Pam Webb

Reader Roundup: July

When I was teaching I would consider July to be my true vacation month since June was wrapping up school for the year and August was preparing for the upcoming one.

Being retired means every month is a vacation month and for me that means I can read more without guilt of ignoring grading assignments or being too tired to read.

My usual Goodreads goal is 101 books and I would barely squeeze that in. This year I hit that target by the end of July. I didn’t break out the celebratory cheesecake but I did wonder how many books I can possibly read now that my reading time is unfettered and free. One year (2020, I believe, when school was abruptly shut down, along with the world) I read 165 books. We’ll see what happens in the remaining months.

Here are the top ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ reads:

Warblers and Woodpeckers: A Father-Son Big Year of Birding by Sneed B. Collard III

Sneed B. Collard’s father-son record of their Big Year caught me by surprise. I thought it would be interesting, since I enjoy birds, and I thought it would be endearing, because how many thirteen year olds like birding and hanging out with their dad? It was both and it was also memorable. I had no idea birding could be so competitive. And I had no idea there existed something known as Big Year.

When Grandfather Flew by Patricia MacLachlan, illustrations by Chris Sheban

Patricia MacLachlan proves once again her ability to portray family moments in this tribute to a well-lived grandfather. Through a shared love of birds the grandchildren and grandfather experience the passing of the grandparent as he slips from vibrant to being bed-ridden. The accompanying illustrations complement the lyrical story with their surreal, dreamy presentation which mirrors the somewhat wistful, magical realism of the ending.

Enola Holmes #5: The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline by Nancy Springer

“I hoped, also, that I seemed considerably older than my fourteen years.”

This, stated by Enola, is the heartbeat of the series. At only fourteen Enola solves crimes, lives an independent life in London, and outwits her famous brother Sherlock. She does seem considerably older than her given age, and as implausible as it seems that this teenager can do so much at so young an age, it does make for fun reading. I look forward to watching the series and I am diligently waiting my turn to arrive. The holds list is a practice in anticipation.

In the Night Garden by Barbara Jose, illustrations by Elizabeth Sayles

Going to bed is not so easy when playing is preferred over sleeping. With a winsome combination of text, complete with fun onomatopoeia, and soft, dreamy illustrations, children are lulled into transitioning from romping in the garden into snuggling under the covers. A bedtime book that is both fun and easy to repeat read. A sure hit for storytime.

Teatime for the Traditionally Built (No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency #10) by Alexander McCall Smith

I put off reading this series for such a long time and I am becoming quite a fan. The books are short and deceptively simple in that there is more wisdom than mystery solving taking place in the plot. They are relaxing and refreshing to read and I fortunately have many more to look forward to since the #23rd is due out. The TV series is just as delightful.