good books, and I’m excited to share them with you.

July

Eliza’s Home by Rachael Herron. This is the sixth book in the knitting romance novel series. This book was awful, yet still engaging somehow. I give it two out of five stars.

Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbard. This is the third book in the Brown sisters series, and I’m broken hearted that there is not a fourth sister. This book, like the others in the series, is a romance novel with characters that are relatable and flawed. I give this book four out of five stars.

Arctic Lace by Donna Druchunas. This is a great book if you enjoy knitting history or love reading about fiber. Reading this book will make you want to buy qiviut. I give this book three out of five stars.

Honeymooning by Rachel Herron. Oooh, boy, this was a stinker. Zero out of five stars.

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I’ve never read anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid that wasn’t wonderful. This is no exception. It is a great story about a family growing up in the 60s-80s on the beach in Malibu. The character development is excellent. She paints such a detailed picture of the family and their personalities it is hard to believe this is a work of fiction. I give this book five out of five stars.

Any Way The Wind Blows by Rainbow Rowell. This is the third book in the Simon Snow series, so I knew going into it I was going to like it. I had very high expectations for this book, and it actually met them. I will read this book over and over again. It makes me so happy. I give this book five out of five stars.

Sunrise by the Sea by Jenny Colgan. This book was just what I needed. This book is classic Jenny Colgan, down to the town and the characters. This is the fourth book in the Little Beach Street Bakery series. There are touches of pandemic life without dealing with the pandemic. I give this book four out of five stars.

Broken (In the Best Possible Way) by Jenny Lawson. This book is more serious than Lawson’s other books, with more of a focus on her mental health. Even with the serious subject matter she managed to write a book so funny I couldn’t stop laughing and I shook the bed with my laughter and woke the dog up and she came to sniff my face because she was worried about me. I give this book four out of five stars.

August

Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P Manansala. This is a cozy mystery set in suburban Chicago. It was a very enjoyable book. I give this book four out of five stars.

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang. This is a fun and quirky romance novel, which makes for a fun read. Full disclosure: in my book club we describe Hoang books as autism porn. I give this book four out of five stars.

Ties that Tether by Jane Igharo. This is a book about a Nigerian Canadian woman who falls for a white man, and the family drama that arises. It was a fun read with a fast pace. I five this book four out of five stars.

The Guest List by Lucy Foley. Someone recommended this book to me in a comment, but I can’t find the comment so I’m unable to thank you for the recommendation. If you are the one that recommended this please let me know so I can properly thank you for telling me about this and also so I can get more recommendations from you. This novel is about a fancy pants wedding at a private island off the west coast of Ireland. Someone ends up dead. The book is written from the perspective of several characters. I couldn’t put this one down. I give this book five out of five stars.

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. A woman’s husband disappears, and he leaves her a note telling her to keep his daughter safe. That is the first chapter. This novel never stops. There are twists and turns. It is intense, interesting, and heartbreaking. I give this book four out of five stars.

Landline by Rainbow Rowell. It is hard to describe this book, but just trust me, OK? A couple fights and the wife discovers she can use her landline to call her husband in 1997 (when they were dating). This book is really good. I just can’t explain it. I give this book four out of five stars.

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flag. This book is a nice read. Not intense. Nice stories. Enjoyable. I give this book three out of five stars.

Now if you will excuse me, I must get back to my book.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

We started our school year with reading, some journaling, a craft, a trip to the orchard, and a swim. We’re all tired and happy to be back to homeschooling.

Tomorrow is a big day in our house. Audrey starts first grade. Elliot starts kindergarten. We have a busy week of activities planned, so I made some breakfasts for us to grab on the go.

I made Granola Bark, my favorite snack to grab when we’re headed out the door and we need a little something. This is great straight from the jar, on yogurt, or with some fruit.

I also made some breakfast thumbprint cookies from the Let Me Feed You cookbook. Full of flax seeds, oats, chia seeds, and almond butter these cookies are full of energy to keep us going. I think the kids will be grabbing these tomorrow morning.

We’re starting off school tomorrow with some reading, a bit of math for Audrey, and a field trip to the orchard. I’m excited to start the school year, but a bit nervous about the increased planning needed for first grade.

Do you have any go to grab and go breakfast ideas?

One of my friends is redecorating her house. She gave me a leather storage ottoman she no longer had use for. It is a very nice piece of furniture, but her cats had scratched it up a bit.

I got on Amazon and found some leather recovering balm to try to improve the look.

I’m pleased with how it changed the look of the ottoman. The scratches now look like worn leather instead of cat scratched leather.

The ottoman is the last piece of furniture for the library. It is the only room in the house we decided not to paint. We both like the plaid wallpaper that was already up, and the paint was in good condition. We now have a finished room, only a year after we moved in.

I’m glad the library is done. I plan on spending a lot of time cuddled up on the couch this winter reading.

My Super Simply Summer Sweater has been in the same spot for over a week. I really need to get going on the second sleeve, but I have no motivation to knit a sweater when it is crazy hot out.

Please send motivation my way!