I know it should feel like summer, but it doesn’t…yet. Maybe the weather needs to be warmer, maybe my workload needs to be lighter or maybe it’s something else altogether. Either way, I’m at least getting into a summer reading stride already. I have three books to share, a new notebook printable, a special graduation request and links to love, too.

What I'm Reading:

It was a three book kind of week! I started with a beautiful story about books and ended with two young adult books I could not put down. Don’t ask me if my house is clean. =)

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

Oh, this book. This book, this book, this book. I love reading books about books. And I especially love reading books about books with a deeper storyline, too. This book gave me both. In it, we meet A.J Fikry, a bookseller struggling with depression after his wife was tragically killed in an accident. Barely getting by, an unexpected package arrives at the bookstore and changes his life forever. Throughout the story, we see A.J. open his heart in more ways than one, move through his grief and reinvent the bookstore as a local community hub. Told in alternating chapters, the book includes short memos of the books that have touched A.J in some way, passing his bookish insight to someone very important…including every reader. I loved this book. 

Boy on Hold by JD Spero

Well, I didn’t see this book coming. =) I do not usually gravitate toward YA thrillers, but since this book was written by a local author and takes place in my local area, I was eager to read it. And once I did, I literally could not put it down. I read it in two days (and then the sequel in one!) because I NEEDED to know what happened to Marcella, Tyler, Hen and Bernie. A horrific event in a small town shakes a family to its core and cracks open secret after secret. Spero tackles hard issues like drug addiction, mental illness and violence in a captivating storyline balanced with love, family and the ties that bind. Readers will feel all the feels and then some.  

Boy Released by JD Spero

As soon as I finished Boy on Hold, I immediately started reading this sequel. I loved the parallels across both books, along with the role reversals, too: from Miss Sally’s unfortunate death and Hen’s nightly view of it all to Marcella’s unexpected attack and Tyler as the only witness. Just as with the first novel, I was captivated by the constant turn of events, the gripping stories each character was holding inside and the strong sense of place the book offered since I was familiar with the setting. I’m hoping this might turn into a trilogy so I can return to these characters and root for them again.

What I'm Writing:

Last week, I shared an idea I had to start capturing my family’s monthly activities as a keepsake in my notebook. I had grand plans to design something in Canva (I LOVE designing things there and if you want to try, get a free trial here using my affiliate link!), but as I tinkered away, I needed inspiration and started browsing. 

And guess what?

I found the perfect page already created by Christie Zimmer. This is what I’ll be using and I imagine I’ll grab MANY of her other printables, too. I just love the clean lines and color!

So, that’s what I’ve been writing about. I’ve been trying to capture the rhythm of my family just as much as the rhythm of my reading and writing life. 

It feels good. 

What I'm Learning:

My son’s graduation party is coming up soon and I’m shocked at just how big these things can get. My own high-school graduation was a simple get together with family and honestly, I didn’t even have one for my college graduations.

So, I’m learning. 

As I attend other parties and head to Pinterest, I’m seeing beautiful picture boards, photo stations, food trucks, ice-cream stations, personalized cookies, yard cards and more. 

Oh, my. This is not my thing. =)

So, I’m learning about the essential elements of a graduation party and how to balance that with a teenage son who doesn’t like the spotlight. 

Hit reply and send me your best high-school graduation party ideas!

What I'm Loving:

Out of Print has an EPIC new collection of Richard Scarry merch! The tote bag is mine. =)

I was reminded of how much I need transparent sticky notes to track my thinking while reading. I think you do, too!

Tombow’s new July wallpaper is here! It’s so beachy and instantly makes me think of summer. 

There you have it! I hope this inspires you to make space for more reading and writing in your own life. What are the highlights from your literate life this week?