Hey, there! This week I’m linking up with The Sunday Salon on Readerbuzz and Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer. Thanks for hosting, Deb and Kimberly!
It’s been three months since my last check in — time to dust off the blog. The school year has ended, so now I’ll have more time to read, post, and catch up with blogger friends. I’m a paraeducator in a classroom for kids with high medical needs. It’s rewarding, but can be stressful and exhausting too. I think I say that every year, lol. Last week I had my first 5th grader graduate to middle school, and I will miss him so much!
Since it’s summer break, I have to take a stab at my annual diet & fitness plan. I gained about eight pounds this past year stress eating! (And it needs to come off.) I’m doing two of Jessica Smith’s fitness programs back-to-back, Walk Strong: 6 Week Total Transformation System and Walk Strong 3: The Complete 8 Week Home Fitness Program. I also walk everyday to have audiobook time. (Currently listening to Jane Austen’s NORTHANGER ABBEY.) And, since the only way I can lose a few pounds is by cutting calories, I’ll be doing that too. My main goal, though, is to build up strength and endurance.
Instead of recapping what I’ve read over the last few months, I’m going to highlight the non-thriller books I have on hold at the library that publish in May and June. I’m a big thriller fan, but lately I’ve been craving something else. Aren’t these covers lovely?
May 7th
THE HAZELBOURNE LADIES MOTORCYCYLE AND FLYING CLUB by Helen Simonson
“A timeless comedy of manners — refreshing as a summer breeze and bracing as the British seaside — about a generation of young women facing the seismic changes brought on by war and dreaming of the boundless possibilities of their future…”
May 7th
THE STOLEN CHILD by Ann Hood
“An unlikely duo ventures through France and Italy to solve the mystery of a child’s fate in this moving, page-turning novel…”
May 21st
A NORTHERN LIGHT IN PROVENCE by Elizabeth Birkelund
“A woman leaves her coastal Greenland village to translate the works of a renowned Provençal poet and finds her life irrevocably changed, in this tender and romantic novel set in a French village.”
May 28th
SUMMER FRIDAYS by Suzanne Rindell
“You’ve Got Mail for a new generation, set in the days of AOL and instant messenger banter, about a freshly engaged editorial assistant who winds up spending her ‘summer Fridays’ with the person she least expects.”
May 28th
YOU ARE HERE by David Nicholls
“A hilarious, hopeful, and heartwarming love story…You Are Here is a bittersweet and hopeful story of first encounters, second chances, and finding the way home.”
June 4th
IN THE HOUR OF CROWS by Dana Elmendorf
“In a small town in Appalachia, people paint their doorways blue to keep spirits away. Black ferns grow where death will follow. And Weatherly Opal Wilder is a Death Talker. Imbued with magic, witchery, and suspense, Dana Elmendorf’s In the Hour of Crows is a thrilling tale of friendship, identity, and love.”
June 4th
SEVEN SUMMER WEEKENDS by Jane L. Rosen
“A woman inherits a beach house, along with a series of weekend guests, while butting heads with the irritable (and irritatingly handsome) man next door, in this sparkling new escape from Jane L. Rosen.”
June 18th
SANDWICH by Catherine Newman
“From the beloved author of We All Want Impossible Things, a moving, hilarious story of a family summer vacation full of secrets, lunch, and learning to let go.”
Don’t forget to sign up for the 20 Books of Summer reading challenge over on 746 Books!
Until next time,
𝓓𝓲𝓪𝓷𝓪
Book of Secrets 
I have two Helen Simonson books on my list now. Nice list for reading you have!
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Glad you’re back!
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Your list is mainly books that are new to me. Reading all the summer lists is a good way to realize how the number of good books out there is practically infinite.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
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I love Ann Hood and am anxious to get a copy of The Stolen Child. Thanks for the reminder! I’m also counting the seconds until I can read Sandwich by Newman. I loved her previous novel and have a good feeling about this new one!
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Happy Summer! It is good to see you again. :-) I hope your fitness and diet routine goes well this summer. I need to incorporate more movement in my life and lose a few pounds. IN THE HOUR OF CROWS interests me too. THE HAZELBOURNE LADIES MOTORCYCYLE AND FLYING CLUB sounds like so much fun. I hope you enjoy all of these books when you read them! Have a great week!
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Wow, every single one of these books is new to me. I’m looking forward to your reviews!
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Welcome back!!
I have my eye on that Helen Simonsen book. I really loved Major Pettigrew but I haven’t read anything since.
Have a great week
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I found the Rindell book on Netgalley. The Simonson was has been just archived but will be keeping an eye out for them.
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I commend you for teaching the high needs children. A friend of mine also does this and I know how tough it can be, but as you said… rewarding. 🤗
Enjoy your summer and extra time to read! 📗📘📙
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Your job does sound rewarding and stressful. Hopefully you get time to read and relax during summer break.
That fitness program looks good, good luck with it. I walk Otis daily but I definitely need to start actually exercising too. All those covers are nice, In the Hour of Crows caught my eye because of the small-town Appalachia setting. Happy reading!
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Your job is so important, thank you for enduring the stress and doing it! Good luck with your fitness goals!
https://getlostinlit.blogspot.com/2024/06/the-sunday-post.html
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I added a couple of books from your list to my library list. I am especially interested in reading Sandwich and A Northern Light in Provence.
Enjoy your time off. Your work sounds stressful but it also sounds meaningful—and I’m glad you are making a difference in this world.
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The cover of Sandwich is so appealing to me. I love to read books in season and that one is a perfect summer read for me! My son just finished his first school year as a Special Ed. Student Aide, it’s not an easy job for sure but also so important! Thank you for all you do, I hope you have a fabulous summer!
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So glad it’s summer and you can have a break from your job. I love switching up genres sometimes too, and I do love the look of some of your non thrillers. 😁
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I hope that you have a nice break. My son and partner (who is a teacher) are back at school for another term. They break up end of July ish.
Those books look good. I like to read a mix of genres. I do like a good Thriller, but it is nice to have a change!
I’m deciding what to read first for 20 Books of Summer. I keep changing my mind on what to read first 😂
Have a great weekend!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
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Yay for summer. I love walking and listening to audiobooks. Good luck!
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I relate to the whole stress eating thing! And why is it so easy to put on weight and SO much harder to get it back off? Here’s wishing you a lovely summer break of good books, good food, and lots of fun. :D
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I hope you enjoy a relaxing summer!
I’m reading Sandwich this week
Wishing you a happy reading week
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Hope you enjoy your summer break and that your fitness goals happen easily for you. Enjoy some good reading time in your time off.
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Yeah I’ve quit desserts for the foreseeable future as I try to cut some calories & pounds. I like to bike ride and go for dog walks too. The Ann Hood book looks good and Helen Simonson’s new one …. I’ve read the new David Nichols … it’s all right but maybe not as great as Us. I hope you enjoy your time off your school job.
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I hope you enjoy all of these! I am going to be checking out the fitness programs, so curious!
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My daughter-in-law was a special needs teacher up until a few weeks ago. She’s pregnant with her second child, and has a one yr old, so she’s going to take a few years off to raise them. Child care is scary and cost prohibitive! She said it was a challenge both physically and mentally so I have to applaud you in your career! I hope you have a restful summer and are successful with your eating goals. I need to lose 5-10 pounds right now. I exercise a lot. Cutting those calories is the biggest challenge. Good luck to us both! I have Seven Summer Weekends too. I hope we both love it! You’ve Got Mail is one of my favorite movies so Summer Fridays sounds good too!
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