This month brought quite a bounty of reading delights. On spiritual topics, I finished Open Mind, Open Heart by Thomas Keating, which I’ve been reading in my ongoing study of Centering Prayer, as well as another book by Richard Rohr, and a memoir suggested by Rohr’s emails, The Choice by Holocaust survivor Edith Eger. An excellent complement to the latter was What Happened to You? by Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey, which makes clear how traumatic experiences form us and discusses how to bring balance and healing into our relationships.
Fiction-wise, I felt like I needed some light entertainment (but not lacking in depth), so for that books by Margery Sharp, Barbara Pym, and Diana Wynne Jones are always a reliable choice. I also read a dynamite new historical novel set in the brothels of ancient Pompeii, The Wolf Den. And I enjoyed participating in HeavenAli’s Daphne Du Maurier Reading Week with DDM’s memoir Myself When Young, which offered insight into the making of a writer.
Literature
- I asked, How are you doing with the block editor? I was doing OK, with some frustrations, but now I’m getting a “JSON response” message all the time. Any advice on this is appreciated.
- I shared my review of Featherweight at Shiny New Books.
- Make me read it: I asked for help choosing my next book to read in French.
- I reviewed last month’s “make me read it selection,” Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler.
- And I also reviewed four books by Stella Gibbons in Beyond Cold Comfort.
Books read:
- Open Mind, Open Heart by Thomas Keating
- The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper
- Der Räuber Hotzenplotz by Otfried Preußler
- Falling Upward by Richard Rohr
- Myself When Young by Daphne Du Maurier
- What Happened to You? by Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey
- Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
- Rhododendron Pie by Margery Sharp
- Swiss Watching by Diccon Bewes
- Scandalous Alchemy by Katy Moran
- The Choice by Edith Eger
- The Adventures of Miss Barbara Pym by Paula Byrne
- Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones – Reread
- Less Than Angels by Barbara Pym
Language
I finished a book in German — the classic children’s tale Der Räuber Hotzenplotz! At some point I stopped translating unknown words and started just getting as much as I could, and found I could basically follow the story if not every detail. That made reading a lot more fun. I’m looking forward to a readalong in July of Die Kleine Hexe, another beloved book by the same author.
I asked blog readers to tell me what book I should read next in French and ended up with L’étranger by Albert Camus. It’s an important book I’m sure I’ll be glad to have read, but I was hoping for something a bit lighter, so I hope I’ll have time for the runner-up, Maigret à New York by Georges Simenon. It’s all part of my Summer in Other Languages challenge, which I hope will give a boost to my language learning.
Life
This month, I had the hard drive replaced in my computer and was amazed by the difference! No more crashing, hanging or stalling — which had been an issue since I bought this used MacBook two years ago, but had suddenly gotten so bad I could barely do anything before having to restart. Looks like I had a faulty component from the beginning, but now all is well. If only all problems in life could be so easily solved.
I offered a poem in honor of Mother’s Day — Mother as bridge, as a way to move between worlds, symbol of the sacrifice and hope that are always giving birth to the future. Finding our right way in that activity is always a challenge, and I’m grateful for all the real and symbolic mothers in my life.
What are you struggling with, or what brought you relief 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
Wow that looks like a great month of reading! I read five books in May, which was a really good amount for me and one of favourites was a re-read of The Birds & Other Stories by Daphne du Maurier for the DDM reading week. What has brought me relief is that the sun has finally come out to play here in the UK! Take care and happy reading in June! 😎
Yes, it really was a great month reading-wise! I’ll have to read The Birds at some point.
You had a fantastic month in books, and that mountain view is breathtaking!! Happy June!
Thanks Freda! Yes, that was a lovely reward after our climb.
Some great reading there. But block editor still stinks and I am still just about managing to avoid it!
I wish that could work indefinitely, but I’m not hopeful. Enjoy what time you have left…
There’s nothing like a trek up a mountain for a view to help put things in perspective, and that view is inspirational. And congrats on getting through your German reads, a spur for me to do something similar!
I’m finding I’m getting impatient with books that don’t draw me in from the outset, and that’s been the case with a short story collection by Naomi Ishiguro and Zoë Gilbert’s Folk: I will persevere but in the meantime am speeding on with other titles because that’s how fickle I am… 😁
Yes, I’ve had a fair number of DNFs this year. My attention span is fickle too. Fortunately this month there was plenty that did capture my attention.
I’ve been struggling with having two friends being very ill this last few weeks, it’s been really hard to keep on with other stuff, which feels trite and crappy. However, I also know that my blog community brings me a lot of joy and connection.
Liz, I’m so sorry to hear that. I hope that they recover well. Being unable to concentrate on other things is quite understandable. Take care of yourself too.
Looks like you had a wonderful month of reading! And that view is spectacular. I’m sorry I can’t help you with your JSON issue — can your webhost offer any support?
Not sure, but if it persists I will ask them.
Usually that error has something to do with the server, so may ask your host? I hope you have a great week ahead.
Thanks for the suggestion, I”ll try if it keeps happening.
I haven’t heard of that error before, sorry Lory.
Fantastic variety of reads this month – I’m in awe. Hope you have a lovely reading week.
I’m honestly not sure how I managed to read all that. This month has slowed WAY down but still some good reads. Happy reading week to you too!
What a beautiful place to be! And your books look great. My books are pretty good too. I thought life was going well, but turns out it’s really really not. Hoping to get my own dose of nature soon with a trip to the beach.
Oh no, sorry that life is not going well. I hope the beach is restorative.
Nice list! Anything by Thomas Keating is good. And I’m going to check this book by Du Maurier. Enjoy your Summer of reading!
If you enjoy DDM’s novels, I think the memoir is a must read.
Great month of reading! I would definitely go hiking more often if I had that incredible view! Thanks for sharing that with us. I could look at that view all day.
I feel lucky every day to live here.