To begin, I must mention that the use of a "bullet journal" in these last two months has been SO helpful in prioritizing my day and helping to ensure that I spend more time doing activities that truly benefit me and less time doing things that merely waste my time. I mention this bullet journal idea because since taking the time to write out what goals I hope to accomplish each day, I have been able to consistently read the daily readings, get my daily Rosary said, and read a number of wonderful books this month, among other things, of course. I mention those because daily Scripture and prayer and time spent reading are things that are important to me, but can easily get pushed to the background in life, especially with many little ones running around.
At any rate, this month has been one filled with a lot of peace and joy because of the "extra" time spent in prayer and reading.
You'll notice from Summer Reading list post, that I added some novels to my list for this month as well.
Chris got me a Kindle for Christmas. I had been wanting one because of the ease of reading in many different places. I could sneak it to bed with me as I lay with Ava some days, helping her settle down for a nap. It doesn't make noises turning pages. I can read out and about, or in places where there is little lighting. And it will be great once the new baby arrives because I will be able to easily read while nursing because I don't have to hold a book AND turn pages. I can do it all one-handed much more easily with a Kindle. I've borrowed a few books for my Kindle from the library in the last few months, but in June, I was flying through them. Here's what I read:
Maisie Dobbs
by Jacqueline Winspear
The book is historical fiction set in England between 1910-1929 and is about a young lady private investigator. It follows one of her first cases, gives a lot of background story to her life as well, and weaves aspects of the first World War into the story. Maisie's client hires her because he thinks his wife is being unfaithful, but it turns out that the wife is mourning the loss of a soldier whose life and death has some mystery surrounding it....
I really enjoyed the book. The writing style was engaging and easy to get caught up in. The characters were intriguing and deep, and the story was an interesting mystery with a side of history which I appreciated.
As you can see from the photo above, I'm currently working through the next book in the Maisie Dobbs series titled, "Birds of a Feather" (but more on that next month)
The Practice of the Presence of God
by Brother Lawrence
This book is very short and easy to move through. It has many little gems of wisdom to help one to do just as it's title suggests--practice the presence of God in your life and live in that presence whatever comes your way.
Two of my favorite tidbits from the book were these:
"we ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed."
"The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and the clutter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the Blessed Sacrament."
The Hound of the Baskervilles
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
A Sherlock Holmes book that Chris found for me (for Kindle- a library loan as well). We had been watching the BBC Sherlock Holmes mini-series on Netflix during June, which is a modern-day rendition of the classic Sherlock Holmes. It takes story ideas from Conan Doyle's works and adds elements and story ideas of it's own to create a unique look at the world of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. After reading the Hound of the Baskervilles, I was impressed with how well they developed the modern characters to really align with those created by Conan Doyle in his books, but of course, set in modern day.
The story is of course a mystery as well. The Baskerville family is haunted by a gruesome story surrounding a sinister ancestor who supposedly sold his soul to the devil and was killed by a monstrous and mysterious hound. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are on the case to keep the new heir of Baskerville Hall safe from the clutches of a myth...or is it a myth?
I've read The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes long ago when I was in middle/high school, but it was wonderful to return to some classic literature and read another of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's books. Fascinating, intriguing, and always a twist.
To Kill A Mockingbird
by Harper Lee
Set in the late 1930's, this book is narrated by a little girl, Scout Finch. Part of the story deals with the children's (Scout, her brother Jem, and their friend Dill's) curiosity about a neighbor, Boo Radley, who never leaves his house. The rumors surrounding him are numerous, and the kids are determined to get a look at him. Meanwhile, Atticus Finch, a lawyer and Scout and Jem's father is put on a case to defend a black man against the charges of assault and rape on a young white woman. Themes of racial inequality and prejudice make it thought-provoking and impactful to a wide audience.
I first read the book for school many many years ago, and still remember some of the class discussion and watching the very well done Gregory Peck movie version as well. I decided to re-read it in June because I have the sequel, To Set a Watchman" on hold at the library (it's a long hold line) and I wanted to refresh my memory about all the details of the To Kill A Mockingbird since it has been many years since I read it.
It's a classic. Great moral integrity, and it really makes you think about prejudice, even today. Prejudice against all manner of people.
Witness to Love
by Ryan and Mary-Rose Verret
I've already written an entire post review about this book on marriage and marriage prep. Check it out, I think it's just what the Church needs to support their current marriage prep programs.
St. Martin de Porres
by Elizabeth Marie DeDomenico
(part of the Encounter the Saints series)
This book is an elementary chapter book about the life of St. Martin de Porres, a Dominican brother from Peru. This book I read aloud to the girls throughout the month of June and we all really enjoyed it. Martin de Porres was the son of a Spaniard and a black woman who lived in Lima, Peru, so he's all kinds of multi-cultural. More than that, he is an incredibly powerful Saint whose life touched that of many, many others because of his love of God, humble service, and the power of the Holy Spirit working in his life to heal and help others. Read this book with your young kids or find another more detailed account of St. Martin's life, but I highly recommend reading more about the man. His story is profound.
And then we have the books I'm still working through.....
The Imitation of Christ
by Thomas a Kempis
Chris and I are reading this in the evenings together, but with some busyness because of my parents visiting and Chris taking Kayla backpacking this month for a few days, we aren't through yet. More on this book next month....
Charlotte Mason companion
by Karen Andreola
This is a book I decided to start reading through slowly over the summer to support and encourage my homeschooling journey. I got it from my MIL awhile back, but just haven't had or made the time to sit down and dive in. While Chris and Kayla were backpacking this month, I got a nice start and it is awesome. If you are homeschooling or considering homeschooling, I highly recommend it. I'm only a handful of chapters in, and already I'm bursting with knowledge and insights from her methods. Again, more next month...
So there is my June reading in a nutshell.
What have you been reading? I'd love to hear!
