“July, with its days of blue skies and time that seemingly stands still, holds a special place in my heart.” —Daisaku Ikeda
Here’s a review of what I read, watched, and listened to in July, as well as what I’m currently enjoying…
READ:
This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page — “When Tilly Nightingale receives a call telling her there’s a birthday gift from her husband waiting for her at her local bookshop, it couldn’t come as more of a shock. Partly because she can’t remember the last time she read a book for pleasure. Mainly because Joe died five months ago…The gift is simple – twelve carefully-chosen books from Joe, one for each month, to help her turn the page on her first year without him” (Goodreads). This book reminded me of the film P.S. I Love You.
Funny Story by Emily Henry — “A shimmering, joyful new novel about a pair of opposites with the wrong thing in common” (Goodreads). Chick Lit is not my favorite genre, but this book was available on Skip the Line in Libby, so why not? It is definitely an entertaining, summer read, and although it takes place in Michigan, a lot of it reminded me of Wisconsin.
WATCHED:
The World Cup, especially teams USA, Norway, France. The outcomes were not in our favor, but we enjoyed the competition and comaraderie.
Enola Holmes 3 (Netflix) — Enola is in Malta about to be married to Tewkesbury, when Sherlock goes missing, leaving a mystery to be solved.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 (Hulu) — Meh. “That’s all.”
Ride or Die (Prime) — “Best friends Debbie and Judith are forced on the run when Debbie discovers Judith isn't a forensic accountant, she's an international assassin! With a mysterious figure chasing them, and Debbie's husband involved in something deeply corrupt, it's a race against time and a road trip across Europe to untangle the truth and stay alive.” This show has two great female leads, lots of book references, beautiful locations throughout Europe, action and humor (albeit occasionally over the top).
LISTENED TO:
Summer Playlists:
Jimmy Buffett — Well, let’s face it. We listen to Jimmy all year long, but his songs sound best in summer.
My work-in-progress Summertime playlist. — Any suggestions?
July Instapuzzle Mini Playlist: My Favorite Things (Julie Andrews), Flower Child (Kacey Musgraves), Cherry Oh Baby (UB40), Little Birdie (Vince Guaraldi Trio), July Days (Serene Station), American Girl (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), Sailing (Christopher Cross), These Are Days (10,000 Maniacs), Mr. Blue Sky (Electric Light Orchestra)
ENJOYING: The pace of summer in our own yard — I have had to work a lot this summer, but preppeing for PD at home with my sweet Piper on my lap is much better sitting at my desk in school. Our garden is in full bloom and our yard has become a sanctuary for countless dragonflies and hummingbirds sipping nectar from our feeder; young deer grazing nightly on elderberries; a couple of sandhill cranes squawking noisily overhead or napping in the shade of the maple trees; three junvenile hawks learning to stalk their prey; and a family of over a dozen turkey chicks whom I hope grow quickly enough to avoid falling prey to the aforementioned hunting lessons.
