In July 2026 I read 46 books, 23 of those were picture books and 9 were audiobooks. I read a wide variety of genres with no leader. The longest book I read was Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry at 960 pages, and the shortest book was a nonfiction picture book called The Escape Artist: A True Story of Octopus Adventure by Thor Hanson, Galia Bernstein (Illustrator) at 32 pages. 

Tell me – what have you read that you enjoyed?

Mrs Tim Flies Home by D.E. Stevenson

My summer with Mrs. Tim has come to an end and I’m bereft. I read this one so slowly because I didn’t want to say goodbye, but it did have a lovely ending. I can easily picture Mrs. Tim and family going about life. If you liked Emma M Lion, this gives me a lot of the same vibes. I am so sad to say goodbye.

The Forget Me Not Library by Heather Webber

A detour. A chance encounter. Two women who alter the pages of each other’s story. Absolutely adored this lovely, magical book. If you love small towns, a sprinkle of magic and of course libraries, go ahead and read this. I just loved it.

Will’s Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes

This was such a fascinating and fast-paced work of historical fiction for middle grade. I was reading it in the waiting room of a doctor’s office and they had to call my name twice because I was so absorbed! I was so glad to have this adventure story and the story of a Black family during the Oklahoma Land Rush, and I think kids will absolutely be drawn to our main character Will.

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

Wow! How do I write a few sentences about a 900 plus page book?! I read this over the last month. It did take me about 100 pages to get into it, but once I was in I was in. I finished it Tuesday and have been thinking about it ever since. It’s an emotional trip of a book – I chuckled sometimes and felt sad other times, and yet others I felt overwhelmed by the violence. I enjoyed reading about it after I finished as well. What other big books should I conquer?

The Fairy Tale Girl by Susan Branch

I stumbled upon this memoir when I was browsing the nonfiction shelves of the library, and I am so glad I did. I knew Susan Branch’s art, but nothing about her life, and I read this in a day and a half – I couldn’t stop turning the pages. The art is, of course, beautiful, but the honesty with which she told her story was so sincere, I felt like I was right there with her. Her reflections on the past — both her personal life and life in America at the time are so thoughtful. I can’t wait to get my hands on her other two memoirs.

The Summer Share by Jenn McKinlay

This was absolutely the delightful summer read I needed. I am a huge fan of Jenn McKinlay and 20 pages in I had already snort laughed and smiled several times. She just has a lovely way of balancing the serious and hard with the light and funny. If you love dogs, this one has the best one I’ve read in a long time. Dude, I would have petted you through the pages of my book if I could. Loved it.