The heat of summer is upon us. The world is responding.
Word of the Month
Listen
Bible Verse of the Month
I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying,
for he speaks peace to his faithful people.” – (Psalms 25:8 NLT)
This month’s reading diary is at the bottom of this page, after the book list.
My Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/lindajm
★ – I’m reading it.
✓ – I finished reading it. Yay!
⇗ – Still reading at the end of the month.
⇓ – I did not like it or finish it. (DNF = Did Not Finish)
∅ – Stalled – I started but didn’t finish. (Soft-DNF)
Challenges
1. Summer of Sport – This is my second year of co-hosting the Summer of Sport.
2. Reading Books I Already Own – During 2025 I commit to reading books I’ve already bought, and not buying more… hopefully, for the most part. Progress: 15/100
3. The Visual Theology Christian Reading Challenge – 39/73
4. The 2025 Biblical Studies Challenge – this challenge asks us to read one book monthly on a topic one would study if lucky enough to attend a Bible college. The July topic is Biblical Archeology.
Finished Reading This Month
✓ Suspense: Jamaica Inn, by Daphne du Maurier
I read this because I needed a fiction break. Finished at the end of the month.
✓ Epistolary Memoir: A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains, by Isabella Lucy Bird
This mid-nineteenth century horsewoman conquered Colorado! Review
✓ Western Fiction: The Sisters Brothers, by Patrick deWitt
I’m audio-reading this. So much violence! The Sisters brothers are hired assassins. Set in the old west, in Oregon and California. Finished 7/3 … Review
Reading Intentions
⇗ Biblical Archeology: Unearthing the Bible, by Titus Kennedy
I’m reading this for the Biblical Studies Challenge.
⇗ Education: The Well-Educated Mind, by Susan Wise Bauer
I’ve decided I need a classical education. No time like the present to start something new like this. I just had my 73rd birthday. This is a birthday gift to myself.
⇗ English: Vocabulary From Classical Roots, by Fifer & Flowers
I’m improving my vocabulary by learning more about Greek and Roman root words.
⇗ Biography: Truman, by David McCullough
This book is for the McCullough Readalong.
⇗ Computers: Co-Intelligence, by Ethan Mollick
My brother recommended this so I can learn more about AI.
⇗ Classic Fiction: Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes
This is the first classic novel I need to read for my classical education project. I’ve read some of this before. Unfortunately I quit after about 300 pages because it seemed repetitious and I couldn’t love the stupidity of the main character. However, I’ve always wanted to give it another try, especially since I’m more devoted to reading now than I was then.
Did Not Finish – aka: DNF
Nothing DNF’ed during July.
My July 2025 Reading Diary
July 1 – Feeling rushed today, but coping as well as I can.
July 5 – I finished reading The Sisters Brothers and wrote my review at Goodreads. What a despicable pair of men! However, it was a page-turner. And when I finished I wondered where I could get another page-turner like that. Anyhow, I decided to go back and listen to an audiobook I started but didn’t finish last month: A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains. Classic.
July 13 – My 73rd birthday! I quit Booktube! Well, maybe not quit. This could be just a vacation. I’m leaving it open-ended for now. You see, I’m just burnt out on talking about books, and I want to do something else with my life for a while. The videos take a chunk out of my free time to create, and I don’t want to do just book videos. I want to read, write, and create art. And who knows what else? Cook, maybe? I have about 10 big zucchini needing my attention on my kitchen island. I’m amazed that one zucchini plant could provide that much food, so quickly! I want roasted zucchini in my freezer to put on pizzas, and some zucchini bread, and maybe zucchini cookies as well.
July 15 – To continue, I am burnt out on doing book videos but I might do other types of videos… open the gates, get out of the Booktube box, and just make fun videos, or talk about my life, etc…. all things that aren’t really in the Booktube mindset and I see that my Booktube viewers for the most part aren’t interested in what I have to say unless it is about books. There’s so much more to life. Right? Plus I want to improve my education and video skills, and it would be good to have a new channel to do that on.
July 17 – Just in from the garden! I’m wanting to put videos on my “Linda’s Homelife” channel – that is the one calling to me loudest right now. Perhaps develop that idea for a year and see where it leads me? Occasional book review videos as well? I’m so enthusiastic about the classical education book and course of study right now. I just re-purchased a copy of the Grossman translation of Don Quixote. That will be my first novel to read using the classical education strategy. This will be a slow education, but what good education isn’t? I’m so excited about it. I hope my enthusiasm continues as that’s how I know the Lord is speaking to me about this. He put the joy and excitement into my heart. Thank you, Holy Spirit! I am listening, and you are talking to me.
July 19 – I bought some vocabulary workbooks that teach through Latin and Greek root words. Fascinating! I was worried these could be too simple for someone who has already been reading nearly 70 years, but I’m learning in chapter one, and will continue the course of study. They were recommended by Susan Wise Bauer in her book, The Well-Educated Mind, which I’m also enjoying and reading daily! The workbooks: Vocabulary from Classical Roots.
My friend, you devour books, and how lovely is that! Thank you for your perspective on the books you are reading. It makes me want to read more. I used to devour books, too, in my 20’s through 40’s. Then something in me broke a little, and I found it difficult to stay focused. Reading on Kindle for PC helps, as I can highlight text and take notes, which in turn helps me focus on the books. I just started a book: “Hard Times Require Furious Dancing: New Poems” by Alice Walker, Shiloh McCloud. I will see what it entails. Have a great week! Oh, and happy belated birthday…
Hi Gladys! What a nice surprise to come to my blog and see a comment by you here! I have used Kindle for PC too – it is so helpful (and free!) … but now I own a Kindle that is a great reading companion when I’m not using real books or audiobooks. It is hard to stay focused on reading as a hobby when there are so many other things to do, like your doll making hobby that turned into a great business. I’m sure you gave many other people joy with that talent so it was the better use for your time back then.