Good day, relentless readers! July is coming to a close, and I’m here to wrap it up. Things have been incredibly… incredible? Smarter people than I have written commentary on the times, and I encourage you to seek them out. As for myself, I’m doing some personal work, having important (sometimes uncomfortable) conversations, and trying to put my money where my mouth is (sometimes literal money, but not always). Every bookish person I know has purchased books on combating racism. I do hope that we do the work that those books suggest. Let’s remember that this isn’t a bookstagram trend. Citizens are hurting and need our help. Check in on your people. Hold your other people to a higher standard. Remember to take care of yourself as well.

Now, for the books! Here’s what I read in July:

Queen Sugar by Natalie Baszile

Monogamy by Sue Miller

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow (This was not #OwnVoices which was a disappointment. I’ll be more careful in the future.)

An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

Skincare: The Ultimate No-Nonsense Guide by Caroline Hirons

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

The Red Lotus by Chris Bohjalian

The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner (Let’s get nostalgic and read a childhood favorite! How I wish I hadn’t because it was not good. Fat jokes, anyone?)

Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear (This will be a new obsession I’m quite sure.)

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown

Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear

Weather by Jenny Offill

For anyone keeping track that’s 8 fiction and 4 non-fiction. I’m pleased with the reading I did this month. Once again most of my books are audio. I’ve learned a bit about my learning styles, and I’m an auditory gal. I am much more likely to remember things if I’ve heard them. It only took me 40-some years to figure that out!

I hope your July was smashing, I’d love to hear about it. As always, WEAR A MASK!