June 2015: Recap + On My Shelves

June 2015: Recap + On My Shelves

• Jul 3, 2015

June was such a good month for me! I got to go to the beach with my family, received some awesome mail and read a lot of great books. I'm hoping that this trend continues in July! The summer is just flying by.

1. Not-At-BEA Haul - I wasn't able to attend BEA this year, and I was bummed about missing out on time with my friends! Alexa told me she was going to keep an eye for a few books on my wishlist, but I never expected to get such an epic not-at-BEA haul in the mail. I'm seriously so thankful to have such a generous friend!

2. #AliMakesMail - I followed @alimakesthings on Instagram for months so I could stalk her gorgeous lettering and mail surprise. I finally took the plunge in June and ordered an extra May mail, and I'm so pleased! The prints are so lovely, and I adore the theme of "life unfiltered." I will definitely be ordering again in the future.

3. Surprise from Morgan - I got home from an epically long day and found a surprise package waiting for me from Morgan! It was filled with everything I love: historical fiction, tea, Jane Austen, Celaena and chocolate. I was so happy and freaking out over her thoughtfulness. It made my day (and week) a million times better!

4. Family Vacation - My family goes to the beach for a week every summer, and it's always one of my favorite trips. I head out to the beach first thing in the morning and stay there for most of the day. It's heavenly, and I get a lot of reading done, too! It's so nice to spend some time away from work and with the people I love.

Read 28 Books | Favorites:

The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman

These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner

Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Challenge Progress:

2 Fantasy for Flights of Fantasy Challenge

15 Re-Reads for The Re-Read Challenge

1 Diverse Read for Dive into Diversity

1 Series for Series a Month

"Having a grandmother is like having an army. This is a grandchild's ultimate privilege:
knowing that someone is on your side, always, whatever the details. Even when you are wrong.
Especially then, in fact. A grandmother is both a sword and a shield."

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman

 “I might like to have someone courting me. But it would have to be someone who is a square shooter
and who has a train load of courage. And it would have to be someone who doesn't have to talk down to folks to feel good, or to tell a person they are worthless if they just made a mistake. And he'd have to be not too thin. Why, I remember hugging Ernest was like wrapping your arms around a fence post, and I love Ernest, but I want a man who can hold me down in a wind. Maybe he'd have to be pretty stubborn. I don't have any use for a man that isn't stubborn. Likely a stubborn fellow will stay with you through thick and thin, and a spineless one will take off, or let his heart wander.”
These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner

"I know there may be universes out there where I made different choices and they led me somewhere else,
led me to someone else. And my heart breaks for every single version of me that didn't end up with you."
Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

[Most Popular]

Overall: On the Music of My Memories

TTT: Top Ten Books on My Summer TBR

Review: Audrey at Home by Luca Dotti

Discussion/Feature: So Obsessed With: Mini Edition #2

[Personal Favorite]

Overall: Looking Back at Little House

TTT: Top Ten Books of 2015 (So Far)

Review: P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

Discussion/Feature: Favorite Factor: June 2015

1. It's Ok by Jolie from Becoming Jolie - This post was published in May, but I didn't read it until June and had to included it. I think this is one of my favorite blog posts I've ever read. It's a bold statement, I know. But I related to aspects of her story and just found myself thinking, "I want more posts like this - stuff that makes me think and feels honest and vulnerable."

2. Her Story: Ladies in Literature by Jen from Pop! Goes the Reader - This blog series was absolutely a highlight of June for me! I checked Jen's blog every morning for a new post, and I honestly loved every single one. It was fun to be reminded of why I love certain heroines and to find new ones I'm dying to meet. There's something powerful about the characters that move us, teach us something and stay with us forever.

3. Morality in YA by Grace from Words Like Silver - I only recently discovered Grace's blog, but I've totally been missing out! This thoughtful discussion post on mortality in YA expresses something I've had on my mind recently. I love when authors portray unlikeable characters and/or depict problematic attitudes and behaviors, but it often provokes pretty heated reactions from readers. But don't we want the conversation?

4. The Status of All Things: It's Complicated by Estelle from Rather Be Reading - Estelle has posted a number of discussion posts inspired by books, and I keep telling her that I want to continue to write even more! I sometimes get burnt out on reading reviews, but Estelle makes me feel like we're having a personal chat and makes me want to pick up what she's been reading. This is one was my absolute favorite!

I usually just highlight one song, but I was obsessed with a lot of music this month!

Favorite Song #1: "Hold Me Down" by Halsey on Badlands

I discovered Halsey while listening to Darling Magazine's Monthly Music Mix,

and now I'm obsessed! I spent most of June listening to her music, and this song is my favorite.

Favorite Song #2: "Breathe In. Breath Out." by Hilary Duff on Breathe In. Breathe Out.

I've always loved Hilary Duff, and I was so excited about her new album.

Thankfully, it was worth the wait! Sometimes you just need some catchy pop, and this fits the bill.

Favorite Song #3: "Dime Store Cowgirl" by Kacey Musgraves on Pageant Material

I loved Kacey's first album, Same Trailer Different Park, and her clever lyrics.

Her sophomore album didn't disappoint! I love her sassy songs, but this is the one I've had on repeat.

Favorite Song #4: "Not Good Enough" by Joy Williams on Venus

I was a little nervous about this album because I absolutely loved The Civil Wars.

While it's a different sound, these songs have really grown on me. The songs all feel so honest!

Inside Out (2015) starring Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Mindy Kaling, Bill Hader, and Lewis Black - Nick and I couldn't wait for this movie to come out! I've loved every Pixar movie I've seen, and this one was no exception. It was so creative and adorable, but I didn't expect to feel so emotional watching it. I should have known!

Bought: The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen, An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir and The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

From My Mama: My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman and The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows

From Alexa: Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman

For Review: Dreamstrider by Lindsay Smith and Tonight the Streets Are Ours by Leila Sales

From Alexa: Nowhere but Here by Katie McGarry, The Art of Crash Landing by Melissa DiCarlo, Come Away with Me by Karma Brown, A Little in Love by Susan Fletcher, Jesse's Girl by Miranda Kenneally, Legacy of Kings by Eleanor Herman, These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly, We That Are Left by Clare Clarke and The Gilded Hour by Sara Donati (pictured in What I Loved section)

From Morgan: Maid of Secrets by Jennifer McGowan (pictured in What I Loved section)

Bought for Kindle: How to Love by Katie Cotugno, The Falconer by Elizabeth May, Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist and Vicious by Victoria Schwab

NetGalley/Edelweiss: Velvet Undercover by Teri Brown, These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly, Da Vinci's Tiger by Laura Malone Elliott, Every Word by Ellie Marney, The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz and Ana of California by Andi Teran