Month in Review: July 2025

What I read this month

• Mina’s Matchbox by Yoko Ogawa, translated by Stephen B. Snyder – Women in Translation (Japanese)
• Piglettes by Clementine Beauvais, translated by the author – Women in Translation (French)
• A Case of Mice and Murder by Sally Smith
• Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
• Storybook Ending by Moira Macdonald
• The Magician’s Book by Laura Miller – Reread
• Emma by Jane Austen – Reread, Read Austen 2025
• The History of Christian Theology by Phillip Cary
• Bird Cottage by Eva Meijer, translated by Antoinette Fawcett – Women in Translation (Dutch)

Paris in July – A book I recommend

Piglettes by Clementine Beauvais (Les petites reines in French) was a quick, breezy read about a girl-power road trip, perfect for summer! Three teenage girls targeted by a bully in their school (who named them as “winners” of an ugliness contest) strike back by going on a two-week bike ride to Paris, selling gourmet sausages along the way. Along with asserting their right to take up space, each has a private agenda. They have to deal with sudden social-media fame, as well as navigation, weather, journalists, and other challenges of the road, while their perspective and goals undergo changes. But friendship will get them through.

The book was translated into English by the author, a good thing, I think, as it includes lots of wordplay and irony, and the narrator, Mireille, has a very unique voice. In either language, a French delight!

Currently reading

As we’ve done for the past several summers, Emma of Words and Peace (who runs the yearly Paris in July event) and I have chosen a book to buddy-read in French. This year, it’s Une rose seule by Muriel Barbery, a short, poetic book I am looking forward to after last year’s Madame Bovary.

Emma has read it before, but she says she’s happy to go through again and savor every word, she liked it so much. That bodes well for me, as I will have to spend extra time just to comprehend a sufficient number of words. I’m looking forward to the challenge.

If anyone wants to join, contact Emma for the link to our Discord group — discussion in French, but it’s very low-key. A translation by Alison Anderson is also available – perfect for Women in Translation month!

Coming up: A week of sacred reading

Lectio divina, or sacred reading, is an ancient contemplative practice that has brought me many gifts. I thought it would be lovely to share it with others, so starting on August 18 I’m offering a week of daily online meetings — all are welcome, and the content will not always be conventionally religious. Check out this page to learn more and sign up.

If you’re interested, but not able to join this time, please sign up anyway — I’ll send at least one recording of the basic practice, and keep you informed of upcoming events.

What’s on your shelf this month?

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