The Books on My July 2018 Reading List
The books on my July 2018 reading list, including Prairie Fires, The Great Alone, In the Woods, Farmer Boy, Swing Time, and Big Magic.
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I’m trying to set more realistic expectations with my July 2018 reading list than I did with my May list, when I listed more books than I could get to during that busy month (I skipped making a list in June during my blogging break–hi! I’m back.).
Then some forgotten library holds came in that moved other books to the backburner. Even though my plans went off the rails a bit, I did like the exercise of trying to plan for the month.
Making a monthly list is different from my usual meandering way of choosing books, so I thought I’d give it a try for at least a few more months.
I suspect I’ll never “perfect” the art of planning my reading for the month, but it’s always fun to look forward to what’s coming up–while recognizing that some of the books may never make it to the top of the list. Making the lists also helps me keep an eye on my library holds, as well as progress on my read my shelf challenge and my reading bucket list.
Here’s what I’m looking forward to in July.
July 2018 Reading List
Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder
Like so many readers, the Little House books were a huge part of my childhood. The books presented an idyllic picture of Wilder’s childhood, which I loved as a kid. As an adult, I’m eager for a more realistic view of post-Civil War life in the prairies.
The Great Alone
More info →
In the Woods
Farmer Boy
My daughter and I just finished Little House in the Big Woods and she is eager to continue the Little House series. While I don’t always write here about the books I’m reading with my kids, I suspect I’ll be writing more about Little House in the coming months. It also seems fitting that I’m rereading these with her at a time when I’m revisiting the Little House world in general–first when I read Caroline: Little House, Revisited, and now with Prairie Fires.
And books from my May list that I still haven’t gotten to (but hope to):
Swing Time
I’m behind on my reading bucket list books (I try to read one per month), and I plan to prioritize this one in July. The synopsis: Two brown girls dream of being dancers–but only one, Tracey, has talent. The other has ideas: about rhythm and time, about black bodies and black music, about what constitutes a tribe, or makes a person truly free. It’s a close but complicated childhood friendship that ends abruptly in their early twenties, never to be revisited, but never quite forgotten, either.
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
Big Magic is not the kind of book that often makes it to the top of my list, and I’m not sure yet if it will in July. Nonetheless, as I think about (and struggle with) fitting creativity into my own life, Gilbert’s book on the topic remains on my TBR.
Have you read any of these? How do you plan your reading (if you do)? What books are on your July 2018 reading list?
I read In the woods last December and really enjoyed it. It was kind of a slow story but very good characters.
Hope you enjoy all your picks!
I need to read the great alone too.?
Glad to hear In the Woods is worth the read! The characters in French’s The Likeness were some of the most developed I’ve read in a mystery novel, so I’m looking forward to reading more from the series.
Your new goals sound realistic for where your life is. I struggle a bit with keeping goals manageable, as well. it really is a fine line to walk.
The only one of your books I’ve read is The Great Alone. (Well, except Farmer Boy MANY years ago.) I liked the first 80%, but then it went a little off the rails for me. Hope it doesn’t for you.
Yeah, and some of these are pretty long, so we’ll see how it goes. I remember being a kid and having long, leisurely hours to read in the summer. Not so much anymore 🙂 I hope you’re getting a little of that now that school is out!
I’ll be interested to see how The Great Alone works for me. There are times, when most of a story works, that I can just ride along with wherever an author takes me. I’m hoping this is one of those times, but we’ll see!
This is the first I’ve heard anything wonky about The Great Alone. Curious to see what you think! It’s hard to follow up The Nightingale, so I’m going in with lower expectations.
I still haven’t read The Nightingale! I’ve heard so many raves, though, that I’m hoping to one day. I think I read something of hers years ago, but it didn’t stick with me. At least I won’t have anything to measure this one against!
I’m glad you’re back! You’ve been missed! I love that you’ve been reading LHOTP with your daughter. My 9-year-old is hooked on graphic novels and I’ve been trying to lure her away with my favorite juvenile fiction books. Swing Time is definitely on my list too. I’ve heard great things about it!
I’ve read Prairie Fires and the Great Alone this year and Farmer Boy a long time ago. I have In the Woods loaded on my Kindle already. I’ll be interested to hear what you think of the first two books.
What a great selection!! Seems very reasonable and balanced to me, great job putting it together 😉 Can’t wait to see how you progress through it!
Thanks! My library holds haven’t come in quite in the order expected, so my plans keep changing, but at least I’m reading some good books!