July's bookish art...

 

Augustus John -- A woman reading

"Once you have read a book you care about, some part of it is always with you."

--Louis L'Amour

Wisdom from the Prydain Chronicles...

     "Life is a forge!" cried the smith, as Taran, his brow streaming, beat at the strip of metal. "Yes, and hammer and anvil, too! You'll be roasted, smelted, and pounded, and you'll scarce know what's happening to you. But stand boldly to it! Metal's worthless till it's shaped and tempered."

    "Life's a forge, say I! Face the pounding; don't fear the proving; and you'll stand well against any hammer and anvil."

I've been rereading these classic fantasy novels this month and last, and while I didn't always remember the story line, I definitely remembered all of Lloyd Alexander's unforgettable characters: Taran, Eilonwy, Gurgi, Flewddur Fflam, Doli, Gwydion, Coll and Dalben. This quote is from Taran Wanderer, the 4th book in this series, which is probably my least favorite. But it's still good! It's been fun dipping back into these books that I read as a child. I'm thinking about rereading The Hobbit next. 

I'm home from Bryce Canyon, which was so fun, but still sort of on a blogging break. I'm reading lots and checking in on your blogs, but not doing much reviewing or posting. Which has been nice. Hope you are all enjoying your summer despite the hot weather, wildfires, and floods. 

Happy Reading!

Happy 4th of July!

 

In honor of America's 250th birthday, I thought I would list my 10 favorite books about the American Revolution, and the imperfect yet resolute men and women who fought and sacrificed so much for our liberty and freedom. I think it's important to remember them, especially this year. And these books are great; I loved and would recommend them all. 

Plain, Honest Men: The Making of the American Constitution by Richard Beeman

John Hancock:  Merchant King and American Patriot by Harlow Giles Unger

American Spring by Walter R. Borneman

(About Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill and the spring of 1775 where it all began.)

Band of Giants by Jack Kelly

(About the amateur soldiers like Henry Knox, Nathanael Greene, Daniel Morgan, and others who helped gain American's independence.)

1776 by David McCullough

The Swamp Fox by John Oller

(About Marion Francis and the Revolutionary battles fought in South Carolina)

Valley Forge by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin

(Where the Continental Army was forged in fire.)

Those Turbulent Sons of Freedom by Christopher S. Wren

(About Ethan Allen, Seth Warner and the Greene Mountain Boys.)

Rebels at Sea by Eric Jay Dolin

(About the role privateers played in securing American's independence.)

In the Hurricane's Eye by Nathaniel Philbrick

(About the genius of George Washington and the Siege at Yorktown.)

Happy Reading...

And Happy 250th, America!

(Land that I love so much.)

Summer plans...

 I have a road trip coming up this week; my sister and I are headed to Bryce Canyon National Park for several days. I've been there before, but it's been a long time. My family went the summer I turned ten. I remember being enamored with all the hoodoos, arches, and beautiful stone spires. It was like a magical fairyland. I'm looking forward to going back, doing some hiking and birdwatching and stargazing. And just relaxing.

So I won't be around this week. And then I have lots of family gatherings in July starting with our annual 4th of July breakfast. So I won't be around much then either. I had some posts tentatively planned for July, but now I think I might take a few weeks off, or maybe even the whole month. I could do with a little blogging break. And summer seems like the perfect time to take one. Though I'm sure I'll be around to comment on all of your blogs. 

Have a wonderful July.

And happy reading!

Bryce Canyon National Park

A Fabulous Thru-Hike by Derick Lugo

 "Hiking long trails isn't about ticking off boxes or meeting some arbitrary standard; it's about the journey, the moments that unfold along the way, and the personal growth that comes with each step."

 

I read Derick Lugo's The Unlikely Thru-Hiker, a book about his journey along the Appalachian Trail, two years ago. And it was wonderful. A 5-star read all the way through. So, when I saw this one about his trek up the Continental Divide Trail I immediately bought it. And I'm so glad I did. 

Lugo's hiking memoir is full of adventure, honesty and humor. He is a talented storyteller, and the way he relates his long journey really makes it come to life, with all his struggles and triumphs, and all the friends he meets along the way. I haven't read about any other hiking adventures along the Continental Divide, so it was fun to get a glimpse of this long trail across the spine of America. I'd never want to hike all of it, but parts of it sound pretty fabulous. And I absolutely loved reading this book. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Here are a few of my favorite inspirational (and wise) quotes from Derick Lugo:

• It's remarkable to think that I now consider nineteen miles a short day, whereas just a month ago, it would have been a full day's hike. Like anything in life, repetition breeds improvement.
• An optimistic mindset will always go farther than a pessimistic one.
• This experience has taught me that the greatest rewards often lie just beyond the edge of my comfort zone.

Happy Reading!

Haiku Reviews...

 

Could've Fooled Me by Jenny Proctor

Deportation looms

for Sarah until her brother's hockey

teammate offers to marry her. 

Sweet hockey romance .... 383 pages .... 5/5 stars.

(Carter Williamson is the perfect guy; he and Sarah are great together, and this clean romance is super fun and cute.)

Miss Winter in the Library With a Knife by Martin Edwards

Six strangers. A mystery

murder game. A blizzard. So many

secrets. And real murder.

(An entertaining murder mystery set in Northern England; I always love that isolated and snowed in kind of setting.)

Miss Newbury's List by Megan Walker

Ten childhood dreams to do;

 then she'll marry the duke. She wasn't

counting on Charlie.

Regency Romance .... 309 pages .... 4.5/5 stars.

(Rosalind's bucket list was fun, and I enjoyed her banter with Charlie.)

Happy Reading!

June's Bookish Art...

 

Joseph Farquharson -- Summertime

"There's no better escape from life than into a book."

--Heather Webber, South of the Buttonwood Tree