I’m back from my blog break — returning at one of those times when it seems a bit strange and self-indulgent to just talk about books. But I still think that reading is one of the things that holds us together in this broken world, and an act of courage and conscience. We readers are the people who try to make sense of things, to find order in the chaos, and though it seems at times a hopeless task, it’s a deeply human one. May we read our way toward a more human future.
So I share my reading month here: divided between comforting rereads, children’s books, some new releases, and backlist books that meet my current challenges. From a reading point of view, it was a good month.
Some more positive news: my CELTA training to teach English to adults is nearly done, and it’s been a great experience. I’m thinking about next steps, and may have some exciting news to share with you.
How is your reading life, and life in general? How are you coping?
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Books Read
Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte- Haben by Haben Girna
- Dancing Shoes by Noel Streatfeild – Reread
- Star of the Sea by Joseph O’Connor – Around the World (Ireland)
- The Thief Knot by Kate Milford
- Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh – Reread, Back to the Classics
- The Three Years by Emil Bock – Reread
- Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block – Phoenix Award
- The Scent of Water by Elizabeth Goudge – Reread
- Habibi by Naomi Shihab Nye – Phoenix Award, Around the World (Palestine/Israel)
- Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos – Back to the Classics
- The Pearl of the Soul of the World by Meredith Ann Pierce – Reread
On my other blog, Entering the Enchanted Castle
Shared in the Sunday Post hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer and the Monthly Wrap-up Round-up hosted by Feed Your Fiction Addiction
The Emerald City Book Review Archive 
Hooray for Streatfeild! I haven’t been blogging about running like I used to, as running alone most of the time feels so sad!
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We need Noel Streatfeild right now. Creativity overcoming adversity.
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Aw, I should do a Streatfeild reread, it’s been way too long!
Early congratulations on finishing your training, and I AM excited to hear your news. I either didn’t know or forgot that you were training to be an ESL teacher, but that sounds really awesome.
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I just mentioned it briefly on my “blog break” post. It is awesome – I wish I had done this much earlier.
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Happy June!
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Thank you Freda!
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I think that no matter how bad things are in the world, it is worth taking about books.
Congratulations on finishing your training.
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Thanks Brian. I know I can count on this community to understand.
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You’ve been reading two of my old favorites, Dancing Shoes and Weetzie Bat!
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Dancing Shoes is an old favorite of mine too – I initially read it because I thought it would count for the 1956 Club, but actually it was published in 1957. Still a nice nostalgic read.
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I just finished Show Me a Sign – really liked it – and Dancing Shoes is close to my favorite Streatfeild. Maybe because it’s easier to identify with sullen seeming-untalented Rachel when the reader understands her grief and longs for her to reveal her talent at something other than dancing!
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I read Show Me a Sign because of your review! I did not love it quite so much as you did, but I very much appreciated learning about the Martha’s Vineyard Deaf community, how fascinating.
With Rachel it’s so heartbreaking, but realistic in the way that nobody understands her and her motives! Fortunately it works out in the end (of course). There is also an interesting reversal of the “real child / stepchild” fairy tale trope where Hilary is initially the favored one even though she’s not a blood relative. I love how the girls stand up for each other though, and Hilary eventually falls from grace was well.
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Great to hear from your Lory and so pleased you had a good month of reading and have nearly completed your CELTA training to teach English to adults. Fingers crossed you’ll have some exciting news to share with us soon! 🤞 I have been good, thank you, as here in the UK we were blessed with glorious weather in May, which made lockdown that little bit more bearable. I spent a lot of time reading and sunbathing in my garden. 😎
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The weather has been lovely here too. Looks like we’re in for a bout of rain but the plants need it.
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Welcome back! Reading is always essential for me, and the more stressed I feel, the more I need to read.
My reading habits haven’t really changed much to reflect the current situation—not entirely sure why.
I reread Brideshead Revisted last year and found it heartbreaking all over again.
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If you have good reading habits, no need to change them. : )
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I think the world would be a much different place if everybody read as much as book bloggers do. But, I agree that it’s difficult to talk about books right now when other things are more important. Good luck with your training. I hope you have a good week.
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Thank you, I agree more reading could change the world. We’re doing our part anyway.
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I haven’t read any of those. The Thief Knot has a very cool cover! Thanks for sharing and enjoy your week.
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The covers for all the Greenglass House books are terrific.
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Great to have you back, Lory!!!
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Thanks Sheree, I’m happy to be here.
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I loved, loved your opening paragraph on this post. Books have definitely helped me through this time and we as readers/book lovers definitely have voices for #BlackLivesMatter because we can support black creators and businesses. Excellent reading month for you in May. Welcome back!
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Books can change the world — through readers, of course. Yes, we have voices and we can make a difference. Let’s do it!
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I have to confess, I had to listen to Brideshead Revisited a couple of decades ago, and I really hated it. I don’t even remember why!!
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I read it a couple of decades ago too and was not overly impressed. I could appreciate it more this time around. It comes from a middle-aged sensibility so maybe I can sympathize more now.
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Glad to see you back! 🙂 It sure has been a stressful time… I’ve been feeling wicked overwhelmed and just sad about the state of things. At first, there was a lot of anger, but that’s fizzled out a bit to sadness. I’ve been focusing more on self care and protecting my energy because I definitely hit a breaking point. I hope you have a great July! ❤
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Thanks Erica, I hope you can find a a good balance and weather the summer well.
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