Month in Review: July 2024

Literature

It was great this month to participate in a Zoom call with some bloggers from Paris in July, Emma’s event celebrating all things French. It inspired me to start reading The Discovery of France, a fascinating look at how the country (made up of many small groups who didn’t necessarily consider themselves French) came together in the modern period. This fractured history is still influential today, and I’m learning a lot about my neighboring country.

I joined in the Olympic Book Tag — thanks Shannon for these fun prompts that provided a way to look back on my reading from the last months. It also gave me a chance to post some more photos of the Olympic Torch being passed in Chartres.

Below you can see the rest of what I read, many books tying in to present or future challenges and events.

StoryGraph has a new feature that generates wrap up graphic for the month, so I made use of those here. What do you think?

• Chartres: Sacred Geometry, Sacred Space by Gordon Strachan – Nonfiction Reader, 10 Books of Summer, review to come
• The Golden Age of Chartres by Rene Querido
• I, Labyrinth of Chartres by Jacques Paillot
• Tik-Tok of Oz by L. Frank Baum – Ozathon, review to come
• Moominpappa’s Memoirs and Tales from Moominvalley by Tove Jansson – anticipating Moomin Week
• The Serial Garden by Joan Aiken – Witch Week readalong
• The Brain That Changes Itself by Norman Doidge – Nonfiction Reader, 10 Books of Summer, review to come
• Well That Was Unexpected and Didn’t See That Coming by Jesse Q. Suntano – 10 Books of Summer, StoryGraph Reads the World

For a long time I did not use star ratings, but I’ve decided to try them out. Here’s what my stars mean to me:

• 5 stars are reserved for books I’ve read multiple times and consider personal favorites.
• 4 stars are for books I found outstanding. I’ll go through at the end of the year and raise some to 4.5 stars.
• 3 stars are for solid books that I recommend, in spite of some flaws. 3.5 puts them a cut above average, though not quite stellar enough for 4 stars.
• 2 – 2.5 stars are for books that I found worth reading for some reason, but had serious drawbacks.
• 1 star is for books I finished but cannot recommend.

Language

After taking a German test last month, I have found out I have to take a French test to upgrade my residence permit here in Switzerland. I tried to get my advanced study certificate from college accepted, but no such luck. You might think a German credential would suffice, but each town has its own official language and you have to do the test according to where you live.

I will be fine with comprehension, but my speaking and writing are rusty because I don’t actually need to use French much in daily life. With a little practice I hope to attain a B1 level. Wish me luck!

Life

My biggest news this month was my trip to Chartres. Read about it here. Yes, this has been a very France- and French-oriented month!

In other news, my son has passed his theoretical driving test, just one step in the multi-layered process of the Swiss system. I had no idea it was so complicated, though I should not be surprised.

First you have to do an emergency aid course, then have an eye exam, apply to take the theory test, get invited to make an appointment for the theory test, actually take the theory test, and only then can you get the learner’s permit. Don’t neglect to buy an official “L” label to stick on your car! Now it will be at least a year before he can get the license — under 20 year olds must have at least 12 months of practice.

So if you ever want to move to Switzerland with a teenager, be warned…

Linked at The Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer, the Sunday Salon at Readerbuzz, and the Monthly Wrap-up Round-up at Feed Your Fiction Addiction